On Nov. 8, Chardon Middle School hosted inspirational speaker and Cleveland native Justin Bachman, known across the nation for his “Living Loud” presentation for students.
CMS Hosts Inspirational Speaker
On Nov. 8, Chardon Middle School hosted inspirational speaker and Cleveland native Justin Bachman, known across the nation for his “Living Loud” presentation for students. The CMS PTO graciously funded the recent event.
Bachman, a Solon High School graduate who now works as a news reporter for Spectrum Local News in Syracuse, N.Y., was diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome at age 12 and had attempted suicide three times by the age of 11. In addition to Tourette’s syndrome, Bachman also suffers from attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, commonly known as ADHD; and dysgraphia, a learning disability that impacts the ability to write.
For years, Bachman has conducted school assemblies to share his message about his childhood experiences and how they have shaped his life.
“He was brought to CMS to talk to our students about acceptance of ourselves and of others, and tolerance,” said fourth-grade teacher Stephanie Seabeck. “This event tied into our One School One Book program from the start of the year where we all read ‘Rules’ by Cynthia Lord.”
Bachman’s “Living Loud” presentation delves into how his challenges set him apart from peers in childhood and his resulting feelings of rejection. In addition, Bachman discusses his disqualification in eighth-grade from a cross country meet because the officials didn’t understand his Tourette’s-related tics and saw them as intentional disrespect despite Bachman’s attempt to clarify that the movements and sounds were involuntary.
The athletic disqualification was a turning point in Bachman’s life wherein he recognized he had two choices – be a victim of intolerance or take action. He chose to take action. And that decision has served as the impetus for making a difference in other young people’s lives – to remind them they are never alone, to help them understand the impact they can have on others and to inspire them to embrace who they are.
CHS Presents on Circuit of Success
Students and staff members from Chardon High School provided an outstanding presentation on the school’s eighth-grade Circuit of Success curriculum at the Ohio School Boards Association Capital Conference in Columbus on Nov. 11. The presentation showcased the school’s eighth-grade Circuit of Success work inside the Principles of Leadership, Communication, Innovation, Problem Solving, Global Awareness and Entrepreneurship.
Presentations were provided by ninth-graders Alexis Jahnke, Maci Jahnke, Faith Kilfoyle and Sydney Murray in collaboration with high school teachers Jill Carpenter, Allen Herner, Kristen Niedzwicki, Holly Mihalek and Rob Mizen, as well as Principal Doug Murray and assistant Principal Doug Higham. The group also had the honor of presenting on Circuit of Success earlier this year at the Redesigning for Student Success: Student-Centered Secondary Schools Showcase Conference in San Diego.
