The Power of a Teacher | Adam Saenz | TEDxYale

How did substitute teaching piqued Adam Saenz's interest in education? Educators have power to shape the future by establishing life-changing relationships with their students.

Adam Sáenz earned his Ph.D. in School Psychology from Texas A&M University. He completed his predoctoral clinical training under a fellowship appointment to Harvard Medical School, and he has a postdoctorate in clinical psychology from the Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Dr. Sáenz also earned a Doctorate of Ministry in Pastoral Counseling from Graduate Theological Foundation with residency at Christ Church college of Oxford University. Dr. Sáenz is a featured blogger for the Huffington Post Education Page, and he currently serves as the clinical director of The Oakwood Collaborative, the counseling and assessment clinic he founded in 2003.

[cheloluega]

"If you understand your value, you will live as though your choices matter." 💚

[ahliyaninaaranas]

That’s the best Ted talk I’ve ever heard. I was moved and touched by your words. I am inspiring teacher to be

[misunderstoodsquirrel]

I really appreciate that you went into substitute teaching to see if your advice made sense when talking to teachers. I wish everyone in education had a minimum of one year of teaching experience before they try to tell you how to do your job, make decisions that effect teachers and students, or criticize you. Unless you’ve done the work, nobody can truly understand the taxing work we do day in and day out! So, thank you for acknowledging this and sharing your story!

[muhmoudbanat]

Only a tear came out . Am a teacher since 20 years ..and man you make me ready for another 20

[yvonnesinclair]

I am a school bus driver and instructor and I agree with Dr. Adam. Even as a bus driver you have the power to change the course of a child life. Children don't always wake up on the right side of the bed. They might leave the house with a sour attitude that disrupts your whole environment, which is not safe on a bus, so the way you interact with them changes the course of the rest of their day. Be kind, they are children and we need to mold them. You can make them or brake them.

[michonnecard]

I love love Adam's story. I am a teacher and I also was a troubled child that lead into my teens. I was adopted 3 times. It just made me cry to hear him talk about his adopted daughter and how he let her know she mattered. Hearing him made my younger self just say yes I do matter. All the things I went through was for a higher purpose. I'm now healthy emotionally in my later years. Thank you so much for sharing your story, it's made think more about what i have to offer to my students and the world.

[richardzastoupil]

Very moving about what teachers do on different levels without the return of a thank you. You never know when a teacher will make an impact on a daily basis.

[johnalfrednagret]

Teary eyed as I watch the video. Thank you sir. I expected some sort of academics but I found love. May you touch more lives with your love.

[itohanott]

Thank you so much for this wonderful testimony. We can only impact others if we know who we are, our worth and purpose on this planet earth.

[lauraort]

Mr. Saenz came to our district this year. As I walked into the PD, I was just dejected for a variety of reasons. Within a few moments I had tears streaming down my face and silently sobbed throughout his entire presentation. I came out with a renewed purpose and motivation. Glad to know this is here so I can renew that motivation all year long!

[liamfbv]

That was unbelievable. Moving, inspiring and motivating. I'm a teacher myself and this has really got me going ! Thanks a lot.

[salmonkill]

Thank you Dr. Saenz!!

Great story and message!!

I worked 33 years in Research Science at a National Laboratory and developed AWARD WINNING TECHNOLOGY for measuring ionizing radiation exposure. I retired and I am now teaching Science at a Private High School and I dearly LOVE IT!! It's WONDERFUL connecting with young students and helping them love Science like I have all my life!

Very touching and motivating video thank you!! I strive to make the type of impact you have made!!

[joycenonhlanhlavilakati]

I love this, it's that simple! This is what authentic teaching is all about.

[joelbentancur]

Wow. I’m blown away by this TED Talk. Thank you Dr Saenz. I have a very similar story and live in Katy, Tx. However, I just graduated college December 2019. I’m now entering an education program to become a teacher. I also had a teacher who encouraged me and spoke words of life even though I didn’t believe it. I’m also preparing to substitute teach as well to gain classroom experience. I’m inspired by this talk. Thank you!

[stevenbrown]

Some have the gift from above to work with kids. You must have a passion to work with those type of kids. Great testimony Mr. Saenz.

[kellytaylor]

All the feels! Thank you for being an inspiration to all educators. I am the counselor at an elementary school in Garland ISD and our school is doing a study on your book this year. I believe it will be life changing for our school and no one knows the huge impact it will make. Thanks for sharing your story and motivating others to make a huge impact in our world.

[Devantes_Charles]

Thank you for this wonderful story. It brought me to tears and I have been teaching for 26 years. Very gripping and moving. Thank you again.

[poetmariachi]

Just beautiful and so sincere. I'm from the Rio Grande Valley and I just happened upon this video serendipitously. Blessings!

[sophiaredwood]

I don’t always cry easily and I am very near to tears after this. I’m considering teaching and this TED talk just makes me want to do it more, and makes me want to be this kind of loving person.

[Janeoviya]

The best talk by a teacher i have ever heard ! This talk brought tears and reminded me of my teachers who made that impact and that's the reason am a teacher today !!! This talk makes teachers realise their power and to use it right, indeed a fabulous talk sir @Adam