ASSEMBLY

Catching Waves: Shaping Your Future Today

The social and emotional well-being of students is more crucial than ever, as they face mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and stress. It’s challenging to deal with academic pressure, social media influence, and personal or family problems.

In this dynamic, motivational, and engaging school-wide assembly, Ed delivers a powerful message of resilience, gratitude, compassion, and being kind. Ed’s powerful program resonates profoundly, touching both the hearts and minds of his audience. He empowers students to recognize their inner strength, encouraging them to care for themselves and each other, and to stand up for their own greatness as well as that of others.

Key Areas of Focus:

• The Power of Respect and Responsibility: The significance of personal integrity and accountability. Remembering that we don’t know everyone’s story.
• Impact and Consequences of Choices and Decisions: How every choice shapes our future.
• Daily Gratitude: By acknowledging and expressing gratitude regularly, we not only elevate our own attitude, we also positively impact those around us.
• Courage to Believe in Oneself: Inspiring self-confidence and achieving your goals.
• Being Kind: “‘Be Kind’ isn’t just a phrase; it’s at the foundation of building a culture of empathy and understanding.”

Ed tailors the “Catching Waves: Shaping Your Future Today” assembly for middle school/junior high school audiences. He makes the content relatable to that age group using stories and examples that they can connect to. Throughout the assembly, Ed’s delivery is adjusted to engage a younger audience using a tone and language that is energetic, encouraging, and accessible.

By doing so, he ensures that the powerful message of resilience, gratitude, compassion, and kindness is effectively communicated in a way that empowers and inspires the students.

LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP

Making Waves: Empowering Leaders to Make a Difference

As a popular follow-up to Ed’s school-wide assembly program, his interactive leadership workshop is tailor-made for your school’s student leaders. In this dynamic session, Ed teaches the essential skills and techniques to help students in discovering, developing, and strengthening their leadership capabilities. He provides practical ideas and projects for students to engage in, ensuring that the impact of the assembly’s powerful messages continues throughout the school year.

 

 The Area of Focus that Ed Covers in this Workshop:

 

• Leading by Example: The power of action-oriented leadership.
• Cultivating a Growth Mindset and Positive Attitude: Strategies to build resilience and optimism.
• Goal Setting and Achievement: The skills needed to set realistic goals and effectively achieve them.
• Creating a Positive Culture: Sharing innovative ideas to nurture a supportive and collaborative environment.
• Leadership through Gratitude: Emphasizing the importance of appreciation in building strong relationships.
• Becoming an Influential Leader: Developing into a person who inspires and motivates others.

Ed tailors the “Making Waves: Empowering Leaders to Make a Difference” workshop for middle school/junior high school audiences. He makes the content relatable to that age group using stories and examples that they can connect to. Throughout the workshop, Ed’s delivery is adjusted to engage a younger audience using a tone and language that is energetic, encouraging, and accessible.

 

LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

Charting Your Course: Sailing the Seas of Leadership

In this inspirational keynote, Ed shares strategies, principles, and techniques on resilience, embracing change, achieving goals, and stepping up as leaders. In a time when students’ social and emotional needs are more crucial than ever, Ed delivers a powerful message that resonates deeply with his audience. He empowers students to recognize and celebrate their own greatness and to advocate for the greatness of others.

IN THIS KEYNOTE YOUR AUDIENCE WILL LEARN HOW TO:

• Choose Your Attitude and Mindset: A positive attitude is essential to being an effective leader. Ed will share expert strategies on how to deal with people who are in a space of negativity, and effective techniques on how to build confidence and maintain a positive outlook.
• Achieve Clarity with Goal-Setting and Accountability: Ed will present practical and relevant strategies in goal-setting. This approach not only strengthens individual and team resilience, it also establishes a foundation for building lasting relationships.
• How to Cultivate Empathy and Respect in Leadership: Empathy and respect are essential leadership qualities for creating a culture of acceptance and connection. Participants will be challenged to create a supportive environment that recognizes and champions each individual’s unique abilities. Ed will share how practicing kindness towards oneself, and others is at the heart of standing up for our greatness and for the greatness of others.
• Practice Daily Gratitude: Daily Gratitude is a powerful tool for maintaining confidence and strengthening relationships. Ed will emphasize that it’s not just grand events, but the small, daily experiences that inspire a deep sense of thankfulness. By acknowledging and expressing gratitude regularly, we not only elevate our own spirits, we also positively impact those around us. This practice is essential for navigating life’s changes and navigating your way to a life you love.

Educators

Tides of Change: Creating and Building a Positive School Culture

In this high-energy, interactive, and inspiring keynote, Ed Gerety brings 30 years of experience working with students, educators, and parents across the country. He understands that in the dynamic and demanding world of education, where academic schedules are increasingly packed and teachers face expanded roles and responsibilities, the need for social and emotional learning (SEL) extends beyond students to educators themselves. This critical aspect of education is essential not only for the well-being and development of students but also for supporting the emotional health and resilience of teachers, who play a pivotal role in shaping young minds and preparing the leaders of tomorrow.

Areas of Focus:

• Choose Your Attitude and Mindset: Ed will share how educators can cultivate a positive attitude, crucial for creating an inspiring learning environment. He’ll offer strategies to counteract negativity, build personal confidence, and maintain an optimistic outlook.
• Achieve Clarity with Goal-Setting and Accountability: Setting clear goals and accountability are key to helping students reach their full potential. Ed will present strategies for goal-setting that resonate with the unique challenges of being a teacher today. This approach strengthens resilience, fosters team collaboration, and lays the groundwork for nurturing impactful educator-student relationships.
• Cultivate Empathy and Respect in Educational Leadership: Empathy and respect are cornerstones of effective teaching and leadership. Ed will challenge educators to create a supportive and inclusive classroom environment that celebrates each student’s individuality. He’ll share insights on how kindness and understanding are central to advocating for students’ excellence and unlocking their potential.
• Practice Daily Gratitude: Ed emphasizes the importance of recognizing the small, everyday moments that bring joy and thankfulness. This practice not only enhances personal well-being, it creates a positive ripple effect in the classroom, contributing to a more supportive and connected learning community.

Colleges & Universities

 Ed Gerety’s keynote programs and workshops not only captivate and inspire, they also leave a lasting impact, making them ideal for:

• New Student Orientation
• Leadership Conferences
• Student-Athlete Programming
• Senior Year Transition Programs
• Accepted Student & Parent Events
• Residential Education and Orientation Leader Training
• Customized Leadership Training Programs

Orientation & First Year Program

New Oceans: Navigating Your First Year in College

With his dynamic and high-energy one-hour keynote, Ed Gerety masterfully blends humor and interactive elements, creating an engaging and memorable experience for your new students. This keynote empowers and equips them with essential tools and strategies for their first-year success.

What to Expect:

Ed addresses the real challenges faced by first-year students, covering key areas such as:

• Embracing Personal Responsibility: Own your decisions and their consequences.
• Cultivating Respect: Understand the power of respect in shaping your college experience.
• Navigating Social Challenges: Make wise decisions in complex social situations.
• Academic Excellence: Strategies for resilience.
• Leadership and Involvement: Be a leader, get involved, and make a difference.

Key Outcomes:

Ed’s program is crafted to ensure that students:

• Feel a Strong Sense of Belonging: Connect with their incoming class and the campus community.
• Develop Awareness: Recognize the importance of their choices and their impacts on others and themselves.
• Get Motivated: Inspire students to excel academically and in co-curricular activities.
• Find Inspiration: Embrace and overcome challenges and make their first
• Learn Practical Strategies: Equip students with the tools to make their first year a success.

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LEADERSHIP CONFERENCES

Charting Your Course: Sailing the Seas of Leadership

In today’s rapidly evolving world, marked by global challenges and technological advancements, the imperative to cultivate leaders during their college years is more important than ever. Ed Gerety delivers practical strategies and essential principles for leadership development and growth. With over 30 years of experience as an entrepreneur and business owner, Ed brings a wealth of knowledge to his teachings. His lessons are not only relevant and relatable, they are also packed with inspirational insights. Ed empowers participants to navigate the complexities and challenges of leadership with confidence, clarity, and a deep sense of connection.

In this keynote program, your audience will learn how to:

• Choose Your Attitude and Mindset: A positive attitude is essential to being an effective leader. Ed will share expert strategies on how to deal with people who are in a space of negativity, effective techniques on how to build confidence and maintain a positive outlook.
• Achieve Clarity with Goal-Setting and Accountability: Ed will present practical and relevant strategies in goal-setting. His approach not only strengthens individual and team resilience, it also establishes a foundation for building lasting relationships.
• How to Cultivate Empathy and Respect in Leadership: Empathy and respect are essential leadership qualities for creating a culture of acceptance and connection. Participants will be challenged to create a supportive environment that recognizes and champions each individual’s unique abilities. Ed will share how practicing kindness towards oneself, and others is at the heart of standing up for our greatness and for the greatness of others.
• Practice Daily Gratitude: Daily Gratitude is a powerful tool for maintaining confidence and strengthening relationships. Ed will emphasize that it’s not just grand events, but the small, daily experiences that inspire a deep sense of thankfulness. By acknowledging and expressing gratitude regularly, we not only elevate our own spirits, we also positively impact those around us. This practice is essential for navigating life’s changes and navigating your way to a life you love.

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STUDENT ATHLETE PROGRAM

Playing Big in the Game of Life: Leadership Lessons for Student-Athletes

What does it take for a student-athlete to excel in today’s environment while balancing their academic responsibilities and athletic commitments? What strategies can be implemented to effectively manage the daily challenges and pressures that are unique to student-athletes? And importantly, how can these experiences in sports be translated into valuable life lessons applicable in the real world?

Key Outcomes of Ed’s Student Athlete Program:

• Elevated Awareness: Gain a new perspective on respect and responsibility, understanding their impact on personal choices and others.
• Goal Achievement: Learn the keys to setting and successfully attaining both personal and athletic goals.
• Attitude Enhancement: Develop specific strategies to elevate your mindset and approach to challenges.
• Practice Daily Gratitude: Daily Gratitude is a powerful tool for maintaining confidence and strengthening relationships.
• Real-World Readiness: Discover inspiration to lead by example, leveraging your experiences as a student-athlete to make a meaningful difference in your community and the world.

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SENIOR YEAR TRANSITION PROGRAM

Navigating Your Journey Beyond College

As your students stand at the threshold of a major life transition, this interactive program is designed to equip your soon-to-be graduates with essential skills for a seamless shift from college to the professional world. How can they distinguish themselves in a competitive job market? What strategies are most effective in job searching, interviews, networking, and fostering lasting professional relationships?

Key Outcomes of Ed’s Senior Year Transition Program:

• Enhanced Communication Skills: Three essential communication techniques crucial for professional achievement.
• Effective Goal Setting and Resilience: Tools for setting and accomplishing both personal and career goals.
• Relationship Building Techniques: Practical insights into fostering strong personal and professional relationships.
• Interview and Meeting Preparedness: Strategies to produce notable results in interviews and professional meetings.
• Practice Daily Gratitude: Daily Gratitude, a powerful tool for maintaining confidence and strengthening relationships.

Parent Program Description

 

 

Parents Navigating the Teen Years   

Ed Gerety, father of two teenagers and host of a popular parenting podcast, brings 30 years of experience working with students, educators, and parents across the country to his keynote program. He understands the rewarding yet often challenging emotional rollercoaster of parenting. In this insightful and empowering presentation, Ed shares practical ideas and strategies to help parents navigate these challenging years.

Areas of Focus:

• Developing a Positive Attitude and Mindset: Guiding children to cultivate a positive outlook and a resilient mindset.
• Goal Setting and Self-Confidence: Assisting children in setting clear goals and building self-confidence.
• Empathy and Respect: Emphasizing the importance of creating a nurturing family environment that values and respects each member’s unique perspectives and needs.
• Daily Gratitude Practices: Demonstrating the significant impact of practicing daily gratitude on maintaining a positive and resilient family environment.

Ed Gerety has regularly spoken at our leadership conferences on a variety of important issues pertaining to student and teacher leadership skills development. Watching him captivate an audience with positive reinforcement, humanity, humility and passion is awesome. The passion that he brings to his presentations has been unmatched in my experience. I highly recommend that you consider having Ed Gerety at your next event – so that you too can discover the reasons he’s been invited back year after year for more than 20 years. W. Carroll – NASSP

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“Thank you, Ed Gerety, for descending upon Puma Nation and igniting a fire for courage, respect, responsibility, attitude, and kindness in us ALL. Your presentations KNOCKED OUR SOCKS OFF!! And we are a better school and community for it! The buzz is palpable, and we can’t wait to do it again.” J. Knorr – Peak To Peak Charter School, Colorado

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“I have received a flood of positive feedback from students and staff members about your visit and the lessons that you taught them. The lessons that you gave us are already paying dividends as we notice students treating each other better and looking out for one another. We appreciate the time, attention, concern, and energy that you brought to our community.”  J. Pardue – Newfield High School, New York