Guest speaker credits educators for successful life

The faculty and staff of Center, Excelsior and Tenaha ISD attended a program presented by the Shelby County Children’s Advocacy Center on Wednesday, Aug. 2, at the United Pentecostal Church in Center.

The program was about the significance and impact that educators have in children’s lives.

Gaelin Elmore, professional speaker, lived experience expert and facilitator, was invited as the program’s guest speaker.

Sharing his life testimony with the Shelby County educators, Elmore spoke about his childhood experiences from foster care, abuse and homelessness. He recounted his experience in the foster care system and the impact educators had on his life. He credited his living a successful life and ultimately signing an NFL contract with the Cincinnati Bengals to educators.

A quote from Elmore’s official website reads, “I left the NFL and began working with youth from similar backgrounds to mine, assisting them in their pursuit of belonging. Through research and lived experience, I now know that adults are THE most influential champions of belonging in the lives of youth, especially those with adverse backgrounds. Let’s work together to erase the belonging gap so we can see more lives changed for the better.”

“Gaelin presented a great program about being a major impact in our students’ lives,” said Shelby County Children’s Advocacy Center Executive Director Denise Merriman. “We learned how to spot and report these kinds of situations and also got to hear his life story,” she said.

According to Elmore, a large percentage of child-abuse reports come from education figures, which is the sole reason for his testimony being based around educating adults, teachers and educating individuals about the importance of being aware.

To read more about Elmore and his story, visit his website at gaelinspeaks.com.