TOUR JOURNAL

Youth Motivational Speaker Eddie Cortés in MD

Eddie Cortes School Assembly Speaker in Queen Anne’s County Schools in Maryland

Eddie delivered a powerful, interactive assembly that inspired students to believe in themselves and their potential.

Becky Tubman & Dannan Jones

School Principals, Grasonville Elementary School

Resilience Tour Across Queen Anne’s County Schools in Maryland with Top Youth Speaker Eddie Cortés

Some experiences leave a mark you don’t forget—and my Queen Anne’s County Public Schools Tour was definitely one of those. Nine schools in four days, thousands of students, countless high-fives, autographs, hugs, and one huge message: You can do hard things.

Walking into each school, from Sudlersville Middle to Bayside Elementary, I could feel the energy. Students and teachers were ready to hear something that would stick. And man, did they show up with open hearts and big dreams.

Students Who Inspire

At Matapeake Elementary, a sweet 1st grader came up to me after the assembly, smiled up at me with her big eyes, and said, “Thank you for coming to our school and talking to us about doing hard things.”

Talk about melting my heart.

Then at the assembly at Church Hill Elementary, a 4th grade girl totally nailed the heart of the message when she confidently told me, “Failure is just a stepping stone to success.” That’s it—that’s resilience. Not avoiding hard things, but embracing them, learning, and bouncing back stronger. Principal Susan Davis Walbert shared afterward, “Our students were so engaged listening to Eddie’s message. One student told me later, ‘Thank you for letting Eddie Cortés come to our school, he really motivated me!‘” Moments like that are exactly why I do what I do.

At Grasonville Elementary, something unforgettable happened: after Principal Becky Tubman and Assistant Principal Dannan Jones thanked me for the powerful message, the students started chanting “Eddie! Eddie! Eddie!” It wasn’t planned—it came straight from their excitement and connection to the message. As Becky and Dannan later shared, my visit was more than a typical school assembly. “Eddie traveled to our school to deliver a powerful, interactive assembly that inspired students to believe in themselves and their potential. His message helped our students build resilience to overcome challenges, develop confidence and a positive self-image, and adopt a growth mindset to pursue their dreams.” That spontaneous chant reminded me of the magic that happens when a message truly lands—when students feel inspired, seen, and fired up to chase something bigger than themselves.

And at Bayside Elementary, during a funny story I shared about my mom’s legendary “chancleta,” 3rd-5th graders started waving their sliders and sneakers in the air—it was hilarious! By the end, groups of students rushed over for hugs. Their enthusiasm and connection to the message were incredible.

Resilience Shines in Escondido, CA with Top Youth Speaker Eddie Cortés<br />

The Power of “Doing Hard Things”

The main learning outcome we focused on this week? Doing hard things.

Whether it’s tackling tough subjects, bouncing back from a loss, working toward a seemingly impossible dream, or preparing for life’s unexpected challenges—students learned that real growth happens when we lean into the hard stuff.

Hard things don’t define us; they refine us.

Middle school students even started DM-ing me after assemblies to share how they were inspired:

A future soccer star.
A student dreaming of becoming a doctor.
Another who wants to play for the Orioles.
Future police officers.

Their dreams were as bold as their determination.

Why Resilience Matters

In every gym, cafeteria, and auditorium, I reminded students that resilience isn’t about having it easy—it’s about having the courage to keep going when it gets hard. It’s about:

Seeing potential beyond today’s obstacles.
Reimagining your dreams when the path gets tough.
Believing you are worthy of BIG dreams.

This is the heartbeat of the I’m Possible school assembly program: Your potential is greater than your limitations. You are full of possibilities. You are possible.

As Matt Evans, Supervisor of Student Services, from Queen Anne’s County School District shared with me, “The examples of humans overcoming their disabilities and reaching greatness affected everyone in the room. Then the follow-up and connection you provide really reinforces how important it is to keep moving forward and never giving up. If every student who graduates from QACPS had the superpower of resilience; I don’t know what else we could ask for.”

None of this would have been possible without the amazing leadership across Queen Anne’s County. Massive thanks to:

Principal Lov Sheppard (Sudlersville Middle)
Principal Tracy Kenna (Centreville Middle)
Principal Amy Smith (Stevensville Middle)
Principal Krystal Chambers (Matapeake Middle)
Principal Michelle McNeil (Sudlersville Elementary)
Principal Kaylene Kovach (Matapeake Elementary & Bayside Elementary)
Principal Becky Tubman (Grasonville Elementary)
Principal Susan Walbert (Church Hill Elementary)

And a special shoutout to Matt Evans and Dr. Patricia Saelens for making this tour happen. Your passion for empowering students was felt at every stop.

Wrapping Up

To all the incredible students, teachers, and staff I met—thank you for welcoming me into your schools, for your energy, your dreams, and your belief in what’s possible.

Remember: Life will throw hard things at you. But YOU are stronger. YOU can do hard things. YOU are possible.

Until next time my friends, keep chasing those dreams!

Invite Youth Motivational Speaker Eddie Cortés

To invite Eddie to be a guest speaker at your next elementary or middle school assembly program call (800) 799-1460 between 8 AM-5 PM CT from Monday-Friday.

INVITE EDDIE CORTÉS

Look for Top Youth Speaker Eddie Cortés in MD

In his a fun, interactive school assembly program, top youth speaker Eddie Cortés empowers elementary and middle school students to build resilience, a positive self-worth, and chase their “I’m Possible” dreams.

2024-2025 SCHOOL ASSEMBLY 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 14 – Washington, NJ
Apr 22 – Centreville, MD
Apr 22 – Centreville, MD
Apr 22 – Centreville, MD
Apr 23 – Centreville, MD
Apr 23 – Centreville, MD
Apr 23 – 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 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
Jul 14 – Charleston, IL
Jul 28 – Virtual – EB Academics
Aug 11 – Santa Maria, CA
Aug 12 – Santa Maria, CA
Aug 25 – Sylvania, OH
Sept. 2 – Le Roy, NY
Sept. 26 – Upper Lake, CA
Oct. 17 – Brooklyn, NY

Invite Eddie Cortés to be a guest speaker at your elementary or middle school in Maryland. 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.

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EDDIE CORTÉS

Youth Motivational Speaker in MD

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.

Youth Motivational Speaker Eddie Cortés in MD