Zacharie J. Clements, Ed.D

Dr. Zach Clements brings audiences to their feet and leaves them asking for more with his poignant and pointed insights into education's most vital resource: people. Drawn from personal experience, his unique use of humor and candor to address the truth about what's happening in today's schools is professionally and personally compelling. An at-risk orphan, Zach credits the love and values of his immigrant grandparents and the personal concern of his teachers for his rise from the ghetto to the classroom to over 30 years at the podium. He proudly states, "If it weren't for American public schools, I wouldn't be where I am today." Zach has earned Bachelor and Master degrees from the University of New York at Albany, and a second Master's and a Doctorate from the University of Buffalo. A former full-professor at the University of Vermont for 13 years, he has also been a classroom teacher of English, biology, history and reading. Zach is often asked to return to complete his round of four topics, each presentation energized by his avid hold on life, tempered by old-world values and warmed by a teacher's love of people.