Sam Drazin is a certified elementary educator who taught for many years in public schools. Born with Treacher Collins Syndrome, a rare congenital disorder resulting in both facial anomaly and hearing loss, Sam underwent seven surgeries as a child. Sam’s experiences, both as a student with a difference and as a teacher working in an inclusive classroom, helped him recognize the importance of improving awareness of and understanding about differences. Since 2012, Sam has taken his story on the road and has since visited more than 250 schools around the country, interacting and inspiring more than 50,000 students in grades K-12.
In addition to presenting at schools, Sam serves as the Executive Director of Changing Perspectives, an educational nonprofit that promotes disability awareness, and holds leadership roles on the boards of several nonprofit organizations. Sam lives in Northern California with his dogs, Cami and Copper.