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Top 10 in America!
Top pick by both
Teacher & Parenting
magazines!
Welcome to the home of National Parental Involvement Day & Public School Volunteer Week!
Extensive Leadership and Training Experience
Kevin Walker, President & Founder, Like Johnny Appleseed, Kevin travels America planting the seeds of school improvement from coast-to-coast. As the founder and president of Project Appleseed, he launched National Parental Involvement Day and Public School Volunteer Week, two of the longest-running national initiatives promoting school-family partnerships. His advocacy helped in shaping key parental involvement provisions in Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, later reaffirmed under No Child Left Behind and the Every Student Succeeds Act. In his home state of Missouri, he successfully proposed the Missouri Public School Accountability Report Card and co-founded the Innovative Technology Education Fund.
Kevin Walker
Project Appleseed Founder and President Kevin Walker addresses a National PTA audience.
Named one of the Top Ten People in American Education by Teacher Magazine (Education Week), Walker has also received the Parenting Leader Award (Time Inc.). He was a long-time participant and guest lecturer at Washington University in St. Louis, training school administrators, MBA, and MSW graduate students in the Total Quality Schools joint program, equipping them with effective family and community engagement strategies.
Walker’s hands-on experience spans parent engagement, community development, and school improvement at local, state, and national levels. He has served as a parent group leader, liaison, volunteer coordinator, and site council chair, working with superintendents, principals and teachers to strengthen community engagement. His expertise includes strategic planning, curriculum development, nonprofit management, public policy, integrating technology and communications.
With this extensive experience, Walker delivers dynamic workshops and training sessions, equipping educators, administrators, and community leaders with effective strategies to foster strong family-school partnerships that enhance student success. Read Kevin's origin story here. >>
Susan Graham
Susan Graham
Susan Graham, M.A.Ed (c), CFLE
With over 18 years of hands-on experience partnering with families, schools, and community organizations, Susan Graham is a Certified Family Life Educator who brings a trauma-informed, evidence-based approach to every workshop and training she leads. Currently completing her M.A.Ed in Trauma and Resilience in Educational Settings, Susan specializes in translating the latest research into practical strategies that empower parents, strengthen family–school partnerships, and foster student success.
Key Qualifications & Strengths:
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Certified Expertise: As a CFLE, Susan adheres to national standards for family education, ensuring that all content is grounded in best practices.
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Trauma-Informed Lens: Her graduate work in trauma and resilience equips her to design safe, inclusive learning environments that meet families where they are.
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Evidence-Based Facilitation: Susan has developed and delivered dozens of workshops for parents, educators, and administrators—always rooted in data, assessment, and measurable outcomes.
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Customized Curriculum Developer: Whether it’s a virtual 2-hour deep dive into the Family Engagement Toolbox or a multi-day onsite institute, Susan tailors every session to align with your school’s goals, Title I requirements, and community context.
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Collaborative Partnership Builder: Founder of Achieve Life Balance, Susan excels at integrating with existing school initiatives—lightening your team’s load while amplifying impact.
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Versatile Delivery Formats: From interactive “Parent University” series to on-demand webinars, from live Zoom trainings to hands-on Family Engagement Game nights, Susan meets families and staff in the format that works best for them.
Why Susan for Project Appleseed?
By blending her CFLE credentials, trauma-resilience expertise, and a decade-long track record of transforming family engagement, Susan Graham offers Project Appleseed partners a uniquely comprehensive resource. Her workshops don’t just share tools—they build capacity, foster lasting relationships, and drive measurable improvement in student outcomes.