Speaking Engagements / Professional Development / Classroom Leadership / Books
Ernie Lee is the 2016 Georgia Teacher of the Year, a retired public school educator, former attorney, author, and professional speaker. He founded Classroom Counsel LLC, an educational consulting and professional-development organization, and serves as its Principal Partner.
Before entering education, Ernie practiced law for more than two decades. His transition into teaching gave him a distinctive perspective on classroom leadership, professional judgment, relationships, and the challenges new educators face.
Drawing on his background in psychology, law, and education, Ernie helps teachers build the confidence and practical skills needed to lead effective classrooms.
Ernie believes that effective classroom leadership requires more than rules, procedures, or personality. It requires a combination of authority, sound judgment, consistency, and genuine care for students.
His approach emphasizes calm authority—leading with confidence without intimidation and building relationships without sacrificing expectations.
Rather than promoting a rigid classroom management system, Ernie encourages educators to develop professional judgment and leadership practices that reflect their personalities, values, and students' needs.
His presentations combine personal stories, practical strategies, humor, and insights developed over years in the classroom.
Classroom Counsel serves educators and organizations at different stages of professional development, including:
Programs strengthen classroom leadership, support professional growth, and help schools develop and retain effective educators.
Ernie offers keynote presentations and professional-development programs addressing some of the most important challenges facing educators.
Calm Authority in Your Classroom: Leading with Confidence and Care from Day One
How teachers establish authority, create meaningful relationships, develop sound professional judgment, and lead confidently without relying on intimidation.
Second Career, First Calling
Helping professionals entering education recognize the value of their previous experience while developing the skills and confidence necessary for classroom success.
Recruit, Welcome, Retain
Helping school leaders strengthen induction programs, mentoring relationships, and professional support systems that encourage teachers to remain in education.
From Self-Doubt to Classroom Leadership
Helping teachers move beyond uncertainty, find their professional voice, and approach classroom challenges with confidence and resilience.
Called to the Classroom
A presentation for faith-based educational communities exploring teaching as a commitment to service, purpose, character, and meaningful influence.
Additional presentations are available on civic education, constitutional principles, professional ethics, and teacher leadership.
Participants explore practical approaches to some of the most important dimensions of effective teaching, including:
Ernie's goal is for participants to leave not only encouraged but also equipped with strategies they can begin using immediately.
Yes. Ernie provides a range of speaking and professional-learning experiences, including keynote addresses, conference breakout sessions, interactive workshops, new-teacher orientation programs, teacher induction training, faculty retreats, and virtual presentations.
Half-day and full-day programs may be developed around an organization's particular needs.
Workshops provide opportunities for discussion, reflection, practical application, and professional collaboration.
Absolutely. Each school, district, university, and professional organization has distinct needs.
Ernie works with event organizers to identify the audience, goals, and desired outcomes before developing a presentation.
A program for first-year teachers may emphasize classroom presence, routines, and professional confidence. A presentation for school administrators may focus on mentoring, teacher support, and retention.
Programs can also be tailored for second-career educators, university students, experienced teachers, and faith-based educational communities.
Yes. Ernie's background in law, psychology, government, history, and education allows him to address a variety of topics.
As a former attorney, social studies educator, and past president of the Georgia Council for the Social Studies, he brings experience to discussions of civic education, constitutional principles, citizenship, professional ethics, and educators' responsibilities in a democratic society.
He has also delivered a keynote presentation for the University of South Carolina School of Law's Constitutional Center.
Organizations interested in these subjects are encouraged to inquire about a customized presentation.
To begin, contact Classroom Counsel LLC at ernie@classroomcounsel.org or complete the speaking inquiry form on this website.
Please include as much of the following information as possible:
Ernie will work with you to determine whether the engagement is a good fit and to discuss program details.
Speaking fees vary by engagement type, presentation length, location, preparation requirements, and whether the program is offered in person or virtually.
Classroom Counsel develops proposals based on the needs of each organization and the scope of the requested services.
For fee information and availability, please get in touch with ernie@classroomcounsel.org with details about your event.
Yes. Based in Savannah, Georgia, Ernie is available for speaking engagements throughout Georgia, the Southeast, and nationally, subject to scheduling and travel arrangements.
He also offers virtual keynote presentations, professional-development workshops, webinars, and interviews.
Organizations are encouraged to make inquiries as early as possible, particularly for major conferences, beginning-of-year professional-development programs, and university events.
Calm Authority in Your Classroom: A Teacher's Guide to Leading with Confidence and Care from Day One is Ernie Lee's forthcoming book from Routledge's Eye on Education imprint.
Drawing on his experiences as an educator and former attorney, Ernie explores how teachers develop the confidence, judgment, and relationships necessary to lead classrooms effectively.
The book addresses classroom leadership, establishing expectations, managing challenging situations, communicating with families, and sustaining professional confidence.
At its heart is a central belief: Teachers can exercise authority without intimidation, maintain expectations without sacrificing relationships, and lead with both confidence and care.
The book is especially relevant for new teachers, second-career educators, teacher candidates, mentors, and professionals responsible for teacher preparation and induction.
Calm Authority in Your Classroom is forthcoming from Routledge's Eye on Education imprint.
The publisher will announce the publication date and preorder availability when confirmed.
Readers, educators, and organizations interested in the book are invited to contact Classroom Counsel or join the book update list to receive publication announcements, preorder information, and news about related speaking engagements.
Sign Up for Book Updates
Yes. The themes explored in Calm Authority in Your Classroom are well suited to new-teacher induction, teacher preparation, mentoring programs, faculty professional learning, and education leadership development.
Classroom Counsel welcomes inquiries about keynote presentations, workshops, and professional-learning programs connected to the book's central ideas.
Following publication, schools and organizations may also inquire about book studies, group purchasing, author presentations, and programs designed around selected chapters or themes.
Yes. Classroom Counsel can provide event planners with an official speaker biography, professional headshot, presentation descriptions, speaker introduction, and promotional information. See the link on this website.
Ernie is also available for podcast interviews, educational webinars, panel discussions, and conversations about classroom leadership, teacher preparation, second-career educators, civic education, and the teaching profession.
Event organizers should contact Classroom Counsel in advance to discuss presentation requirements, audiovisual arrangements, and promotional materials.
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