School Assemblies for grades 9 to 12
“Your ability to tell stories that connect with both staff and students while linking them to the important messages you need to deliver is very impressive - truly a pleasure to be an audience member. It is not easy to keep the attention of 800 teenagers for an hour with just a stage and a microphone. You had the attention of the entire audience for the entire presentation. Thanks again for your focused message and heart felt presentation.”
Ryan Hume, Vice Principal, Southwood Secondary School, Cambridge, Ontario
GET YOUR HAND UP
This powerful assembly will entertain and inspire your students by encouraging them to bring back their grade two enthusiasm and "get your hand up" to participate in class, in school, and in life. He urges them to ask questions, answer the teacher, and try their best in the classroom. He inspires his audiences to volunteer and get involved in all of the great activities, both at school and in life. Throughout his presentation, Andy tells students to take advantage of their time in school both to LEARN and to have FUN.
Why don't students "Get Their Hand UP?" The fear of failure or of being wrong in front of their friends. They worry that they might give a wrong answer, ask a stupid question, learn that their "best" is not as good as others, or volunteer for something and then get "cut" from the team or play. Andy challenges youth to bring back their grade 2 "recess attitude" which says, "I will get knocked down and I will be wrong sometimes, but, just like at recess in grade 2, I will get back up and play again!"
Why don't students "Get Their Hand UP?" The fear of failure or of being wrong in front of their friends. They worry that they might give a wrong answer, ask a stupid question, learn that their "best" is not as good as others, or volunteer for something and then get "cut" from the team or play. Andy challenges youth to bring back their grade 2 "recess attitude" which says, "I will get knocked down and I will be wrong sometimes, but, just like at recess in grade 2, I will get back up and play again!"
SHARE YOUR CARE
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Andy’s Top 3 ways to care: Show Up! Participate! Listen!
Andy challenges your students to care about their friends, family, and school the same way they care for millionaires from their favourite bands and professional teams. His Top 3 examples of care: Show Up – to class, to practice, to work, to special events; Participate – cheer, dress up, put your hand up in class, dance, laugh, be part of the fundraiser; Listen – Create inclusion by asking your classmates and friends questions and truly listening to their answers! What are the rewards of care? It’s fun! Fun fills your yearbook and your life story with great memories. Care changes the world! Your acts of care can brighten someone’s day, add to a fundraising total, brings energy to a dance, or feeds a person through a school food drive! With his messages of kindness, caring and listening, this assembly is a popular choice for “pink shirt day” and “be kind” campaigns. “Make care contagious” and be an example of good decisions for others to follow |
"I wanted to let you know how much I appreciated you coming and talking to us yesterday. It is evident that you really care about leadership at school, and about training kids to effectively lead at their schools. A lot of what you said really made sense and made me think. Today at our student council meeting, someone brought up the fact that our volleyball team's first game is coming up and wanted to make signs advertising their game. That would have never happened if you had not have pointed out the "less important" (as most people see them) sports!! So we are going to put up signs, and they asked the student council to go and cheer. Thank you so much for caring about leadership in our schools!! Your care is contagious, evident, and effective!" In ten years of sponsoring student events, there are always those same teachers that oppose, or find something wrong with whatever the event is, but I receive nothing but overwhelmingly positive feedback, and LOTS of it. Our principal says that you are Jim Carey with a message. Another teacher said that they never stopped laughing, but realized at the end that there was a lot of material to take away. |
"SHARE YOUR CARE" - AN "ANTI-BULLYING" PROGRAM
Share Your Care
When Andy is asked to be part of an Anti-Bullying program, a growing area of Andy's business, Andy uses his "Share Your Care" presentation. Staff and students appreciate that the angle of this program is a “do this, do that” type of speech rather than a “don’t do this, don’t do that” message. When you care, when you let yourself do those little acts of caring that make a big difference (show up, participate and listen), you make decisions that lift people up in your school rather than tear them down in a bullying way. This makes the program fun and uplifting and avoids using guilt or shock in order to get students to think about caring.
A powerful story Andy shares is about his first slow dance as a 7th grade student. “Hot” and “Cool” are the most desired compliments by a teen. Yet, when Andy considered who he would ask to dance, his most important criteria was a girl “that would say no, nicely.” The girl he asked to dance was the nicest girl in the school. Why was she the nicest girl? She talked to everyone … the cool guy who would start on the hockey team in 9th grade, and the “less cool” kid like Andy who ran the Dungeons and Dragons group at the school. A few days before the dance, she “stood up” to a bully by talking to an awkward classmate who was being picked on. Andy saw her do that and thought, “Wow, she is so nice.”
Andy's conclusion reminds students to SHARE THEIR CARE. Everybody has a role to play to get help, to speak up, to be an example of nice and kind, and to channel their energy into caring about friends, family and school. “Kindness is HOT, Caring is COOL, Nice is a great reputation”
A powerful story Andy shares is about his first slow dance as a 7th grade student. “Hot” and “Cool” are the most desired compliments by a teen. Yet, when Andy considered who he would ask to dance, his most important criteria was a girl “that would say no, nicely.” The girl he asked to dance was the nicest girl in the school. Why was she the nicest girl? She talked to everyone … the cool guy who would start on the hockey team in 9th grade, and the “less cool” kid like Andy who ran the Dungeons and Dragons group at the school. A few days before the dance, she “stood up” to a bully by talking to an awkward classmate who was being picked on. Andy saw her do that and thought, “Wow, she is so nice.”
Andy's conclusion reminds students to SHARE THEIR CARE. Everybody has a role to play to get help, to speak up, to be an example of nice and kind, and to channel their energy into caring about friends, family and school. “Kindness is HOT, Caring is COOL, Nice is a great reputation”
FOR All ASSEMBLIES:
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These presentations have been used at assemblies as part of spirit weeks, anti-drinking and drug campaigns, teen issue awareness days, yearbook sales promotions, Character Education initiatives, Anti-bullying programs and at hundreds of general student body assemblies for any month during the school year.
What makes Andy's assemblies unique? He personalize each presentation to the school he is visiting. He promotes upcoming events and activities while highlighting past successful events. Students and staff are thrilled when he encourages students to participate in specific activities such as the next dance, fundraiser, spirit event, play, music event, or spirit day. Andy arrives at the school early to discuss upcoming events at the school. Andy can perform up to 4 assemblies back to back in order to accommodate your school's size and seating. He can adjust the program to between 45 to 90 minutes in length. He prefers a minimum of 60 minutes. |
"You really taught me a lot about leadership and being a person. You are a really awesome speaker and I can't say that enough. Never have I seen the whole entire school react to anything the way they did your presentation. You were fun, energetic and challenging and I really appreciate everything you have done." |
MAKING CARE CONTAGIOUS - STUDENT LEADERSHIP Workshop
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School Spirit is caring, but how do leaders make this care contagious? This presentation draws from Andy’s experiences as a student leader and as a speaker traveling North America. He has developed 5 Habits that form the core of all successful student leadership activities. This hilarious and high-energy workshop gives hands-on advice on handling negativity; dealing with rejection; having the courage to be an example of good decisions; effective appreciation; communicating care; and improving event promotion and attendance. Follow Andy's 5 Habits to "get your care, out there!"
The session includes games and activities that can be shared with your school at your next meeting or assembly. Schools that book Andy’s workshop get a free copy of the handbook for this program. This workshop for grades 6 to 12 can run from 45 minutes to 90 minutes. It is also frequently used as a leadership retreat for 2 to 3 hours. Andy can deliver this as the follow up to his school assembly or as a stand-alone leadership event for your school or a group of schools. The program will also empower student council advisors and leadership teachers who are encouraged to participate in this session. |
"The assembly presentation was so uplifting and energizing. All of us laughed and at the same time were warmed by the genuine honesty in Andy's presentation. During the assembly I watched students laughing so hard they covered their faces and heads. It was really cute to see our kids have so much fun in the middle of a dreary winter month. Our students came out of the auditorium laughing and smiling. The reflection questions provided for classroom teachers were very powerful - several teachers spoke to me later about the message and how much our students enjoyed Andy. As Andy and I were walking down the hall from the last assembly, students stopped him, thanked him and asked for hugs He is an amazing speaker and truly connects with young people. The student leadership workshop was fabulous. Even though we have an extremely talented group of confident and intelligent leaders at Oakridge, Andy had them reciting powerful messages, doing hand signals that reinforced concepts and they loved every minute of it!" |
SCHOOL STAFF PROGRAM - THE IMPACT OF Educators
In October of grade 9, Andy received a letter from his high school’s track and field coach “recruiting” him to be part of the team. That letter changed his life. Expect laughter and powerful reflection as Andy shares the lessons he learned from Coach Young and his efforts to connect with students.
Andy is married to a high school French and Business Studies teacher. He balances her insights with his 30+ years of experience working in North America’s schools. Designed to be enjoyed by all school professionals, this presentation can run from 30 to 60 minutes as an after-school program to a half-day staff professional development session! It can be combined with his educator-version of his workshops on “Reliability” and “Making Care Contagious”.
Andy is married to a high school French and Business Studies teacher. He balances her insights with his 30+ years of experience working in North America’s schools. Designed to be enjoyed by all school professionals, this presentation can run from 30 to 60 minutes as an after-school program to a half-day staff professional development session! It can be combined with his educator-version of his workshops on “Reliability” and “Making Care Contagious”.
GET YOUR HAND UP GRADS!
Andy’s Senior Student/Grads-Only Assembly or Retreat
Andy has created a special “grads only” version of his “Get Your Hand UP” assembly. With examples from students who were bound for university, community college, the trades or the workforce, Andy uses powerful stories, workplace insights and hilarious comedy to inspire, empower and entertain.
Andy reminds your graduates that Success is not about the stuff you buy, own and collect. He challenges them to share their care because "when you help others reach their dreams, you accomplish your dreams quicker!" Grads will feel empowered to take on the challenges of post-secondary school and work situations and will also see how volunteering is so important to helping themselves and the world.
When booking Andy later in the year, please consider a separate assembly for your grads to help prepare them for the final months of high school and life after grad. This presentation can run from 45 to 90 minutes, or as a two-hour retreat or a full day program
Andy has created a special “grads only” version of his “Get Your Hand UP” assembly. With examples from students who were bound for university, community college, the trades or the workforce, Andy uses powerful stories, workplace insights and hilarious comedy to inspire, empower and entertain.
Andy reminds your graduates that Success is not about the stuff you buy, own and collect. He challenges them to share their care because "when you help others reach their dreams, you accomplish your dreams quicker!" Grads will feel empowered to take on the challenges of post-secondary school and work situations and will also see how volunteering is so important to helping themselves and the world.
When booking Andy later in the year, please consider a separate assembly for your grads to help prepare them for the final months of high school and life after grad. This presentation can run from 45 to 90 minutes, or as a two-hour retreat or a full day program
PARENT PRESENTATION: LAUGHING & LEARNING! THE POWER OF PARENTHOOD
Andy uses powerful and hilarious stories to highlight the power of the individual to make a difference. He challenges leaders in the lives of young people with the statement, "If care is contagious, it has to start with you!" Andy shares simple yet powerful examples of caring that remind parents and caregivers that their extra efforts DO make an impact with young people. It's not easy being in the "business" of working with youth. Andy's presentation acknowledges these challenges by sharing his most powerful conclusion of all: "be the best YOU that YOU can be! It's all this world can ask of YOU!"
Andy understands the challenge of balancing work, family, and volunteering. He is a parent of two girls, and an active member of his church and community in London, Ontario. His wife Lizz taught high school French for six years before becoming a full time mom and church volunteer.
All of Andy's presentations reflect his joy in speaking to the continent's schools. Andy loves to make people laugh … He loves to make people think!
Andy understands the challenge of balancing work, family, and volunteering. He is a parent of two girls, and an active member of his church and community in London, Ontario. His wife Lizz taught high school French for six years before becoming a full time mom and church volunteer.
All of Andy's presentations reflect his joy in speaking to the continent's schools. Andy loves to make people laugh … He loves to make people think!
Initiate Inclusion by Invitation
In the past year, inclusion has come to the forefront of our society's goals. In the fall of 2018, Andy's friend Jules was finally reunited with his wife and 7 children from Congo after 8 years fo separation! With his apartment too small to accommodate the family, Andy's family opened their home for ten months to the three eldest children. The ongoing experience of being "Uncle Andrew" to 3 college/high school aged new Canadians from Africa is hilarious, powerful, and insightful. When you initiate inclusion by invitation, Andy's family's experience shows that the rewards go both ways - blessing the giver and receiver!
From this experience, his work at the King's College Peace Camp, and his part time job at Costco, Andy offers perspective to the following challenges: How can you initiate inclusion? What limits our courage to invite? How can one maintain enthusiasm for invitation and leadership when negative experiences and rejection challenge us in our schools and community?
Include, invite, and lead by initiating!
From this experience, his work at the King's College Peace Camp, and his part time job at Costco, Andy offers perspective to the following challenges: How can you initiate inclusion? What limits our courage to invite? How can one maintain enthusiasm for invitation and leadership when negative experiences and rejection challenge us in our schools and community?
Include, invite, and lead by initiating!
Can I count on You - reliability Workshop
Execution of ideas is the number one challenge for young leaders. This session will immediately improve the ability of your students to work together, improve their organization and time management skills, and execute ideas into action and activities! With all students, student leaders and staff balancing their time between school, family and work commitments, this program can transform how you and your team organizes their priorities!
This session addresses the concepts of time management from a unique perspective. Trust is the foundation for loving families, fun friendships, spirited students' councils, successful businesses, impressive customer service and effective leaders. Yet people earn the trust of another by being reliable. In “Can I Count You”, Andy offers useful and immediately applicable advice for improving reliability. Through his insights, Andy demonstrates how increased reliability improves one's time management, creates successful events, prepares students for success in class and the workplace, and inspires TRUST in you as a leader!
This program is flexible from 60 minutes to 2.5 hours. Also available for school staff sessions.
This session addresses the concepts of time management from a unique perspective. Trust is the foundation for loving families, fun friendships, spirited students' councils, successful businesses, impressive customer service and effective leaders. Yet people earn the trust of another by being reliable. In “Can I Count You”, Andy offers useful and immediately applicable advice for improving reliability. Through his insights, Andy demonstrates how increased reliability improves one's time management, creates successful events, prepares students for success in class and the workplace, and inspires TRUST in you as a leader!
This program is flexible from 60 minutes to 2.5 hours. Also available for school staff sessions.
Want to know more?
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