Exceptionally Blessed Morning as a Guest Speaker at Divine Mercy Elementary School
When we arrived at Divine Mercy Catholic Elementary School, students had
already started to arrive, and buses were parking in front of the main doors of
the school. Fortunately for us, we got inside the school before the flurry of
activity, which was being well managed by a teacher at the main doors. As we approached the main doors of the school, she gave us a wonderfully warm welcome too.
Inside the school, at the office, a kind welcoming administrative assistant
welcomed us. Mr. Tomé was busy in his office, so we went ahead into the
gymnasium. Once we had brought in, all our equipment into the gym, several
students came in to help with our set up. Many helped place the
benches and chairs, while Catalina, grade seven student, and Matthew
and Michael, grade eight students, helped us set up the Proxima, the screen and the
sound. While setting up, Mr. Tomé, the Principal, came into the gym to welcome me and my team. He was a gracious host, making us feel most welcomed, and even offering us coffee or water.
Overall, the set up in the gymnasium went very smoothly with the talented
team assembled in the gym to help us. When I was ready, classes were called
into the gymnasium. One of the few first classes into the gym was my beloved
Ms. Mitchell, grade three / four teacher. When I was a student at Loyola
Catholic Secondary School, she was my grade nine Religion teacher. She was an
amazing teacher. So, I was just overjoyed to see her again. She was also the
first teacher to invite me into a school as a Professional Public Speaker back
in November 2018. Ms. Mitchell was a grade eight teacher at St. Veronica back then. It easy to appreciate and see how she has truly blessed my life on so many opportunities. As her students
sat on the gym floor, she approached me, and gave me the warmest welcome and a hug.
It was a heartwarming moment. All the while, students from other classes continued to populate the gymnasium.
Today, I spoke to students from grade four to eight. Shortly after a really great introduction by Mr. Tomé, I commenced my Motivational Public Speaking presentation on the Relationship with Self and the Virtue of Love to an attentive audience. A question period ensued, kindly facilitated by Mr. Tomé. As students raised their hands, Mr. Tomé approached them with the wireless microphone. I was happy to answer all their questions. With Mr. Tomé’s blessing, we took a group picture too.
Once classes started to leave the gymnasium, Ms. Mitchell and her class approached me. She said she enjoyed my presentation. I even took a picture with her joyful students.
All the while, Catalina, Matthew, and Michael helped to put away all the school technology, I had borrowed for my presentation. They were a terrific trio!
While still in the gym, one of Ms. Mitchell’s students returned to the gym and gave me their envelope of completed Exit Tickets. They were very prompt. I was most grateful.
In fact, once all students at my presentation returned to their classrooms, they completed their Exit Tickets, which are their reflections from my motivational public speaking presentation. Below are excerpts from many of these:
Today, I heard / saw … “A very motivating speech on love by a strong, determined woman.”
This made me think … “of how grateful we should be for all the love in our lives.”
Now, I wonder … “how much love do we receive that we take for granted everyday.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle’s story and challenges.”
This made me think … “She is very brave.”
Now, I wonder … “How does her speaking system work.”
Today, I heard / saw … “That Giselle is a Public Speaker and that she loves cats and dogs.”
This made me think … “How hard it must be for disabled people”
Now, I wonder … “How does she go down stairs with that big wheelchair.”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw Giselle speaking about love”
This made me think … “How we need to be kind and show love to ourselves / others”
Now, I wonder … “How does your speaking machine work?”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard an amazing speaker”
This made me think … “How amazing people can be”
Now, I wonder … “How did she get all of her happyness from!”
Today, I heard / saw … “About Giselle”
This made me think … “More about her condition”
Now, I wonder … “how rare is her condition”
Today, I heard / saw … “a motivational speech.”
This made me think … “Why she decided to become a speaker”
Now, I wonder … “Who her favourite school was.”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw Giselle and she was wonderful!”
This made me think … “How is she that confident to speak in front of everyone”
Now, I wonder … “how is she doing now”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle”
This made me think … “inspired”
Now, I wonder … “What will Giselle do next”
Today, I heard / saw … “A special life story”
This made me think … “how I can reflect on my self being”
Now, I wonder … “if other people have the same ‘ability’”
Today, I heard / saw … “a presentation”
This made me think … “what it’s like to have a disability”
Now, I wonder … “How other people with disabilities feel”
Today, I heard / saw … “an awesome and inspiring presentation”
This made me think … “of how great and awesome I am”
Now, I wonder … “How does your machine work”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle say an inspirational story”
This made me think … “how strong she is”
Now, I wonder … “Meow”
Today, I heard / saw … “a motivational story”
This made me think … “How lucky I am”
Now, I wonder … “If her brother has same sickness”
Today, I heard / saw … “Jesus”
This made me think … “to be kind”
Now, I wonder … “Meow”
Today, I heard / saw … “A speech on kind”
This made me think … “about myself”
Now, I wonder … “about Everything”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle”
This made me think … “about disabilities”
Now, I wonder … “about disabilities”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle”
This made me think … “how lucky I am”
Now, I wonder … “how my life could have been different”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle Gaylie walk and speak using tech”
This made me think … “Can this tech be more advanced in the future”
Now, I wonder … “What other struggles she dealt with”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle’s story about love”
Now, I wonder … “How she feels”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle talk about her life and her challenges”
This made me think … “I felt happy because she motivated me. She was so resilient.”
Now, I wonder … “Nothing”
Today, I heard / saw … “sadness”
This made me think … “is she ok”
Now, I wonder … “how do you feel”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle and God makes no mistakes!”
This made me think … “of being sad because she has cerebral palsy.’
Now, I wonder … “What her favourite animal is?”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle overcame challenges”
This made me think … “She’s strong and no matter her disability she over came challenges!”
Now, I wonder … “anyone can be capable of anything!”
Today, I heard / saw … “The story of Giselle”
Now, I wonder … “how people treated her”
Now, I wonder … “how people treat her now”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle, and part of what it’s like to have cerebral palsy”
This made me think … “what other struggles do people face”
Now, I wonder … “what other struggles do people face in the world.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle”
This made me think … “can I love myself the same way she did?”
Now, I wonder … “if we all really are the same (idk)”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle and her life story”
This made me think … “that someone should not be underestimated just because of their looks”
Now, I wonder … “how smart she really is on the inside”
Today, I heard / saw … “your presentation!”
This made me think … “can you please talk with out the voice changer and you did say to be!”
Now, I wonder … “Nothing really”
Today, I heard / saw … “Ms. Giselle”
This made me think … “what is it like to have a disability”
Now, I wonder … “if Giselle feels different”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw Giselle walk”
This made me think … “That even if it seems impossible you can do it with effort”
Now, I wonder … “if she ever gave up”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle”
This made me think … “Can I make a difference?”
Now, I wonder … “how hard is it to make a difference”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle”
This made me think … “How did she make a difference?”
Now, I wonder … “can I also make a difference?”
Today, I heard / saw … “how Giselle overcame her challenges”
This made me think … “that she is very resilient”
Now, I wonder … “what her disease is called.”
Today, I heard / saw … “the way to love myself”
This made me think … “everything is possible with God”
Now, I wonder … “how does she make these presentations.”
Today, I heard / saw … “You Giselle, an amazing public speaker.”
This made me think … “Am I sometimes hurtful?”
Now, I wonder … “If I can do better in the future.”
Today, I heard / saw … “A Public Speaker”
This made me think … “how life is with cerebral palsy”
Now, I wonder … “what if I had cerebral palsy”
Today, I heard / saw … “An amazing and strong speaker”
This made me think … “all of the lifes challenges”
Now, I wonder … “where will Giselle go next”
Today, I heard / saw … “An amazing person in the making”
This made me think … “what Giselle has to go through”
Now, I wonder … “were you scared to go through a challenge”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle’s presentation”
This made me think … “What is her favourite drink”
Now, I wonder … “Was it challenging”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle showing her struggles”
This made me think … “how can I relate?”
Now, I wonder … “How I can apply these strategies in my life.”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard / saw Giselle’s presentation about the virtue of love and how it helped her in her life.”
This made me think … “of how all the people around me show love and care for others in some way or form.”
Now, I wonder … “how it would be if we all showed love to others and how the world would change for the better.”
Today, I heard / saw … “How to love yourself”
This made me think … “How can I improve myself”
Now, I wonder … “How I haven’t loved myself”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle talking about her life”
This made me think … “to never give up”
Now, I wonder … “that I can do everything.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle Gaylie”
This made me think … “there is so much more people in the world facing challenges”
Now, I wonder … “How she feels when people talk down to her”
Today, I heard / saw … “the story of the challenges Giselle faced”
This made me think … “of how she persevered through tough times”
Now, I wonder … “how I can be more like her and overcome challenges”
Today, I heard / saw … “love.”
This made me think … “of how important everything is.”
Now, I wonder … “Why people bully.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle’s wise words, and her standing.”
This made me think … “About God’s love.”
Now, I wonder … “If I put my mind to it you would succeed.”
Today, I heard / saw … “How to improve as a person”
Now, I wonder … “Am I really living my life to the fullest?”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle’s story”
This made me think … “how lucky I am to have it easier than others”
Now, I wonder … “If I show my appreciation enough / if there’s many others like her.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Today, I heard Giselle Gaylie speak on love and sense of self.”
This made me think … “this made me think about the possibilities of my life, and how everything is possible”
Now, I wonder … “Now, I wonder where I can take myself, and what I can do with my life.”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw a wonderful presentation about an amazing person.”
This made me think … “Now I know everyone matters”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder if high school is hard”
Today, I heard / saw … “An amazing young lady.”
This made me think … “How beautiful our world is.”
Now, I wonder … “If I could do anything I set my mind to.”
Today, I heard / saw … “a presentation about self-improvement”
This made me think … “about what I am doing for this goal”
Now, I wonder … “how I can work to be better”
Today, I heard / saw … “an awesome presentation”
This made me think … “we can do anything, no matter what”
Now, I wonder … “what can’t we do”
Today, I heard / saw … “How we should love one and others”
This made me think … “How grateful I should be for my gifts”
Now, I wonder … “How loving others are to each other knowing the same thing could happen to them”
Today, I heard / saw … “What love is, inclusivity, the power of kindness, SELF”
This made me think … “I can achieve anything and become my best self by reflecting on myself, choosing kindness”
Now, I wonder … “What my true self will be like”
Today, I heard / saw … “A presentation on self love”
This made me think … “About how I respect myself / others”
Now, I wonder … “How I can be more like Giselle.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle”
This made me think … “about love”
Now, I wonder … “if I can accomplish something”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle”
This made me think … “How special of an accomplishment Giselle accomplished”
Now, I wonder … “How her voice system works”
Today, I heard / saw … “a heart touching presentation”
This made me think … “About how much love and am loved one play a huge role in our lives”
Now, I wonder … “How I can improve myself in the way that I respond to several things in my daily life.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle speak to us about the importance of love and self, and how we are all special and need to love ourselves no matter what”
This made me think … “I am someone who I should love and that I can overcome challenges.”
Now, I wonder … “how many people struggle to love themselves and how can I be a more loving person?”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle talked about her own struggles, and how she overcame them.”
This made me think … “How did she overcome obstacles?”
Now, I wonder … “What are her special interests?”
Today, I heard / saw … “that we should love our self”
This made me think … “about all of the people that took care of me my whole life”
This made me think … “If I was grateful for being alive and a son of God.”
Today, I heard / saw … “a presentation on to love your self”
This made me think … “To love everyone for who they are”
Now, I wonder … “What are other challenges you faced”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard about Giselle’s story and the challenges she faced”
This made me think … “This made me think of how sad her disability is”
Now, I wonder … “what does she do to help her walk”
Today, I heard / saw … “her talking about her life”
This made me think … “how hard these challenges”
Now, I wonder … “if she is successful”
Today, I heard / saw … “love and encouragement”
This made me think … “we are worth more than we think”
Now, I wonder … “I can make a difference”
Today, I heard / saw … “how Giselle walked.”
This made me think … “That if Giselle can do anything so can I.”
Now, I wonder … “How is it with a disability.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Today I heard that you should always to be nice to each other.”
This made me think … “This made me think that you should always help people.”
Now, I wonder … “Now, I wonder that you should never be mean to anyone.”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw that Giselle had challenges.”
This made me think … “This made me think that it was hard for her”
Now, I wonder … “Now I wonder if people would be mean”
Today, I heard / saw … “a presentation about a girl named Giselle”
This made me think … “how special I am”
Now, I wonder … “what need to know about myself.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle talk about love”
This made me think … “How can I be more loving?”
Now, I wonder … “How many obstacles did Giselle pass?”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle talk about love and her journey”
This made me think … “About other people that went through what she did”
Now, I wonder … “if there are other people that went through what she did”
Today, I heard / saw … “today I heard all about Giselle”
This made me think … “This made me think about Never giving up no matter what happens”
Now, I wonder … “how many people have the condition that Giselle”
Today, I heard / saw … “a girl named Giselle and she had a lot of troubles but she felt fine”
This made me think … “I should appreciate the time I have in my life”
Now, I wonder … “What would happen if Giselle didn’t have troubles”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle”
This made me think … “I am perfect just the way I am.”
Now, I wonder … “What else can I do?”
Today, I heard / saw … “That everyone can make a difference.”
This made me think … “Can I do better?”
Now, I wonder … “If everyone makes a difference can I too?”
Today, I heard / saw … “That we are not nothing we are God’s children.”
This made me think … “that I can do anything I want”
Now, I wonder … “Why would people think you’re nothing”
Today, I heard / saw … “Public Speaker Giselle. Giselle’s mom”
This made me think … “of how we will all have challenges that we will have to face”
Now, I wonder … “if I will have to face challenges that are hard to face like Giselle.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Today I saw Giselle talking about all her challenges in her life.”
This made me think … “that everyone will have challenges in life and we all have to face them.”
Now, I wonder … “if I will have as many challenges as Giselle that I will have to face”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle told a personal story about herself”
This made me think … “it is hard for her and passed all the challenges”
Now, I wonder … “She will succeed in life.”
Today, I heard / saw … “A girl named Giselle has a disability where she can’t walk.”
This made me think … “No matter how hard something is never give up because Giselle ended up to be able to stand up”
Now, I wonder … “what would of happened if Giselle never had that disability.”
Today, I heard / saw … “a person named Giselle with a disability”
This made me think … “that she must have had a lot of challenges”
Now, I wonder … “What was the most challenging challenge”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw Giselle talk about her life journey”
This made me think … “Giselle is going through hard things”
Now, I wonder … “what will she do next”
Today, I heard / saw … “about love”
Today, I heard / saw … “that you can really do anything.”
This made me think … “Anything is possible.”
Now, I wonder … “if she will come back.”
Today, I heard / saw … “people doing their best”
This made me think … “I should do the same”
Now, I wonder … “if other people will do the same”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle explaining what love means to us.”
This made me think … “No matter if anyone has conditions they are God’s stars”
Now, I wonder … “why she got the conditions she has now?”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw someone very talented and I heard lots of loving things.”
This made me think … “that people are unique no matter what”
Now, I wonder … “what is your favourite sport.”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle talking about love”
This made me think … “how love has helped her”
Now, I wonder … “how loving she must be”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle”
This made me think … “She is resilient”
Now, I wonder … “If I can be like her.”
Today, I heard / saw … “I should not give up”
This made me think … “should I stop helping”
Now, I wonder … “what to do”
Today, I heard / saw … “more about love”
This made me think … “how she’s feeling”
Now, I wonder … “how her life will be I believe i her”
Today, I heard / saw … “that she never gave up.”
This made me think … “that Giselle is very confident”
Now, I wonder … “how does she speak?”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle”
This made me think … “How it was hard for her”
Now, I wonder … “How will she face the most difficult challenges”
Today, I heard / saw … “a special person”
This made me think … “God”
Now, I wonder … “What a pretty person she is”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle”
This made me think … “that Giselle is right what she said.”
Now, I wonder … “How she walks”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle told us about her life”
This made me think … “I shouldn’t give up”
Now, I wonder … “how God helps us”
Today, I heard / saw … “about Giselle and her life”
This made me think … “how many people live like this”
Now, I wonder … “about her”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle showed us a story to not give up”
This made me think … “that I should never give up”
Now, I wonder … “I wonder if I can do hard things”
Today, I heard / saw … “She has a disability but still can do stuff we can do”
This made me think … “She inspired me”
Now, I wonder … “can I do stuff I put my mind to.”
It was a such a wonderful audience. I was so happy to have inspired them this divine morning!
As I walked out of the gymnasium into the hallway, towards the office, I saw Mr. Tomé. I was so happy; he enjoyed my presentation. As recess began, he stepped away to go to the gymnasium where he was facilitating some students play soccer there.
While just outside the office, I saw a couple of teachers, who were present during my presentation. They shared how much they really enjoyed my presentation too. Ms. Rita, an administrative assistant, came out of her office to give me the completed Exit Tickets that had been dropped off already. She was kind and happy to meet me.
Before leaving, I was happy to see Mr. Tomé again. He thanked me for coming to his school. It was truly an exceptionally blessed morning, and I felt honoured to be a guest speaker at Divine Mercy Catholic Elementary School.
