The TED Talk, Every Kid Needs a Champion resonated with me and I would recommend that

anyone who has daily interaction with children view it. In it, educator Rita Pierson demonstrates
the important role that relationships play in education. She stressed the significance of
maintaining and offering positive perspectives. For example, she states that she gave a 20-
question quiz, and a student missed 18 of the questions. Instead of spotlighting the incorrect 18,
she shed light on the correct two and encouraged him to do perform better the next time. In the
field that I work in, relationships are our most undervalued asset. If we can get more teachers to
capitalize on the relationships that they’re able to build, then we would see more of the outcomes
that we wish to see.

What made the presentation especially good (or bad)?

The presentation was definitely a great one. It was timely. The message was relevant and
effective. Her passion for the subject matter projected through her words and intonation. She was
constantly mindful of her audience and made efforts to share relatable jokes, scenarios, and
references.

What organizational pattern did the speaker use to deliver the message?

In my opinion, this presentation encompassed characteristics of a problem/solution

organizational pattern and an example organizational pattern. I would say problem and solution
because she begins the presentation by offering a self-understanding of the multitude of reasons
why kids do poorly in school. She, then, offers a single solution to rectify the problem—being a
child’s champion. In addition to this, she heavily integrates the example organizational pattern
by sharing personal testaments regarding the results of implementing relationship building. For
example, she shares how at her mother’s, who was a former schoolteacher, funeral, masses of
her former students filled the building. They all testified to the impact that her mother made in
their lives.

Did the speaker use visuals? (If so, what visuals?)

No, the speaker did not use visuals.

Note how the speaker's nonverbal communication reinforced and/ or distracted from the
intended message.

The speaker’s nonverbal cues complemented the message well. Whether in the middle of a joke
or serious testament, she used facial expressions that any educator would relate to. Her posture
and usage of the stage evoked high levels of confidence.

How did he or she keep your attention?

I believe that she consistently exhibited appeal, appropriateness, and ability. She kept the
message light-hearted and appealed to the emotions of the audience. She spoke from a place of
understanding of the social norms that govern school interactions. She encouraged the audience
to not just conform to, but understand the impact of, human connection. Being an educator in the
field of social and emotional learning (SEL), her commentary on the relationship building and its
effect on the academic development process resonated with what I teach in the classroom on a
daily basis.

What suggestions would you give the speaker to make his or her speech more effective in
the future?

I would encourage Pierson to end the presentation with a call to action. She ended her
presentation with the phrase, “We are educators. We were born to make a difference.” In the
future, she could give a clear, concise, and actionable way for the audience to make a difference.
For example, she might say “Let’s vow to establish a personal connection with a student who we
might overlook any other day.”
 References
McLean, S. (2015). Business communication for success. Washington, D.C.: Flat World
Knowledge.

Pierson, R. (2013, May). Every kid needs a champion. Retrieved from

https://www.ted.com/talks/rita_pierson_every_kid_needs_a_champion#t-447725