The new normal

Uncertainty is the new normal

Darryl on stage at TEPSA under the big FEARLESS screen▶Watch Darryl in action
In schools today, fear shows up everywhere
  • Student behavior and mental health getting harder to manage every year
  • Funding changes and budget cuts that put jobs and programs on the line
  • New teachers leaving before year three, and veterans wondering if they should
  • Mandates, new curriculum and AI, all arriving faster than anyone can train for
  • Pressure from parents, boards and the news, with everything on camera

You can't control all of it.

You can change what fear does in your building.

Written fears from educators and staffWritten fears from K-12 students

What educators and staffWhat K-12 students wrote on their cards

These are real cards from district opening days and all-staff rooms, shared without names. Your people are carrying some of these too.These are real cards from middle and high school rooms, shared without names. Your students are carrying some of these too.

SEE THE REAL CARD ↻
hover a card to see the real handwriting
A teacher drops her fear card into the fire pit at a district opening day.Educators and staff putting their fear cards into the fire pit.
fears into the fire pit at a district opening day
FYI, the fire is not real
I fear that I am not smart enough to be a teacher for kids.
SEE THE REAL CARD ↻
The real handwritten card
Fear of failure. I do not want to fail my students. I do not want to fail my family. I do not want to fail myself.
SEE THE REAL CARD ↻
The real handwritten card
Pressure and too much responsibility, too big caseload, want to quit.
SEE THE REAL CARD ↻
The real handwritten card
Meet Darryl

hey, I'mDarryl!

I left a career in technology consulting to work with students, and for years I was the guy at the assembly. Along the way I started asking the room some version of the question: what do you fear? Their answers built the framework I use today.

Then principals and superintendents started asking me to come back for their staff, because the fears in the teachers' lounge aren't that different from the ones students carry into the cafeteria. Now most of my work is with the adults who carry the building, helping them keep moving even when fear and uncertainty show up.

360+
schools, campuses and organizations
75,000+
written fears collected
10+
years in schools
›Check Date & Get Pricing›More about Darryl
Darryl laughing on stage at a district opening dayA teacher drops her fear card into the fire pit.
The Fearless Experience

What the
experience looks like

This isn't a sit-and-listen PD. Here's how it works, from the weeks before to the days after.

01
SAMPLE PRE-EVENT VIDEO

Before the day

Darryl sends a pre-event video, and educators and staff have the option to share some of their challenges beforehand.

02
energy & interactive

In the room

From the walk-on song to the fear cards to the fire pit, everyone takes part. Nobody just sits and listens.

A teacher taking a photo of a keynote slide.03
picture worthy tools

Tools they can use

Simple steps your people can use in the classroom, in the hallway and at home the next day, not just a good feeling.

Teachers showing their Fear(less) bands after the keynote.04
Fear(less) band

After they leave

Everyone leaves with a Fear(less) band and one next step, so the conversation keeps going in your building.

The keynote

Fearful to fearing less

This keynote gives your educators and staff real stories, a room that's up and moving, and a simple way to keep going when fear, change and uncertainty show up.

↓Download the one sheet↓Download the speaking packet
Your people will leave able to
1
Name what they're carrying. Put words to the fear, worry or stress behind the hard days.
2
Sort what's theirs to control. Let go of what isn't and choose one small next step.
3
Bounce back from setbacks. Give themselves, and the people around them, room to be human.
4
Keep the conversation going. Use the same simple language with their team and with the students they serve.
Built for your biggest days of the year
Opening day and convocation

Every employee in one room before the first bell.

District PD days

Professional learning your educators won't want to skip.

Principal and leadership retreats

The people who carry the building, and everyone in it.

Board and association meetings

School boards, RESAs, ESCs and state associations.

›Check Date & Get Pricing
Schools and districts I've spoken at

You're in good company

90+
schools, districts and education agencies
27
states
public, independent, parochial and charter
Broward County Public Schools
Jeffco Public Schools
Macomb ISD
Walton County School District
Wills Point ISD
Chester County School District
Hollandale School District
TEPSA
Alabama Association of School Boards
Okefenokee RESA
Northwest RESA
Nevada Department of Education
The St. Paul's Schools
Charlotte Country Day
The Bolles School
Baylor School
Deerfield Academy
Blair Academy
Cate School
Loomis Chaffee
Global Village Academy
Your message was timely, inspiring, and exactly what our leaders needed. The feedback has been tremendous, and the impact of your words is still resonating.
Director of Magnet & Innovative Programs
Dr. Kassandra Fried
Broward County Public Schools
Before you book

Booking FAQ

Don't see your question? Call 980-217-2441 or email hello@fearlessinside.com.

For your district
Can you open our school year?+

Yes. Opening day and convocation are the most common days Darryl speaks in K-12. The keynote is built for every employee in one room, from teachers to bus drivers to the front office.

Can the keynote tie into our district theme or goals?+

Yes. On a short planning call we talk about your theme, your goals and what your schools are facing, and Darryl works them into the day.

Does this work for classified staff, not just teachers?+

Yes. Some of the best fear cards Darryl has ever read came from bus drivers, custodians and cafeteria staff. The keynote is built so everyone in the building sees themselves in it.

Planning the day
How far ahead do districts usually book?+

August and January dates go first, so most districts reach out 4 to 9 months ahead. If your date is sooner, ask anyway.

Can we add a workshop or a principals' session?+

Yes. The Fearing Less in Action workshop runs 45 to 75 minutes and works well as a breakout after the keynote or as a separate session for leaders.

What do you need from us before the day?+

A date, a room and a point person. We send a short link so your educators and staff can share their fears anonymously ahead of time.

How it works
✓Step 01.You reach out
⟶
✓Step 02.You hear back fast
⟶
✓Step 03.We talk about your event
Let's

You will hear back within hours on business days.

Talk.
Darryl Bellamy Jr. jumping and pointing, excited to talk about your eventDarryl Bellamy Jr. jumping and pointing down, excited to talk about your event
Tell us about your event
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980-217-2441 · hello@fearlessinside.com
Fearless Inside is more than a keynote experience.
It's a larger movement to change how educators react and respond to the worries and fears that come with the work.
Company
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Who I Work With
K-12 Schools & DistrictsHigher EducationConferences & AssociationsEducation Companies & Nonprofits
Contact
Charlotte, NC(+1) 980-217-2441hello@fearlessinside.com
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