Control your own destiny through education

By Wesley Fryer On June 8, 2009 · · Add Comment

In this powerful speech shared by U.S. first lady Michelle Obama in the UK in April 2009, students in the audience are encouraged to control their own destinies through education. Michelle exhorts students to use their talents to “create the world as it should be.” Her words are moving and powerful, and her personal story of struggle and success is touching. The video is just under 12 minutes long. This is not only a great video to watch personally, but also a super clip to consider sharing and discussing with students.

We need to regularly talk with students, our peers, and our families about our dreams and the importance of our dreams. There is power in our words: Power to encourage and edify, or the power to tear down and destroy. Every day we should use our words to lift each other up, and to reflect upon our own hopes and dreams as well as those of our communities. As Michelle quotes her husband, we should not accept that gap which exists between “the world as it is” and “the world as it should be.”

We ARE the change agents in our classrooms, in our homes, and in our communities who can help usher in a new era of understanding and hope. Through our words and our actions, we can and do change the world every day.

Take a few minutes to watch this moving video. I was touched by it, and I expect you will be as well.

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