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Obama to Nation's Students: Take Ownership of Your Education


By Kevin Hart

If students want to be successful, they must take responsibility for getting the most out of their educations. That was the message delivered by President Barack Obama to millions of students across the nation in an inspirational address on Tuesday, September 8.

“No one’s written your destiny for you,” Obama said in a speech from Wakefield High School in Arlington, VA, that was webcast to classrooms throughout America and broadcast on C-SPAN. “Here in America, you write your own destiny. You make your own future.”

Obama talked candidly about his own challenges growing up, while he exhorted students not to let obstacles like poverty, gangs or even apathy keep them from realizing their potential. The president remembered how his mother would tutor him at 4:30 a.m. when he lived in Indonesia, and reflected on the difficulties he faced after his father left home when he was 2 years old. He told students there were times when he felt lonely or like he “didn’t fit in.”

“But at the end of the day, the circumstances of your life – what you look like, where you come from, how much money you have, what you’ve got going on at home – that’s no excuse for neglecting your homework or having a bad attitude,” Obama said. “That’s no excuse for talking back to your teacher, or cutting class, or dropping out of school. That’s no excuse for not trying.”

Obama reminded students that success doesn’t happen overnight, and that they will need a good education in order to realize the bright futures they deserve. He peppered the speech with inspirational accounts of students who overcame difficult odds to become successful.

The president shared the stories of Jazmin Perez, an English language learner from Texas who received a scholarship to Brown University; Andoni Schultz, a California brain cancer survivor who is now college-bound; and Shantell Steve of Chicago, who has lived in several foster homes, but started a program to keep kids out of gangs and is on track to graduate high school.

It’s important that students continue to overcome obstacles, because America needs a well-educated population in order to compete in the global economy, Obama said.

“I expect great things from each of you,” he told America’s students. “So don’t let us down – don’t let your family or your country or yourself down. Make us all proud. I know you can do it.”

COMMENTS:

1 - 8 out of 8 Comments | Add your comment

Student Teacher | 2010/01/28

Yes! Finally, money is going where it should. I completely agree with the (R) and (D) statement above as well. Bush is a prime example of America needing more education.

Judy Wray | 2009/09/09

I've been listening to some very meek presidential critics today after realizing that they sound like fools being so critical of a message from the President of the United States which encourages students to be successful in school and in life. This is the same message that teachers and parents have been trying to get across to our kids since their first day of school. In one of the rural school districts near my home in Ohio, a 15-year-old student told our local newspaper that the message felt stronger coming from Obama "because it shows he cares." He does.

kn in co | 2009/09/08

While Obama's words were innocuous, I do not want him or any of his cronies advising my children, nieces and nephews how to grow up to be a good American. How can I trust or believe someone who knowingly seeks advice on how to run this country from avowed communists and hate-filled radicals? Obama is disingenous. In addition, his tone and speech patterns are becoming increasingly banal and predictable. I am disgusted by the white washing given by the NEA to the truth about Obama and friends.

Retired Member in Wisconsin | 2009/09/08

I would like to think thaa the NEA and its members have learned something since 1991. We all need to move past being a red or blue voter, and do what is best for the students that we educate daily. NEA should have stood with the AFT in support of President Obama speaking to students in the United States during the school day.

School Counselor | 2009/09/08

H.W. Bush gets investigated and slammed by the NEA for speaking to kids. Obama is a "beacon of light" for education for his speech today. This is why I WILL NEVER join the union in my school. The NEA is a liberal propaganda machine and NOTHING MORE. A School Counselor.

son of teachers and father of students | 2009/09/08

No, the difference is that Bush had an (R) next to his name, whereas The One has a (D) next to his. The NEA is the propaganda / indoctrination wing of the Democrat Party.

Father of a Student | 2009/09/08

The difference is that Bush did this in an election year and not on the first day of school. If Bush Sr. would have conducted his on the first day of school in his first year of office, then the response would have been different

Son of Teacher | 2009/09/08

On October 1, 1991, the NEA denounced then President Bush for his speach at Alice Deal Junior High School in Washington, D.C.calling it a "staged media event". Are we to expect a similar rebuke of President Obama and his administration???

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"The address brought tears to my eyes! It's just what my 5th graders need to hear!"

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