Plagued by severe undiagnosed ADHD and reading difficulties, I began disrupting class in 4th grade. I believed my peers would laugh at me for being “dumb” so I made sure they laughed at me for being “bad” instead. I was defiant, disruptive, and relatively unmotivated. By sixth grade, my academic skills were so below grade level that I was pulled/kicked out of school.

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During my senior year, I started gambling. The next five years were a cycle of lying, cheating, and stealing to feed my addiction. In 2001, I entered recovery. I am now clean 21 years.

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Today I am a certified teacher, presenter, and international motivational keynote speaker for educators. I have co/authored seven books, including the best seller, That One Kid, 2nd Edition,  Tips for Teachers, Power Struggles, Turning Tough Parents into Strong Partners, and Watch Your Mouth.

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I live with my wife, who is a world-renowned artist (www.reneemendlerart.com), three kids, and two pets.