TOUR JOURNAL
Motivational Youth Speaker Eddie Cortés in Andover, MA
“Eddie Cortés had students cheering, believing in themselves, and learning that I’m Possible!”
A Student Book That Parents and Educators Love
Motivational Youth Speaker Eddie Cortés in Andover, MA
What if I told you that the secret to turning a “face-plant” into a victory lap isn’t just about trying harder, but about rewriting the story you tell yourself? I just wrapped up an incredible day in Andover, MA, where I stood in front of 600 students and watched the lightbulbs go off as they realized that their greatest stumbles are actually the fuel for their biggest dreams. If you think a school assembly program is just a break from class, you haven’t seen the power of a community that believes every student is a “Dream Chaser” in the making.
When the Story Stops at the Stumble
Pull up a chair and let’s get real for a second. We’ve all been there—that moment where you mess up, you fail, or you flat-out stumble. For a kindergartner or a fifth grader, those moments don’t just feel like mistakes; they feel like the end of the chapter.
The challenge I see in so many students today is a “resilience gap.” When a student doesn’t have a framework for developing resilience, they start to view obstacles as stop signs rather than stepping stones. They hit a wall, and suddenly, “impossible” feels like a permanent fact instead of a temporary hurdle. The question for every educator and parent is: How do we help kids realize that their potential is greater than any setback they’ll ever face?
A High-Energy Speaker and the Power of “Our Stories”
That’s exactly why I was so honored to bring the I’m Possible Assembly Programs to West Elementary. This wasn’t just any Monday; I was invited to be a part of a massive, 31-year tradition: the West Elementary Readers’ and Writers’ Conference (WERAWC). This week-long literary festival is a staple in the Andover community, and this year’s theme was “Our Stories, Our Strength.”
Talk about a perfect fit! As a high-energy speaker, my goal is to show students that they are the authors of their own lives. Through humor, honesty, and powerful storytelling, I challenged these 600 K-5th graders to recognize the potential hiding inside them.
We leaned heavily into the core pillars of our social emotional learning program:
- Develop Resilience: I told them straight—you will stumble. You will face-plant. But your success starts the moment you decide to get back up.
- The “I’M POSSIBLE” Mindset: We took that big, scary word “Impossible” and broke it down until the whole room was shouting, “I’M POSSIBLE!”
- Dream Chasing: We talked about what it looks like to cultivate a growth mindset that views every challenge as an opportunity to improve.
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600 New Stories of Strength
The vibe at West Elementary is truly something special. These students are smart, friendly, and incredibly thoughtful. You can tell that the “Our Stories, Our Strength” theme isn’t just a slogan—it’s a culture.
By the end of the assembly, the energy wasn’t just high; it was transformative.
- Confidence Boosted: Students left believing they are worthy of their biggest, scariest dreams.
- Resilience Defined: They didn’t just hear about bouncing back; they saw a framework for how to do it.
- Potential Unlocked: I had kids coming up to me afterward—giving high-fives and hugs—telling me their dreams of becoming scientists, artists, and athletes.
When a student realizes that a “fail” is just a “First Attempt In Learning,” the entire classroom dynamic changes. They stop fearing the mistake and start chasing the growth. That is the “I’M POSSIBLE” impact in action.
A Massachusetts-Sized Thank You!
I want to give Sarah Lane and the entire West Elementary PTO team a huge THANK YOU. Being a part of the 31st year of WERAWC was a highlight for me. Dedicated parents and educators coming together with the common goal of student impact are what make a school community thrive.
Thank you to Principal Mary Ellen Carideo-Cobbs and Assistant Principal Ryan J. Donaher for your warm welcome and for prioritizing the heart of your students. You are building world-changers in Andover!
To all the “All-Stars” at West Elementary—remember, you are the authors of your own story. Keep being relentless, keep being kind, and never forget: Impossible is just I’M POSSIBLE!
Invite Top Youth Motivational Speaker Eddie Cortés to Massachusetts Schools
If these stories resonate with you, and you’re looking for a school assembly program that goes beyond a simple lecture to create real, lasting impact, I would be honored to talk.
Let’s discuss how we can bring a message of resilience and possibility to your students: call (800) 799-1460 between 8 AM-5 PM CT from Monday-Friday.
Eddie’s School Assembly Program Tour Dates
2025-2026 TOUR DATES
- Aug 1 – Stockton, CA
- Aug 15 – Fort Defiance, AZ
- Aug 15 – Fort Defiance, AZ
- Aug 18 – Saint Cloud, FL
- Aug 25 – Sylvania, OH
- Aug 27 – Lake Crystal, MN
- Sept. 4 – Luray, VA
- Sept. 4 – Luray, VA
- Sept. 4 – Rileyville, VA
- Sept. 5 – Shenandoah, VA
- Sept. 5 – Stanley, VA
- Sept. 20 – Pittsburg, CA
- Sept. 30 – Las Vegas, NV
- Oct. 6 – Hardwick, MA
- Oct. 8 – Stanhope, NJ
- Oct. 8 – Stanhope, NJ
- Oct. 9 – Eastchester, NY
- Oct. 10 – Brooklyn, NY
- Oct. 10 – Brooklyn, NY
- Oct. 10 – Brooklyn, NY
- Oct. 14 – Clovis, NM
- Oct. 21 – Newark, DE
- Oct. 22 – Florence, KY
- Oct. 27 – Poughkeepsie, NY
- Oct. 28 – Queens, NY
- Oct. 29 – Las Cruces, NM
- Dec. 5 – Adelanto, CA
- Jan. 8 – Puerto Vallarta, MX
- Jan. 9 – Puerto Vallarta, MX
- Jan. 10 – Puerto Vallarta, MX
- Jan. 11 – Puerto Vallarta, MX
- Jan. 13 – Mobile, AL
- Jan. 15 – Minneapolis, MN
- Jan. 15 – Minneapolis, MN
- Jan. 15 – Fridley, MN
- Jan. 15 – Minneapolis, MN
- Jan. 22 – Porterville, CA
- Jan. 26 – Waterford, CA
- Jan. 26 – Waterford, CA
- Jan. 26 – Waterford, CA
- Jan. 29 – Grand Blanc, MI
- Feb. 2 – Kermit, TX
- Feb. 3 – Coppell, TX
- Feb. 11 – Sudbury, MA
- Feb. 12 – Egg Harbor Township, NJ
- Feb. 18 – Denair, CA
- Feb. 24 – Los Gatos, CA
- Mar. 5 – Trout Lake, WA
- Mar. 6 – Albuquerque, NM
- Mar. 9 – Little Silver, NJ
- Mar. 9 – Little Silver, NJ
- Mar. 11 – Franklin, MA
- Mar. 16 – Andover, MA
- Mar. 17 – Chula Vista, CA
- Mar. 18 – San Lorenzo, CA
- Mar. 20 – Houston, TX
- Mar. 24 – Severn, MD
- Mar. 25 – Severn, MD
- Mar. 25 – Severn, MD
- Mar. 26 – Reading, PA
- Mar. 31 – Turlock, CA
- Apr. 2 – Tornillo, TX
- Apr. 6 – Hamden, CT
- Apr. 7 – Strasburg, CO
- Apr. 7 – Strasburg, CO
- Apr. 9 – Weston, FL
- Apr. 10 – Melbourne, FL
- Apr. 11 – Melbourne, FL
- Apr. 13 – Acampo, CA
- Apr. 13 – Lodi, CA
- Apr. 14 – Tulare, CA
- Apr. 15 – Lodi, CA
- Apr. 17 – Mays Landing, NJ
- Apr. 22 – Spring Lake, MI
- May 1 – East Greenwich, RI
- May 7 – Socorro, NM
- May 28 – Minneapolis, MN
- May 28 – Minneapolis, MN
- May 29 – Fridley, MN
- May 29 – Minneapolis, MN
- Jun. 8 – Fort Lee, NJ
- Jun. 10 – Wesley Chapel, FL
- Jun. 13 – Brookshire, TX
- Jul. 27 – Orange Springs, FL
- Aug. 10 – Hilliard, OH
2024-2025 TOUR DATES
- Aug 29 – Mansfield, CT
- Aug 29 – Willington, CT
- Sept 9 – Grand Prairie, TX
- Sept 12 – Fresno, CA
- Sept 16 – Danbury, CT
- Sept 17 – Waterbury, CT
- Sept 17 – Waterbury, CT
- Sept 18 – Phillipsburg, NJ
- Sept 19 – Waterbury, CT
- Sept 20 – Woonsocket, RI
- Sept 23 – Elk Grove, CA
- Sept 24 – Elk Grove, CA
- Sept 26 – Somerville, NJ
- Oct 2 – Rancho Cordova, CA
- Oct 4 – Rochester, NY
- Oct 8 – Rancho Cordova, CA
- Oct 9 – Idyllwild, CA
- Oct. 29 – Norfolk, VA
- Oct 30 – Medford, MA
- Oct 31 – Hoover, AL
- Nov 4 – Lewistown, IL
- Nov 4 – Cuba, IL
- Nov 15 – Kissimmee, FL
- Nov. 25 – Rutherford, NJ
- Jan 6 – Tinley Park, IL
- Jan 7 – Houston, TX
- Jan 9 – Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- Jan 10 – Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- Jan 11 – Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- Jan 12 – Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- Jan 13 – Waukegan, IL
- Jan 13 – Waukegan, IL
- Jan 14 – Waukegan, IL
- Jan 15 – Waukegan, IL
- Jan 16 – Waukegan, IL
- Jan 24 – Escondido, CA
- Jan 28 – Racine, WI
- Jan 29 – Cypress, TX
- Feb 20 – Bedford, NH
- Feb 24 – Berlin, MD
- Feb 25 – Mount Laurel, NJ
- Feb 28 – Parkville, MO
- Mar 5 – Hilton Head Island, SC
- Mar 6 – Burns, OR
- Mar 10 – Lovelock, NV
- Mar 13 – Falls Church, VA
- Mar 18 – Tabor, IA
- Mar 20 – Panorama City, CA
- Mar 24 – El Monte, CA
- Mar 27 – Elsa, TX
- Mar 31 – San Antonio, TX
- Apr 2 – Newark, NJ
- Apr 2 – Newark, NJ
- Apr 7 – Georgetown, TX
- Apr 22 – Centreville, MD
- Apr 22 – Centreville, MD
- Apr 23 – Centreville, MD
- Apr 23 – Centreville, MD
- Apr 24 – Centreville, MD
- Apr 24 – Centreville, MD
- Apr 24 – Centreville, MD
- Apr 25 – Centreville, MD
- Apr 25 – Centreville, MD
- May 9 – Clarksburg, MD
- May 15 – Hamilton Square, NJ
- May 19 – Barbourville, KY
- May 21 – Maynard, MA
- May 22 – New York, NY
- May 23 – Briarcliff Manor, NY
- Jun 2 – Newark, NJ
- Jun 2 – Newark, NJ
- Jun 3 – Newark, NJ
- Jun 3 – Newark, NJ
- Jun 5 – Newark, NJ
- Jun 5 – Newark, NJ
- Jun 6 – Newark, NJ
- Jun 6 – Newark, NJ
- Jun 11 – New Port Richey, FL
- Jun 17 – Kingsburg, CA
- July 9 – Middlesboro, KY
- July 10 – Middlesboro, KY
- July 11 – Middlesboro, KY
- Jul 14 – Charleston, IL
- Jul 14 – Charleston, IL
- Jul 16 – Middlesboro, KY
- Jul 17 – Middlesboro, KY
2023-2024 SCHOOL ASSEMBLY PROGRAM TOUR DATES
- Aug. 8 – Stafford, VA
- Aug. 8 – Stafford, VA
- Aug. 8 – Stafford, VA
- Aug. 21 – Boaz, AL
- Sept. 1 – Plant City, FL
- Sept. 7 – Fabens, TX
- Sept. 7 – Fabens, TX
- Sept. 11 – Dover, FL
- Sept. 26 – Albuquerque, NM
- Sept. 26 – Rio Rancho, NM
- Sept. 27 – Albuquerque, NM
- Oct. 16 – East Wenatchee, WA
- Oct. 17 – East Wenatchee, WA
- Oct. 17 – East Wenatchee, WA
- Oct. 18 – Rock Island, WA
- Oct. 18 – East Wenatchee, WA
- Oct. 19 – East Wenatchee, WA
- Oct. 19 – East Wenatchee, WA
- Oct. 20 – East Wenatchee, WA
- Nov. 6 – Newcastle, CA
- Nov. 6 – Sacramental, CA
- Nov. 7 – Sacramental, CA
- Nov. 7 – Gridley, CA
- Nov. 17 – Stirling, NJ
- Dec. 11 – Sebring, FL
- Dec. 15 – Fort Collins, CO
- Dec. 15 – Fort Collins, CO
- Dec. 18 – Holmdel, NJ
- Jan. 24 – Auburn, CA
- Jan. 25 – Natomas, CA
- Jan. 26 – Forest Hill, CA
- Jan. 26 – Elk Grove, CA
- Feb. 26 – Walkersville, MD
- Feb. 29 – Waukegan, IL
- March 1 – Geneva, IL
- March 6 – Haymarket, VA
- March 7 – Manassas, VA
- March 7 – Woodbridge, VA
- March 15 – Lawrence, NJ
- March 18 – Philadelphia, PA
- March 19 – Sicklerville NJ
- March 20 – Phillipsburg, NJ
- March 26 – Rankin, TX
- April 10 – Baltimore, MD
- April 11 – Long Branch, NJ
- April 19 – Clemson, SC
- April 25 – Santa Rosa, NM
- April 30 – Centreville, MD
- May 9 – Frederick, MD
- May 16 – Waukegan, IL
- June 14 – Lake Placid, FL
Invite Eddie Cortés to be a guest speaker at your elementary or middle school. Click here or email info@eddiecortes.com to schedule a conversation to learn more about his school assembly program.
ABOUT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ASSEMBLY
In his fun and interactive presentation titled “I’M POSSIBLE,” youth motivational speaker Eddie Cortés will help students realize that they are not defined by their limitations but by their potential. He uses humor, thought-provoking stories, and object lessons to teach elementary and middle school students to build resilience. Eddie empowers them to do hard things and chase their dreams.
Click here or call Top Youth Speakers at (800) 799-1460 between 8 AM-5 PM CT from Monday-Friday to invite Eddie Cortés to be a guest speaker at your next school assembly.
EDDIE CORTÉS
Top Youth Motivational Speaker in MA
ABOUT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ASSEMBLY SPEAKER EDDIE CORTÉS
With over 20 years of experience, Eddie Cortés is regarded as one of the most engaging elementary and middle school speakers in the youth market. His mission is to empower students to build resilience and a positive self-worth. This mission is personal. As a middle schooler, Eddie stopped believing in himself. In fact, his negative self-view impacted his grades, relationships, choices, and ultimately his dreams. This experience is what fuels Eddie’s mission. He wants every elementary and middle school student to know that they are worthy of their dreams and have the tools to chase them.
To learn more about Top Youth Speaker Eddie Cortés click here.
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