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A Teacher's Farewell: Crafting the Perfect Graduation Speech for Students
Introduction:
As a teacher, the culmination of years of nurturing young minds culminates in the bittersweet joy of graduation. Delivering a memorable graduation speech that resonates with your students requires careful planning and heartfelt emotion. This comprehensive guide will walk you through crafting a powerful and impactful graduation speech, ensuring it not only captures the hearts of your students but also reflects your dedication and wisdom. We'll delve into structuring your speech, choosing the right tone, incorporating memorable anecdotes, and offering valuable advice, all tailored to help you deliver a speech that will be remembered long after the tassel turns. This guide is your roadmap to creating the perfect "graduation speech from teacher to students."
I. Structuring Your Masterpiece: A Blueprint for an Unforgettable Speech
A well-structured speech is key to engaging your audience. Avoid rambling; instead, craft a clear narrative that guides your listeners on a journey of reflection and celebration.
A. The All-Important Opening: Begin with a captivating hook—a powerful quote, a relevant anecdote, or a thought-provoking question that instantly grabs attention. Avoid clichés; aim for originality and authenticity.
B. Acknowledging the Journey: Acknowledge the shared experiences, challenges, and triumphs of the graduating class. Recall specific moments, inside jokes, or significant events that shaped their collective journey. This personal touch builds a connection and creates a sense of shared history.
C. Weaving in Wisdom and Advice: Offer insightful advice, but avoid preachy tones. Instead, share personal anecdotes illustrating your points. Focus on practical, actionable advice that resonates with their future endeavors. This could include advice on perseverance, embracing challenges, or the importance of lifelong learning.
D. Celebrating Successes and Recognizing Achievements: Highlight the accomplishments of individual students (where appropriate) and the class as a whole. This recognition not only celebrates their hard work but also reinforces their sense of accomplishment.
E. Looking Towards the Future: Inspire hope and optimism for the future. Paint a picture of the exciting possibilities that lie ahead. Encourage them to embrace challenges, pursue their passions, and make a positive impact on the world.
F. A Memorable Closing: End your speech with a powerful statement, a hopeful vision, or a heartfelt thank you. Leave your audience feeling inspired, motivated, and deeply appreciative of your words. A call to action, urging them to pursue their dreams, can be a powerful way to conclude.
II. Finding Your Voice: Tone and Style Considerations
Your speech's tone should be reflective of your personality and relationship with your students. While maintaining professionalism, aim for authenticity and genuine emotion.
A. Authenticity over Formality: While structure is crucial, prioritize authenticity. Let your personality shine through. A genuine, heartfelt delivery trumps a perfectly polished but emotionless speech.
B. Humor (Used Sparingly and Appropriately): A touch of humor can lighten the mood and make your speech more memorable. However, ensure your humor is appropriate for the occasion and your audience. Avoid jokes that could be offensive or insensitive.
C. Emotional Resonance: Graduation is an emotional occasion. Don't be afraid to express genuine emotion—joy, pride, and even a touch of sadness. Authentic emotion connects with your audience on a deeper level.
D. Adapting to Your Audience: Consider the specific personalities and experiences of your graduating class when determining your tone and style. A speech tailored to your students will resonate far more effectively.
III. Crafting Memorable Moments: Anecdotes and Storytelling
Anecdotes and storytelling are powerful tools for connecting with your audience. Choose stories that are relatable, inspiring, and relevant to your message.
A. Relatable Stories: Share personal stories that illustrate your points. Relatable experiences make your message more accessible and impactful.
B. Inspirational Tales: Weave in inspiring stories of perseverance, success, or overcoming obstacles. These stories serve as powerful reminders of the potential within each student.
C. Keeping it Concise: While storytelling is powerful, avoid lengthy, rambling anecdotes. Keep your stories focused and to the point.
IV. Practical Tips for Delivery and Presentation
A powerful speech requires more than just well-crafted words; it needs a confident and engaging delivery.
A. Practice, Practice, Practice: Rehearse your speech multiple times to ensure a smooth and confident delivery. Time yourself to ensure you stay within the allotted time frame.
B. Engage with Your Audience: Make eye contact, use natural gestures, and vary your tone of voice to keep your audience engaged.
C. Speak Clearly and with Passion: Project your voice, speak clearly, and deliver your speech with passion and enthusiasm. Your enthusiasm will be contagious.
D. Utilize Visual Aids (If Appropriate): A well-chosen slideshow or other visual aid can enhance your speech, but keep it simple and avoid overwhelming your audience.
V. Example Graduation Speech Outline: "The Unexpected Journey"
Name: Ms. Eleanor Vance
Outline:
Introduction: Begin with a captivating anecdote about a student's unexpected success story.
Chapter 1: The Unexpected Twists: Discuss the unexpected challenges and opportunities the class faced throughout their school years. Use specific examples.
Chapter 2: Embracing the Unknown: Focus on the importance of adaptability and embracing the unknown future. Share inspiring stories of individuals who thrived in unexpected circumstances.
Chapter 3: Finding Your Path: Encourage students to explore their passions and discover their unique paths. Offer practical advice on navigating career choices.
Chapter 4: The Power of Connection: Highlight the importance of building strong relationships and supporting one another throughout life's journey.
Conclusion: End with a powerful message of hope and encouragement, focusing on the bright future that awaits them.
VI. Detailed Explanation of the Example Outline Points
Introduction: Start with a captivating anecdote. For example, "Remember Sarah? She initially struggled in math, yet she ended up winning the state math competition. That's the spirit of this graduating class – overcoming obstacles and exceeding expectations."
Chapter 1: The Unexpected Twists: Recount specific challenges the class faced – a pandemic, a school renovation, a difficult project. Frame these as learning experiences, highlighting their resilience.
Chapter 2: Embracing the Unknown: Share inspiring stories – Malala Yousafzai, someone who overcame hardship. Connect these stories to the students' own potential to navigate uncertainty. Emphasize adaptable problem-solving skills.
Chapter 3: Finding Your Path: Offer advice on exploring career options, volunteering, networking. Emphasize the importance of following passions, even if unconventional.
Chapter 4: The Power of Connection: Highlight the importance of community and mentorship. Encourage continued connections with classmates and teachers.
Conclusion: End with a powerful, hopeful message. "The future is unwritten, but filled with endless possibilities. Embrace the journey, support each other, and never stop learning."
VII. FAQs
1. How long should a graduation speech be? Aim for 10-15 minutes.
2. What if I get nervous? Practice thoroughly, focus on your message, and remember your audience cares.
3. Should I read my speech or memorize it? A well-rehearsed speech is best; don't rigidly stick to a script.
4. How do I make it personal? Incorporate specific examples and anecdotes relevant to your students.
5. What if I make a mistake? Don't panic; keep going. Most people won't notice minor errors.
6. How can I make my speech memorable? Use storytelling, humor (appropriately), and heartfelt emotion.
7. What’s the best way to practice my speech? Practice in front of a mirror, friends, or family for feedback.
8. What if I don’t know what to say? Brainstorm key themes, recall shared experiences, and focus on offering inspiring words of advice.
9. How can I ensure my speech is appropriate for all students? Be mindful of language and avoid potentially offensive topics.
VIII. Related Articles
1. Writing a Graduation Speech: Tips and Tricks: A guide focusing on the practical aspects of writing and structuring a speech.
2. Inspirational Graduation Speech Examples: A collection of sample speeches showcasing various styles and tones.
3. How to Deliver a Powerful Graduation Speech: Advice on effective delivery techniques and overcoming stage fright.
4. The Importance of Storytelling in Graduation Speeches: Explores the power of anecdotes and how to use them effectively.
5. Graduation Speech Anecdotes: Finding the Perfect Story: A guide to selecting and crafting compelling anecdotes.
6. Common Mistakes to Avoid in Graduation Speeches: A list of common pitfalls and how to avoid them.
7. Graduation Speech Etiquette: What to Consider: A guide on appropriate tone, language, and behavior.
8. Finding Your Voice in a Graduation Speech: Tips on establishing an authentic and engaging tone.
9. Graduation Speech Themes: Ideas and Inspiration: A variety of themes to inspire and guide your speech writing.
| graduation speech from teacher to students: You Are Not Special David McCullough Jr, 2014-09-11 An inspirational reflection on the way we bring up children that will resonate with all parents. David McCullough, Jr’s high-school graduation address, dubbed You Are Not Special when it went viral on YouTube, was a tonic for parents, students, and educators alike. Now he expands on that speech with wit and a perspective earned from raising four children and teaching high-school students for nearly 30 years. In this humorous and insightful book, McCullough takes a hard look at helicopter parents, questionable educational goals, professional university coaching, electronic distractions, and more — and advocates for a life of passionate engagement. |
| graduation speech from teacher to students: Hello World! Kelly Corrigan, 2021-04-20 From New York Times bestselling author Kelly Corrigan comes a book that celebrates the people in our lives and the meaningful connections we make that come from asking each other questions. Hello World! is the perfect reminder that the journeys we take through life are all about the people we will meet along the way--people who will make us smarter, stronger, and more amazing than we ever thought possible. With her trademark inspirational wisdom, Kelly Corrigan writes the perfect book for anyone about to embark on a new adventure. |
| graduation speech from teacher to students: Why Read? Mark Edmundson, 2008-12-01 In this important book, acclaimed author Mark Edmundson reconceives the value and promise of reading. He enjoins educators to stop offering up literature as facile entertainment and instead teach students to read in a way that can change their lives for the better. At once controversial and inspiring, this is a groundbreaking book written with the elegance and power to change the way we teach and read. Why Read was a PSLA Young Adult Top 40 non-fiction title 2004 |
| graduation speech from teacher to students: Lift Off Donovan Livingston, 2017-04-04 An inspirational rallying call about education, race, and the true nature of equality—the Harvard Graduate School of Education convocation speech praised as “powerful” by Hillary Rodham Clinton in Teen Vogue and “inspired” by Justin Timberlake. In emotionally charged spoken-word poetry, Livingston shares a message of hope and hard truths, declaring that education can become an equalizer only if we first acknowledge the inequality and racial divides holding back America’s future. Livingston is dedicated to helping young people reach their celestial potential, and in his galvanizing commencement address, now adapted for the first time to the page, he calls on us to raise our voices on behalf of all children, as their brighter futures can light up our own. Together, we can lift off! Praise for Donovan Livingston “Donovan Livingston gave a powerful speech at the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s convocation. In a spoken-word poem, he shared his struggles in life and urged his fellow graduates to fight inequality and inspire students. . . . Donovan’s message hit home. . . . [He is] part of a rising generation that’s . . . standing up to some of the biggest challenges in the world today.”—Hillary Rodham Clinton, Teen Vogue “These are the words, and Donovan Livingston’s voice and spirit are the music, but in any form, this rare graduation speech tells us that learning is full of bias yet can lead us to the stars.”—Gloria Steinem “Donovan Livingston’s Lift Off is our youth’s gift to us. In this joyous young man’s voice is the promise of tomorrow.”—James McBride |
| graduation speech from teacher to students: The Last Lecture Randy Pausch, Jeffrey Zaslow, 2010 The author, a computer science professor diagnosed with terminal cancer, explores his life, the lessons that he has learned, how he has worked to achieve his childhood dreams, and the effect of his diagnosis on him and his family. |
| graduation speech from teacher to students: Assume the Worst Carl Hiaasen, 2018-04-10 This is Oh, the Places You'll Never Go--the ultimate hilarious, cynical, but absolutely realistic view of a college graduate's future. And what he or she can or can't do about it. This commencement address will never be given, because graduation speakers are supposed to offer encouragement and inspiration. That's not what you need. You need a warning. So begins Carl Hiaasen's attempt to prepare young men and women for their future. And who better to warn them about their precarious paths forward than Carl Hiaasen? The answer, after reading Assume the Worst, is: Nobody. And who better to illustrate--and with those illustrations, expand upon and cement Hiaasen's cynical point of view--than Roz Chast, best-selling author/illustrator and National Book Award winner? The answer again is easy: Nobody. Following the format of Anna Quindlen's commencement address (Being Perfect) and George Saunders's commencement address (Congratulations, by the way), the collaboration of Hiaasen and Chast might look typical from the outside, but inside it is anything but. This book is bound to be a classic, sold year after year come graduation time. Although it's also a good gift for anyone starting a job, getting married, or recently released from prison. Because it is not just funny. It is, in its own Hiaasen way, extremely wise and even hopeful. Well, it might not be full of hope, but there are certainly enough slivers of the stuff in there to more than keep us all going. |
| graduation speech from teacher to students: This Is Water Kenyon College, 2014-05-22 Only once did David Foster Wallace give a public talk on his views on life, during a commencement address given in 2005 at Kenyon College. The speech is reprinted for the first time in book form in THIS IS WATER. How does one keep from going through their comfortable, prosperous adult life unconsciously' How do we get ourselves out of the foreground of our thoughts and achieve compassion' The speech captures Wallace's electric intellect as well as his grace in attention to others. After his death, it became a treasured piece of writing reprinted in The Wall Street Journal and the London Times, commented on endlessly in blogs, and emailed from friend to friend. Writing with his one-of-a-kind blend of causal humor, exacting intellect, and practical philosophy, David Foster Wallace probes the challenges of daily living and offers advice that renews us with every reading. |
| graduation speech from teacher to students: Oh, the Places You'll Go! Dr. Seuss, 2013-09-24 Dr. Seuss’s wonderfully wise Oh, the Places You’ll Go! celebrates all of our special milestones—from graduations to birthdays and beyond! “[A] book that has proved to be popular for graduates of all ages since it was first published.”—The New York Times From soaring to high heights and seeing great sights to being left in a Lurch on a prickle-ly perch, Dr. Seuss addresses life’s ups and downs with his trademark humorous verse and whimsical illustrations. The inspiring and timeless message encourages readers to find the success that lies within, no matter what challenges they face. A perennial favorite for anyone starting a new phase in their life! |
| graduation speech from teacher to students: Lessons from a Third Grade Dropout Rick Rigsby, 2019-02-05 A USA TODAY and Wall Street Journal bestseller! Learn how to live a life of character and integrity—by following the simple advice of a third grade dropout. Be inspired by the book behind Dr. Rick Rigsby’s viral graduation speech. After his wife died, Rick Rigsby was ready to give up. The bare minimum was good enough. Rigsby was content to go through the motions, living out his life as a shell of himself. But then he remembered the lessons his father taught him years before— incredibly simple, yet incredibly profound. These lessons weren’t about advanced mathematics or the secrets of the stock market. They were quite straightforward, in fact, as Rigsby’s father never made it through third grade. But if this man’s instructions were powerful enough to inspire one of his children to earn a Ph.D. and another to become a judge—imagine what they can do for you. While Rick Rigsby’s father was a third-grade dropout, he was a man who never hid behind any excuse. A man who never allowed his problems or lack of a formal education to determine his present or affect his future. A man who realized that destiny was a choice and not a chance. In Lessons from a Third Grade Dropout, Rigsby shares the simple lessons from his father that will transform your mindset, including: Remain true to yourself Think the best at all times Give your best regardless of the circumstances Keep standing no matter what Join Rigsby as he dusts off time-tested beliefs and shares his father’s impactful, far-reaching story—of how a life can be enhanced, of how a corporate culture can be changed, of how a family can be united—by living the simple lessons of a third-grade dropout. |
| graduation speech from teacher to students: Very Good Lives J. K. Rowling, 2015-04-14 J.K. Rowling, one of the world's most inspiring writers, shares her wisdom and advice. In 2008, J.K. Rowling delivered a deeply affecting commencement speech at Harvard University. Now published for the first time in book form, VERY GOOD LIVES presents J.K. Rowling's words of wisdom for anyone at a turning point in life. How can we embrace failure? And how can we use our imagination to better both ourselves and others? Drawing from stories of her own post-graduate years, the world famous author addresses some of life's most important questions with acuity and emotional force. |
| graduation speech from teacher to students: The Shooting Star Shivya Nath, 2018-09-14 Shivya Nath quit her corporate job at age twenty-three to travel the world. She gave up her home and the need for a permanent address, sold most of her possessions and embarked on a nomadic journey that has taken her everywhere from remote Himalayan villages to the Amazon rainforests of Ecuador. Along the way, she lived with an indigenous Mayan community in Guatemala, hiked alone in the Ecuadorian Andes, got mugged in Costa Rica, swam across the border from Costa Rica to Panama, slept under a meteor shower in the cracked salt desert of Gujarat and learnt to conquer her deepest fears. With its vivid descriptions, cinematic landscapes, moving encounters and uplifting adventures, The Shooting Star is a travel memoir that maps not just the world but the human spirit. |
| graduation speech from teacher to students: Certain Trumpets Garry Wills, 2013-05-28 This “beautifully written and reasoned” (Booklist) narrative by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Garry Wills examines what constitutes meaningful leadership, and why it is so essential to society. What makes a leader? How do we identify effective leadership, and how should—and shouldn’t—that power be used? In Certain Trumpets, Garry Wills presents portraits of eminent leaders including FDR to Ross Perot, King David, Martha Graham, and many others, offering an illuminating lens for studying society and ourselves. Dividing these portraits into sixteen leadership categories ranging from military to charismatic, intellectual, rhetorical, and elected, Wills highlights what makes each of his subjects unique, crafting along the way a distinct and incisive definition of leadership as a reciprocal engagement between two contrasting wills that serves to mobilize us toward a common good, and explaining why leadership is so often a contentious and emotionally charged subject. “A stunningly literate and thoughtful examination of what makes a leader…[and] a welcome antidote to some of the more egregious ‘management style’ drivel,” (Kirkus Reviews), Certain Trumpets is an inspiring and edifying tour through the history of an indispensable social art. |
| graduation speech from teacher to students: You Can Do Anything George Anders, 2017-08-08 In a tech-dominated world, the most needed degrees are the most surprising: the liberal arts. Did you take the right classes in college? Will your major help you get the right job offers? For more than a decade, the national spotlight has focused on science and engineering as the only reliable choice for finding a successful post-grad career. Our destinies have been reduced to a caricature: learn to write computer code or end up behind a counter, pouring coffee. Quietly, though, a different path to success has been taking shape. In You Can Do Anything, George Anders explains the remarkable power of a liberal arts education - and the ways it can open the door to thousands of cutting-edge jobs every week. The key insight: curiosity, creativity, and empathy aren't unruly traits that must be reined in. You can be yourself, as an English major, and thrive in sales. You can segue from anthropology into the booming new field of user research; from classics into management consulting, and from philosophy into high-stakes investing. At any stage of your career, you can bring a humanist's grace to our rapidly evolving high-tech future. And if you know how to attack the job market, your opportunities will be vast. In this book, you will learn why resume-writing is fading in importance and why telling your story is taking its place. You will learn how to create jobs that don't exist yet, and to translate your campus achievements into a new style of expression that will make employers' eyes light up. You will discover why people who start in eccentric first jobs - and then make their own luck - so often race ahead of peers whose post-college hunt focuses only on security and starting pay. You will be ready for anything. |
| graduation speech from teacher to students: Why School? Mike Rose, 2014-02-04 Why School? is a little book driven by big questions. What does it mean to be educated? What is intelligence? How should we think about intelligence, education, and opportunity in an open society? Drawing on forty years of teaching and research and a profound understanding of the opportunities, both intellectual and economic, that come from education (Booklist), award-winning author Mike Rose reflects on these and other questions related to public schooling in America. He answers them in beautifully written chapters that are both rich in detail and informed by an extensive knowledge of history, the psychology of learning, and the politics of education. This paperback edition includes three new chapters showing how cognitive science actually narrows our understanding of learning, how to increase college graduation rates, and how to value the teaching of basic skills. An updated introduction by Rose, who has been hailed as a superb writer and an even better storyteller (TLN Teachers Network), reflects on recent developments in school reform. Lauded as a beautifully written work of literary nonfiction (The Christian Science Monitor) and called stunning by the New Educator Journal, Why School? offers an eloquent call for a bountiful democratic vision of the purpose of schooling. |
| graduation speech from teacher to students: Make Good Art Neil Gaiman, 2013-05-14 THIS BOOK IS FOR EVERYONE LOOKING AROUND AND THINKING, NOW WHAT?” Neil Gaiman’s acclaimed commencement address, Make Good Art, thoughtfully and aesthetically designed by renowned graphic artist Chip Kidd. This keepsake volume is the perfect gift for graduates, aspiring creators, or anyone who needs a reminder to run toward what gives them joy. When Neil Gaiman delivered his Make Good Art commencement address at Philadelphia’s University of the Arts, he shared his thoughts about creativity, bravery, and strength. He encouraged the fledgling painters, musicians, writers, and dreamers to break rules and think outside the box. Most of all, he encouraged them to make good art. The speech resonated far beyond that art school audience and immediately went viral on YouTube and has now been viewed more than a million times. Acclaimed designer Chip Kidd brings his unique sensibility to this seminal address in this gorgeous edition that commemorates Gaiman's inspiring message. |
| graduation speech from teacher to students: A Teacher's Guide to Education Law Michael Imber, Tyll van Geel, J.C. Blokhuis, Jonathan Feldman, 2013-10-23 Adapted from its parent volume Education Law, 5th Edition, this accessible text concisely introduces topics in law that are most relevant to teachers. Providing public school teachers with the legal knowledge necessary to do their jobs, A Teacher’s Guide to Education Law covers issues of student rights, discipline, negligence, discrimination, special education, teacher rights, hiring and firing, contracts, unions, collective bargaining, and tenure. Special Features: This revised edition includes new content on bullying, privacy, discrimination, school finance, and issues relating to Internet and technology, as well as updated references and case law throughout. To aid comprehension, technical terms are carefully explained and summaries of key topics and principles are provided. Case law is presented within the context of real-world examples, making this text accessible to pre-service teachers who have little background in law. A companion website provides additional resources for students and instructors, such as links to full cases and a glossary of key concepts. |
| graduation speech from teacher to students: Make Your Bed Admiral William H. McRaven, 2017-04-04 Based on a Navy SEAL's inspiring graduation speech, this #1 New York Times bestseller of powerful life lessons should be read by every leader in America (Wall Street Journal). If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed. On May 17, 2014, Admiral William H. McRaven addressed the graduating class of the University of Texas at Austin on their Commencement day. Taking inspiration from the university's slogan, What starts here changes the world, he shared the ten principles he learned during Navy Seal training that helped him overcome challenges not only in his training and long Naval career, but also throughout his life; and he explained how anyone can use these basic lessons to change themselves-and the world-for the better. Admiral McRaven's original speech went viral with over 10 million views. Building on the core tenets laid out in his speech, McRaven now recounts tales from his own life and from those of people he encountered during his military service who dealt with hardship and made tough decisions with determination, compassion, honor, and courage. Told with great humility and optimism, this timeless book provides simple wisdom, practical advice, and words of encouragement that will inspire readers to achieve more, even in life's darkest moments. Powerful. --USA Today Full of captivating personal anecdotes from inside the national security vault. --Washington Post Superb, smart, and succinct. --Forbes |
| graduation speech from teacher to students: Culturally Responsive Teaching and The Brain Zaretta Hammond, 2014-11-13 A bold, brain-based teaching approach to culturally responsive instruction To close the achievement gap, diverse classrooms need a proven framework for optimizing student engagement. Culturally responsive instruction has shown promise, but many teachers have struggled with its implementation—until now. In this book, Zaretta Hammond draws on cutting-edge neuroscience research to offer an innovative approach for designing and implementing brain-compatible culturally responsive instruction. The book includes: Information on how one’s culture programs the brain to process data and affects learning relationships Ten “key moves” to build students’ learner operating systems and prepare them to become independent learners Prompts for action and valuable self-reflection |
| graduation speech from teacher to students: The Teacher Wars Dana Goldstein, 2015-08-04 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A groundbreaking history of 175 years of American education that brings the lessons of the past to bear on the dilemmas we face today—and brilliantly illuminates the path forward for public schools. “[A] lively account. —New York Times Book Review In The Teacher Wars, a rich, lively, and unprecedented history of public school teaching, Dana Goldstein reveals that teachers have been embattled for nearly two centuries. She uncovers the surprising roots of hot button issues, from teacher tenure to charter schools, and finds that recent popular ideas to improve schools—instituting merit pay, evaluating teachers by student test scores, ranking and firing veteran teachers, and recruiting “elite” graduates to teach—are all approaches that have been tried in the past without producing widespread change. |
| graduation speech from teacher to students: The Leader in Me Stephen R. Covey, 2012-12-11 Children in today's world are inundated with information about who to be, what to do and how to live. But what if there was a way to teach children how to manage priorities, focus on goals and be a positive influence on the world around them? The Leader in Meis that programme. It's based on a hugely successful initiative carried out at the A.B. Combs Elementary School in North Carolina. To hear the parents of A. B Combs talk about the school is to be amazed. In 1999, the school debuted a programme that taught The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Peopleto a pilot group of students. The parents reported an incredible change in their children, who blossomed under the programme. By the end of the following year the average end-of-grade scores had leapt from 84 to 94. This book will launch the message onto a much larger platform. Stephen R. Covey takes the 7 Habits, that have already changed the lives of millions of people, and shows how children can use them as they develop. Those habits -- be proactive, begin with the end in mind, put first things first, think win-win, seek to understand and then to be understood, synergize, and sharpen the saw -- are critical skills to learn at a young age and bring incredible results, proving that it's never too early to teach someone how to live well. |
| graduation speech from teacher to students: What Now? Ann Patchett, 2009-10-13 “A wise, generous and compact primer for life that could well become a touchstone, readers will return to this book, and probably find something new each time they do; deserves to be given often and enthusiastically.” — Publishers Weekly Based on her lauded commencement address at Sarah Lawrence College, this stirring essay by bestselling author Ann Patchett offers hope and inspiration for anyone at a crossroads, whether graduating, changing careers, or transitioning from one life stage to another. With wit and candor, Patchett tells her own story of attending college, graduating, and struggling with the inevitable question, What now? From student to line cook to teacher to waitress and eventually to award-winning author, Patchett's own life has taken many twists and turns that make her exploration genuine and resonant. As Patchett writes, 'What now?' represents our excitement and our future, the very vitality of life. She highlights the possibilities the unknown offers and reminds us that there is as much joy in the journey as there is in reaching the destination. |
| graduation speech from teacher to students: Wait, What? James E. Ryan, 2017-04-04 New York Times Bestseller “What, What? is a welcome—and joyful—reminder that true wisdom comes from asking the right questions. Should you read this book? Absolutely.” —Clayton Christensen, bestselling author of How Will You Measure Your Life? Based on the wildly popular commencement address, the art of asking (and answering) good questions by the Dean of Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education. Whether we’re in the boardroom or the classroom, we spend far too much time and energy looking for the right answer. But the truth is that questions are just as important as answers, often more so. If you ask the wrong question, for instance, you’re guaranteed to get the wrong answer. A good question, on the other hand, inspires a good answer and, in the process, invites deeper understanding and more meaningful connections between people. Asking a good question requires us to move beyond what we think we know about an issue or a person to explore the difficult and the unknown, the awkward, and even the unpleasant. In Wait, What?, Jim Ryan, dean of Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education, celebrates the art of asking—and answering—good questions. Five questions in particular: Wait, what?; I wonder…? Couldn’t we at least…?; How can I help?; and What truly matters? Using examples from politics, history, popular culture, and social movements, as well as his own personal life, Ryan demonstrates how these essential inquiries generate understanding, spark curiosity, initiate progress, fortify relationships, and draw our attention to the important things in life—from the Supreme Court to Fenway Park. By regularly asking these five essential questions, Ryan promises, we will be better able to answer life’s most important question: “And did you get what you wanted out of life, even so?” At once hilarious and illuminating, poignant and surprising, Wait, What? is an inspiring book of wisdom that will forever change the way you think about questions. |
| graduation speech from teacher to students: How Learning Works Susan A. Ambrose, Michael W. Bridges, Michele DiPietro, Marsha C. Lovett, Marie K. Norman, 2010-04-16 Praise for How Learning Works How Learning Works is the perfect title for this excellent book. Drawing upon new research in psychology, education, and cognitive science, the authors have demystified a complex topic into clear explanations of seven powerful learning principles. Full of great ideas and practical suggestions, all based on solid research evidence, this book is essential reading for instructors at all levels who wish to improve their students' learning. —Barbara Gross Davis, assistant vice chancellor for educational development, University of California, Berkeley, and author, Tools for Teaching This book is a must-read for every instructor, new or experienced. Although I have been teaching for almost thirty years, as I read this book I found myself resonating with many of its ideas, and I discovered new ways of thinking about teaching. —Eugenia T. Paulus, professor of chemistry, North Hennepin Community College, and 2008 U.S. Community Colleges Professor of the Year from The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education Thank you Carnegie Mellon for making accessible what has previously been inaccessible to those of us who are not learning scientists. Your focus on the essence of learning combined with concrete examples of the daily challenges of teaching and clear tactical strategies for faculty to consider is a welcome work. I will recommend this book to all my colleagues. —Catherine M. Casserly, senior partner, The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching As you read about each of the seven basic learning principles in this book, you will find advice that is grounded in learning theory, based on research evidence, relevant to college teaching, and easy to understand. The authors have extensive knowledge and experience in applying the science of learning to college teaching, and they graciously share it with you in this organized and readable book. —From the Foreword by Richard E. Mayer, professor of psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara; coauthor, e-Learning and the Science of Instruction; and author, Multimedia Learning |
| graduation speech from teacher to students: If God Gave Your Graduation Speech Jay Payleitner, 2013-03-01 With refreshing honesty, winsome humor and a keen understanding of human nature, Payleitner delivers a surprising and thought-provoking commencement address from God's point of view. Every remark is a fresh and relevant restatement of truths found in Scripture, which are shown in subtle, yet profound footnotes at the bottom of each page. Graduates are reminded of God's love, faithfulness and trustworthy plan for their lives. In the final pages, Psalm 37:4 yields a surprise ending for those who trust God. -An inspired gift for high school and college grads. -Vividly Imagined from God's eternal perspective. -Content is a retelling of specific Bible verses revealed in footnotes right on the same page. -In its first year, Jay's book 52 Things Kids Need from a Dad sold more than 90,000 copies through Choice Books. The success of that title launched a new 52 Things franchise for the publisher, for which Jay continues to write. -Stunning full-color interior design. Deluxe cover finishes. |
| graduation speech from teacher to students: This One Wild and Precious Life Sarah Wilson, 2020-12-29 As seen in USA Today's hottest releases and The Washington Post's 10 New Books Spotlight “Sarah Wilson is a force of nature – quite literally. She has taken her pain and grief about our sick and troubled world and alchemized it into action, advocacy, adventure, poetry, and true love.” — ELIZABETH GILBERT Wake up and reclaim your one wild and precious life. New York Times bestselling author Sarah Wilson shows you how in this radical spiritual guidebook, the book we need NOW. Many of us are living with the sense that things are not right with the world and are in a state of spiritual PTSD. We have retreated, morally and psychologically; we are experiencing a crisis of disconnection—from one another, from our true values, from joy, and from life as we feel we are meant to be living it. Sarah Wilson argues that this sense of despair and disconnection is ironically what unites us—that deep down, we are all feeling that same itch for a new way of living. Drawing on science, literature, philosophy and the wisdom of some of the world’s leading experts, and her personal journey, Wilson offers a hopeful path forward to the life we love. En route, she shows us how to wake up and reconnect with life using “wild practices” that include: · Hike. Embrace the “walking cure” as great minds throughout history have. · Go to your edge. Do what scares you and embrace discomfort daily. · #Buylesslivemore. Break the cycle of mindless consumption and get light with your life. · Become a soul nerd. Light up your intellect with the arts. · Get “full-fat spiritual”. Have an active practice and use it to change the world. · Practice wild activism. Through sustained, non-violent protest we can create our better world. The time has come to boldly, wildly imagine better. We are being called upon, individually and as a society, to forge a new path and to find a new way of living. Will you join the journey? |
| graduation speech from teacher to students: The Teacher's Guide to Leading Student-Centered Discussions Michael S. Hale, Elizabeth A. City, 2006-04-05 Engage and enlighten students by skillfully guiding them through thought-provoking classroom discussions using these straightforward strategies. |
| graduation speech from teacher to students: Ain't Burned All the Bright Jason Reynolds, 2022-01-11 A Caldecott Honor winner! Prepare yourself for something unlike anything: A smash-up of art and text for teens that viscerally captures what it is to be Black. In America. Right Now. Written by #1 New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Jason Reynolds. Jason Reynolds and his best bud, Jason Griffin, had a mind-meld. And they decided to tackle it, in one fell swoop, in about ten sentences, and 300 pages of art, this piece, this contemplation-manifesto-fierce-vulnerable-gorgeous-terrifying-WhatIsWrongWithHumans-hope-filled-hopeful-searing-Eye-Poppingly-Illustrated-tender-heartbreaking-how-The-HECK-did-They-Come-UP-with-This project about oxygen. And all of the symbolism attached to that word, especially NOW. And so for anyone who didn’t really know what it means to not be able to breathe, REALLY breathe, for generations, now you know. And those who already do, you’ll be nodding yep yep, that is exactly how it is. |
| graduation speech from teacher to students: Maverick Teachers David E. Baugh, A.J. Juliani, 2018-06-27 Despite dwindling resources and high-stakes testing, public school teachers all over the country are managing to breathe life, passion, and excitement into their classrooms. In this new book by bestselling author A.J. Juliani and lifelong educator David E. Baugh, you’ll meet a diverse group of teachers—Mavericks—who are doing exactly that. You’ll hear from teachers across the country and how they are shaking up the norm. Each story includes a powerful vignette and a breakdown of tactics used, so you can bring inspiration and strategies back to your own classroom. Together, these teachers and their stories will show you how to relate and respond to your students’ most pressing needs, leaving you feeling reenergized in your role as a change-maker. |
| graduation speech from teacher to students: Second Language Students in Mainstream Classrooms Coreen Sears, 1998-01-01 This handbook provides practical suggestions for teachers of second language children in mainstream classrooms. It gives detailed advice on all aspects of the needs of children from mobile families in international schools. |
| graduation speech from teacher to students: Stories of Teacher Authenticity PeacheyPublications, 2023-05-08 This book is a wonderful collection of 20 stories from teachers around the world. Each one describes how they try to be genuine in their interactions with their students and how they try to model the practices they promote. The stories come from teachers of all levels, ages and grades. The book displays the wide range of diversity that exists in both the classrooms and the way teachers approach their profession around the world. Edited by Adelina binte Asmawi George M Jacobs Guo Qingli Willy A Renandya Foreword by Alan Maley |
| graduation speech from teacher to students: When I Was the Greatest Jason Reynolds, 2014-01-07 From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jason Reynolds, a “funny and rewarding” (Publishers Weekly) coming-of-age novel about friendship and loyalty across neighborhood lines and the hardship of life for an urban teen. A lot of the stuff that gives my neighborhood a bad name, I don’t really mess with. The guns and drugs and all that, not really my thing. Nah, not his thing. Ali’s got enough going on, between school and boxing and helping out at home. His best friend Noodles, though. Now there’s a dude looking for trouble—and, somehow, it’s always Ali around to pick up the pieces. But, hey, a guy’s gotta look out for his boys, right? Besides, it’s all small potatoes; it’s not like anyone’s getting hurt. And then there’s Needles. Needles is Noodles’s brother. He’s got a syndrome, and gets these ticks and blurts out the wildest, craziest things. It’s cool, though: everyone on their street knows he doesn’t mean anything by it. Yeah, it’s cool…until Ali and Noodles and Needles find themselves somewhere they never expected to be…somewhere they never should've been—where the people aren’t so friendly, and even less forgiving. |
| graduation speech from teacher to students: Long Way Down Jason Reynolds, 2017-10-24 “An intense snapshot of the chain reaction caused by pulling a trigger.” —Booklist (starred review) “Astonishing.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “A tour de force.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) A Newbery Honor Book A Coretta Scott King Honor Book A Printz Honor Book A Time Best YA Book of All Time (2021) A Los Angeles Times Book Prize Winner for Young Adult Literature Longlisted for the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature Winner of the Walter Dean Myers Award An Edgar Award Winner for Best Young Adult Fiction Parents’ Choice Gold Award Winner An Entertainment Weekly Best YA Book of 2017 A Vulture Best YA Book of 2017 A Buzzfeed Best YA Book of 2017 An ode to Put the Damn Guns Down, this is New York Times bestselling author Jason Reynolds’s electrifying novel that takes place in sixty potent seconds—the time it takes a kid to decide whether or not he’s going to murder the guy who killed his brother. A cannon. A strap. A piece. A biscuit. A burner. A heater. A chopper. A gat. A hammer A tool for RULE Or, you can call it a gun. That’s what fifteen-year-old Will has shoved in the back waistband of his jeans. See, his brother Shawn was just murdered. And Will knows the rules. No crying. No snitching. Revenge. That’s where Will’s now heading, with that gun shoved in the back waistband of his jeans, the gun that was his brother’s gun. He gets on the elevator, seventh floor, stoked. He knows who he’s after. Or does he? As the elevator stops on the sixth floor, on comes Buck. Buck, Will finds out, is who gave Shawn the gun before Will took the gun. Buck tells Will to check that the gun is even loaded. And that’s when Will sees that one bullet is missing. And the only one who could have fired Shawn’s gun was Shawn. Huh. Will didn’t know that Shawn had ever actually USED his gun. Bigger huh. BUCK IS DEAD. But Buck’s in the elevator? Just as Will’s trying to think this through, the door to the next floor opens. A teenage girl gets on, waves away the smoke from Dead Buck’s cigarette. Will doesn’t know her, but she knew him. Knew. When they were eight. And stray bullets had cut through the playground, and Will had tried to cover her, but she was hit anyway, and so what she wants to know, on that fifth floor elevator stop, is, what if Will, Will with the gun shoved in the back waistband of his jeans, MISSES. And so it goes, the whole long way down, as the elevator stops on each floor, and at each stop someone connected to his brother gets on to give Will a piece to a bigger story than the one he thinks he knows. A story that might never know an END…if Will gets off that elevator. Told in short, fierce staccato narrative verse, Long Way Down is a fast and furious, dazzlingly brilliant look at teenage gun violence, as could only be told by Jason Reynolds. |
| graduation speech from teacher to students: Teaching Students to Dig Deeper Ben Johnson, 2017-09-18 What does it really mean for students to be college and career ready? In this new edition of Teaching Students to Dig Deeper, Ben Johnson identifies the ten attributes students need for success, according to key research, the College Board, the ACT, and rigorous state standards. In order to thrive beyond high school, students must become... • Analytical thinkers • Critical thinkers • Problem solvers • Inquisitive • Opportunistic • Flexible • Open-minded • Teachable • Risk takers • Expressive But how? Johnson offers the answers, providing practical strategies and techniques for making the ten attributes come alive in the classroom, no matter what grade level or subject area you teach. With the book’s strategies and tools, you will be inspired, armed, and ready to help all of your students think on a deeper level and expand their learning. |
| graduation speech from teacher to students: The Teacher Who Couldn't Read John Corcoran, 2017-12-29 The Teacher Who Couldn't Read is John Corcoran's life story of how he struggled through school without the basic skills of how to read or write and went on to become a college graduate and a high school teacher, still without these basic skills. National literacy advocate John Corcoran continues to help bring illiteracy out of the shadows with this autobiography, The Teacher Who Couldn't Read. It is the amazing true story of a man who triumphed over his illiteracy and who has become one of the nation's leading literacy advocates. His shocking and emotionally moving story-from being a child who was failed by the system, to an angry adolescent, a desperate college student, and finally an emerging adult reader-touched audiences of such national television shows as the Oprah Winfrey Show, 20/20, the Phil Donahue Show, and Larry King Live. His story was also featured in national magazines such as Esquire, Biography, Reader's Digest, and People. The Teacher Who Couldn't Read is a gripping tale of triumph over America's national literacy crisis-- a story you'll thoroughly enjoy while being enlightened to a national tragedy. |
| graduation speech from teacher to students: The Everything New Teacher Book Melissa Kelly, 2010-03-18 Being a great teacher is more than lesson plans and seating charts. In this revised and expanded new edition of the classic bestseller, you learn what it takes to be the very best educator you can be, starting from day one in your new classroom! Filled with real-world life lessons from experienced teachers as well as practical tips and techniques, you'll gain the skill and confidence you need to create a successful learning environment for you and your students, including how to: Organize a classroom Create engaging lesson plans Set ground rules and use proper behavior management Deal with prejudice, controversy, and violence Work with colleagues and navigate the chain of command Incorporate mandatory test preparation within the curriculum Implement the latest educational theories In this book, veteran teacher Melissa Kelly provides you with the confidence you'll need to step into class and teach right from the start. |
| graduation speech from teacher to students: Look Both Ways Jason Reynolds, 2020-10-27 A collection of ten short stories that all take place in the same day about kids walking home from school-- |
| graduation speech from teacher to students: 50 Rules Kids Won't Learn in School Charles J. Sykes, 2007-08-21 Charles J. Sykes offers fifty life lessons not included in the self-esteem-laden, reality-light curriculum of most schools. Here are truths about what kids will encounter in the world post-schooling, and ideas for how parents can reclaim lost ground---not with pep talks and touchy-feely negotiations, but with honesty and respect. Sykes's rules are frank, funny, and tough minded, including: #1 Life is not fair. Get used to it. #7 If you think your teacher is tough, wait until you get a boss. He doesn't have tenure, so he tends to be a bit edgier. When you screw up, he's not going to ask you how you FEEL about it. #15 Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your grandparents had a different word for burger flipping. They called it opportunity. #42 Change the oil. #43 Don't let the success of others depress you. #48 Tell yourself the story of your life. Have a point. Each rule is explored with wise, pithy examples that parents, grandparents, and teachers can use to help children help themselves succeed---in school and out of it. A few rules kids won't learn in school: #9 Your school may have done away with winners and losers. Life hasn't. #14 Looking like a slut does not empower you. #29 Learn to deal with hypocrisy. #32 Television is not real life. #38 Look people in the eye when you meet them. #47 You are not perfect, and you don't have to be. #50 Enjoy this while you can. |
| graduation speech from teacher to students: Funds of Knowledge Norma Gonzalez, Luis C. Moll, Cathy Amanti, 2006-04-21 The concept of funds of knowledge is based on a simple premise: people are competent and have knowledge, and their life experiences have given them that knowledge. The claim in this book is that first-hand research experiences with families allow one to document this competence and knowledge, and that such engagement provides many possibilities for positive pedagogical actions. Drawing from both Vygotskian and neo-sociocultural perspectives in designing a methodology that views the everyday practices of language and action as constructing knowledge, the funds of knowledge approach facilitates a systematic and powerful way to represent communities in terms of the resources they possess and how to harness them for classroom teaching. This book accomplishes three objectives: It gives readers the basic methodology and techniques followed in the contributors' funds of knowledge research; it extends the boundaries of what these researchers have done; and it explores the applications to classroom practice that can result from teachers knowing the communities in which they work. In a time when national educational discourses focus on system reform and wholesale replicability across school sites, this book offers a counter-perspective stating that instruction must be linked to students' lives, and that details of effective pedagogy should be linked to local histories and community contexts. This approach should not be confused with parent participation programs, although that is often a fortuitous consequence of the work described. It is also not an attempt to teach parents how to do school although that could certainly be an outcome if the parents so desired. Instead, the funds of knowledge approach attempts to accomplish something that may be even more challenging: to alter the perceptions of working-class or poor communities by viewing their households primarily in terms of their strengths and resources, their defining pedagogical characteristics. Funds of Knowledge: Theorizing Practices in Households, Communities, and Classrooms is a critically important volume for all teachers and teachers-to-be, and for researchers and graduate students of language, culture, and education. |
| graduation speech from teacher to students: Dumbing Us Down John Taylor Gatto, 2002-02-01 With over 70,000 copies of the first edition in print, this radical treatise on public education has been a New Society Publishers’ bestseller for 10 years! Thirty years in New York City’s public schools led John Gatto to the sad conclusion that compulsory schooling does little but teach young people to follow orders like cogs in an industrial machine. This second edition describes the wide-spread impact of the book and Gatto’s guerrilla teaching. John Gatto has been a teacher for 30 years and is a recipient of the New York State Teacher of the Year award. His other titles include A Different Kind of Teacher (Berkeley Hills Books, 2001) and The Underground History of American Education (Oxford Village Press, 2000). |
| graduation speech from teacher to students: Grit Angela Duckworth, 2016-05-03 In this instant New York Times bestseller, Angela Duckworth shows anyone striving to succeed that the secret to outstanding achievement is not talent, but a special blend of passion and persistence she calls “grit.” “Inspiration for non-geniuses everywhere” (People). The daughter of a scientist who frequently noted her lack of “genius,” Angela Duckworth is now a celebrated researcher and professor. It was her early eye-opening stints in teaching, business consulting, and neuroscience that led to her hypothesis about what really drives success: not genius, but a unique combination of passion and long-term perseverance. In Grit, she takes us into the field to visit cadets struggling through their first days at West Point, teachers working in some of the toughest schools, and young finalists in the National Spelling Bee. She also mines fascinating insights from history and shows what can be gleaned from modern experiments in peak performance. Finally, she shares what she’s learned from interviewing dozens of high achievers—from JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon to New Yorker cartoon editor Bob Mankoff to Seattle Seahawks Coach Pete Carroll. “Duckworth’s ideas about the cultivation of tenacity have clearly changed some lives for the better” (The New York Times Book Review). Among Grit’s most valuable insights: any effort you make ultimately counts twice toward your goal; grit can be learned, regardless of IQ or circumstances; when it comes to child-rearing, neither a warm embrace nor high standards will work by themselves; how to trigger lifelong interest; the magic of the Hard Thing Rule; and so much more. Winningly personal, insightful, and even life-changing, Grit is a book about what goes through your head when you fall down, and how that—not talent or luck—makes all the difference. This is “a fascinating tour of the psychological research on success” (The Wall Street Journal). |
