Feedback from June 2013 Grad Speech Trip
* Some of the notes received after the trip were written *to* Greg. Others were written *about* him. For convenience, all of the notes were converted to the same third-person format. For length & privacy sake, many of the notes have been shortened.
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I can't thank Greg enough for the magical two days [the school] has just had. It was better than I dreamed it could be. His message for the parents and kids was so true and right on the mark....
- administrator
**
I thank him for his life-changing speech at graduation...and thank him so much for giving his great advice, we really needed his insight. I want him to know that he is helping so many of our young children...When he talked about [the impact that his own parents' words had on him], what an eye opener...I could not believe how similar [his story] was to my daughter...I feel that The First Thirty will allow us to encourage our children and understand them...Did Greg add to the experience [at graduation]? Absolutely! He was the highlight of the evening...Thank you again!
- parent
**
He was one of the best speakers that we have ever had. The students know the truth when they hear it, and that is what he delivered...The highest complements that our students can give is to sit, listen, and willingly interact with a speaker. They did this with him. [After the Thursday presentation], they said that they could really relate to what he had been saying....all of the people there felt that he was speaking to them and not at them. The graduation speech on Friday was very poignant and moving. It was the perfect blend of who he is, what a person with a learning difference could do, and how students and parents could learn to help each other to accept that "different" is ok...He said exactly what people needed to hear...
-- teacher
**
...I really enjoyed listening to his presentation and his graduation speech and thank him for inspiring my graduation quote!
-- graduate
**
I enjoyed his keynote very much and I look forward to reading the book. My son...enjoyed Greg's time with the students, he also appreciated that Greg answered their individual questions. My son has asked us as a family to read The First Thirty and have a discussion about it. should be fun. Please send me the link for The Silhouette Man, I would like to read that as well, my wife was super excited to have the poster. she's a teacher and she will hang it up in her classroom for her 2nd graders....
-- parent
**
Thank YOU to Greg for sharing. He is very inspirational, not only to the kids and family, but he also explained in a way that folks who do NOT live with learning differences can understand -- and he added [funny parts to the speech] to help us all relate. He is terrific and I know our son felt better knowing there is a successful person out there who has differences just like he does and is "okay". I look forward to hearing more from him and I hope our paths cross again in the future.
-- parent
**
Thank you to Greg for taking the time out of his busy life and sharing with us. My husband and I wish we could understand just how it feels to walk in our son's shoes. We know it is different, but so amazing to watch how he thinks. Thank you to Greg for showing us that we are right.
-- parent
**
Thank you to Greg for making the journey to [our school]. We thoroughly enjoyed his talk and appreciate the contributions he has made to the School all year - such as, his communication with our [head of School] and the powerful insights in his books....
-- parent
**
I enjoyed meeting Greg and loved his speech at graduation. it really moved me. his story -- knowing that even kids with learning differences can help change the world -- has truly encouraged me to take on my goals head on and not look back.... Again, I thank him for coming to our school. it really moved all of my friends and family who attended the graduation.
-- graduate
**
I think having Greg here made the best graduation ceremony we have had in the 5 years that I have been with the school. Thank you to Greg so much for his interest in the School and speaking to and interacting with our students and faculty.
--school administration/staff
**
It was a great pleasure meeting Greg and hearing him speak at the school...I am reading the book The First Thirty and find it truly inspirational...My son...has been diagnosed with a mild form of autism...Over the years, working with wonderful teachers, support staff and strong family bonds have certainly made things easier. I hope meeting Greg and reading his story will also help. I’ve [hung up] the poster [based on The First Thirty]...for me and my son to see daily.
-- parent
**
I heard many positive comments about the graduation and his speech. This graduation is certainly one of the best I have seen....I think [his way of navigating a mind that works differently] has great potential for helping some of our students. The approach is very different than any I have tried....Greg's system...has great appeal to me because it is student-centered...[it focuses on] respecting the students' learning differences, not trying to change them...
-- teacher
**
It was a pleasure to meet Greg and see the ripples he has created in our community take shape and the dots connect for so many students and families and faculty members...
-- school administration & staff
**
I believe he made a huge impact on our students & parents. We were thrilled that he could join us, and I can’t wait to read his books!
-- parent
**
Thanks to Greg for recently visiting my school for two days. I really liked listening to what he had to say. I found it very inspiring.
-student
**
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I can't thank Greg enough for the magical two days [the school] has just had. It was better than I dreamed it could be. His message for the parents and kids was so true and right on the mark....
- administrator
**
I thank him for his life-changing speech at graduation...and thank him so much for giving his great advice, we really needed his insight. I want him to know that he is helping so many of our young children...When he talked about [the impact that his own parents' words had on him], what an eye opener...I could not believe how similar [his story] was to my daughter...I feel that The First Thirty will allow us to encourage our children and understand them...Did Greg add to the experience [at graduation]? Absolutely! He was the highlight of the evening...Thank you again!
- parent
**
He was one of the best speakers that we have ever had. The students know the truth when they hear it, and that is what he delivered...The highest complements that our students can give is to sit, listen, and willingly interact with a speaker. They did this with him. [After the Thursday presentation], they said that they could really relate to what he had been saying....all of the people there felt that he was speaking to them and not at them. The graduation speech on Friday was very poignant and moving. It was the perfect blend of who he is, what a person with a learning difference could do, and how students and parents could learn to help each other to accept that "different" is ok...He said exactly what people needed to hear...
-- teacher
**
...I really enjoyed listening to his presentation and his graduation speech and thank him for inspiring my graduation quote!
-- graduate
**
I enjoyed his keynote very much and I look forward to reading the book. My son...enjoyed Greg's time with the students, he also appreciated that Greg answered their individual questions. My son has asked us as a family to read The First Thirty and have a discussion about it. should be fun. Please send me the link for The Silhouette Man, I would like to read that as well, my wife was super excited to have the poster. she's a teacher and she will hang it up in her classroom for her 2nd graders....
-- parent
**
Thank YOU to Greg for sharing. He is very inspirational, not only to the kids and family, but he also explained in a way that folks who do NOT live with learning differences can understand -- and he added [funny parts to the speech] to help us all relate. He is terrific and I know our son felt better knowing there is a successful person out there who has differences just like he does and is "okay". I look forward to hearing more from him and I hope our paths cross again in the future.
-- parent
**
Thank you to Greg for taking the time out of his busy life and sharing with us. My husband and I wish we could understand just how it feels to walk in our son's shoes. We know it is different, but so amazing to watch how he thinks. Thank you to Greg for showing us that we are right.
-- parent
**
Thank you to Greg for making the journey to [our school]. We thoroughly enjoyed his talk and appreciate the contributions he has made to the School all year - such as, his communication with our [head of School] and the powerful insights in his books....
-- parent
**
I enjoyed meeting Greg and loved his speech at graduation. it really moved me. his story -- knowing that even kids with learning differences can help change the world -- has truly encouraged me to take on my goals head on and not look back.... Again, I thank him for coming to our school. it really moved all of my friends and family who attended the graduation.
-- graduate
**
I think having Greg here made the best graduation ceremony we have had in the 5 years that I have been with the school. Thank you to Greg so much for his interest in the School and speaking to and interacting with our students and faculty.
--school administration/staff
**
It was a great pleasure meeting Greg and hearing him speak at the school...I am reading the book The First Thirty and find it truly inspirational...My son...has been diagnosed with a mild form of autism...Over the years, working with wonderful teachers, support staff and strong family bonds have certainly made things easier. I hope meeting Greg and reading his story will also help. I’ve [hung up] the poster [based on The First Thirty]...for me and my son to see daily.
-- parent
**
I heard many positive comments about the graduation and his speech. This graduation is certainly one of the best I have seen....I think [his way of navigating a mind that works differently] has great potential for helping some of our students. The approach is very different than any I have tried....Greg's system...has great appeal to me because it is student-centered...[it focuses on] respecting the students' learning differences, not trying to change them...
-- teacher
**
It was a pleasure to meet Greg and see the ripples he has created in our community take shape and the dots connect for so many students and families and faculty members...
-- school administration & staff
**
I believe he made a huge impact on our students & parents. We were thrilled that he could join us, and I can’t wait to read his books!
-- parent
**
Thanks to Greg for recently visiting my school for two days. I really liked listening to what he had to say. I found it very inspiring.
-student
**