Be The Change (Bullying Focus)
Anti-Bullying Speaker for High School Assemblies
Teens are tired of hearing the same old “Don’t Be a Bully” message, and that’s why this session has become Tom’s most requested speech – because it comes from a totally unexpected place. Tom takes students on a journey through his own life story showing how his reaction to bullying led to a victim mindset. Thankfully one teacher stepped in and helped him become “Victimproof.” Tom discovered how to stop giving bullies the negative attention they were looking for, and more importantly, how “emotional intelligence” can empower all of us to “Be The Change.” Students and educators alike have praised this program for being a fresh perspective on bullying prevention. View Tom’s Press Pack »
Your Students Will Learn…
- How to identify bullying and how to respond with respect
- How to break free from bullying and develop emotional intelligence
- How to have positive self-esteem in any situation
- When to “Be The Change” at their school
Cyberbullying Stops Here
Cyberbullying Prevention Speaker for High School
Social Media Addiction and Cyberbullying are two of the most significant challenges students face today. How do teens know when they’re spending too much time online? And how should they respond to cyberbullying? In this interactive speech Tom challenges students to “hold the phone” and to stop and think before they respond on social media. Tom shares real life stories of “online-life” in a way that connects with students and makes them laugh. His presentation shows them when and how to speak up online, and it motivates them to “Be The Change!” View Tom’s Press Pack »
Your Students Will Learn…
- How to use Tom’s “Top 5 Tips for Social Media Success”
- How to stop and think before posting (or responding) online
- How to develop emotional intelligence and become “Victimproof”
- When and how to report cyberbullying to a trusted adult
Be The Change (Leadership Focus)
Youth Motivational Speaker for High School Assemblies
How can ordinary students turn into extraordinary leaders? In this leadership presentation Tom shows students how the painful experiences of life can be used as opportunities to grow in leadership. He takes them on a journey through his own life story including a counseling program he went to as a teen and how he learned to use self-discipline to overcome great adversity. Toward the end of the speech Tom shows a short video about the Freedom Riders, highlighting how they faced their fears and created a positive impact on American culture. Tom challenges teens to stop wandering through life and find a cause to serve that is “greater than self” View Tom’s Press Pack »
Your Students Will Learn…
- How to use self-discipline to build positive character in their lives
- How to move from being a Wanderer and an Explorer, to a Follower and a Leader
- How to turn painful past experiences into opportunities for personal growth
- How to “Be The Change” on their campus
Be The Change (Character + Mental Health Focus)
Mental Health Speaker for High School Assemblies
Positive school culture isn’t built by posters and t-shirts alone. Instead, it comes from the attitudes and actions of every person in the school. In this session Tom shows students how they can “Be The Change” on campus, starting with their own mental health. When they see something that needs to change, that’s when they need to “be the change.” That means getting help from a trusted adult when needed and being the help, taking positive action so everyone knows they matter at school. Using his personal life story, Tom shows how character is built by the small choices we make every day and how making these positive choices is the key to creating a culture of character. View Tom’s Press Pack »
Your Students Will Learn…
- How to make positive choices that lead to positive character
- How to build a life of mental health & wellbeing
- How to have positive self-esteem in any situation
- How to “Be The Change” and create a culture of kindness at their school
- StopBullying.gov – U.S. government site defining bullying and cyberbullying.
- ESSA – The Every Student Succeeds Act by the U.S. Dept. of Education.
- Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence – A leading promoter of SEL programs.
- No Bullying Schools – One of America’s top evidence-based programs for bullying prevention with an anonymous reporting app and video curriculum.
- Mental Health 101 – Leading whole-school curriculum on mental health and wellbeing with a textbook and teacher’s guide in English, Spanish, & Chinese.
- DARE to Keep Kids of Drugs – Drug and violence prevention program.
- Safe and Sound® – An Educational Leader’s Guide to Evidence-Based Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Programs.
- Second Step – A leading social and emotional learning program.
- Restorative Practices – Framework to address student behavioral issues.
- National Conference of State Legislatures – Comprehensive list of states with anti-bullying and cyberbullying legislation and links to the legislation.
- Edutopia – Free video lessons and practical case studies from educators.
- Kickboard – A Partner with PowerSchool Student Information Systems.
- 7 Mindsets – Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Curriculum and Training.
- Massachusetts Department of Education – Research-Based Model for Positive School Climate and Intervention Planning.
- Olweus Bullying Prevention Program – Violence Prevention Works.
- 11 Principals of Effective Character Education®: Character Education Partnership: Leading a national call to character.
- Steps to Respect: Bullying Prevention Program based on character education model. Focuses on creating healthy boundaries.
- Panorama – Linking SEL with Behavioral Interventions and Supports
- RethinkEd – SEL promoting well-being, connectedness, and success.
- North Carolina Character Education Handbook – Informational handbook and guide for schools seeking to create a character education policy.
- Culturally Responsive Education – Framework for making learning accessible.
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – Call or Text 800-273-8255
- Character Counts® – Social and emotional learning program for schools teaches the 6 Pillars of Character®
- PATHS – (Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies) is a Social Emotional Learning Program for kindergarten through upper elementary.
- CASEL – The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning.
- RTI2 – Response to Instruction and Intervention (framework).
- MTSS – Multi-Tiered System of Support (framework).
- PBIS – Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (framework).
