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Learn About Shaun Derik

Shaun Derik | America’s Speaker for the Dreamer

🏆 America’s #1 Youth Motivational Speaker

The Speaker
for the
Dreamer.

Shaun Derik blends live music, movement, and humor to unlock the potential inside every student. Turning any assembly into an unforgettable experience that lasts long after the applause fades.

📅 Book Shaun for Your School ▶ See Shaun in Action
700K+
Students Inspired
20
Years on Stage
6
Signature Programs
Shaun Derik on Stage
📺
As seen on PBS, CBS & NBC National Media Recognition

Trusted by schools, districts & national organizations across America

Client logos: SADD, HOBY, NASSP, FBLA, Prudential, DECA and more
Shaun Derik headshot
Meet Shaun

The “Speaker for the Dreamer”

What happens when a nervous young speaker notices a piano in the corner of the room, wheels it out, and changes everything? That one moment launched nearly two decades of transforming how young people see themselves and what they believe they can do.

Shaun Derik is a high energy speaker, educator, storyteller, and artist who has spent 20 years helping over 700,000 students and educators nationwide unlock their full potential. His approach is not a lecture. It is a live experience blending music, movement, humor, and raw authenticity.

Featured on PBS, CBS, NBC, and Essence.com, Shaun is trusted by schools, districts, and national organizations to deliver programs that move teens from “idea” to “I did it.”

Book Shaun for Your Event →
“My very first speech was awful. Then I noticed a piano in the corner. They all laughed. But when I started to play, you could hear a pin drop. That is when I found my voice.” Shaun Derik
Signature Programs

6 Programs. One Mission.

Every program tackles the real challenges facing students and educators today, delivered in Shaun’s signature style that makes every lesson stick.

Dreams and Detours program
Choices

Dreams & Detours

Helping students navigate tough choices and stay on track toward their dreams, no matter what obstacles appear along the road.

Use Your Inside Voices program
Identity

Use Your Inside Voices

Empowers students to embrace who they are and silence the external noise that holds them back from their true potential.

Being THERE program
Mentoring

Being T.H.E.R.E.

Equips educators and youth workers to show up fully and create lasting impact in young people’s lives every single day.

Above and Beyond program
Critical Thinking

Above & Beyond

Building critical thinking and leadership skills so students can rise above peer pressure and make bold, intentional decisions.

The HARD Part program
Focus & Grit

The H.A.R.D. Part

Cultivating focus, grit, and resilience. The qualities that separate those who dream from those who actually achieve their goals.

Saying Something program
Integrity

Saying Something

Helping students find the courage to speak up when it truly matters. A character program built on honesty and moral courage.

📅 Book a Program for Your School
See For Yourself

Meet Shaun Derik

See why over 700,000 students say Shaun’s programs are unlike anything they have ever experienced.

🎤 “The most our students have ever been engaged with a speaker.” Andrea Stuiber, IMSA Illinois

Social Proof

What Educators Are Saying

From principals to program directors. Here is what real clients say about Shaun’s impact.

★★★★★
“I have seen about 500 assemblies in my lifetime. This was the best. Shaun had our students completely captivated from the first second to the last.”
Dr. Margo Lorber
Dr. Margo LorberBronxville High School
★★★★★
“He genuinely invested his time in us. He spoke to our students as if he had known them their entire lives. The connection was instant and authentic.”
Jason Landstown
Jason LandstownPrincipal, Landstown High School
★★★★★
“He is the best. Period! Our community is still talking about his presentation months later. The impact was immediate and it lasted.”
Gilda Ross
Gilda RossGlenbard Parent Series
★★★★★
“I can safely say this is the most our students have been engaged with a speaker. Shaun found a way to make every single student feel seen.”
Andrea Stuiber
Andrea StuiberIMSA Illinois
★★★★★
“He was able to reach and inspire everyone in a way I have yet to witness from any other speaker of his time. An absolute force on stage.”
Tessa Burchfield
Tessa BurchfieldMississippi Dept of Education
★★★★★
“Our team still benefits from his insight months later. Months later! Extremely engaging material delivered in a way that felt completely effortless.”
Tiffany Netters
Tiffany J. NettersDirector of Health Policy, LPCA
What You Get

Everything Included
When You Book Shaun

When you bring Shaun to your school or organization, you are not just booking a speaker. You are investing in a full transformational experience.

✓
Custom tailored keynote or assemblyProgram chosen and personalized to your school’s specific theme and student needs
✓
Live music, movement & interactive elementsNot a PowerPoint. An immersive, high energy experience students remember for years
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Pre event consultation callShaun personally connects with your team to understand your goals and school culture
✓
Staff and educator session optionAdd on workshop for teachers, counselors, and administrators to maximize impact
✓
Post event follow up resourcesAction guides and follow through materials to keep the momentum going
✓
Nationally recognized curriculumPrograms endorsed by NASSP, PBS, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and more
Check Availability for Your Date →
Shaun Derik engaging with students
Shaun’s Story

From Nervous Rookie
to 700,000 Lives Changed

He walked into his first speaking engagement drenched in sweat, voice trembling. The students were not having it. Then he noticed an old upright piano pushed against the wall. And everything changed.

That spontaneous decision to wheel out that piano and play became the origin story of one of America’s most sought after youth speakers. The room went from restless to riveted. And Shaun Derik found his voice.

Since 2008, Shaun has served alongside schools, districts, and national organizations to promote student well being and personal development. In 2019, he hosted stadium sized opioid awareness summits through WV Gamechanger, reaching tens of thousands of students statewide and over 200,000 more via PBS livecast.

He has stood on the same stage as Hoda Kotb, Eli Manning, America Ferrera, and Priyanka Chopra as a four time host of Prudential’s Emerging Leaders Awards. In April 2025, he stepped into his newest role as co host of a PBS Kids show, bringing his signature energy to a national audience.

2008First school program launched
2019PBS opioid summit, 200K+ students
4xPrudential Emerging Leaders host
2025Co host, PBS Kids national show
Shaun Derik storytelling on stage
FAQ

Not Sure Which Program? We Can Help.

Browse by what your school needs most, or read the general questions below to get started.

Shaun’s programs are primarily designed for middle and high school students in grades 6 through 12, though many programs adapt well for college students and adult educators. His Being T.H.E.R.E. program is specifically built for teachers, counselors, and administrators. Contact Shaun’s team to find the right fit for your audience.
Programs range from a 45 to 60 minute keynote assembly all the way to half day or full day workshop formats. Shaun also offers multi session residency programs for deeper, sustained impact. During your pre event consultation, he will help you choose the right format based on your schedule, budget, and goals.
Yes. Shaun travels to schools, conferences, and organizations across the entire United States. His team handles all logistics coordination, from AV requirements to room setup. A detailed technical rider is provided upon booking so your team knows exactly what to prepare.
Shaun’s calendar fills up quickly, especially in peak seasons from September through November and January through April. We recommend reaching out at least 6 to 8 weeks before your desired date. Contact dream@shaunderik.com to check availability as soon as possible.
Absolutely. Shaun has delivered high impact virtual programs including a PBS livecast that reached 200,000 plus students simultaneously. His team is fully equipped to deliver a compelling remote or hybrid experience with the same energy and engagement as an in person event.
Dreams and Detours is the perfect fit. This program helps students recognize that every choice is a crossroads and that detours are not failures but redirections. Students leave with a clearer picture of who they want to be and a practical framework for navigating the tough calls ahead.
Yes. Shaun can customize Dreams and Detours to align with college readiness, career pathway exploration, or transition planning themes. Many districts use this program for junior and senior class assemblies, freshman orientation, or college and career days.
Above and Beyond directly addresses peer pressure and critical thinking. It equips students with language and confidence to make independent choices when the crowd is pulling in the wrong direction. Pair it with Saying Something for a powerful integrity focused double session.
Use Your Inside Voices is built exactly for this. It helps students reconnect with their authentic self and stop performing for an audience that does not serve them. Shaun uses music, humor, and powerful storytelling to help students recognize the unique value they carry into every room.
Very much so. Use Your Inside Voices speaks directly to the noise of comparison culture and the way social media distorts self image. Shaun addresses this without demonizing technology, meeting students where they are and helping them build a healthier inner compass.
Yes. Use Your Inside Voices pairs beautifully with Saying Something for a comprehensive anti bullying experience. One program builds individual identity and confidence, while the other builds the moral courage to speak up when others are being treated unfairly.
The H.A.R.D. Part directly addresses resilience, grit, and perseverance. Shaun helps students understand that struggle is not a sign of weakness but a signal of growth. He makes the concept of mental toughness accessible and relatable, especially for teenagers who feel like they are falling behind.
Absolutely. The H.A.R.D. Part resonates deeply with student athletes, honor students, and anyone carrying high expectations. Shaun reframes pressure as fuel and helps students build the internal tools to stay focused when things get hard.
Yes, within appropriate boundaries. Shaun is not a therapist, but he is a master at normalizing struggle and opening the door for students to seek support. Many schools use his programs as a launching pad for follow up conversations with counselors and mental health staff.
Yes. Being T.H.E.R.E. is Shaun’s program designed specifically for educators, administrators, counselors, and youth serving professionals. It helps adults reconnect with their purpose, improve how they show up for students, and build stronger mentoring relationships that produce lasting results.
Absolutely. Many schools book a student assembly in the morning and a professional development session for staff in the afternoon. Shaun is energized by this format and tailors each session independently so both groups get a fully relevant, distinct experience.
Being T.H.E.R.E. was built with at risk youth programs in mind. Shaun has worked with Big Brothers Big Sisters, the National Police Activities League, and other youth serving organizations. He understands the unique dynamics of mentoring relationships and delivers practical, actionable insight for mentors at every level.
Yes. In 2019, Shaun hosted stadium sized opioid awareness summits through WV Gamechanger, reaching tens of thousands of West Virginia students live and over 200,000 more via PBS livecast. His programs address substance abuse prevention through the lens of identity, choice, and purpose rather than fear based messaging.
Dreams and Detours and Above and Beyond are both excellent choices for SADD chapters and Red Ribbon Week assemblies. Shaun can theme either program around prevention messaging while keeping students fully engaged throughout the entire event.
Many schools and districts have used prevention grants, Title IV funds, and community health funding to cover Shaun’s programs. His team can provide documentation of program topics, learning objectives, and evidence of impact to support grant reporting requirements. Reach out for more details.
Limited Dates Remaining for the 2025 to 2026 School Year

Ready to Give Your Students an Experience They Will Never Forget?

Join 700,000 plus students who have been moved, inspired, and transformed by Shaun Derik’s one of a kind programs. Your school deserves more than a speaker. It deserves a moment.

📅 Book Shaun Now
✓ No Risk Consultation
✓ Nationally Recognized
✓ 20 Years of Results
✓ PBS, CBS & NBC Featured