Presented to Friendly Cheerful and Attentive Junior Kindergarten to Grade Eight Students at Guardian Angels Elementary School
The sun was shining. It was a beautiful and warm afternoon, when I arrived
at Guardian Angels Catholic Elementary School on International Day of Pink. Ms.
Limarzi, Principal, warmly greeted me at the foyer of the school and escorted
me to the gymnasium. As we approached the gymnasium, we saw a few students in
the hallway, who were happy to meet me. They were so friendly and kind. Once in
the gymnasium, I met the Tech Team, four students: Alvin and Nathan, Grade
eight students and Carter and Gabriel, Grade seven students. These young men
worked collaboratively to help with the technology for my presentation. They
were wonderful!
Through the school’s public announcement system, Ms. Limarzi welcomed me to
the students, and she called upon them to enter the gymnasium by grades. In due
course, students and teachers arrived in the gymnasium, and it did not take too
long to have all the classes present. Ms. Limarzi gave a kind introduction, and
shortly thereafter, I started my Motivational Public Speaking presentation.
Throughout my presentation, the students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade
eight were very attentive. It was an absolute pleasure to be amongst such a
friendly and cheerful audience of students. They were also very patient with me
too.
Once my presentation ended, Anton, assisted me during the Question-and-Answer
period. Anton held the wireless microphone, and approached many students who
raised their hands to ask me questions. It was an engaged audience and they had
terrific questions.
Before students returned to their classrooms, Ms. Limarzi allowed a group
picture of the staff and me to be taken. It was a special moment. I also had
some pictures amongst all the students too. Once students started to return to
their classrooms, Mr. Morris, Kindergarten teacher, and his students remained, and we took a lovely
group picture too.
Once students returned to class, they completed their Exit Tickets: Here are excerpts from many of these:
Today, I heard / saw … ” – Kindness – not bullying “
This made me think … ” -She is happy – We thought about being kind ”
Now, I wonder … ” – When is her birthday – How we can be kind to our classmates “
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle told us to be nice to people and make friends.”
This made me think … “We should be kind.”
Now, I wonder … “How do I be nice all the time?”
Today, I heard / saw … ” 1. Kindness 2. Accepting of others 3. Learning about others “
This made me think … ” 1. How we can learn from others 2. How can be happy and have a good life “
Now, I wonder … ” 1. How we can be nice to each other 2. How we can continue to learn good things about each other. “
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle”
This made me think … “That she suffered”
Now, I wonder … “What condition does she have”
Today, I heard / saw … “That Giselle is disable to walk.”
This made me think … “That Giselle is so kind.”
Now, I wonder … “If Giselle is famous.”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw you walking”
This made me think … “You are strong”
Now, I wonder … “If you are healthy.”
Today, I heard / saw … “today I heard that Giselle couldn’t walk and I felt sad.”
This made me think … “this made me think I should be happy for what I have.”
Now, I wonder … “Now I wonder how hard it is for Giselle.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Today I saw Giselle.”
This made me think … “how was she to go to school”
Now, I wonder … “how did she eat”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle”
This made me think … “To encourage others.”
Now, I wonder … “how she speaks.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Today I saw a kind person.”
This made me think … “This made me think that we should always be kind.”
Now, I wonder … “Now I wonder how that person feels.”
Today, I heard / saw … “today I saw a caring person.”
This made me think … “this made me think is she okay?”
Now, I wonder … “Now I wonder how did that happen?”
Today, I heard / saw … “Today I saw a caring woman”
This made me think … “That its not a disability it’s a different ability.”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder she loves everyone in the world.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle.”
This made me think … “sad because she had disabilities.”
Now, I wonder … “What she’s going to do in her life.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Some kids playing at last recess.”
This made me think … “Play with them.”
Now, I wonder … “When were you born?”
Today, I heard / saw … “A brave encouraging star.”
This made me think … “I can make the world a better place.”
Now, I wonder … “if other people want to do the same.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle.”
This made me think … “how did she speak”
Now, I wonder … “If she can still walk.”
Today, I heard / saw … “A person that had courage.”
This made me think … “what made her so strong and brave.”
Now, I wonder … “How she eats food and stands still”
Today, I heard / saw … ” today I saw Giselle.”
This made me think … ” if I was Giselle how would I eat?”
Now, I wonder … “how would I dress myself?”
Today, I heard / saw … “A very kind person.”
This made me think … “How do you feel?”
Now, I wonder … “What’s your favourite instrument?”
Today, I heard / saw … “Today I heard were all in different shapes.”
This made me think … “This made me think how she balances with the white leggings on her legs.”
Now, I wonder … “Now, I wonder why people bully others for how thy look.”
Today, I heard / saw … “You can talk even if you can’t”
This made me think … “How can she speak How could she write it”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder how she …”
Today, I heard / saw … “that no matter what don’t let negativity take over”
This made me think … “people are stronger together than apart”
Now, I wonder … “how can I improve myself”
Today, I heard / saw … “The way she talks through her ipad and it is cool.”
This made me think … “How does the ipad work with her sound since she can’t talk”
Now, I wonder … “how does the ipad know what she says. What she is going to be doing in the next 20 years.”
Today, I heard / saw … “It’s not ok to put someone down / to stop bullying”
This made me think … “to become a better person”
Now, I wonder … “What your fav meal”
Today, I heard / saw … “Make a change in the world”
Now, I wonder … “You can make a change”
Now, I wonder … “Her favourite ice cream flavour”
Today, I heard / saw … “how she overcame challenges”
This made me think … “that she is brave”
Now, I wonder … “how did she not feel worried”
Today, I heard / saw … “her talking about inspiration”
This made me think … “about severe health conditions.”
Now, I wonder … “about her journey in school.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle’s story”
This made me think … “How hard it is for her to communicate through a screen.”
Now, I wonder … “How she answers the questions through a screen so fast.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle’s life story”
This made me think … “How sad I feel for her”
Now, I wonder … “How the technology works to answer her questions”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard a speech”
This made me think … “How people are different”
Now, I wonder … “How does she talk”
Today, I heard / saw … “to make a change / be positive”
This made me think … “how to be better & nicer”
Now, I wonder … “how to make a change in life, & how to be more positive”
Today, I heard / saw … “Someone who was brave to be them”
This made me think … “That everyone is perfect in any way”
Now, I wonder … “If it’s hard to live that way.”
Today, I heard / saw … “That don’t let anyone stop you”
This made me think … “How did she have the courage to fight the bullies”
Now, I wonder … “What if I had a disability like that.”
Today, I heard / saw … “a nice human being”
This made me think … “about how many nice people in the world”
Now, I wonder … “how she was when she was young.”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard lots about positivity”
This made me think … “we can never doubt ourselves and we need to be positive”
Now, I wonder … “can we all be positive”
Today, I heard / saw … “a strong young woman speaking and sharing her story”
This made me think … “about how people are stronger than they think”
Now, I wonder … “what its like to be in her shoes”
Today, I heard / saw … “positive messages”
This made me think … “that goals are important”
Now, I wonder … “What had happened”
Today, I heard / saw … “A presentation that truly shows I’m not alone.”
This made me think … “That I don’t need to be afraid of being alone.”
Now, I wonder … “Is there other things that I need to know?”
Today, I heard / saw … “A motivating speech”
This made me think … “on how someones life could be”
Now, I wonder … “How life could be”
Today, I heard / saw … “a beautiful speech about inclusion, and acceptance.”
This made me think … “Wow … I really shouldn’t go too harsh on myself, and I should accept who I am.”
Now, I wonder … “Why can people be so mean and hurtful to beautiful kind people.”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard things about Giselle and saw a kind girl named Giselle”
This made me think … “what happens in her daily life”
Now, I wonder … “N/A”
Today, I heard / saw … “a girl with disabilities, but she still became successful”
This made me think … “anybody can be successful.”
Now, I wonder … “if I can be successful”
Today, I heard / saw … “life”
This made me think … “What is it”
Now, I wonder … “What is it”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw Giselle speak about her disabilities and how she deals with them”
This made me think … “It’s very hard to have that many disabilities”
Now, I wonder … “Is there a cure”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw a unique person with disabilities.”
This made me think … “It made me think how hard it was for her.”
Now, I wonder … “how she continues to be strong.”
Today, I heard / saw … “a laughing girl”
This made me think … “that it is okay to be different”
Now, I wonder … “is she okay”
Today, I heard / saw … “A presentation about kindness and hope.”
This made me think … “To change my way of thinking about myself and people.”
Now, I wonder … “If people feel a different way like me about this presentation.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle talking about her challenges, and how we are not alone, and to not be afraid to … peoples help.”
This made me think … “Why do people get disabilities? Are you born with it? Can you get it throughout your life?”
Now, I wonder … “Can people learn to speak throughout your life? With a disability”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard we are never alone”
Now, I wonder … “It made me think we are never alone”
Now, I wonder … “How she ignores the negative”
Today, I heard / saw … “today I saw this girl named Giselle, she was talking her experience in school”
This made me think … “how people with disabilities deal with stuff”
Now, I wonder … “what does she do today”
Today, I heard / saw … “A multi disabled public speaker”
This made me think … “You can really achieve your dream anytime”
Now, I wonder … “how to find an empty path and leave a trail”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw Giselle and she made a good speech”
This made me think … “What is she feeling”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder how does she feel and what does she think.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Today I saw someone talking about her disabilities & the many challenges Giselle faced”
This made me think … “How it would to be disabled & the many challenges you may face”
Now, I wonder … ” * If people still bully her * If I can be her friend.”
Today, I heard / saw … “an amazing girl that talked about herself!”
This made me think … “Do I even think about these things that I have learned today!”
Now, I wonder … “Can I make this world a better place by myself or altogether!”
Today, I heard / saw … “a girl with a thing to stand”
This made me think … “how people would treat her”
Now, I wonder … “why people were laughing”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw … laughing at her”
This made me think … “That people are the same no matter what.”
Now, I wonder … “If disabled people know what is happening”
Today, I heard / saw … “Today … was laughing”
This made me think … “This made me feel mad because they were laughing”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder why they would laugh.”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw a girl talking”
This made me think … “about bullying”
Now, I wonder … “If we should stop bullying”
Today, I heard / saw … “an awesome girl”
This made me think … “how special everyone in the world is.”
Now, I wonder … “What they / everyone does as a living”
Today, I heard / saw … “A girl with a disability”
This made me think … “nothing”
Now, I wonder … “is she ok”
Today, I heard / saw … “a girl with a disability”
This made me think … “nothing”
Now, I wonder … “how do people get disabilities”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle Gaylie talk about her life, and the challenges and hardships she faced now and when she was little.”
This made me think … “About how it must have felt to be different from other kids.”
Now, I wonder … “How it feels to be a public speaker, even though you have a disability.”
Today, I heard / saw … “A Great Public Speaker”
This made me think … “About people with special needs”
Now, I wonder … “how I can help others”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw Giselle and how confident she was.”
This made me think … “This made me think to treat others with respect”
This made me think … “How can I effect the world in different ways”
Today, I heard / saw … “inspiring words from Giselle Gaylie”
This made me think … “Why do I complain so much when people have it worse than me”
Now, I wonder … “how she manages to stay so positive”
Today, I heard / saw … “A woman with cerebral palsy named Giselle Gaylie”
This made me think … “How do people with cerebral palsy go about their lives”
Now, I wonder … “How she stayed so positive and kept going.”
Today, I heard / saw … “A lady that wanted everyone to be positive”
This made me think … “that even though she had a condition she still had hobbies and she was happy”
Now, I wonder … “how was she able to communicate through a speaker”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle Gaylie”
This made me think … “About how positive she is”
Now, I wonder … “If she ever felt insecure about her disability”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle Gaylie”
This made me think … “do they like for who they are”
Now, I wonder … “If she can walk without help”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle, a presentation”
This made me think … “about how different others lives are”
Now, I wonder … “How did she work to get to this stage in life”
Today, I heard / saw … Giselle Gaylie”
This made me think … “No matter what you should stay confident”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder how she felt during the tough times”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle Gaylie speaking about herself”
This made me think … ” About how people with better lives are not as positive”
Now, I wonder … “How does she go through that every single day”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle Gaylie”
This made me think … “My problems aren’t that big”
Now, I wonder … “how small were problems”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle Gaylie”
This made me think … “to be more positive and including to everyone”
Now, I wonder … “how Giselle Gaylie feels about this disability and how she handled it.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle and her life”
This made me think … “About how many people can be equal by choice.”
Now, I wonder … “What the world would be like if everyone was treated equally.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle Gaylie”
This made me think … “We are not in this alone”
Now, I wonder … “can I be like her and be positive because of my …”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard that I’m not alone”
This made me think … “This made me think to even be more kind to others”
Now, I wonder … “Now I wonder how hard my life could be”
Today, I heard / saw … “The public speaker Giselle Gaylie”
This made me think … ” about how people with disabilities constantly live with challenges.”
Now, I wonder … “how long it took to learn all of the things she has.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle’s amazing speech”
This made me think … “Why People bully”
Now, I wonder … “How much she’ll change the world.”
Today, I heard / saw … “a brave and strong person”
This made me think … “We could do anything”
Now, I wonder … “Can I do the same”
Today, I heard / saw … “An amazing message”
This made me think … “you are not alone”
Now, I wonder … “how to make myself better”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle giving a motivational speech”
This made me think … “about bullying & how other people feel about bullying”
Now, I wonder … “how she feels & how she can get better”
Today, I heard / saw … “about Giselle’s life and her positiveness”
This made me think … “Anything is possible.”
Now, I wonder … “How it would feel to be in her shoes.”
Today, I heard / saw … “that she has a CP”
This made me think … “if she get bullied”
Now, I wonder … “if she will have it for her whole life.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Be a good boy”
This made me think … “Where do she go at school”
Now, I wonder … “What is her mom’s name”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw a beautiful autism woman”
This made me think … “how was she paralyzed”
Now, I wonder … “When was her birthday”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle”
This made me think … “What her favourite food is”
Now, I wonder … “if she will come back again”
This made me think … “I saw a beautiful autistic”
Now, I wonder … “What it would be like for me”
Now, I wonder … “What is your birthday”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle”
Now, I wonder … “how people get disabilities”
Now, I wonder … “Why people get disabilities”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle Gaylie”
This made me think … “how old her brother is”
Now, I wonder … “how she feels having disabilities”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard basketball and I saw kids.”
This made me think … “of me in kindergarten”
Now, I wonder … “How do I go back to kindergarten”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard how to stop your bullies.”
This made me think … “It made me think how to overcome bullies.”
Now, I wonder … “How can I stop bullies from bullying other people.”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw Giselle”
This made me think … “why say cute talk”
Now, I wonder … “She is nice”
Today, I heard / saw … “how you were brave”
This made me think … “if I could be brave”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder how I can be brave”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw a lot and lots”
This made me think … “That she do good in school”
Now, I wonder … “How was your friend”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard to overcome challenges”
This made me think … “I think it made me know who to overcome bullies”
Now, I wonder … “I want to help other people”
Today, I heard / saw … “She didn’t know how to walk”
This made me think … “How come people with disabilities can’t walk at a point of time”
Now, I wonder … “How can you get disabilities”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard / saw an inspiration speech”
This made me think … “How she was independent”
Now, I wonder … “How does she stay strong”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle said a motivational speech”
This made me think … “To never give up”
Now, I wonder … “If she will come back”
Today, I heard / saw … “today I heard and saw that to face your fears”
This made me think … “that it have … hard for her.”
Now, I wonder … “that maybe I’ll face my fear.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle”
This made me think … “being nice”
Now, I wonder … “How hard it is what she’s going through”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle She said never give up”
This made me think … “It must be hard for what she goes through”
Now, I wonder … “we are not an island we need each other”
Today, I heard / saw … “about Giselle how Giselle had bullies and she did not let that get to her”
This made me think … “how hard this would be if I was her and all the bullies”
Now, I wonder … “if the Place can be a happy Place”
Today, I heard / saw … “A presentation”
This made me think … “that you should not bully people”
Now, I wonder … “what did they do … a disable person in 1989.”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard that she had a twin brother”
This made me think … “that she is strong the way she is”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder how she can hear?”
Today, I heard / saw … “bullying”
This made me think … “who started bullying”
Now, I wonder … “why is … a bully”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle and her parents.”
This made me think … “Never bully.”
Now, I wonder … “how her brother Luc is feeling”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle”
This made me think … “to be like she is”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle”
This made me think … “of her hurt”
Now, I wonder … “if she is ok”
Today, I heard / saw … “We all matter”
This made me think … “I want to help others”
Now, I wonder … “How I can help others”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle”
This made me think … “that to ignore bullies”
Now, I wonder … “When were you born?”
Today, I heard / saw … “a girl who has disability”
This made me think … “I do have to let do bad think get my day”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder if I be nice her”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle.”
This made me think … “that your not alone.”
Now, I wonder … “?”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle”
This made me think … “If she had a hard life”
Now, I wonder … “What year she was born in.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle said to not bully people and to not mean to others.”
This made me think … “to not be mean to my …”
Now, I wonder … “How Giselle got like this.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle is different.”
This made me think … “Giselle is sad.”
Now, I wonder … “Giselle is different to us.”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard that Giselle is 26 years old.”
Now, I wonder … “that she is perfect”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder how she does safe.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle”
This made me think … “She was cool”
Now, I wonder … “if she can get better”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle”
Now, I wonder … “how it was growing up”
Today, I heard / saw … “to be kind”
This made me think … “to be helpful”
Now, I wonder … “if we can help to other”
Today, I heard / saw … “noise”
This made me think … “her positivity”
Now, I wonder … “how she speaks in front of whole school.”
Today, I heard / saw … “a very nice girl”
This made me think … “I hope she’s okay”
Now, I wonder … “What will I do if I was her sister”
Today, I heard / saw … “Strong words”
This made me think … “bullying hurts and be you, be strong”
Now, I wonder … “how hard it is but …”
Today, I heard / saw … “today I saw a young pretty lady”
This made me think … “this made me courageous about her”
Now, I wonder … “What happened to her”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw / heard people laughing.”
This made me think … “how did she get through”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder how she can walk with those stuff”
Today, I heard / saw … “She is very unique and very nice”
This made me think … “If she is ok.”
Now, I wonder … “a hobby she does!”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard that she was born early”
This made me think … “To be her friend and she will feel better.”
Now, I wonder … “How their life are”
Today, I heard / saw … “a student”
This made me think … “to be grateful what I have”
Now, I wonder … “if she’s ok”
Today, I heard / saw … “today I heard people laugh”
This made me think … “sad”
Now, I wonder … “if I hurt someone I say sorry”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw … laugh.”
This made me think … “That this it made her sad.”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder that made her feel.”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard she was born early”
This made me think … “I felt bad”
Now, I wonder … “Why did this happen to her”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw people laughing at her”
This made me think … “sad”
Now, I wonder … “now I wonder if … is good”
Today, I heard / saw … “A beautiful young girl”
This made me think … “that it’s really hard for her.”
Now, I wonder … “How she feels”
Today, I heard / saw … “her happy”
This made me think … “She will work hard”
Now, I wonder … “if she’s ok”
Today, I heard / saw … “that she has disability”
This made me think … “She is strong”
Now, I wonder … “if she is ok”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard her talk about her childhood. I saw her walk and stand.”
This made me think … “This made me think that I be fine for who I am and always be kind”
Now, I wonder … “Now I wonder why people still bully people.”
I feel blessed to have inspired these friendly, cheerful, and attentive junior kindergarten to grade eight students.
Before leaving this wonderful school, I saw Ms. Fernandes, the school’s administrative assistant, who kindly followed up on the collection of the Exit Tickets completed by students. I very much appreciated her kind assistance.
While still in the foyer of the school, Ms. Limarzi graciously came to say good-bye to us; and she once again thanked me for coming to her school. While there, I also met a very kind student, who said, she enjoyed my presentation.
I truly felt honoured to have been invited, by Ms. Limarzi, to speak to all her angelic students.
What a great afternoon it was, at Guardian Angels Catholic Elementary School!
