Jason Reynolds on Stories of Hope and Connection: Recharging Educators After the Election

I love how Jason Reynolds can make a connection that is so real! Thank you for having this event! We all need hope right now!

Jason Reynolds shared a personal and relatable story about caring for his mother's health to highlight the need for America's citizens to step up and care for her as well. On the heels of the Mike Tyson spectacle, this message fired me up to stand in the gap for my kiddos! #WeAllWeGot #WeWillRestChallenge

Thanks to all for an uplifting way to spend my Sunday. Great speaker, fabulous website.

Grateful for this message and hoping the transcript will be made available! The reminder to not let ourselves atrophy was timely, especially as many of us are feeling incredibly discouraged.

Jason Reynolds' message is exactly what every single educator needs to hear right now. I signed up for this because I love Jason Reynolds and jumped at the chance to hear him speak. What I didn't realize is that my soul needed the words he shared. Thank you for making every educator feel seen. Thank you for sharing your message through story telling in your own unique way!

I was drawn to the webinar because of Jason Reynolds. I did not foresee the incredible visceral response that I would have to his words. My heart feels fuller today.

Jason's message of staying strong during difficult times and allowing kids to tell their stories in whatever form they choose (to practice the arts part of ELA) are both needed messages during this time in education. StoryCorps lesson to connect with elders is absolutely beautiful and it is a lesson I hope to incorporate into my curriculum as well to help our nation overcome the divide it has faced for the past several years. Kudos to all presenters!

This webinar was perfect for reminding us as educators that the work is not over. That we can continue to move and act in order to show up for our students. I appreciate Jason's storytelling, honesty and vulnerability in the way he showed up today.
I am excited to introduce my students to The Great Thanksgiving Listen.

This was such a powerful webinar. Hearing Jason's story and the powerful way he wove his personal narrative to the broader narrative of the way we feel so torn apart as a country right now was really impactful. The larger message that we have a job to do and and not to let the noise of the news paralyze us or stop us from doing the most important things was really appreciated. I'm already a big fan of StoryCorps and while it's been a few years since I tried using the Great Thanksgiving Listen in my classes, I'm ready to give it a try again. Thanks...hope a transcript or recording of this will be made available!

I didn’t realize how paralyzed I was after the election until I heard Jason name it. Thank you for reminding me I CAN do this work- I want to do this work- my students are counting on me. Also excited to give the Thanksgiving Listen a try. I know my students and their families have amazing stories to share. Great webinar

Thank you for an amazing webinar. Jason's message was timely and personal. As an educator, I feel understood and supported as I try to help my students navigate these emotional and intense times. Jason demonstrated how to do that through story, personal connection, and holding space. I'm grateful to have attended, and I'm prepared to show up for my kids, my colleagues, my family, and myself. I will not be a statue.

Thank you to the organizers and most especially to Jason Reynolds. Your stories inspire all who have been fortunate to hear you speak and read your words. I look forward to continuing to use your works to motivate my students and to exploring the many Story Corps resources.

Talk all you want about theories and philosophies and approaches and methods...but as teachers we need to face who we have in front of us - and what many of us have are students who need a lot more from us than just the content we teach...Jason Reynolds shared words I feel, but hadn't gotten around to voicing - we need to push through the discomfort and tend to the wounds...we must persevere for the children seated in front of us. Thank you ...I'm so grateful for a supportive admin and community in which to do my work.

This was an incredible presentation. Jason used his experience of his lovely Mom to highlight what we are going through as a country.
David shared a beautiful story from a student to a teacher. We often wonder do we leave an impression and this confirmed it.
Thank you. I hope there will be more presentations as we navigate the uncertain times ahead.

This conversation, filled with storytelling, affirmations and reminders of the power we have to change the trajectory in any given moment if we change the mindset, was a gift. I am a k-8 librarian and long time Story Corps listener. I will be sharing this with my ELA teachers.

Jason Reynolds has been a favorite in our household. He’s my son’s favorite author, and after hearing him speak, I can see why. I deeply respect his appreciation for Black women and how he expresses himself through storytelling. I joined this webinar expecting inspiration, but I received much more. He reminded me of my purpose as an educator and gave me the encouragement to keep going.
Thank you, Jason, for sharing such a powerful and vulnerable story about your mother - it truly made an impact.
Thank you 'Share My Lesson' for putting this webinar together - it was the recharge I needed.

I always love Jason Reynolds' storytelling, and this time was no different. Simply amazing. Well worth the time to listen and reflect.

This uses the power of storytelling to help show why storytelling is so important. Beautifully put together and inspiring!

Great stories of experiences, powerful, feelings!!

Spend some time with Jason Reynolds as he creates a powerful metaphor as we navigate our current political times.