Rsantana

My trip to Texas was a success.  After the keynote address in San Marcos, I flew to Houston for a staff development in a middle school of Alief ISD.  I started my presentation as usual, but since this was set in a classroom and for a smaller group of educators, I was a bit more critical.  I focused on becoming aware of personal biases as to not let them interfere with the service we provide to students.

I still was able to weave my humor into the presentation, but since it was later in the day, and the staff had sat through two other presentations, it took a little more energy to convey the message.  Regardless, I was able to motivate them to do their best and to remember why they chose the profession of teaching.  It’s the kids.  I am grateful for the opportunity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My presentation at San Marcos ISD was a huge success.  There was 1000 teachers, administrators and support staff in attendance.  The main theme was about building positive relationship with students and having high expectation for success.  Perfect for the type of message I deliver.  By the end of the presentation, I had the audience on their feet giving the second of two standing ovations.

Since, I have been receiving a slew of emails expressing thanks and commenting on the impact of the presentation.  One in particular, I would like to share. I have shortened it so as to get to the heart of the her words.

Mr. Santana

I do understand what you mean about breathing life or death into others by our actions and speech.  I remember a young man on my bus. They said he ran his mothers boyfriend out of the house with a butcher knife.  I was scared. He dressed just like you did.  I sat next to him hoping to keep the peace on the bus. There was friction between the driver and this young man.  I knew the boy was not doing anything wrong but sleeping.  I told the boy “If the driver tells you something just let me handle it”.  Angrily he said “but I am not doing anything”. I told him “I know”.  I told him he would loose his credibility if he argued with the driver.  He agreed to let me handle the driver.  Things came to a head and the driver decided he would just seek employment elsewhere.  The young man told me the next day with tears in his eyes that I had been the only one in his life that had backed him and actually believed him innocent of wrongdoing.  The young man soon moved away with his aunt.

A year later while visiting my grandfather in the nursing home I saw him again.  He was sitting with his grandmother and aunt outside the door. I didn’t recognize him.  He had lost weight and was wearing nice clothes with his shirt tucked in!  He called “Miss” a sure bet he knew me from school.  He introduced himself and his family and told me thank you again. He said he had turned his life around and was doing well and working.  Praise God!

You are absolutely correct, we must sow into these young lives and look past their demeanor to help them explore their best self in a safe and supportive environment. Thank you again for your moving testimony.  God Bless you.

Henrietta

Thank you San Marcos ISD, for giving me the opportunity to present to you.  My next stop is Houston at Alief ISD.  I hope I can continue the energy.

My years as a motivational speaker are often filled with memorable experiences that I wish I had documented.  This year I plan to start. I hope not only to give a chronicle of my experiences and the places I travel, but also to leave a road map for perhaps others who are trying to break into the business of inspiring people.  With all that is going on in world, I hope that I can keep moving people to be their best.

The year for me is not a typical calendar year.  I provide keynote presentations, workshops and parent presentations to schools wanting to develop strategies for enhancing cultural sensitivity.  Since “schools” is the key component, I closely follow the academic calendar, which begins in August and ends in June.

My travels this year begin in San Marcos Texas.  I was asked to give the Keynote address for the districts welcome back convocation.  The main objective is to remind the teacher and staff of the powerful impact they have on children and inspire them to do their best.  This is particularly important in these days where school budgets are being cut, classroom size is increasing and learning is impaired.  I hope to leave the teachers with the knowledge that even under these circumstances, they make I difference in the lives of many students.

 

Sometimes the best feedback comes from those who have put time and energy organizing a youth conference or community event.  Here are some words from an organizer regarding a motivational keynote presentation by Daniel Mora.

On behalf of the Youth Empowerment Conference planning committee, we would like to thank you for making our event on April 16th, 2011, a success. Your keynote address was amazing and touched so many of the students, parents, and staff. Your story was touching and gave an example of how it’s never too late to get on track. During the lunch portion of the day, a large number of the students personally approached us and commented on how much you inspired them. We cannot thank you enough for accepting this speaking engagement.

There were approximately 150 students in attendance and about 20 parents, as well as a number of educators and community members. Our hopes are that youth in attendance that day take with them a message of enlightenment – a reflection, if you wish – of what the future holds for them. These types of events are greatly needed in our community to uplift and motivate those students who have very few positive role-models; those students who are at the cusp of success or self-destruction due to the lack of inspirational individuals in their lives. We congratulate you because you have now become an inspiration to one of the students you met, or one of the desperate parents seeking guidance and with whom you shared information that day. One of the many obstacles our community faces are the lack of opportunities to get youth out and engage them in something that really interests them. We are hoping that students made a connection with you to keep in touch so you can offer them some kind of support in their endeavors to become the next great local artist, musician, organizer, performer, social worker, college professor, or community activist. You are the opportunity these students have been seeking – look at yourself in the smoking mirror. We deeply thank you for your support.

Sara Anderson, Sofia Diaz-Antuna, Osiris Ortiz, Ramiro Medrano, The 2011 Youth Empowerment Committee.

Sometimes the words of the student best explains the impact of a motivational presentation. Here are some words from a student at recent high school assembly.

Dear Richard Santana,
I really enjoyed the speech you gave to Interlake High School today. It was an amazing message and it couldn’t have come at any better time. You are an inspiration to a positive future for everyone. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Sarah Walters
(Interlake student)

I have given many high school presentations and always trust that the idea of going to college and pursuing your dreams is the most important aspect of my motivational message. I want students to relate to this more then anything else. I do cover health choices and hope to sway students from drugs, violence and risqué behavior. Although these are relevant issues that most adolescents must contended with, my goal is always to provide a positive example and a viable alternative.

Recently, I gave a student assembly at a high school in Blythe, CA. After, a group of boys approached to show their appreciation for my message. They introduced themselves and we talked about the presentation. Most of the boys really enjoyed the directness of my delivery and how they can relate to the content. One boy in particular, struck me.

Although he enjoyed the presentation, he connected most to my experience of grow up with no parents. I describe how being a foster child; never having being able to say mama or papi, drove me to a place of despair. Hearing this young man say that his experience is similar and that he is currently finding his way through, left me perplexed. Sometimes being a role model is not always an easy thing. Especially when the students I am trying to inspire connect to one of the most difficult aspects of my childhood life.