Blog

At a recent student assembly, I was asked by a student leader,  “How do you motivate someone who is not motivated?”   The student leader had been having a difficult time connecting with those who are different and truly wanted to make the effort.  I found the question interesting since no more then a couple of months ago, I was asked a similar question but by a student trying to figure out how to stay motivated and in school.    Although the questions differed in context, they were very much connected, as so many times motivation is key to success.  My response was similar although different.

To the student trying to survive another day in school, I encouraged him to keep showing up.  It is obvious by his attendance that there was something he was seeking even if he could not pin points it.  The mere fact the he, out of all the students surrounding us, had the courage to ask such a questioned, proved that he wanted something more.

To the student who asked how to motivate the unmotivated, I informed him that every student is motivated. What may differ is the objective they are trying to achieve.  They may not be involved in student council or cheer or even sports, but by the mere fact that they are showing up to school demonstrates that they are interested in something and that is motivation.  The responsibility of the student leader at this point is to find what relevant activities will develop even more from the students they perceive as unmotivated.

 

 

After a recent staff development for educators, I was emailed by a teacher, who, while driving home from the conference, struggled with something I said. Although she was moved by my presentation, the question I raised, “What are you going to do for me?’’ continued to resonate in her thoughts.  She could not help but want clarity thus she emailed me asking,  ”What do you want me to do for you?”

The question I raised was meant to provoke the audience into thinking about how sometimes personal biases interfere with ones ability to provide service.  I conduct my presentation completely dressed in my gang attire, the same attire I wore as a student.  In doing so, it creates an uncomfortable feeling that in many cases is not acknowledged.  There begins this underlined desire to remove what ever is creating this uncomfortable situation.  In this case, me.  Even during my keynote, I see the look of discomfort drawn on the faces of the audience.  Hence, the question.

The answer is simple.  As a child, I wanted to know if you were going to be down for me.  In other words, I wanted to know if I had a teacher who truly cared about my potential and me or not.  In most cases, that was apparent within the first few moments.  I was either treat as a deviant or pitied as a displace child.   Both disarmed me from any aspirations of achieving an education.  The most effective teachers in my life were those who respected and accepted me.   They had compassion and desired a greater understanding of my social conditions. Most importantly, they believed that I, or any child, could learn.   They simply did their best to teach.

 

 

 

 

2012 has begun and with that a new affirmation by Homeboy Goes to Harvard Productions to continue providing staff development for educators, parent presentations, school assemblies and motivational presentations for youth. Our goal remains, to raise awareness about issues such as gangs, drug addiction, self-esteem, and all the risks experienced by youth in their school and home communities.  Change is not always easy to accomplish, but I believe that through the positive example of our presenters and the sharing our their stories, that we can influence a students to avoid risky behavior and continue their educational endeavors.

Happy New Year

 

 

 

In preparing for a staff development for educators, I give myself time before the presentation to get a sense of the staging and a feel for the audience.  My keynote presentation in Ventura, Ca was no different.  I stood in the back of the hall way as people from various departments filed into the main ballroom to get their sits.  I am fully draped with my gang garb so it does not surprise me when I see the eyes of those passing by quickly turn away, hesitant to meet my gaze. It could be because of the way I dressed or maybe even because I appeared to be out of place.  Nonetheless, I stood waiting to be introduced and to make my entrance.

I was thinking about how to begin the presentation and the path I wanted to take the audience when a Latino man approached me.  He came to me with his arm extended reaching for a handshake and was very excited to see me.  He said to me “I remember you”.  In his enthusiasm he explained how when he was in high school, I came and presented to the entire student body.  Then, a couple of years later, he saw me again at a student leadership conference.  He was so happy to see me and without speaking so much of a word, he began to tell me his story.

In high school, he was what he considered a “wanna be”.  He wasn’t taking school serious and from time to time was messing up by engaging in some kind of disruptive behavior.  He had no direction and was pretty much going to follow the path of despair, like many of those he lived and associated with.  After hearing my presentation for the first time, it sparked something inside that he could not explain.  Although doubtful in his thoughts, he started to consider the possibility of other opportunities. After seeing the presentation a second time, he knew.  He came to believe that if someone like me could make it then maybe he could too.  He started to change.

I stood and listened to this man descride how although difficult, he graduated from high school, went on to get his BA from CAL, received his Master Degree and is currently completing his administrative credential.  “I would have never done this if I did not see you those times when I thought I wanted to be a mess up.  Thank you”.

I looked to this man and could not help but feel an over whelming sense of gratitude for his words.  I reached to him and gave him a hug

“Excuse me, Mr. Chocolate. It time to go on”.  The introduction was given and I was ushered in to take the stage.