Baltimore student brings down the house with this amazing speech — published on July 31, 2013; with thanks to Mr. Joseph Byerwalter for this resource

From DSC:

Elijah Miles — What a wonderful young man from Baltimore!!!  I encourage any person that’s involved in education to check out his excellent, passionate speech to a group of incoming teachers.  It’s well worth 8 minutes of your day. (He really gets rolling as he gets more impassioned.)

If you are a teacher, you will be greatly encouraged to once again see the power you have to turn peoples’ lives around! Wow!  From his speech, it seems Elijah grew up in some very tough neighborhoods. He went from a background where his best friend was murdered (when he was just 14 years old) and whose mom was in and out of jail — to a place where he was able to be a summer intern at Teach for America Baltimore and is, by now, at Morgan State!  He is full of passion and is out to return to his past — but with a heart to change things there for the better.

I praise the LORD for this young man!  I’m amazed at what he has been able to accomplish. I am deeply humbled when I reflect on the ability of this young man to rise up from such adversity and trials.  Amazing work Elijah!!!  Way to go! Thanks for your passionate speech!  

Elijah lifts up the teachers in his life. So MAJOR KUDOS to whoever you are out there who taught Elijah and who helped him believe in himself.  Thank you for helping him see a bigger picture. Thank you for helping him plug into something much bigger than he is (or anyone of us is) — great work!

 

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Description of this video that was published on 7/31/13:

A summer intern at Teach For America Baltimore, Elijah Miles delivered this inspiring speech to a group of incoming teachers at institute. Wise well beyond his years, we think Elijah’s words are a great reminder about why we do the work that we do.

Elijah will begin college at Morgan State in the fall.