Stacey Bess is an award-winning educator with great insight into the hearts of children in need. She believes that the way to most effectively teach children any subject is to treat them with love and kindness. Audiences around the nation have discovered the treasure of Stacey Bess and the magic she works with children.
Bess began her teaching career at The School With No Name located inside the Salt Lake City shelter where she taught math, reading, and self worth to homeless and transient children.
By the end of her first term she was discouraged and often distraught by the circumstances facing the children who were so easy to love, but whose lives were so insecure. Often she wanted to give up, but decided the children deserved her best efforts.
While working at The School With No Name, Bess chronicled the heart-wrenching stories of her students so she would never forget how far these children had come. After reviewing the stories, she discovered profound life-lessons and eventually published a book, Nobody Don’t Love Nobody.
After Bess published her first book and gained the support of the Utah community, people began to notice Bess and her unusual success with “hopeless” children. She has won prestigious local and national awards. A highlight came when she was honored with the esteemed National Jefferson Award, along with First Lady Barbara Bush, Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackman and Ambassador Walter Annenberg.
A dynamic keynote speaker, Stacey Bess engages groups large and small, sharing the lessons she learned that changed her life as she taught hundreds of homeless children. Her story continues to change lives as her audiences are inspired to become involved in their communities.
Bess and her husband Greg have been married 44 years and have six children. She earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Utah. She continues to be a leading advocate in the nation for the educational rights of impoverished children.
Outstanding Service To Children, Utah Children’s Award, Creative Community Leadership Award, University of Utah Unsung Heroine Award, Ladies’ Auxiliary Veterans of Foreign Wars, Modern Pioneer Award, Geneva Steel Community Hero, Children’s Miracle Network, Huntsman Awards for Excellence nominee
Stacey has made numerous TV appearances and has been the subject of articles in local and national publications. A few of those are listed below.
"It was a pleasure for our campus to host the Midwest premier of Beyond the Blackboard. It was an inspirational movie and our community and campus audience were treated to a great evening. Beyond that, Stacey appeared in several campus venues with students and faculty. She is an effective communicator of the values and techniques of great teaching. She has been where the toughest educators labor, and did it with skill and passion. Southern Nazarene University would welcome her again as she shared values of genuine care and concern for students that we try to teach. I highly recommend her to any audience who wants to understand the challenges of education today, and who wants to hear from a person who knows how to get it done, even in the most difficult circumstances." -Southern Nazarene University
"Stacey did an outstanding job at the luncheon. She is everyone’s favorite speaker thus far at any of our events. Thank you again for helping us!" -Kids Can!
"Stacey was phenomenal! I have never seen students so engaged and attentive during an event. She captured their attention and they never let go. She spoke with such poise, passion, and emotion that it was hard not to be intrigued by her journey. The students that had dinner with her were also so excited to meet her and really felt like she was real and laidback—basically, she met them where they are! She was so wonderful that I have recommended her to another friend so I hope they are able to work with her/you!" -Wingate University