what when I spoke to Sean he told me that the number one thing that this is
that the number one thing that this is
that the number one thing that this is kind of about and when I took from the
kind of about and when I took from the
kind of about and when I took from the most was people come up and they tell a
most was people come up and they tell a
most was people come up and they tell a story and they tell their story and if
story and they tell their story and if
story and they tell their story and if it resonates with people I think that
it resonates with people I think that
it resonates with people I think that that’s really all you can really aim to
that’s really all you can really aim to
that’s really all you can really aim to do I’ve been I try to keep it very
do I’ve been I try to keep it very
do I’ve been I try to keep it very simple because the words each one teach
simple because the words each one teach
simple because the words each one teach one are actually etched in my brain from
one are actually etched in my brain from
one are actually etched in my brain from eight years of age when I entered the
eight years of age when I entered the
eight years of age when I entered the community YMCA to play basketball and
community YMCA to play basketball and
community YMCA to play basketball and for a period of time when I got into
for a period of time when I got into
for a period of time when I got into education I thought that being an
education I thought that being an
education I thought that being an athlete or former athlete could be a bit
athlete or former athlete could be a bit
athlete or former athlete could be a bit of a hindrance however everything that I
of a hindrance however everything that I
of a hindrance however everything that I actually know about how to be a leader
actually know about how to be a leader
actually know about how to be a leader in a building comes from the fact that I
in a building comes from the fact that I
in a building comes from the fact that I come from a family that had a sports
come from a family that had a sports
come from a family that had a sports background and had an opportunity to
background and had an opportunity to
background and had an opportunity to play sports at a very high level so what
play sports at a very high level so what
play sports at a very high level so what happens when you contribute to another
happens when you contribute to another
happens when you contribute to another person’s life I’ll try to keep it I try
person’s life I’ll try to keep it I try
person’s life I’ll try to keep it I try to keep everything very simple for me
to keep everything very simple for me
to keep everything very simple for me personally I don’t think that we can
personally I don’t think that we can
personally I don’t think that we can make a lot of things in life complicated
make a lot of things in life complicated
make a lot of things in life complicated I’m sure you know you might think
I’m sure you know you might think
I’m sure you know you might think running a high school is complicated it
running a high school is complicated it
running a high school is complicated it is learning in high school under
is learning in high school under
is learning in high school under work-to-rule is complicated it is
work-to-rule is complicated it is
work-to-rule is complicated it is running a high school after being
running a high school after being
running a high school after being legislated back to work by the
legislated back to work by the
legislated back to work by the government it is and so if I choose to
government it is and so if I choose to
government it is and so if I choose to make it that way what I do believe is
make it that way what I do believe is
make it that way what I do believe is that high school is filled with lots of
that high school is filled with lots of
that high school is filled with lots of people in which you build relationships
people in which you build relationships
people in which you build relationships and try to steer ship in the right
and try to steer ship in the right
and try to steer ship in the right direction to affect young positive young
direction to affect young positive young
direction to affect young positive young lives in a very positive way so Who am I
lives in a very positive way so Who am I
lives in a very positive way so Who am I I am Wade Smith and we all have a story
I am Wade Smith and we all have a story
I am Wade Smith and we all have a story and I’m very fortunate to come from a
and I’m very fortunate to come from a
and I’m very fortunate to come from a family a friend of mine once said to me
family a friend of mine once said to me
family a friend of mine once said to me that you really don’t choose your family
that you really don’t choose your family
that you really don’t choose your family that your parents and your siblings are
that your parents and your siblings are
that your parents and your siblings are luck and that I actually believe that
luck and that I actually believe that
luck and that I actually believe that I’m the youngest of five and I have been
I’m the youngest of five and I have been
I’m the youngest of five and I have been very fortunate to have a number of role
very fortunate to have a number of role
very fortunate to have a number of role role models in my life inside my home
role models in my life inside my home
role models in my life inside my home prior to me ever having to leave so
prior to me ever having to leave so
prior to me ever having to leave so obviously it starts first and foremost
obviously it starts first and foremost
obviously it starts first and foremost with my dad who ironically I guess I
with my dad who ironically I guess I
with my dad who ironically I guess I believe that you know God doesn’t make
believe that you know God doesn’t make
believe that you know God doesn’t make mistakes as they say he was a he was a
mistakes as they say he was a he was a
mistakes as they say he was a he was a postman and everybody knows old saying
postman and everybody knows old saying
postman and everybody knows old saying about postman right I mean they deliver
about postman right I mean they deliver
about postman right I mean they deliver and no matter what the weather is they
and no matter what the weather is they
and no matter what the weather is they get up and they make sure that you get
get up and they make sure that you get
get up and they make sure that you get you
you
you male and throughout my entire life I can
male and throughout my entire life I can
male and throughout my entire life I can remember being young and you know
remember being young and you know
remember being young and you know hearing my dad every morning get up
hearing my dad every morning get up
hearing my dad every morning get up early before I got to school and he
early before I got to school and he
early before I got to school and he would be shovel himself out of the snow
would be shovel himself out of the snow
would be shovel himself out of the snow or it would be rainy or it would be cold
or it would be rainy or it would be cold
or it would be rainy or it would be cold and every morning he got up and found a
and every morning he got up and found a
and every morning he got up and found a way to get to work and you know he led
way to get to work and you know he led
way to get to work and you know he led by example he wasn’t a big talker he was
by example he wasn’t a big talker he was
by example he wasn’t a big talker he was a postman he was a umpire and he was a
a postman he was a umpire and he was a
a postman he was a umpire and he was a bartender and he made sure that we as a
bartender and he made sure that we as a
bartender and he made sure that we as a family had what we needed not always
family had what we needed not always
family had what we needed not always what we wanted but what we needed and
what we wanted but what we needed and
what we wanted but what we needed and his example of showing me that you get
his example of showing me that you get
his example of showing me that you get up and you go to work every day and you
up and you go to work every day and you
up and you go to work every day and you make a difference in somebody’s life is
make a difference in somebody’s life is
make a difference in somebody’s life is is a very simple example that you
is a very simple example that you
is a very simple example that you actually begin to model as you get older
actually begin to model as you get older
actually begin to model as you get older three older brothers and an older sister
three older brothers and an older sister
three older brothers and an older sister my brother marques Sean said spoke here
my brother marques Sean said spoke here
my brother marques Sean said spoke here last year at world-class softball picked
last year at world-class softball picked
last year at world-class softball picked pitcher and a huge influence in my life
pitcher and a huge influence in my life
pitcher and a huge influence in my life in terms of expecting hi expecting great
in terms of expecting hi expecting great
in terms of expecting hi expecting great things from myself as an athlete my
things from myself as an athlete my
things from myself as an athlete my brother Craig is a Canadian bound author
brother Craig is a Canadian bound author
brother Craig is a Canadian bound author who’s authored a number of books
who’s authored a number of books
who’s authored a number of books including one coming out very soon
including one coming out very soon
including one coming out very soon called her story the history of I’m
called her story the history of I’m
called her story the history of I’m African Canadian RCMP officers female
African Canadian RCMP officers female
African Canadian RCMP officers female RCMP officers in Canada my brother Thane
RCMP officers in Canada my brother Thane
RCMP officers in Canada my brother Thane is a career athlete and also a person
is a career athlete and also a person
is a career athlete and also a person who works for Canada Post for 30 years
who works for Canada Post for 30 years
who works for Canada Post for 30 years my sister’s been a Canada Post for 20
my sister’s been a Canada Post for 20
my sister’s been a Canada Post for 20 plus years and it goes on and on in the
plus years and it goes on and on in the
plus years and it goes on and on in the middle of all that I have my mom of
middle of all that I have my mom of
middle of all that I have my mom of course who did all the things that a mom
course who did all the things that a mom
course who did all the things that a mom could do to ensure that we were out of
could do to ensure that we were out of
could do to ensure that we were out of trouble that you know we got beans when
trouble that you know we got beans when
trouble that you know we got beans when we needed it because that was love back
we needed it because that was love back
we needed it because that was love back then and not abuse and and I think we
then and not abuse and and I think we
then and not abuse and and I think we all turned out just fine like many
all turned out just fine like many
all turned out just fine like many people I am I am many things and I think
people I am I am many things and I think
people I am I am many things and I think when I try to talk about the story that
when I try to talk about the story that
when I try to talk about the story that I tell is that we are we are all these
I tell is that we are we are all these
I tell is that we are we are all these things
things
things everybody in this room are these things
everybody in this room are these things
everybody in this room are these things you know I’m a son a brother a father a
you know I’m a son a brother a father a
you know I’m a son a brother a father a teacher learner coach a mentor dreamer
teacher learner coach a mentor dreamer
teacher learner coach a mentor dreamer believer all of those things and I’m a
believer all of those things and I’m a
believer all of those things and I’m a solutions finder if you come to my
solutions finder if you come to my
solutions finder if you come to my office’s Citadel when you walk in and
office’s Citadel when you walk in and
office’s Citadel when you walk in and you want to see me it says right on my
you want to see me it says right on my
you want to see me it says right on my door solutions only please I don’t have
door solutions only please I don’t have
door solutions only please I don’t have time for people’s problems like I’m own
time for people’s problems like I’m own
time for people’s problems like I’m own you know I’m Sam
you know I’m Sam
you know I’m Sam volunteer I’m empathetic I’m sympathetic
volunteer I’m empathetic I’m sympathetic
volunteer I’m empathetic I’m sympathetic I’m a lover of life and like to live
I’m a lover of life and like to live
I’m a lover of life and like to live beyond 82 if it’s possible and I don’t
beyond 82 if it’s possible and I don’t
beyond 82 if it’s possible and I don’t want any regrets that’s for sure
want any regrets that’s for sure
want any regrets that’s for sure right so everything I need to know this
right so everything I need to know this
right so everything I need to know this is the first team I’ve ever played for
is the first team I’ve ever played for
is the first team I’ve ever played for at 9 years of age community why
at 9 years of age community why
at 9 years of age community why role models and men that put a number of
role models and men that put a number of
role models and men that put a number of things in my head that helped me to be
things in my head that helped me to be
things in my head that helped me to be successful what I learned at the Y was
successful what I learned at the Y was
successful what I learned at the Y was very simple to be accountable to be a
very simple to be accountable to be a
very simple to be accountable to be a good teammate don’t embarrass yourself
good teammate don’t embarrass yourself
good teammate don’t embarrass yourself your family or your community failure is
your family or your community failure is
your family or your community failure is not an option in anything that you do
not an option in anything that you do
not an option in anything that you do you belong very much my second home from
you belong very much my second home from
you belong very much my second home from from 9 to 17 you are worthy you can do
from 9 to 17 you are worthy you can do
from 9 to 17 you are worthy you can do anything and that the each one teach one
anything and that the each one teach one
anything and that the each one teach one philosophy becomes entrenched in the way
philosophy becomes entrenched in the way
philosophy becomes entrenched in the way that we do think so you know given back
that we do think so you know given back
that we do think so you know given back was never a choice in the in my life
was never a choice in the in my life
was never a choice in the in my life giving back was an obligation to my
giving back was an obligation to my
giving back was an obligation to my community to young kids coming up after
community to young kids coming up after
community to young kids coming up after me and it’s simply the way that I was it
me and it’s simply the way that I was it
me and it’s simply the way that I was it was a grained in me as a young man that
was a grained in me as a young man that
was a grained in me as a young man that that’s what I’m supposed to do nobody
that’s what I’m supposed to do nobody
that’s what I’m supposed to do nobody lots and lots of people told me by
lots and lots of people told me by
lots and lots of people told me by example but nuttin but it wasn’t
example but nuttin but it wasn’t
example but nuttin but it wasn’t something that I had to ever think about
something that I had to ever think about
something that I had to ever think about it was just how I did business so I’ve
it was just how I did business so I’ve
it was just how I did business so I’ve had the opportunity give back to my
had the opportunity give back to my
had the opportunity give back to my community why and coach and coach to the
community why and coach and coach to the
community why and coach and coach to the provincial level coach of the community
provincial level coach of the community
provincial level coach of the community why level take be a mentor to kids in my
why level take be a mentor to kids in my
why level take be a mentor to kids in my community take them on trips and do all
community take them on trips and do all
community take them on trips and do all the things that I believe that I’m
the things that I believe that I’m
the things that I believe that I’m supposed to do and so when I give advice
supposed to do and so when I give advice
supposed to do and so when I give advice to people or specifically young kids
to people or specifically young kids
to people or specifically young kids because I’m in an environment where I’m
because I’m in an environment where I’m
because I’m in an environment where I’m dealing with you know students between
dealing with you know students between
dealing with you know students between the ages of 15 and as high as old as 18
the ages of 15 and as high as old as 18
the ages of 15 and as high as old as 18 sometimes every day is I tell kids that
sometimes every day is I tell kids that
sometimes every day is I tell kids that you got to find a vehicle basketball for
you got to find a vehicle basketball for
you got to find a vehicle basketball for me became my vehicle when I fell in love
me became my vehicle when I fell in love
me became my vehicle when I fell in love with the game at a young age that’s all
with the game at a young age that’s all
with the game at a young age that’s all I wanted to do my mom and dad always
I wanted to do my mom and dad always
I wanted to do my mom and dad always know where I was I was safe I was with
know where I was I was safe I was with
know where I was I was safe I was with fantastic role models who always said
fantastic role models who always said
fantastic role models who always said school and character first basketball
school and character first basketball
school and character first basketball second everything else takes care of
second everything else takes care of
second everything else takes care of itself
itself
itself I had an opportunity to play for the
I had an opportunity to play for the
I had an opportunity to play for the junior national team for three years
junior national team for three years
junior national team for three years I’ve been fortunate enough to when the
I’ve been fortunate enough to when the
I’ve been fortunate enough to when the candy games gold medal the only time
candy games gold medal the only time
candy games gold medal the only time Nova Scotia has done so in 1987 actually
Nova Scotia has done so in 1987 actually
Nova Scotia has done so in 1987 actually with my head coach who happens to be in
with my head coach who happens to be in
with my head coach who happens to be in the room today mr. Bev Greenlaw thank
the room today mr. Bev Greenlaw thank
the room today mr. Bev Greenlaw thank you
you
you and as things come full circle I am head
and as things come full circle I am head
and as things come full circle I am head coach of the u-17 candy games team for
coach of the u-17 candy games team for
coach of the u-17 candy games team for this summer and we’re going to win a
this summer and we’re going to win a
this summer and we’re going to win a second gold medal so that’s that’s the
second gold medal so that’s that’s the
second gold medal so that’s that’s the goal if you speak those things you know
goal if you speak those things you know
goal if you speak those things you know that they come into existence right what
that they come into existence right what
that they come into existence right what basketball has done for me is it allowed
basketball has done for me is it allowed
basketball has done for me is it allowed me to do a lot of things that I wouldn’t
me to do a lot of things that I wouldn’t
me to do a lot of things that I wouldn’t otherwise do see the province see the
otherwise do see the province see the
otherwise do see the province see the country and see the world at a very
country and see the world at a very
country and see the world at a very young age and so I try to tell people
young age and so I try to tell people
young age and so I try to tell people that or get young people to think about
that or get young people to think about
that or get young people to think about don’t spend so much time on the
don’t spend so much time on the
don’t spend so much time on the destination but enjoy the journey and
destination but enjoy the journey and
destination but enjoy the journey and try to live in the moments that are
try to live in the moments that are
try to live in the moments that are present for me as an athlete it’s game
present for me as an athlete it’s game
present for me as an athlete it’s game by game it’s practice by practice that’s
by game it’s practice by practice that’s
by game it’s practice by practice that’s putting time in to be successful and
putting time in to be successful and
putting time in to be successful and it’s setting goals and reaching goals
it’s setting goals and reaching goals
it’s setting goals and reaching goals and resetting goals and and reaching
and resetting goals and and reaching
and resetting goals and and reaching goals and all of those things as far as
goals and all of those things as far as
goals and all of those things as far as I’m concerned allow whatever else
I’m concerned allow whatever else
I’m concerned allow whatever else happens to take care of itself I didn’t
happens to take care of itself I didn’t
happens to take care of itself I didn’t know those things are going to happen to
know those things are going to happen to
know those things are going to happen to me I just knew that if I did what my
me I just knew that if I did what my
me I just knew that if I did what my coaches told me to do when I worked
coaches told me to do when I worked
coaches told me to do when I worked really hard and I was fortunate enough
really hard and I was fortunate enough
really hard and I was fortunate enough to have an older brother that was paving
to have an older brother that was paving
to have an older brother that was paving the way for softball in in a manner that
the way for softball in in a manner that
the way for softball in in a manner that looking back nobody has ever done in
looking back nobody has ever done in
looking back nobody has ever done in this province certainly no African Nova
this province certainly no African Nova
this province certainly no African Nova Scotian has ever done no African
Scotian has ever done no African
Scotian has ever done no African Canadians ever done he’s done things
Canadians ever done he’s done things
Canadians ever done he’s done things that I marvel at so you have those role
that I marvel at so you have those role
that I marvel at so you have those role models that allow you to think big
models that allow you to think big
models that allow you to think big because you see people doing big and so
because you see people doing big and so
because you see people doing big and so it became easy to be able to work hard
it became easy to be able to work hard
it became easy to be able to work hard and follow the time follow the follow
and follow the time follow the follow
and follow the time follow the follow the the people in front of you my cousin
the the people in front of you my cousin
the the people in front of you my cousin who recently passed away Wayne Smith was
who recently passed away Wayne Smith was
who recently passed away Wayne Smith was a CFL football player for 13 season and
a CFL football player for 13 season and
a CFL football player for 13 season and never played high school football so I
never played high school football so I
never played high school football so I had people around me setting examples
had people around me setting examples
had people around me setting examples that helped me be successful so
that helped me be successful so
that helped me be successful so basketball became my vehicle and I just
basketball became my vehicle and I just
basketball became my vehicle and I just rode the vehicle so that became part of
rode the vehicle so that became part of
rode the vehicle so that became part of the things that I like to do I became a
the things that I like to do I became a
the things that I like to do I became a coach I got into teaching and these are
coach I got into teaching and these are
coach I got into teaching and these are different experiences I taught GED I’ve
different experiences I taught GED I’ve
different experiences I taught GED I’ve taught high school I’ve taught some
taught high school I’ve taught some
taught high school I’ve taught some university stuff I’ve tutored I mentor
university stuff I’ve tutored I mentor
university stuff I’ve tutored I mentor you know multiple kids that come out of
you know multiple kids that come out of
you know multiple kids that come out of my community and lots and lots of kids
my community and lots and lots of kids
my community and lots and lots of kids that are in my school every day in
that are in my school every day in
that are in my school every day in different ways I love to learn I believe
different ways I love to learn I believe
different ways I love to learn I believe in support and I try to attach myself to
in support and I try to attach myself to
in support and I try to attach myself to positive things and positive people and
positive things and positive people and
positive things and positive people and my heart’s in it I’m not about to tell
my heart’s in it I’m not about to tell
my heart’s in it I’m not about to tell anybody anything a principal in the
anybody anything a principal in the
anybody anything a principal in the middle of the city Halifax is an easy
middle of the city Halifax is an easy
middle of the city Halifax is an easy job
it’s not it’s not an easy job but my
it’s not it’s not an easy job but my heart’s in it and it’s in my community
heart’s in it and it’s in my community
heart’s in it and it’s in my community and the kids I see believe it or not
and the kids I see believe it or not
and the kids I see believe it or not I’ve taught the kids in my I’ve working
I’ve taught the kids in my I’ve working
I’ve taught the kids in my I’ve working with the kids in my building I’ve taught
with the kids in my building I’ve taught
with the kids in my building I’ve taught some of their parents and so the
some of their parents and so the
some of their parents and so the connections that I help help me make my
connections that I help help me make my
connections that I help help me make my school run smoothly help me throw it any
school run smoothly help me throw it any
school run smoothly help me throw it any drama and if I always say I’m going to
drama and if I always say I’m going to
drama and if I always say I’m going to call someone’s mom they actually know it
call someone’s mom they actually know it
call someone’s mom they actually know it because I know them personally so that
because I know them personally so that
because I know them personally so that helps right and give time I just what do
helps right and give time I just what do
helps right and give time I just what do people want from you in life they want
people want from you in life they want
people want from you in life they want your time I know that because of my two
your time I know that because of my two
your time I know that because of my two sons I know that because of my wife I
sons I know that because of my wife I
sons I know that because of my wife I know that because of my family my mom
know that because of my family my mom
know that because of my family my mom that people appreciate your time and so
that people appreciate your time and so
that people appreciate your time and so I tell students ride the vehicle like
I tell students ride the vehicle like
I tell students ride the vehicle like whatever it is you’re good at don’t be
whatever it is you’re good at don’t be
whatever it is you’re good at don’t be ashamed of what the skills that it’s
ashamed of what the skills that it’s
ashamed of what the skills that it’s taught you when I first got into
taught you when I first got into
taught you when I first got into teaching the number one question that I
teaching the number one question that I
teaching the number one question that I ended up hating more than anything was I
ended up hating more than anything was I
ended up hating more than anything was I was in by this point Tom my career I
was in by this point Tom my career I
was in by this point Tom my career I have been at about 10 different schools
have been at about 10 different schools
have been at about 10 different schools throughout my career and so I’m going to
throughout my career and so I’m going to
throughout my career and so I’m going to retire for Sydow that’s my plan but in
retire for Sydow that’s my plan but in
retire for Sydow that’s my plan but in every school I went to as an educator as
every school I went to as an educator as
every school I went to as an educator as a teacher everybody came out to me and
a teacher everybody came out to me and
a teacher everybody came out to me and said oh so do you teach Jim you teach
said oh so do you teach Jim you teach
said oh so do you teach Jim you teach Jim don’t you do you teach Jim and for
Jim don’t you do you teach Jim and for
Jim don’t you do you teach Jim and for whatever reason that to me as a former
whatever reason that to me as a former
whatever reason that to me as a former athlete you might not find that
athlete you might not find that
athlete you might not find that insulting but I don’t go to people
insulting but I don’t go to people
insulting but I don’t go to people making assumptions about me so when they
making assumptions about me so when they
making assumptions about me so when they said that I would say no I’m English
said that I would say no I’m English
said that I would say no I’m English English social studies oh oh well good
English social studies oh oh well good
English social studies oh oh well good for you right and they’re good for you I
for you right and they’re good for you I
for you right and they’re good for you I just hated that so I had never really
just hated that so I had never really
just hated that so I had never really cared I didn’t want to be known as that
cared I didn’t want to be known as that
cared I didn’t want to be known as that sort of jockey dumb jockey kind of guy
sort of jockey dumb jockey kind of guy
sort of jockey dumb jockey kind of guy because I really prided myself on being
because I really prided myself on being
because I really prided myself on being a solid educator and working hard and
a solid educator and working hard and
a solid educator and working hard and learning and being good for the students
learning and being good for the students
learning and being good for the students and being there for them but as I got
and being there for them but as I got
and being there for them but as I got into my career and I got older I took
into my career and I got older I took
into my career and I got older I took all the information and all the
all the information and all the
all the information and all the experience from sport and I began to see
experience from sport and I began to see
experience from sport and I began to see what the school made up of its pockets
what the school made up of its pockets
what the school made up of its pockets full of teams its departments its
full of teams its departments its
full of teams its departments its department heads and all you’re doing is
department heads and all you’re doing is
department heads and all you’re doing is kind of coaching and supporting and
kind of coaching and supporting and
kind of coaching and supporting and doing the things for me personally that
doing the things for me personally that
doing the things for me personally that come kinda naturally kid kids come in
come kinda naturally kid kids come in
come kinda naturally kid kids come in your office now not a Yeller and a
your office now not a Yeller and a
your office now not a Yeller and a screamer I wasn’t one as a VP and really
screamer I wasn’t one as a VP and really
screamer I wasn’t one as a VP and really not one as a principal but you know lots
not one as a principal but you know lots
not one as a principal but you know lots of foot landed in lots of behinds right
of foot landed in lots of behinds right
of foot landed in lots of behinds right when I close
when I close
when I close door in different ways about love and
door in different ways about love and
door in different ways about love and about support for young people who want
about support for young people who want
about support for young people who want to be successful and there’s been lots
to be successful and there’s been lots
to be successful and there’s been lots of battles and I’ve won some I’ve won
of battles and I’ve won some I’ve won
of battles and I’ve won some I’ve won most right but you lose some of kids
most right but you lose some of kids
most right but you lose some of kids don’t finish school and you lose some
don’t finish school and you lose some
don’t finish school and you lose some because you feel that maybe high school
because you feel that maybe high school
because you feel that maybe high school wasn’t even the venue for them but I
wasn’t even the venue for them but I
wasn’t even the venue for them but I take all those things then I use them
take all those things then I use them
take all those things then I use them every day because my experiences in
every day because my experiences in
every day because my experiences in sport and working with teams and working
sport and working with teams and working
sport and working with teams and working with very very positive role models
with very very positive role models
with very very positive role models helps me believe that what I can
helps me believe that what I can
helps me believe that what I can actually achieve my building can
actually achieve my building can
actually achieve my building can actually occur you have to continue to
actually occur you have to continue to
actually occur you have to continue to be inspired I had an opportunity to meet
be inspired I had an opportunity to meet
be inspired I had an opportunity to meet dr. Raymond Lynn Bush when he was in the
dr. Raymond Lynn Bush when he was in the
dr. Raymond Lynn Bush when he was in the city a number of years ago and he turned
city a number of years ago and he turned
city a number of years ago and he turned me on was book the warrior method that I
me on was book the warrior method that I
me on was book the warrior method that I actually use I do in my my spare time I
actually use I do in my my spare time I
actually use I do in my my spare time I spend time in the correctional
spend time in the correctional
spend time in the correctional institutions in inter New Brunswick’s
institutions in inter New Brunswick’s
institutions in inter New Brunswick’s over new sand and the Westmoreland and
over new sand and the Westmoreland and
over new sand and the Westmoreland and Dorchester and Spring Hill I go in and
Dorchester and Spring Hill I go in and
Dorchester and Spring Hill I go in and work with African Nova Scotian inmates
work with African Nova Scotian inmates
work with African Nova Scotian inmates and put together what’s called an afro
and put together what’s called an afro
and put together what’s called an afro centric dialogue series which we went in
centric dialogue series which we went in
centric dialogue series which we went in and actually worked with men journals
and actually worked with men journals
and actually worked with men journals and got them to read and talk and share
and got them to read and talk and share
and got them to read and talk and share and do the things that we think are
and do the things that we think are
and do the things that we think are important for rehabilitation thinking
important for rehabilitation thinking
important for rehabilitation thinking about getting back to your community and
about getting back to your community and
about getting back to your community and trying to deal with some of the things
trying to deal with some of the things
trying to deal with some of the things that obviously can be difficult when
that obviously can be difficult when
that obviously can be difficult when your car serrated for long periods of
your car serrated for long periods of
your car serrated for long periods of time and I think to me that’s a small
time and I think to me that’s a small
time and I think to me that’s a small price to pay for people that that like
price to pay for people that that like
price to pay for people that that like me that have my freedom to work with
me that have my freedom to work with
me that have my freedom to work with young people that that don’t and in some
young people that that don’t and in some
young people that that don’t and in some case when I say sometimes in school I
case when I say sometimes in school I
case when I say sometimes in school I win some and I lose some I have gone
win some and I lose some I have gone
win some and I lose some I have gone into institutions where former students
into institutions where former students
into institutions where former students have met me at the door you know with
have met me at the door you know with
have met me at the door you know with the big hug and you go from that space
the big hug and you go from that space
the big hug and you go from that space on there’s no judgment they may have
on there’s no judgment they may have
on there’s no judgment they may have made a mistake in their lives that they
made a mistake in their lives that they
made a mistake in their lives that they are paying for by being incarcerated but
are paying for by being incarcerated but
are paying for by being incarcerated but there’s no judgment and we work from
there’s no judgment and we work from
there’s no judgment and we work from there and I’m always happy when I see
there and I’m always happy when I see
there and I’m always happy when I see that the road and we have great dialogue
that the road and we have great dialogue
that the road and we have great dialogue so the cycle continues in terms of
so the cycle continues in terms of
so the cycle continues in terms of positive energy so what happens when you
positive energy so what happens when you
positive energy so what happens when you contribute to others I think it’s very
contribute to others I think it’s very
contribute to others I think it’s very simple I know everybody in the room when
simple I know everybody in the room when
simple I know everybody in the room when I’m about to show you
I’m about to show you
I’m about to show you everybody in this room unless you’ve
everybody in this room unless you’ve
everybody in this room unless you’ve lived under a rock will know exactly
lived under a rock will know exactly
lived under a rock will know exactly what I’m talking about
well in Whoville they say that the
well in Whoville they say that the Grinch’s small heart grew three sizes
Grinch’s small heart grew three sizes
Grinch’s small heart grew three sizes that day I don’t know if there is an
that day I don’t know if there is an
that day I don’t know if there is an easier way to explain what happens when
easier way to explain what happens when
easier way to explain what happens when you work hard for other people because
you work hard for other people because
you work hard for other people because it’s not my paycheck and it’s not summer
it’s not my paycheck and it’s not summer
it’s not my paycheck and it’s not summer vacation and it’s not Chris it’s not any
vacation and it’s not Chris it’s not any
vacation and it’s not Chris it’s not any things that you think they’re typical
things that you think they’re typical
things that you think they’re typical both teachers administrators because
both teachers administrators because
both teachers administrators because none of that would be true because
none of that would be true because
none of that would be true because people work very very hard for a living
people work very very hard for a living
people work very very hard for a living and the pay that they get does not
and the pay that they get does not
and the pay that they get does not compare to what we actually do in a
compare to what we actually do in a
compare to what we actually do in a building every day so for those of you
building every day so for those of you
building every day so for those of you that go forth today and when people are
that go forth today and when people are
that go forth today and when people are bashing educators tell them you don’t
bashing educators tell them you don’t
bashing educators tell them you don’t know what you’re talking about
know what you’re talking about
know what you’re talking about because I vote for my school what I do
because I vote for my school what I do
because I vote for my school what I do know is I try to tell young people that
know is I try to tell young people that
know is I try to tell young people that you can make yourself extraordinary by
you can make yourself extraordinary by
you can make yourself extraordinary by doing the ordinary because if you’re
doing the ordinary because if you’re
doing the ordinary because if you’re extraordinary to someone that’s enough
extraordinary to someone that’s enough
extraordinary to someone that’s enough famous people were once ordinary they
famous people were once ordinary they
famous people were once ordinary they just believed in something so figure it
just believed in something so figure it
just believed in something so figure it out for young people I say figure out
out for young people I say figure out
out for young people I say figure out what you believe in and then when you
what you believe in and then when you
what you believe in and then when you were done you can do something so I
were done you can do something so I
were done you can do something so I wrote something very small to write it
wrote something very small to write it
wrote something very small to write it finish off at the end because I know
finish off at the end because I know
finish off at the end because I know wrap it up and I’d like to leave you
wrap it up and I’d like to leave you
wrap it up and I’d like to leave you with this poem now after listening to
with this poem now after listening to
with this poem now after listening to ohm talk I don’t really know if I just
ohm talk I don’t really know if I just
ohm talk I don’t really know if I just read this poem because he was heavy
read this poem because he was heavy
read this poem because he was heavy this morning I wake and rise from my bed
this morning I wake and rise from my bed
this morning I wake and rise from my bed I walked to the mayor and I scratched my
I walked to the mayor and I scratched my
I walked to the mayor and I scratched my head I squared my eyes and what do I see
head I squared my eyes and what do I see
head I squared my eyes and what do I see a tired black man staring back at me a
a tired black man staring back at me a
a tired black man staring back at me a black man a principal a father a friend
black man a principal a father a friend
black man a principal a father a friend a husband and uncle a teammate and then
a husband and uncle a teammate and then
a husband and uncle a teammate and then I’m one of those things and I am all of
I’m one of those things and I am all of
I’m one of those things and I am all of them a convict a criminal a thief and a
them a convict a criminal a thief and a
them a convict a criminal a thief and a crook
crook
crook I’m also those things in other people’s
I’m also those things in other people’s
I’m also those things in other people’s books but what I really am you can’t
books but what I really am you can’t
books but what I really am you can’t actually see because who I truly am is
actually see because who I truly am is
actually see because who I truly am is deep inside of me I’m a reader a writer
deep inside of me I’m a reader a writer
deep inside of me I’m a reader a writer a coach and a poet I’m a doer and a
a coach and a poet I’m a doer and a
a coach and a poet I’m a doer and a giver to many they know it I’m a mentor
giver to many they know it I’m a mentor
giver to many they know it I’m a mentor a pusher and I can be glue and I’ll give
a pusher and I can be glue and I’ll give
a pusher and I can be glue and I’ll give what I can to get the most out of you a
what I can to get the most out of you a
what I can to get the most out of you a mentor to me is the most valuable thing
mentor to me is the most valuable thing
mentor to me is the most valuable thing for they can make you believe the most
for they can make you believe the most
for they can make you believe the most unbelievable things
unbelievable things
unbelievable things they can take you places you never
they can take you places you never
they can take you places you never thought you’d go and make you believe
thought you’d go and make you believe
thought you’d go and make you believe that you run your own show for when you
that you run your own show for when you
that you run your own show for when you give you get 110 fold and it’s something
give you get 110 fold and it’s something
give you get 110 fold and it’s something you carry until you are old when caring
you carry until you are old when caring
you carry until you are old when caring and coaching is birth in your blood your
and coaching is birth in your blood your
and coaching is birth in your blood your goodness and caring comes out like a
goodness and caring comes out like a
goodness and caring comes out like a flood but the one thing I know from my
flood but the one thing I know from my
flood but the one thing I know from my wife and two sons is that all anybody
wife and two sons is that all anybody
wife and two sons is that all anybody wants is your time and your love and
wants is your time and your love and
wants is your time and your love and when you give freely without care or
when you give freely without care or
when you give freely without care or strife you’ll see how much mentoring can
strife you’ll see how much mentoring can
strife you’ll see how much mentoring can change your life thank you very much
change your life thank you very much
change your life thank you very much [Applause]
”
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