President Obama Addresses Students

http://www.whitehouse.gov

Today, President Obama spoke directly to America's students and challenged them to stay in school, work hard to overcome adversity, and leave their mark on society. The entire speech can be found at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-in-a-National-Address-to-Americas-Schoolchildren/

It was very interesting and somewhat frustrating to witness and experience the "whirlwind" of speculation and debate that occurred prior to the speech. While we only received a couple of calls, Elementary schools in the area were bombarded with calls from concerned parents. MCHS left the decision up to teachers whether to show it live, use it later, or not show it at all. We had several teachers show the speech live and as I walked around the building, it appeared that some classes went about their business as usual, while others watched it on C-Span. Many of our students were at lunch during the presentation.

I watched part of the speech using streaming video- a technology that will soon be more readily available to us in the classroom and may prove to be a very useful instructional tool. I found the message to be that of encouragement and optimism- but also one of a challenge of this generation of students to use their talents to make an impact on society- be the next inventors-the next dreamers and doers of great things.

I asked a couple of teachers to provide me with feedback on what their students thought. One class thought that the speech was "very motivating but thought that it was geared towards inner-city schools and the less fortunate." They discussed the President mentioning Twitter, Facebook, and asking "what can we expect from your generation?" One student thought the speech was similar to the JFK "what can you do for your nation" challenge. Students also picked up on the personal challenges President Obama faced growing up and the importance of an education to get ahead in the world.

It will be interesting to listen to all the "experts" on television slice and dice the speech and provide their "expert" analysis. I will also be listening to our faculty and students for feedback.

Watching the students, teachers, administrators, and parents at Wakefield High School was exciting- but I must admit- I was a bit jealous! They obviously are a very high performing school- but really that could have been "any school USA"- I wondered how our student body president would have looked and sounded to the world introducing the President of the United States. How would I have done making the opening remarks to the country about why the President chose my school to deliver this address from.

What an experience for that entire community- we should all accept the challenges thrown out there- the biggest of them all is individual responsibility. Responsibility for your own learning, your own outcome, your own legacy.

Probably a great message for all of us to hear.