Stupendous Day Public Speaking at St. Sebastian Catholic Elementary School
A stupendous day Public Speaking today at St. Sebastian Catholic Elementary School in Mississauga to approximately 500 attentive students from Junior Kindergarten to grade Eight.
Following the Public Speaking presentation, enthusiastic and engaged students asked me excellent questions. Ava, an awesome student, volunteered and graciously wore my FM System Microphone and held the wireless one, so everyone could hear the questions asked from students. As always, I was delighted to answer their questions.
While Class Exits Sheets were provided to teachers from Junior Kindergarten to Grade Two, Exit Tickets were distributed amongst all the older grades. These Exit Tickets from the grade three to eight students were collected before they left the gymnasium. Excerpts from some of these are noted below:
Today I heard/saw… “About Giselle’s story.”
This made me think… “NEVER GIVE UP!!!”
Now, I wonder… “If she can do this much, then so can I! Keep Going Giselle!!!”
Today I heard/saw… “That Giselle never gave up!”
This made me think… “No one is perfect! I should never give up!”
Now, I wonder… “If she can do it maybe I can to!! ? Your amazing! Don’t Give Up! ? You go girl!! Stay Strong!”
Today I heard/saw… “about all the hardships and struggles that she had to go throughout her life. Even so, she were able to enjoy it and make every moment count.”
This made me think… “about how thankful I should be to be able to live a normal life. We cannot take life for granted because no matter how hard we have it, someone out there always has it worse.”
Now, I wonder… “Why people think it’s okay to be stereotypical towards the less fortunate. Most people don’t understand how hard it is and that they had no decision. Everyone is equal and unique in their own way.”
Today I heard/saw… “I heard that you should always keep your head up, even when things are bad.”
This made me think… “about life and how blessed we all are.”
Now, I wonder… “How can we help?”
Today I heard/saw… “A brave girl who stood up against her challenges”
This made me think… “She teaches people an important lesson”
Now, I wonder… “How many people did she help throughout her career? Have a great Day! Smile ? You look good today!”
Today I heard/saw… “Today I saw an amazing and brave girl.”
This made me think… “made me think to never give up!”
Now, I wonder… “I wonder if this will help other students.”
Today I heard/saw… “You are not alone someone is always there to help”
This made me think… “We can change the world and make it a better place”
Now, I wonder… “We are all beautiful Just the Way We are. ?”
Today I heard/saw… “That you can do anything if you believe”
This made me think… “That we are all so lucky to be alive and if we are having a bad day, we can get through it.”
Now, I wonder… “How Giselle is so strong and how she is living life to the fullest with no hate. We should all be like her”
Today I heard/saw… “That you are never alone nothing is impossible never give up.”
This made me think… “that to never give up and not to feel bad about myself”
Now, I wonder… “If I will be more positive”
Today I heard/saw… “I saw and heard a story that inspired me to live life to the fullest”
This made me think… “I should always do everything to the max”
Now, I wonder… “I wonder what it is like to have a disability”
Today I heard/saw… “that everyone has challenges in life, but you can get past them”
This made me think… “of how lucky I am for having a Happy & healthy life”
Now, I wonder… “How I can help or support people with disabilities.”
Today I heard/saw… “that God loves us all equal”
This made me think… “we can all change the world”
Now, I wonder… “How thankful I am”
Today I heard/saw… “I am grateful to have a Public Speaker. Today now I learn this”
This made me think… “Of how Giselle is thankful”
Now, I wonder… “What it’s like to be Giselle”
Today I heard/saw… “Giselle”
This made me think… “That you can be anything”
Now, I wonder… “I can be Me!”
Today I heard/saw… “how being kind changes someone else’s day”
This made me think… “how good being kind is”
Now, I wonder… “how I could be kind”
Today I heard/saw… “That we need each other.”
This made me think… “That everyone needs someone to overcome challenges we cannot face alone”
Now, I wonder… “how do we become brave enough to face our challenges”
Today I heard/saw… “-Giselle can’t talk \ she’s mute (?) -Giselle likes to encourage people as she says it’s okay to be different”
This made me think… “-we all have the power to control ourselves. -It’s beautiful to be interdependent -Challenges come in many shapes and sizes”
Now, I wonder… “I wonder how Giselle’s parents & brother feel about her going around publicly speaking & motivating others. Giselle is one of the strongest human beings I know & considering how much she’s been through & how far she’s gotten it’s just very inspiring -It makes me feel human and worth it.”
Today I heard/saw… “That we should follow our own path, be respectful and to hold your head up high. I saw her life story”
This made me think… “how she is a positive person and no matter who you are, you can do anything”
Now, I wonder… “how fun it must be to be a motivational speaker and to go from school to school”
Today I heard/saw… “Today I saw and heard a nice girl who has a disability but achieved many things and is a public speaker and is very special. She told us how she faced many challenges and she faced them and how she is lucky. Today I learned that we should be inclusive … She told us how she thanks God everyday and how she is happy how God made her. (She told us how to be grateful) I am Happy!!! GOD +”
This made me think… “How many people are lucky. And we should include everyone. Be grateful for who you are”
Now, I wonder… “How it would feel like to be in a wheelchair or have disability. I feel lucky. Thank You for helping me understand”
Today I heard/saw… “GOD doesn’t make mistakes -someone beautiful who explained her life story to us. How it’s important to accept everyone and be inclusive. No matter what, to face all challenges with a positive attitude and remember your not alone.”
This made me think… “that we have to help everyone no matter how different we may be. But we all share one thing in common, … we are unique creations of GOD!”
Now, I wonder… “how would I feel if I had a disability? What would I feel like if I was looked at differently? Would I have such a happy attitude, or would I feel like I’m alone and different. Would I know that there would be people for me? So now I say … I think there will be people there for me … I will be as independent as I can be … accept help when I need it and be the strong human being I am. I will include others No Matter how different! I will be kind and accepting of others! And most importantly I will be me! Thank you for helping me notice this!”
Today I heard/saw… “That everyone has problems that they have to face and that we all matter”
This made me think… “if everyone felt this way when they have problems.”
Now, I wonder… “if everyone is brave enough to face their problems. Thank you! (For the lesson)”
Today I heard/saw… “A woman in a wheelchair inspiring”
This made me think… “that Giselle is more than what meets the eye.”
Now, I wonder… “does everyone accept her as she is?”
Today I heard/saw… “I saw a girl showing us how she overcame her challenges and problems.”
This made me think… “to never give up. That we can change the world.”
Now, I wonder… “How should I overcome my problems and challenges.”
Today I heard/saw… “Giselle went through some hard times and challenges, but she matters just as much as we matter!”
This made me think… “We should all accept each other for who we are and show respect.”
Now, I wonder… “how we can change the world and make the world a better place”
Today I heard/saw… “about Giselle’s story.”
This made me think… “that no matter what you should never give up no matter how hard the challenges.”
Now, I wonder… “Are people facing challenges every single day like Giselle? Why can’t everybody just be inclusive and positive in the world?”
Today I heard/saw… “A speech about how we can overcome challenges, being kind, and acceptance.”
This made me think… “That we can face any challenges”
Now, I wonder… “how I can stop people’s negative words from hurting me.”
Today I heard/saw… “that we should all think positively about ourselves, no matter what.”
This made me think… “how we can change the world.”
Now, I wonder… “how much Giselle has been through in her life.”
Today I heard/saw… “a girl came to our school to talk about her challenges”
This made me think… “That you shouldn’t care when people say mean things”
Now, I wonder… “how people act to special needs people”
Today I heard/saw… “A girl came to our school to talk about her challenges”
This made me think… “That I shouldn’t let people say rude stuff about me”
Now, I wonder… “How people act to autistic people and people who have disabilities”
Today I heard/saw… “Giselle said we don’t need to do things alone”
This made me think… “that I can do it with help”
Now, I wonder… “how can I help people like you”
Today I heard/saw… “She was talking about kindness and appreciation.”
This made me think… “I should always be good.”
Now, I wonder… “When will she be able to walk.”
Today I heard/saw… “that Giselle is not able to walk or talk so she uses her computer to help her be a public speaker and teach others to overcome their challenges”
This made me think… “Some other people are not as fortunate as me to be able to be me and not be judged or treated differently than others”
Now, I wonder… “How I can overcome challenges no matter how big or small”
Today I heard/saw… “Someone that overcame many challenges”
This made me think… “how anything is possible with God”
Now, I wonder… “What kind of challenges she had to go through.”
Today I heard/saw… “That 1 person can change the world”
This made me think… “Can I help change the world”
Now, I wonder… “Can I change myself”
Today I heard/saw… “Giselle’s story and the challenges that she went through”
This made me think… “that if I helped others and be respectful, I would have more friends, and they will be respectful to me.”
Now, I wonder… “that everybody has to help each other and be respectful”
Today I heard/saw… “A wonderful presentation about overcoming our challenges and being kind.”
This made me think… “There should be a lot of help and kindness in this world.”
Now, I wonder… “How should I overcome my challenges?”
Today I heard/saw… “Giselle is a nice and caring person.”
This made me think… “not to judge people by their look”
Now, I wonder… “am I a nice person”
Today I heard/saw… “Just Be Yourself! a quote that I will always remember: ‘Don’t go where the path leads you, go where there is no path and make a trail.’ And to never take life for granted.”
This made me think… “that everyone is going through something … Asking for help doesn’t mean your weak.”
Now, I wonder… “How I can help others who are struggling alone.”
Today I heard/saw… “Giselle is a nice and thoughtful person.”
This made me think… “not to take things for granted.”
Now, I wonder… “what helped her to start her career”
Today I heard/saw… “I heard that we can all overcome our challenges, especially with other people and that we should not be scared to ask for help”
This made me think… “this made me think of all the times that I could have asked for help. And how its not bad to ask for Help.”
Now, I wonder… “Now, I wonder are there more people that think it is bad to ask for help? how do I spread the word to them and say its not bad”
Today I heard/saw… “That it is hard to live with a disability and that we should all be thankful for how we are”
This made me think… “That we should always be thankful and never give up in life”
Now, I wonder… “If people will start thinking more positive about themselves after this presentation”
Today I heard/saw… “How hard it can be to have a disability, but there are people who will help you.”
This made me think… “of ways that I could help people in need.”
Now, I wonder… “How I could be kind to other people.”
Today I heard/saw… “I heard how shouldn’t face challenges on their own”
This made me think… “We should all be a team and help others if they’re down.”
Now, I wonder… “Can anybody be who they want to be with help?”
Today I heard/saw… “Growth Mindset Tips for dealing with challenges positively. How people are there for you and how you should stay confident. How we should help others. How to not give up”
This made me think… “How to improve myself and how I faced challenges before and reflecting on it.”
Now, I wonder… “How this will change my behaviour”
Today I heard/saw… “That all things are possible with God.”
This made me think… “to get closer to God.”
Now, I wonder… “if I can tell more people about this.”
Today I heard/saw… “-that challenges come in all shapes and sizes”
This made me think… “No matter how different you are you can still accomplish anything if you get your mind on something and believe you can do it.”
Today I heard/saw… “how despite many challenges and differences with help, we can triumph over anything.”
This made me think… “that we’re not all that different from each other and we should all respect each other.”
Now, I wonder… “Why can’t we all get along?”
Today I heard/saw… “In order to overcome difficulties and challenges, you should talk to someone about it and ask for help”
This made me think… “I can overcome anything as long as I try hard enough”
Now, I wonder… “How I can help people like Giselle”
Today I heard/saw… “How we can be kind to each other & overcome anything”
This made me think… “I can overcome challenges & that I’m never alone.”
Today I heard/saw… “Giselle Gaylie sharing her story and being open with all of us.”
This made me think… “that any challenge can be overcomed with the right mindset. We also need to accept everyone and be kind no matter what.”
Now, I wonder… “how much everyone’s lives can change if people become as strong minded as Giselle.”
Today I heard/saw… “She was speaking with a computer”
This made me think… “What I can do with inspiration.”
Now, I wonder… “how I can use my abilities to make a difference”
Today I heard/saw… “The challenges in Giselle’s life and how she overcame them with the help of others in her life.”
This made me think… “That even if things are hard in life, there is always a way to overcome them with others help.”
Now, I wonder… “How can I use the people in my life to help me overcome my challenges.”
Today I heard/saw… “A person who has fought through many challenges throughout their life. … to never be afraid that you are not alone because you have others who understand.”
This made me think… “that whatever you hope for and believe you can achieve. Also, how strong someone can be to fight through the amount of challenges she has been through.”
Now, I wonder… “what others can do to help and have the courage and will to fight through different obstacles in your life and make something out of it.”
Today I heard/saw… “Giselle was talking to us about the challenges in her life, and some difficulties, but also that we are never alone, we have God.”
This made me think… “this made me think about how fortunate I am, and how I should thank God.”
Today I heard/saw… “Giselle Gaylie (Public Speaker)”
This made me think… “That everyone is able to make it through their problems.”
Now, I wonder… “If I can get through my challenges”
Today I heard/saw… “that we are never alone and should never be afraid to ask for help.”
This made me think… “that I should never feel alone because I know there will be at least 1 person there for me”
Now, I wonder… “I wonder how it feels to have those types of disabilities.”
Today I heard/saw… “Someone who couldn’t speak giving a public speech”
This made me think… “About how many problems we can overcome, and how many other problems we don’t know about”
Now, I wonder… “How many people we could help if we really tried”
Today I heard/saw… “She is someone who overcomes challenges”
This made me think… “anything is possible”
Now, I wonder… “if I can persevere to overcome my own challenges”
Today I heard/saw… “that there is no challenge we can’t overcome. Giselle over came many challenges with the help of others.”
This made me think… “we shouldn’t give up no matter what.”
Now, I wonder… “If we get the help we need from others, will we be able to do anything we put our mind to.”
An inspired audience is always my greatest reward.
I am wholeheartedly grateful to Mr. Marchand, the Principal, Mr. Daly, the Vice-Principal, and Ms. E. Rodrigues, the School Librarian, for inviting me as a Guest Speaker to their school.
Ms. E. Rodrigues, Ms. L. Rodrigues and Ms. Iarusci collaboratively did a fabulous job of getting the gymnasium and all the technology perfectly set up for my public speaking presentation. Their kind and attentive assistance was most helpful to me this morning.
I really appreciated how welcomed staff and students made me feel today. With a thankful heart, it was truly an honour to be invited to this blessed school.
