PHS Staff, Students Hear From Guest Speaker

POUGHKEEPSIE – Students and staff at Poughkeepsie High School were treated to independent sessions with motivational speaker and national education consultant Robert Jackson last Monday.

Jackson began teaching nearly 25 years ago in Indianapolis Public Schools after being cut from the Minnesota Vikings. As a teacher, he had a “no excuses” approach and, according to his website, “didn’t allow his students to feel sorry for themselves or let their circumstances define their futures. He set high expectations for his students and expected them to do well.”

Da’Ron Wilson, executive director of school engagement, said he brought Jackson to Poughkeepsie to speak with students about being successful.

“He covered topics including suicide prevention, anti-bullying, making the right choices and loving yourself. He also gave the students some self-affirmations.”

Jackson has become an expert in teaching cultural diversity, restorative practices and social-emotional learning – all the things that PCSD is doing to help its students.
“He provided the staff with a disciplined approach to transforming from well-meaning individuals who are unsure of their methods into well-trained individuals who are capable of handling tough interactions with students or employees who are unruly, misguided, bullies or simply need additional assistance reaching their potential,” Wilson said.

Jackson is also the author of six books, including his latest, “Becoming the Educator They Need: Strategies, Mindsets and Beliefs for Supporting Male Black and Latino Students,” released in 2019 by ASCD, (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development).