As the 2009-2010 Warren County Teacher of the Year, and as an educator for over thirty years, I can attest to the excellent presentation Mr. Deering offered to our high school students, April 16th, 2010. Our audience of almost 100 was inclusive of students who have autism and students who are physically challenged, to College Prep English students and Theater Arts students. Mr. Deering stood before us in the library showcase as a testimony of perseverance and of overcoming challenges that anyone of us might face in school or outside of school.
He spoke from the heart about his challenges and how to look at failure as an opportunity to learn and/or to try another way; how to look at our own challenges and laugh and cry at them; how to keep getting up again and again; and how to self-reflect and to choose to go another way, to try another way when life throws difficulties our way.
It is important to note that Mr. Deering spoke to our high students on a Friday, and the attached letters were voluntarily written by students the following Monday when up entering their Study Skills class the teacher was asked, "Can we send Mr. Deering some letters?" I have attached their responses and let them serve as a sampling of the students themselves.
I would highly recommend Mr. Deering to tell his story of overcoming challenges. What was most powerful for me was after Bill was done speaking, a junior spoke before his peers and emotionally stated, "Hearing your story today has changed my life." That says it all!
If I can answer any questions regarding Bill's presentation, please contact me at moored@warrenhills.org, phone 908-689-3050, extension 3026.
A standing ovation from us to you, Bill!
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