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The Power of Potential: Student Centered Learning | Ayla Postelnek | TEDxYeshivaUniversity


I want to start off tonight by taking a

I want to start off tonight by taking a poll so bear with me and play along okay

poll so bear with me and play along okay

poll so bear with me and play along okay if you’ve ever in the entirety of your

if you’ve ever in the entirety of your

if you’ve ever in the entirety of your education gotten a bad grade please

education gotten a bad grade please

education gotten a bad grade please raise your hand

raise your hand

raise your hand okay amazing thank you now don’t be shy

okay amazing thank you now don’t be shy

okay amazing thank you now don’t be shy and if you’ve ever somehow gotten more

and if you’ve ever somehow gotten more

and if you’ve ever somehow gotten more than one bad grade maybe five ten five

than one bad grade maybe five ten five

than one bad grade maybe five ten five hundred no one’s judging raise your hand

hundred no one’s judging raise your hand

hundred no one’s judging raise your hand okay

now finally if somehow despite those bad

now finally if somehow despite those bad grades you still feel like you’re on a

grades you still feel like you’re on a

grades you still feel like you’re on a path towards leading a successful and

path towards leading a successful and

path towards leading a successful and fulfilled life please raise your hand

fulfilled life please raise your hand

fulfilled life please raise your hand and I want you to keep those hands

and I want you to keep those hands

and I want you to keep those hands raised take a moment and look around

raised take a moment and look around

raised take a moment and look around look at how many other people have their

look at how many other people have their

look at how many other people have their hands raised as well Kimmy’s your hands

hands raised as well Kimmy’s your hands

hands raised as well Kimmy’s your hands that was that poll just demonstrated

that was that poll just demonstrated

that was that poll just demonstrated it’s an idea that’s you might seem

it’s an idea that’s you might seem

it’s an idea that’s you might seem completely natural and second nature but

completely natural and second nature but

completely natural and second nature but in the world of Education it’s a little

in the world of Education it’s a little

in the world of Education it’s a little bit foreign and that’s the idea that our

bit foreign and that’s the idea that our

bit foreign and that’s the idea that our success is not defined by the grades we

success is not defined by the grades we

success is not defined by the grades we get or the numbers that were given but

get or the numbers that were given but

get or the numbers that were given but the math by the amount of effort that we

the math by the amount of effort that we

the math by the amount of effort that we put into our endeavors and the potential

put into our endeavors and the potential

put into our endeavors and the potential that we actualize and this idea is the

that we actualize and this idea is the

that we actualize and this idea is the main concept behind the education of

main concept behind the education of

main concept behind the education of philosophy of student-centered learning

philosophy of student-centered learning

philosophy of student-centered learning which is the educational philosophy

which is the educational philosophy

which is the educational philosophy which I want to share with you today so

which I want to share with you today so

which I want to share with you today so what is student-centered learning now

what is student-centered learning now

what is student-centered learning now student-centered learning is a

student-centered learning is a

student-centered learning is a philosophy that places the student at

philosophy that places the student at

philosophy that places the student at the center of the learning process and

the center of the learning process and

the center of the learning process and what that means essentially is that all

what that means essentially is that all

what that means essentially is that all of the educational needs ranging from

of the educational needs ranging from

of the educational needs ranging from what is being taught to how it’s being

what is being taught to how it’s being

what is being taught to how it’s being taught is completely dictated by the

taught is completely dictated by the

taught is completely dictated by the students needs and in order to explain

students needs and in order to explain

students needs and in order to explain what exactly that means and why it’s

what exactly that means and why it’s

what exactly that means and why it’s important I want to start off by sharing

important I want to start off by sharing

important I want to start off by sharing with you my personal story and how

with you my personal story and how

with you my personal story and how student-centered learning has impacted

student-centered learning has impacted

student-centered learning has impacted my life and then I want to go on and

my life and then I want to go on and

my life and then I want to go on and break down what student-centered

break down what student-centered

break down what student-centered learning is and how it is applicable and

learning is and how it is applicable and

learning is and how it is applicable and relevant and very important to every

relevant and very important to every

relevant and very important to every person in this audience today so when

person in this audience today so when

person in this audience today so when most people picture home schoolers

most people picture home schoolers

most people picture home schoolers usually something along the lines of

usually something along the lines of

usually something along the lines of this comes to

this comes to

this comes to and what most people do not imagine is

and what most people do not imagine is

and what most people do not imagine is something more like this but my family

something more like this but my family

something more like this but my family me my siblings were all homeschooled

me my siblings were all homeschooled

me my siblings were all homeschooled from a very young age which mean I had a

from a very young age which mean I had a

from a very young age which mean I had a very very individualized education and

very very individualized education and

very very individualized education and pretty much everything from what was

pretty much everything from what was

pretty much everything from what was being taught to how was being taught was

being taught to how was being taught was

being taught to how was being taught was completely dictated by my my

completely dictated by my my

completely dictated by my my individualized me and because my family

individualized me and because my family

individualized me and because my family wasn’t unique enough in addition to

wasn’t unique enough in addition to

wasn’t unique enough in addition to being home schoolers we also what we

being home schoolers we also what we

being home schoolers we also what we call Bali chuba which is which means

call Bali chuba which is which means

call Bali chuba which is which means that we weren’t always religious

that we weren’t always religious

that we weren’t always religious Orthodox Jews but as we grew as a family

Orthodox Jews but as we grew as a family

Orthodox Jews but as we grew as a family were given our religious practices and

were given our religious practices and

were given our religious practices and in our spirituality and so while I had

in our spirituality and so while I had

in our spirituality and so while I had an amazing and full and wonderful

an amazing and full and wonderful

an amazing and full and wonderful secular education my Jewish education

secular education my Jewish education

secular education my Jewish education was somewhat lacking just because we

was somewhat lacking just because we

was somewhat lacking just because we didn’t have the understanding or really

didn’t have the understanding or really

didn’t have the understanding or really the resources behind a proper Jewish

the resources behind a proper Jewish

the resources behind a proper Jewish education and so about about the age of

education and so about about the age of

education and so about about the age of high school we realized that I could no

high school we realized that I could no

high school we realized that I could no longer get everything at home and

longer get everything at home and

longer get everything at home and through these classes and I was dual

through these classes and I was dual

through these classes and I was dual enrolled in a bunch of schools

enrolled in a bunch of schools

enrolled in a bunch of schools throughout Virginia where I grew up and

throughout Virginia where I grew up and

throughout Virginia where I grew up and for the first time in my life I

for the first time in my life I

for the first time in my life I encountered anti-semitism and for the

encountered anti-semitism and for the

encountered anti-semitism and for the first time I saw that not everyone loves

first time I saw that not everyone loves

first time I saw that not everyone loves Jews and so while I was at home getting

Jews and so while I was at home getting

Jews and so while I was at home getting excited about being Jewish and taking on

excited about being Jewish and taking on

excited about being Jewish and taking on more and learning and really getting

more and learning and really getting

more and learning and really getting into it

into it

into it I would go to school and I would be told

I would go to school and I would be told

I would go to school and I would be told that being a Jewish is disgusting but

that being a Jewish is disgusting but

that being a Jewish is disgusting but being Jewish is something you should be

being Jewish is something you should be

being Jewish is something you should be ashamed of and I would go home and we’d

ashamed of and I would go home and we’d

ashamed of and I would go home and we’d be so excited and growing and increasing

be so excited and growing and increasing

be so excited and growing and increasing and at school I would be told that

and at school I would be told that

and at school I would be told that everything that you are doing is wrong

everything that you are doing is wrong

everything that you are doing is wrong and it came to a point where I could no

and it came to a point where I could no

and it came to a point where I could no longer handle this conflict I knew who I

longer handle this conflict I knew who I

longer handle this conflict I knew who I was and I knew where I wanted to go and

was and I knew where I wanted to go and

was and I knew where I wanted to go and I wanted to have a proper Jewish

I wanted to have a proper Jewish

I wanted to have a proper Jewish education and being where I was was not

education and being where I was was not

education and being where I was was not conducive for such a thing and so with

conducive for such a thing and so with

conducive for such a thing and so with my parents support we decided that what

my parents support we decided that what

my parents support we decided that what I was going to do is leave high school a

I was going to do is leave high school a

I was going to do is leave high school a little early earn my GED and take a gap

little early earn my GED and take a gap

little early earn my GED and take a gap year in Israel to learn Judaic Studies

year in Israel to learn Judaic Studies

year in Israel to learn Judaic Studies now most religious Orthodox Jews between

now most religious Orthodox Jews between

now most religious Orthodox Jews between graduating high school and entering

graduating high school and entering

graduating high school and entering college take a year which is called

college take a year which is called

college take a year which is called seminary shibir where they go to Israel

seminary shibir where they go to Israel

seminary shibir where they go to Israel and they completely immerse themselves

and they completely immerse themselves

and they completely immerse themselves in Judaic Studies so in order to get out

in Judaic Studies so in order to get out

in Judaic Studies so in order to get out of this awful environment and to really

of this awful environment and to really

of this awful environment and to really understand

understand

understand what a proper Jewish education was I

what a proper Jewish education was I

what a proper Jewish education was I decided that I was going to leave early

decided that I was going to leave early

decided that I was going to leave early get a GED and go to Israel and that’s

get a GED and go to Israel and that’s

get a GED and go to Israel and that’s what I did and I show up the first day

what I did and I show up the first day

what I did and I show up the first day and I’m in a foreign country I don’t

and I’m in a foreign country I don’t

and I’m in a foreign country I don’t know a single person I don’t speak the

know a single person I don’t speak the

know a single person I don’t speak the language but that’s okay cuz I’m excited

language but that’s okay cuz I’m excited

language but that’s okay cuz I’m excited and I’m ready to learn and I show up the

and I’m ready to learn and I show up the

and I’m ready to learn and I show up the first day classes and I’m so ready to

first day classes and I’m so ready to

first day classes and I’m so ready to learn and I’m so excited and the rabbit

learn and I’m so excited and the rabbit

learn and I’m so excited and the rabbit gets the front of the class and he

gets the front of the class and he

gets the front of the class and he starts writing on the board and I’m

starts writing on the board and I’m

starts writing on the board and I’m looking at the board and I’m thinking

looking at the board and I’m thinking

looking at the board and I’m thinking what is going on because I thought I

what is going on because I thought I

what is going on because I thought I knew Hebrew but what he was writing did

knew Hebrew but what he was writing did

knew Hebrew but what he was writing did not look like Hebrew to me

not look like Hebrew to me

not look like Hebrew to me so as it turns out there’s actually two

so as it turns out there’s actually two

so as it turns out there’s actually two different types of Hebrew there’s

different types of Hebrew there’s

different types of Hebrew there’s regular black Hebrew which looks like

regular black Hebrew which looks like

regular black Hebrew which looks like this and this is used for our prayers

this and this is used for our prayers

this and this is used for our prayers and our former writings and then there’s

and our former writings and then there’s

and our former writings and then there’s an informal script Hebrew called sub yen

an informal script Hebrew called sub yen

an informal script Hebrew called sub yen which looks more like this little

which looks more like this little

which looks more like this little different right so the rabbi was at the

different right so the rabbi was at the

different right so the rabbi was at the front of the board writing down savy yad

front of the board writing down savy yad

front of the board writing down savy yad which is a language that i couldn’t

which is a language that i couldn’t

which is a language that i couldn’t possibly read and I think okay no

possibly read and I think okay no

possibly read and I think okay no problem I’m ready to learn I’m excited

problem I’m ready to learn I’m excited

problem I’m ready to learn I’m excited let’s do this I’m just gonna listen

let’s do this I’m just gonna listen

let’s do this I’m just gonna listen really hard and the rabbit turns around

really hard and the rabbit turns around

really hard and the rabbit turns around and he starts speaking and he speaks in

and he starts speaking and he speaks in

and he starts speaking and he speaks in a language which we call he broish which

a language which we call he broish which

a language which we call he broish which means not quite English and not quite

means not quite English and not quite

means not quite English and not quite Hebrew but somewhere in between so about

Hebrew but somewhere in between so about

Hebrew but somewhere in between so about every fifth word is a Hebrew word that I

every fifth word is a Hebrew word that I

every fifth word is a Hebrew word that I completely don’t understand so he’s

completely don’t understand so he’s

completely don’t understand so he’s writing a Ling which I can’t read and

writing a Ling which I can’t read and

writing a Ling which I can’t read and he’s talking in a language that I hardly

he’s talking in a language that I hardly

he’s talking in a language that I hardly understand and I’m thinking oh my

understand and I’m thinking oh my

understand and I’m thinking oh my goodness what am i doing and I start

goodness what am i doing and I start

goodness what am i doing and I start looking around thinking about the only

looking around thinking about the only

looking around thinking about the only one is everyone else lost and all the

one is everyone else lost and all the

one is everyone else lost and all the girls around me are sitting there with

girls around me are sitting there with

girls around me are sitting there with their notes and raising their hands and

their notes and raising their hands and

their notes and raising their hands and nodding along and really excited and I

nodding along and really excited and I

nodding along and really excited and I start to completely meltdown because I’m

start to completely meltdown because I’m

start to completely meltdown because I’m thinking what am I doing here I can’t

thinking what am I doing here I can’t

thinking what am I doing here I can’t read the language I can’t understand a

read the language I can’t understand a

read the language I can’t understand a word he’s saying and everyone else seems

word he’s saying and everyone else seems

word he’s saying and everyone else seems to know what’s going on and I start

to know what’s going on and I start

to know what’s going on and I start freaking out saying what am I doing here

freaking out saying what am I doing here

freaking out saying what am I doing here I don’t belong here who was I kidding

I don’t belong here who was I kidding

I don’t belong here who was I kidding but right before it was able to have a

but right before it was able to have a

but right before it was able to have a total and complete meltdown in the

total and complete meltdown in the

total and complete meltdown in the middle of class I stopped I took a deep

middle of class I stopped I took a deep

middle of class I stopped I took a deep breath and I asked myself the question

breath and I asked myself the question

breath and I asked myself the question that 16 years of my education had taught

that 16 years of my education had taught

that 16 years of my education had taught me to ask myself I asked myself is this

me to ask myself I asked myself is this

me to ask myself I asked myself is this within my potential

now it’s over four years later I went on

now it’s over four years later I went on to spend not only one but two years in

to spend not only one but two years in

to spend not only one but two years in that school in Israel afterwards

that school in Israel afterwards

that school in Israel afterwards I graduated with a bachelor’s in Jewish

I graduated with a bachelor’s in Jewish

I graduated with a bachelor’s in Jewish education in Stern College and I’m

education in Stern College and I’m

education in Stern College and I’m currently in my first year teaching

currently in my first year teaching

currently in my first year teaching Judaic Studies for fifth grade and

Judaic Studies for fifth grade and

Judaic Studies for fifth grade and Rosenbaum Ishii of North Jersey and I

Rosenbaum Ishii of North Jersey and I

Rosenbaum Ishii of North Jersey and I look back at that moment and at that

look back at that moment and at that

look back at that moment and at that question and because the answer to that

question and because the answer to that

question and because the answer to that question was yes now not only do I

question was yes now not only do I

question was yes now not only do I understand what that rabbit was talking

understand what that rabbit was talking

understand what that rabbit was talking about that day but I actually teach what

about that day but I actually teach what

about that day but I actually teach what he was talking about and all of this all

he was talking about and all of this all

he was talking about and all of this all that I’ve done over these past few years

that I’ve done over these past few years

that I’ve done over these past few years and all that’s left me to this point I

and all that’s left me to this point I

and all that’s left me to this point I really attest to that one moment into

really attest to that one moment into

really attest to that one moment into that one question that my education

that one question that my education

that one question that my education taught me to ask and it’s this question

taught me to ask and it’s this question

taught me to ask and it’s this question in this mindset that I want to share

in this mindset that I want to share

in this mindset that I want to share with you today so what exactly is

with you today so what exactly is

with you today so what exactly is student-centered learning as I mentioned

student-centered learning as I mentioned

student-centered learning as I mentioned before student-centered learning is an

before student-centered learning is an

before student-centered learning is an educational mindset which places the

educational mindset which places the

educational mindset which places the student at the center of the learning

student at the center of the learning

student at the center of the learning process now some of you might be

process now some of you might be

process now some of you might be familiar with the term because most

familiar with the term because most

familiar with the term because most educators if you go into the class and

educators if you go into the class and

educators if you go into the class and you ask them do you use student-centered

you ask them do you use student-centered

you ask them do you use student-centered learning they’re going to tell you yes

learning they’re going to tell you yes

learning they’re going to tell you yes and they wouldn’t be lying because

and they wouldn’t be lying because

and they wouldn’t be lying because student-centered learning is the

student-centered learning is the

student-centered learning is the foundation of all aggressive approaches

foundation of all aggressive approaches

foundation of all aggressive approaches which means if you’ve heard a

which means if you’ve heard a

which means if you’ve heard a cooperative learning or angry based

cooperative learning or angry based

cooperative learning or angry based learning or project-based learning

learning or project-based learning

learning or project-based learning you’re any of these progressive

you’re any of these progressive

you’re any of these progressive techniques they all stem from this one

techniques they all stem from this one

techniques they all stem from this one philosophy of student-centered learning

philosophy of student-centered learning

philosophy of student-centered learning and so what I’m sharing with you today

and so what I’m sharing with you today

and so what I’m sharing with you today is not necessarily one specific

is not necessarily one specific

is not necessarily one specific technique but just overall a philosophy

technique but just overall a philosophy

technique but just overall a philosophy and a mindset and in order to explain

and a mindset and in order to explain

and a mindset and in order to explain really what it is

really what it is

really what it is I’m going to approach it like an

I’m going to approach it like an

I’m going to approach it like an educator and break it down into two main

educator and break it down into two main

educator and break it down into two main parts the content and the mindset when

parts the content and the mindset when

parts the content and the mindset when we talk about contact and when we

we talk about contact and when we

we talk about contact and when we approach a student-centered based

approach a student-centered based

approach a student-centered based learning lesson we ask ourselves three

learning lesson we ask ourselves three

learning lesson we ask ourselves three main questions the first question is why

main questions the first question is why

main questions the first question is why why is what I’m teaching today or this

why is what I’m teaching today or this

why is what I’m teaching today or this week or this year relevant and important

week or this year relevant and important

week or this year relevant and important and then we make sure that our students

and then we make sure that our students

and then we make sure that our students know to ask and to understand why what

know to ask and to understand why what

know to ask and to understand why what they’re learning is valuable and

they’re learning is valuable and

they’re learning is valuable and necessary

necessary

necessary I’m completely relevant and then once we

I’m completely relevant and then once we

I’m completely relevant and then once we have our why we next

have our why we next

have our why we next selves what what do I need to include in

selves what what do I need to include in

selves what what do I need to include in this lesson to make sure that my Y is

this lesson to make sure that my Y is

this lesson to make sure that my Y is actualized what content and information

actualized what content and information

actualized what content and information must be included to make sure the big

must be included to make sure the big

must be included to make sure the big combo with a lasting and valuable lesson

combo with a lasting and valuable lesson

combo with a lasting and valuable lesson and then finally the last question which

and then finally the last question which

and then finally the last question which really made student-centered learning

really made student-centered learning

really made student-centered learning unique and important is the how how am I

unique and important is the how how am I

unique and important is the how how am I going to teach this in a way that every

going to teach this in a way that every

going to teach this in a way that every single one of my students needs are met

single one of my students needs are met

single one of my students needs are met and now what this means is that let’s

and now what this means is that let’s

and now what this means is that let’s say I have two students and I have one

say I have two students and I have one

say I have two students and I have one student trainee Sally and she is such an

student trainee Sally and she is such an

student trainee Sally and she is such an outgoing girl she loves to talk if you

outgoing girl she loves to talk if you

outgoing girl she loves to talk if you let her she would talk all day and Sally

let her she would talk all day and Sally

let her she would talk all day and Sally she really learns best when she’s

she really learns best when she’s

she really learns best when she’s explaining things when she’s talking it

explaining things when she’s talking it

explaining things when she’s talking it out when she’s acting almost like the

out when she’s acting almost like the

out when she’s acting almost like the teacher and then I have another student

teacher and then I have another student

teacher and then I have another student named Sam and Sam is a very shy girl

named Sam and Sam is a very shy girl

named Sam and Sam is a very shy girl she’s much quieter and she really enjoys

she’s much quieter and she really enjoys

she’s much quieter and she really enjoys learning by listening she likes that

learning by listening she likes that

learning by listening she likes that when the teacher just tells her the

when the teacher just tells her the

when the teacher just tells her the information and she’s able to process it

information and she’s able to process it

information and she’s able to process it on her own and so what I’ll do is I’ll

on her own and so what I’ll do is I’ll

on her own and so what I’ll do is I’ll create a collaborative exercise where

create a collaborative exercise where

create a collaborative exercise where Sally and Sam are going to work together

Sally and Sam are going to work together

Sally and Sam are going to work together and in that way Sally is able to talk it

and in that way Sally is able to talk it

and in that way Sally is able to talk it out and teach it and really explain it

out and teach it and really explain it

out and teach it and really explain it and Sam is going to be able to listen

and Sam is going to be able to listen

and Sam is going to be able to listen and in this way they’re both learning

and in this way they’re both learning

and in this way they’re both learning the exact same information but in a way

the exact same information but in a way

the exact same information but in a way that is best for both of them that’s the

that is best for both of them that’s the

that is best for both of them that’s the how we can’t take into account every

how we can’t take into account every

how we can’t take into account every student’s needs and make sure that

student’s needs and make sure that

student’s needs and make sure that they’re mad so that’s with content but

they’re mad so that’s with content but

they’re mad so that’s with content but what about mindset mindset really comes

what about mindset mindset really comes

what about mindset mindset really comes down to that one question which I

down to that one question which I

down to that one question which I mentioned before is this within my

mentioned before is this within my

mentioned before is this within my potential and in order to explain this

potential and in order to explain this

potential and in order to explain this we need to really understand a basic

we need to really understand a basic

we need to really understand a basic concept see nowadays in the world of

concept see nowadays in the world of

concept see nowadays in the world of Education we are told to measure our

Education we are told to measure our

Education we are told to measure our success based off others which means

success based off others which means

success based off others which means that I might get a 90% on the test and

that I might get a 90% on the test and

that I might get a 90% on the test and that’s an amazing grade but if every

that’s an amazing grade but if every

that’s an amazing grade but if every single other person in the class gets a

single other person in the class gets a

single other person in the class gets a 99 all of a sudden my 90% is now

99 all of a sudden my 90% is now

99 all of a sudden my 90% is now worthless what student-centered learning

worthless what student-centered learning

worthless what student-centered learning does is it takes that concept and it

does is it takes that concept and it

does is it takes that concept and it throws it out the door it says forget

throws it out the door it says forget

throws it out the door it says forget this forget what others are doing what

this forget what others are doing what

this forget what others are doing what you should look at is your potential

you should look at is your potential

you should look at is your potential alone where have you come from

alone where have you come from

alone where have you come from what have you achieved and what are your

what have you achieved and what are your

what have you achieved and what are your capabilities we make sure every one of

capabilities we make sure every one of

capabilities we make sure every one of our students knows to measure themselves

our students knows to measure themselves

our students knows to measure themselves only based off what they

only based off what they

only based off what they can achieve and nothing else so that’s

can achieve and nothing else so that’s

can achieve and nothing else so that’s the content and that’s the mindset and

the content and that’s the mindset and

the content and that’s the mindset and I’m sure you’re all sitting here

I’m sure you’re all sitting here

I’m sure you’re all sitting here thinking this is really nice and

thinking this is really nice and

thinking this is really nice and wonderful sounds great maybe I’ll send

wonderful sounds great maybe I’ll send

wonderful sounds great maybe I’ll send my kid to a school too believes in this

my kid to a school too believes in this

my kid to a school too believes in this but who cares right

but who cares right

but who cares right and that’s really what I wanted to talk

and that’s really what I wanted to talk

and that’s really what I wanted to talk about today because there’s one thing

about today because there’s one thing

about today because there’s one thing you all have in common here whether

you all have in common here whether

you all have in common here whether you’re in kindergarten or in preschool

you’re in kindergarten or in preschool

you’re in kindergarten or in preschool or high school or grad school or you’ve

or high school or grad school or you’ve

or high school or grad school or you’ve graduated or you’re a doctor a plumber a

graduated or you’re a doctor a plumber a

graduated or you’re a doctor a plumber a lawyer a mother it does not matter

lawyer a mother it does not matter

lawyer a mother it does not matter you all have one integral thing in

you all have one integral thing in

you all have one integral thing in common and that is you are always I’m

common and that is you are always I’m

common and that is you are always I’m constantly in a state of growth because

constantly in a state of growth because

constantly in a state of growth because as the world around us changes and

as the world around us changes and

as the world around us changes and develops we also have to change and

develops we also have to change and

develops we also have to change and develop and learn from our surroundings

develop and learn from our surroundings

develop and learn from our surroundings and so at every single given moment we

and so at every single given moment we

and so at every single given moment we are learning and we are adapting and we

are learning and we are adapting and we

are learning and we are adapting and we are changing and it’s my belief based

are changing and it’s my belief based

are changing and it’s my belief based off my personal experiences that if you

off my personal experiences that if you

off my personal experiences that if you take the concepts of student-centered

take the concepts of student-centered

take the concepts of student-centered learning and you apply it to the

learning and you apply it to the

learning and you apply it to the everyday growth process but you can

everyday growth process but you can

everyday growth process but you can drastically change your life for the

drastically change your life for the

drastically change your life for the better so how does it work let’s break

better so how does it work let’s break

better so how does it work let’s break it down we have our four main questions

it down we have our four main questions

it down we have our four main questions first off why when you get up in the

first off why when you get up in the

first off why when you get up in the morning ask yourself this important

morning ask yourself this important

morning ask yourself this important question why is what I’m doing today

question why is what I’m doing today

question why is what I’m doing today this week this year or with my life

this week this year or with my life

this week this year or with my life important and valuable and necessary

important and valuable and necessary

important and valuable and necessary every single person in this room and in

every single person in this room and in

every single person in this room and in this world should be able to answer this

this world should be able to answer this

this world should be able to answer this question why is what I’m doing important

question why is what I’m doing important

question why is what I’m doing important next or what what do I need to do what

next or what what do I need to do what

next or what what do I need to do what do I need to achieve today tomorrow next

do I need to achieve today tomorrow next

do I need to achieve today tomorrow next year it doesn’t matter in order to make

year it doesn’t matter in order to make

year it doesn’t matter in order to make sure that my Y is actualized and finally

sure that my Y is actualized and finally

sure that my Y is actualized and finally the how you know yourself better than

the how you know yourself better than

the how you know yourself better than anyone else out there how can you best

anyone else out there how can you best

anyone else out there how can you best achieve this and well this is really

achieve this and well this is really

achieve this and well this is really nice and you’re gonna ask yourself these

nice and you’re gonna ask yourself these

nice and you’re gonna ask yourself these first two questions and you might get up

first two questions and you might get up

first two questions and you might get up in the morning and you’re ready you ask

in the morning and you’re ready you ask

in the morning and you’re ready you ask yourself why what and how you’re

yourself why what and how you’re

yourself why what and how you’re empowered you’re ready to go and you go

empowered you’re ready to go and you go

empowered you’re ready to go and you go go go and you have a strong day and you

go go and you have a strong day and you

go go and you have a strong day and you try really really hard and it’s very

try really really hard and it’s very

try really really hard and it’s very possible that you still might fail but

possible that you still might fail but

possible that you still might fail but no worries it’s fine growth mindset

no worries it’s fine growth mindset

no worries it’s fine growth mindset let’s move on and the next thing you get

let’s move on and the next thing you get

let’s move on and the next thing you get up you have your Y your what in your

up you have your Y your what in your

up you have your Y your what in your house

house

house and you try and you try and you try and

and you try and you try and you try and

and you try and you try and you try and still it’s very possible that you might

still it’s very possible that you might

still it’s very possible that you might fail four years ago I had these

fail four years ago I had these

fail four years ago I had these questions answered

questions answered

questions answered I knew my why I wanted to learn to take

I knew my why I wanted to learn to take

I knew my why I wanted to learn to take studies I wanted to be an environment

studies I wanted to be an environment

studies I wanted to be an environment where to be proud of being Jewish I knew

where to be proud of being Jewish I knew

where to be proud of being Jewish I knew my what I need to leave my environment I

my what I need to leave my environment I

my what I need to leave my environment I needed to make a big change and finally

needed to make a big change and finally

needed to make a big change and finally I had my how I left high school early

I had my how I left high school early

I had my how I left high school early I earned a GED I went to a foreign

I earned a GED I went to a foreign

I earned a GED I went to a foreign country in a foreign school where I

country in a foreign school where I

country in a foreign school where I didn’t know a single person and despite

didn’t know a single person and despite

didn’t know a single person and despite all this despite being empowered and

all this despite being empowered and

all this despite being empowered and knowing exactly where I was and why I

knowing exactly where I was and why I

knowing exactly where I was and why I was there everything and everyone around

was there everything and everyone around

was there everything and everyone around me was screaming you cannot do this this

me was screaming you cannot do this this

me was screaming you cannot do this this is impossible

is impossible

is impossible and that is when the final and most

and that is when the final and most

and that is when the final and most important question came into play is

important question came into play is

important question came into play is this within my potential because you can

this within my potential because you can

this within my potential because you can get up any day and have your why your

get up any day and have your why your

get up any day and have your why your what in your house and be ready to go

what in your house and be ready to go

what in your house and be ready to go but when you hit that brick wall and

but when you hit that brick wall and

but when you hit that brick wall and when everything seems completely

when everything seems completely

when everything seems completely impossible ask yourself this final

impossible ask yourself this final

impossible ask yourself this final question is it within my potential look

question is it within my potential look

question is it within my potential look at all that you’ve achieved how far

at all that you’ve achieved how far

at all that you’ve achieved how far you’ve come what you’ve done to be who

you’ve come what you’ve done to be who

you’ve come what you’ve done to be who you are where you are today and look at

you are where you are today and look at

you are where you are today and look at all the unique capabilities that you

all the unique capabilities that you

all the unique capabilities that you undoubtedly have and if you do this you

undoubtedly have and if you do this you

undoubtedly have and if you do this you ask yourself these questions and you ask

ask yourself these questions and you ask

ask yourself these questions and you ask yourself is it within my potential there

yourself is it within my potential there

yourself is it within my potential there is absolutely nothing and no one that

is absolutely nothing and no one that

is absolutely nothing and no one that can stop you

can stop you

can stop you [Applause]

”

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