Last night, St. John's University students had the opportunity to listen to a lecture by the inspiring, award-winning educator and author Stacey Bess. During her motivational talk, Bess spoke about how she overcame the odds during her first teaching assignment: a K-6 educator at "The School with No Name" in Salt Lake City, Utah, home to severely impoverished children and their families. Despite overwhelming obstacles, Bess realized what it was that those seemingly "unteachable" children really needed: love, acceptance, and someone who believed in them. As her book, Beyond the Blackboard explains, "Stacey discovered that by teaching and modeling love, self-worth, personal power, and courage she could reach children who had previously been labeled unteachable." As future educators, we can all take something away from Bess' inspiring story. The evening ended with an opportunity for all students at the lecture to receive a free autographed book.
For more information about Stacey Bess' story, visit her website: http://staceybess.com/index.php
What did you think of Stacey Bess' story? What lessons did you take away from her words? We hope mentors and their buddies were able to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity together. Tell us your thoughts!
What an amazing story! Stacey Bess is such a role model and I'll never forget the lessons that she herself learned during her journey as a teacher, lessons that she passes on to audiences around the country today. Too often do teachers forget that teaching content is not their sole responsibility; teachers also serve as mentors and individuals who must always believe in their students. Teachers should constantly remind students that are capable of success and achieving great things, no matter how difficult it may seem. Mrs. Bess is right- ALL children have the right to a quality education, to be given the opportunity to excel and change their lives for the better.
ReplyDeleteStacey Bess's story is one that you wouldn't believe unless you heard it from her. Her words were so touching and helped me shape the way I look at teaching. Teachers are suppose to teach with their hearts, not just their brains. One thing that I know I will never forget from her is that as future teachers, our job doesn't end with the lesson plan but instead continues on in shaping the lives of these students.
ReplyDeleteI saw the movie and I thought it was very heartfelt with many lessons for teachers and students to learn. Actually hearing Stacey Bess speak about her story seemed so real and very inspirational, it sent chills to me. Bess has provided me with many goals to aspire to when I am a teacher. One thing I learned was just by being personable and caring for each student can make the biggest impact in their lives.
ReplyDeleteI thought this lecture was a great inspiration to us as future teachers. Ms. Bess was able to accomplish so much with her children that no one really wanted and all in her first year too! The fact that she was able to help these children gives me hope that I will be able to help kids too.
ReplyDeleteSo, I know that I am commenting on this a lot later than it actually happened, but the Stacey Bess lecture was the most inspirational lecture I have ever been to. Her story brought tears to my eyes. She understands and experienced what all of us hope to achieve by going into the field of education, and that is to help children succeed.
ReplyDeleteWe were very fortunate to welcome Ms. Bess to our school. Her story carried the message of leadership and mentorship in unusual places that we can definitely carry into our classrooms, organizations, and daily lives. As a student teacher in New York City, I can take what Ms. Bess spoke about and try to put it into action in my classroom. I was inspired to show the human side of the teacher in front of the class. I want my students to respect me not only as a teacher, but as a person because it helps my students relate to me more. As we prepare for the next step in our teaching careers, we can all think back to the words that Ms. Bess spoke and use them to become the best teachers that we possibly can. Much thanks to Ms. Bess for taking the time to inspire our future teachers in the SOE!
ReplyDeleteI hope those of you who came to the Stacy Bess event thoroughly enjoyed it as much as I did. I initially saw the movie based off of Mrs. Bess' teaching career, Beyond the Blackboard, on TV when it premiered on the Hallmark channel and was incredibly inspired. I believe her story not only speaks to education majors and those in the field of education but to any college students graduating from college. Leaving the security of a university that has nurtured you for years is hard and then add the pressure of finding a job and fear of not doing that job well. Mrs. Bess overcame all of the adversities she had thrown at her at just 23-years-old by simply doing her best. In this case, her best was exactly what the children at the school with no-name needed.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Bess' overarching message was "not to hide behind your uniform". It is so easy for us to get caught up in titles, statuses and what we are "supposed to do" but we cannot forget to just be human sometimes. The best we can be at any job is to remember all the skills and knowledge we have obtained in the classroom and, more importantly, to be ourselves.
Mrs. Bess' speech was inspirational and motivating. For those of you who were unable to come to the event yesterday I hope you will take the time to read her story in her book "Nobody Don't Love Nobody".
I thoroughly enjoyed the movie that was shown previous to this event. With this said, I was looking forward to hearing Stacy speak. She has endless stories that are extremely inspirational. Two things that stuck out to me were her 3 favorite things that begin with "c" : Children, chocolate, and diet coke (my absolute favorite things) as well as her conversation with Zach about her being a good math teacher. When Ms. Bess was signing my book, I asked her more in depth about math because i am a math concentration. The fact that she hates math, but found ways that are fun to teach it was interesting to hear. I was happy with the turnout and some select freshmen who were up on stage getting photographs with her at the end. A free copy of Stacy's book was a nice touch to the academic lecture!
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