Educators would come up to me after events and say:
"Steve… how do I do what you do?"
"I’ve got a story to share, too. How do I start?"
That’s why I built Within Our Ranks. To take all the guesswork out of becoming a K–12 speaker, trainer, consultant, or coach. I’ve made the mistakes, booked the gigs, built the brand. And now, I teach other educators how to turn their experience into influence.
WOR is a movement helping educators rise up and reshape professional development from the inside out.
Why I Started
Within Our Ranks
Over 20 years in K–12 education as an educator, administrator, and superintendent.
International keynote speaker and climate and culture leadership expert.
Author of Stand Tall Leadership,
Just Do This, Ideas, Ideas, Ideas, and more.
Named one of the Top 30 Global Gurus in Education (2023, 2024, 2025, 2026).
Creator of the WOR Retreat, WOR Community, and Inner Circle coaching program.
Lifelong encourager, no-fluff coach, and your personal hype man.
What I Bring to
the Table
I’m here to show you a path and walk it with you.
I’ll push you, support you, and give you the exact tools I’ve used to build a sustainable, purpose-driven speaking business.
If you want to speak locally, lead PD sessions, or take the stage in front of thousands, I’ll help you step into your voice with confidence and clarity.
What You'll Get
From Me
After 20+ years in education as a teacher, principal, and superintendent, I stepped into the world of professional speaking. I had stories to tell, strategies that worked, and a passion for helping educators grow.
Since then, I’ve spoken across the country and around the globe, trained thousands of teachers and school leaders, and built a business doing what I love: inspiring educators to step into their voice and lead from the front of the room.
But I didn’t get here with a blueprint when I first started. So I figured it out the hard way through trial, mistakes, and missed opportunities.
Within Our Ranks is the experience I wish had existed when I started. I created a space where educators learn how to speak professionally with clarity, confidence, and direction.
I would recommend Within Our Ranks to anyone out there in the education field if you have the thought that you would like to get into speaking or professional development. This is for you, just take the plunge. This is one of the first things I’ve done for myself in a long time that is just for me. I’m not related to my job, and I certainly don’t regret it. You will get more ideas this weekend than maybe you’ve gotten in your entire degree program in college, I guarantee. This is a great opportunity, and certainly I wish this event had been longer. I’m very grateful and excited to apply what I have learned.
Chris Jocum
I have to tell you about Within Our Ranks family. I’m so glad to be a part of this weekend; it has been a great opportunity for me to learn and connect with other people. This gives you the ability to speak in various ways. This has really elevated me, my thinking, my speaking, and my ability to create and to meet others. If you’re looking for a place to connect with someone, consider Stand Tall Steve in the Within Our Ranks family.
Tray Harris
I already work as an education speaker. I do professional development, but I knew that I wanted to branch off and into Keynote speaking, and who better to teach me about that than Stand Tall Steve. I’ve seen his success. I knew that I would be working with someone who could give me what I need and this weekend has been everything that I thought it would be and then some. I am taking away so much. So not only will you learn if you decide that you want to be a part of this but you’ll have something to implement immediately, and I think that’s what’s most important. It’s not coming just to hear and to have the experience but it’s being able to take something away. I am definitely taking away to be able to grow my business and to be able to give educators what they need, which is the end goal of better education.
Iantha Ussin
