Columbus School Students React After Hearing President’s Educational Speech

The President told students that every single one of them had something to offer. This is not the first time a President has delivered a back to school pep talk.

Conservative groups accused Mr. Obama of stepping too far into local education, urging parents to keep their kids home.

The uproar was caused in part by an accompanying lesson plan encouraging students to “Help the President.“

The White House later revised the idea. During his speech President Obama explained that he understands that some students are facing challenges in their lives that makes it hard to stay in school.

News Three spoke to a group of students who are going through just that. Students at the Teenage Parenting Program or TAP are pregnant or already have children.

Many of these students are facing challenges of having to work, attend school, and take care of their children at such a young age.

These students attend TAP to get the moral support they need in during this period in their lives.

Some students say they were inspired by the President’s speech. They say it is something they hear everyday from their teachers but it was even more special coming from the President.

“My teachers motivate me but he motivated me even more,“ says Andrea Little.

Shakiyla Giddens explained “I got a baby you know, I got to do what I got to do. I go to school and do what I got to do. Sometimes I feel I don’t want to come to school or it’s a waste of time but it’s not.“

Their teacher, Carol Harrison says her students find it within themselves to continue going even though they sometimes want to give up.
“A lot of our students are independent and live on their own so they have that added burden also and yet they keep on trying. They persevere and they don’t give up.“

Harrison says she chose to show the speech during class because many of her students see the President as a role model. She thought if he expressed how important education is to him then other students will feel the same.