Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Motivational speaker Harvey Alston pumped up the Denair Unified School District staff Monday morning, punctuating his presentation to teachers, secretaries, custodians, food workers and administrators by urging them to “be the absolutely the best at whatever you are.”

Alston called the staff members heroes, saying, “A hero is someone who helps somebody; somebody who makes a difference in somebody’s life.”

“We are in the business of saving lives,” he told the 130 district employees. “We nourish children.”

Alston is a former teacher and coach from Ohio who has spoken to students and staff at more than 6,000 U.S. campuses in addition to businesses and other organizations. He is the author of the book “Be the Best” and his website is built around that theme. His presentation Monday was part of a staff development program. Denair welcomes nearly 1,400 students back to its six campuses tomorrow at 8 a.m.

Dressed in a tuxedo, his voice booming in the Denair Middle School multipurpose room, Alston used humor and examples from his own teaching career to deliver his message of empowerment, respect, honesty and responsibility. His words echoed those of Superintendent Aaron Rosander, who stressed the importance of a quality education and introduced Alston by saying, “We’re on a mission to start an epidemic of positive thinking.”

Rosander showed a popular “Shift Happens” video from YouTube comparing educational, population and technological trends from around the world to remind his staff of the rapid pace of change confronting students and those responsible for teaching them. Continue reading “Motivational Speaker Inspires DUSD Staff” »