Magnificent Morning at St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School on Mental Health Awareness Day
Magnificent Morning at St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School on Mental Health Awareness Day. When I arrived at St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School this morning, I was warmly greeted by Ms. Cavaliere, Principal. With a lovely kind smile, she welcomed me to her school. While in the main foyer of the school, she introduced me to Dave, the school custodian. Dave was readily on hand to get me up a few steps on the stairlift platform. I must admit, I enjoyed the short ride!
Ms. Cavaliere escorted us to the gymnasium, where I would be presenting to all students this morning on mental health awareness day, #LetsTalk. Helpful teachers, Ms. Gaskin, Ms. Pelaccia, and Ms. Victoria assisted in getting all my technology set up. I really appreciated all their help.
Once we were all set up, classes came into the gym, as they were called via the announcement system. When they were coming in, I greeted them, using my communication device. Before long, Ms. Cavaliere, introduced me to all the students, and shortly thereafter, I commenced my motivational public speaking presentation to an attentive student body of junior kindergarten students to grade eight.
Following my presentation, there was a question period. Ms. Sajda, teacher, helped to facilitate it. She held the wireless microphone. As students raised their hands to ask me questions, Ms. Sajda brought the microphone to them. I happily answered them.
Before the assembly was over, Ms. Cavaliere thanked me for my public speaking presentation. I felt very honoured by her kind words.
Students returned to their classrooms, where they completed their Exit Tickets. These are in place to help students reflect on the presentation. Here are excerpts from some of these:
Today, I heard / saw … “Today I saw someone who communicates different”
This made me think … “I can get through everything with the help of friends”
Now, I wonder … “now I wonder how she gets places”
Today, I heard / saw … “If she didn’t ask for help she wouldn’t be a public speaker.”
This made me think … “That I need to ask for more help often.”
Now, I wonder … “How can I help people more often.”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw a very confidence woman.”
This made me think … “This made me think about how other people feel”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder how she is doing.”
Today, I heard / saw … “An inspiring presentation”
This made me think … “About how far she has come”
Now, I wonder … “How does the computer know what she thinks.”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw a presentation about someone with cerebral palsy.”
This made me think … “What would her life be like with no help”
Now, I wonder … “How they treated this condition back then with no technology.”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard that we should appreciate the people around us.”
This made me think … “We can get through things with the help from others.”
Now, I wonder … “How is she so brave?”
Today, I heard / saw … “a presentation about self care”
This made me think … “I should ask for help more”
Now, I wonder … “Why don’t I ask”
Today, I heard / saw … “Today I heard that don’t give up.”
This made me think … “How can I help the people that need help.”
Now, I wonder … “What do you want to say to people that being rude.”
Today, I heard / saw … “About the girl’s disabilities”
This made me think … “That I feel bad”
Now, I wonder … “If she would be looking forward to listening to a new song.”
Today, I heard / saw … “A wonderful presentation”
This made me think … “How can I help people with disabilities”
Now, I wonder … “How long it took her to learn to stand”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard the wind flowing through the trees.”
This made me think … “This made me think that I am grateful for what I have”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder that some people don’t have the things that I have.”
Today, I heard / saw … “A wonderful presentation first time in my life.”
This made me think … “How will people with this type of disability be able to walk without any help?”
Now, I wonder … “Will this type of disability stay forever or go away?”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard a touching presentation”
This made me think … “How she talked in high school”
Now, I wonder … “How I can help people like her?”
Today, I heard / saw … “A new face”
This made me think … “How she communicated in school”
Now, I wonder … “how difficult her life might be”
Today, I heard / saw … “Today I saw and heard someone who communicates differently.”
This made me think … “I can get through everything with the help of other people.”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder why some people have disabilities and I don’t.”
Today, I heard / saw … “people ask for help”
This made me think … “how many people need help but can’t have”
Now, I wonder … “How I can help people”
Today, I heard / saw … “that you can get things done with the help of other people.”
This made me think … “That you can get help even if its easy.”
Now, I wonder … “Why people don’t want to get help when they really need.”
Today, I heard / saw … “A nice … from the presentation”
This made me think … “about how everyone is equal”
Now, I wonder … “What its like to be disabled”
Today, I heard / saw … “A presentation.”
This made me think … “What people who can’t speak want to say.”
Now, I wonder … “what about her brother? Is he ok?”
Today, I heard / saw … “Today I saw a sick aunt.”
This made me think … “It made me think that it is necessary to love life, like that woman.”
Now, I wonder … “How I wonder how many such people there are like that woman.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Today I saw my aunt trying hard to walk, because she can’t, and she succeeded.”
This made me think … “It made me think that one should love life like that woman”
Now, I wonder … “Now, I wonder how such people are very strong and are not afraid of anything.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Someone being brave and asking for help”
This made me think … “that it is okay to ask for help”
Now, I wonder … “What will happen if I be brave and ask for help?”
Today, I heard / saw … “The meaning of Bell Let’s Talk”
This made me think … “If there are other people like this”
Now, I wonder … “If she feels any pain”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw a very intelligent and brave girl.”
This made me think … “that even though she has an illness, she is very brave, intelligent and very happy”
Now, I wonder … “when and where was she born?”
Today, I heard / saw … “that you can always move forward no matter how small your step is.”
This made me think … “that no matter how good you are you can always improve.”
Now, I wonder … “What types of improvements she’s had in her life.”
Today, I heard / saw … “A presentation about kindness and acceptance”
Now, I wonder … “how many people even follow kindness”
Today, I heard / saw … “I’m not alone in the world.”
This made me think … “Are we the same or different?”
Now, I wonder … “Do we always have to be the same?”
Today, I heard / saw … “That we are not alone”
This made me think … “We are a team together”
Now, I wonder … “Do we always have to be the same?”
Today, I heard / saw … “that people aren’t solo islands”
This made me think … “that do people need help a lot”
Now, I wonder … “what would happen if people didn’t help other people”
Today, I heard / saw … “To always be confident in myself.”
This made me think … “what would I feel if I had it.”
Now, I wonder … “How did you feel.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle Gaylie”
This made me think … “What is her disability.”
Now, I wonder … “how old is she”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard and saw Giselle Gaylie. She looked very kind.”
This made me think … ” This made me realize how much this hurts you”
Now, I wonder … “now I wonder how mental illness works”
Today, I heard / saw … “a girl named Giselle Gaylie, and she said a speech”
This made me think … “of how brave she was”
Now, I wonder … “How she was always smiling after everything”
Today, I heard / saw … “a girl named Giselle Gaylie”
This made me think … “everyone is special because God create me and Giselle Gaylie.”
Now, I wonder … “I want to read Dogman and everyone is special.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle”
This made me think … “a lot about what we heard.”
Now, I wonder … “If Giselle has ever been bullied.”
Today, I heard / saw … “A public speaker named Giselle”
This made me think … “about what her life was like”
Now, I wonder … “how she feels”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle the public speaker”
This made me think … “of how she grew up”
Now, I wonder … “how far humanity (disabled or not) can go with a good attitude.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle”
This made me think … “about how hard her life is”
Now, I wonder … “if she was ever scared”
Today, I heard / saw … “to never give up in hard times.”
This made me think … “God made us different and that’s ok “
Now, I wonder … “Why do people bully if we are all same in God’s eyes!? Thank You!”
Today, I heard / saw … “that you should never give up.”
This made me think … “I could do anything”
Now, I wonder … “What disabilities Giselle had.”
Today, I heard / saw … “an amazing story”
This made me think … “much we take things for granted”
Now, I wonder … “How much further she can go”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard she likes to swim.”
This made me think … “that not everyone is the same, however we need to treat everyone the same.”
Now, I wonder … “If she plays other sports.”
Today, I heard / saw … “How her life was”
This made me think … “how challenging it might’ve been growing up.”
Now, I wonder … “How the talking machine works”
Today, I heard / saw … “Something amazing”
This made me think … “That life can be how you want”
Now, I wonder … “how you do sports (not to be rude)”
Today, I heard / saw … “presentation”
This made me think … “think differently about disabled people”
Now, I wonder … “more about disabled people”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard that she uses the computer thing to communicate”
This made me think … “how can she actually communicate.”
Now, I wonder … “does the A.I. thing helps her?”
Today, I heard / saw … “A motivational speech”
This made me think … “how well the presentation was”
Now, I wonder … “How long it took to make the awesome presentation”
Today, I heard / saw … “A great presentation that shows kindness”
This made me think … “To not judge a book by its cover”
Now, I wonder … “How many more presentations she’ll have in 1 year”
Today, I heard / saw … “Inspirational words”
This made me think … “in a new perspective”
Now, I wonder … “How many more people she’ll inspire”
Today, I heard / saw … “A disabled person trying their best every day.”
This made me think … “She must be so strong.”
Now, I wonder … “What are the most difficult problems ever faced.”
Today, I heard / saw … “A motivational speech”
Now, I wonder … “Of how many strong people there are in the world.”
Now, I wonder … “What challenges they’ve been through.”
Today, I heard / saw … “that it is hard to be a disabled person.”
This made me think … “how strong she must be to go through that”
Now, I wonder … “How her machine that helps her talk works.”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw how many challenges come with being a disabled person.”
This made me think … “this made me think how resilient she must be.”
Now, I wonder … “How her machine works.”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw that there are many challenges”
This made me think … “This made me think how her daily life is”
Now, I wonder … “Now I wonder how her talking machine works”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw very inspirational person.”
This made me think … “how a great and nice person.”
Now, I wonder … “What she can do.”
Today, I heard / saw … “A very inspirational person”
This made me think … “how strong she was and how motivated”
Now, I wonder … “how far she can go”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard a very inspirational person”
This made me think … “how strong she was and how motivated she was”
Now, I wonder … “What she can do”
Today, I heard / saw … “A very inspirational person”
This made me think … “How strong she was.”
Now, I wonder … “How far she can go”
Today, I heard / saw … “The challenges people actually go through.”
This made me think … “How people never give up no matter what”
Now, I wonder … “how her speech machine works.”
Today, I heard / saw … “A presentation about Giselle’s life”
This made me think … “About different types of disabilities.”
Now, I wonder … “How this would make more machines to talk”
Today, I heard / saw … “A girl named Giselle that was speaking through a computer”
This made me think … “of how she grew up and the challenges she faced”
Now, I wonder … “how the machine fully works”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw how many challenges come with being u disabled person”
This made me think … “how resilient she must be”
Now, I wonder … “how her talking machine work”
Today, I heard / saw … “to believe in myself”
This made me think … “that with a disability you can do anything.”
Now, I wonder … “That you do anything”
Today, I heard / saw … “a girl with a disability”
This made me think … “how lucky I am”
Today, I heard / saw … “about this former student who never gave up, even though they had some struggles.”
This made me think … “To accept everyone, even if they’re struggling”
Now, I wonder … “how did she pass through these struggles?”
Today, I heard / saw … “a girl talking about how we should love yourself.”
This made me think … “What would it feel like to be her.”
Now, I wonder … “how hard would it be like to be her getting out of the car and going in a wheelchair.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Today I heard to accept ourself”
This made me think … “that you can be anything you can be”
Now, I wonder … “if an you needs happy”
Today, I heard / saw … “how to be motivated for something”
This made me think … “about how I should be motivated and brave”
Now, I wonder … “How I use it”
Today, I heard / saw … “today I heard the girl love what she have”
This made me think … “this made me think so sad.”
Now, I wonder … “Now I wonder that the girl be happy all the time.”
Today, I heard / saw … “A lot of people helped her”
This made me think … “I can do anything”
Now, I wonder … “what the world can do”
Today, I heard / saw … “That I can believe in myself.”
This made me think … “For me to be more positive.”
Now, I wonder … “if I can do and be smarter in life”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle going up and being brave.”
This made me think … “anyone can be brave.”
Now, I wonder … “if it is true.”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw a motivational speech by a nice lady”
This made me think … “that every disability is a superpower”
Now, I wonder … “how hard has it been for her.”
Today, I heard / saw … “A nice speech”
This made me think … “It made me think what I have done”
Now, I wonder … “How old is your dad”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle talk about her life”
This made me think … “About the people going through tough times”
Now, I wonder … “If that could happen to me”
Today, I heard / saw … “A presentation about never giving up.”
This made me think … “About how important it is to not give up.”
Now, I wonder … “if I give up too often.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Happiness”
This made me think … “can I be happy too”
Now, I wonder … “will I ever be happy”
Today, I heard / saw … “good speech”
This made me think … “happy thoughts”
Now, I wonder … “nothing”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard a nice speech.”
This made me think … “how it feels to be in a wheelchair.”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder how she lives like that.”
Today, I heard / saw … “that Giselle was being inspirational”
This made me think … “this made me think how hard Giselle worked”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder how Giselle get the disabilities”
Today, I heard / saw … “today I heard and saw a brave person”
This made me think … “this made me think that anything is possible”
Now, I wonder … “how I wonder how her life is”
Today, I heard / saw … “The importance of remembering you are enough”
This made me think … “Ways to be kind and respectful to others.”
Now, I wonder … “What school you are going to next?”
Today, I heard / saw … “about respect, confidence.”
This made me think … “about treating other people the way I want to be treated”
Now, I wonder … “about confidence and love and respect”
Today, I heard / saw … “about respect, confidence.”
This made me think … “about treating other people the way I want to be treated”
Now, I wonder … “about confidence and love and respect
Today, I heard / saw … “An inspirational speaker”
This made me think … “On why we shouldn’t give up”
Now, I wonder … “What do they have to go through and how hard it is to have a disability”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw a bell speaker”
This made me think … “How hard it is to have a disability”
Now, I wonder … “how many schools she’s been to”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard about someone’s childhood and it made me sad.”
This made me think … “This made me think back to mine.”
Now, I wonder … “Now, I wonder about other peoples’ hard lives.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Today I heard about someone’s life!”
This made me think … “This made me think how lucky I am.”
Now, I wonder … “Now, I wonder how people like that life’s are.”
Today, I heard / saw … “the importance of asking for help”
This made me think … “how I can ask for help when I am having trouble”
Now, I wonder … “if the world will ever work together and stop conflict”
Today, I heard / saw … “A motivational speaker.”
This made me think … “How hard it is to have a disability”
Now, I wonder … “what it is like to have a disability”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw Giselle”
This made me think … “To be inclusive”
Now, I wonder … “Do you like soccer!”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw Giselle.”
This made me think … “How can she feel.”
Now, I wonder … “She can help others.”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw Giselle.”
This made me think … “to be inclusive.”
Now, I wonder … “what do you like to talk about.”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw Giselle.”
This made me think … “to be inclusive”
Now, I wonder … “What’s favourite activity?”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard and learned to be yourself”
This made me think … “think nothing will happen unless you do and to believe in yourself.”
Now, I wonder … “how many schools you do a week!”
The above are but a few excerpts of the many Exit Tickets distributed. It’s wonderful that students were inspired.
Once students had returned to their classrooms, I walked the long corridors of the school. While walking, Ms. Cavaliere approached me and invited me to visit a couple of classes. The students had beautiful smiles and were happy to see me visiting them. Likewise, I too was very pleased to see them again.
While walking, I also met Ms. Gormley, Educational Resource Worker. We were mutually happy to meet one another.
When I approached the initial steps at the foyer, I stopped walking; however, Dave was right there in the office ready to assist me down on the platform lift. My dad and I took the ride down together. I enjoyed it!
Before leaving, Ms. Cavaliere thanked me again for coming to her school. The honour was truly mine. I loved being invited by her; moreover, I loved inspiring her students as a Motivational Public Speaker. It was truly a magnificent morning at St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School on Mental Health Awareness Day.
A very special thanks to Ms. Cavaliere and St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School for the wonderful picture montage!
