Jacksonville Youth Motivational Speaker for Elementary & Middle School Assemblies
📍 Serving Jacksonville and Duval County Public Schools on all-inclusive Florida rates, with no out-of-state airfare
Empowering Jacksonville Elementary & K–8 Students with Resilience, Growth Mindset, and Self-Worth
RATING: ★★★★★ 4.98/5 ⋅ 250+ BOOKINGS
Loved by school principals, counselors, and teachers. Check out their testimonials here.
“Enthusiastic, engaging... loved Eddie’s energy and audience interaction. His promo video sells him short.”
- Principal Charlotte Young -
Is Eddie Cortés Available for Jacksonville School Assemblies?
Yes. Eddie presents I'M POSSIBLE resilience assemblies to elementary and middle schools across Jacksonville and Duval County Public Schools. North Florida campuses are quoted on all-inclusive statewide rates with no out-of-state airfare, and neighboring Duval schools can share a tour date.
Invite School Assembly Speaker Eddie Cortés to Empower your Students to Build Resilience
(800) 799-1460 ● Monday - Friday ● 8 AM-5 PM CT
No Obligation Inquiry
Aligned with Florida Resiliency & Character Education Standards
Eddie Cortés’ presentations reinforce the character traits and coping mechanisms established under Florida's student resiliency initiatives, supporting whole-child development without adding burden to classroom teachers:
- FLDOE Resiliency Education Mandates: Direct alignment with required instruction on problem-solving, emotional regulation, perseverance, and mentorship.
- PBIS Tier 1 Campus Culture: Equipping students with actionable strategies that decrease behavioral incidents and reinforce campus-wide expectations.
- Title IV & Local District Funding: Fully eligible under Title IV, Part A (Safe and Healthy Students) and district mental wellness allocations.
Why Florida Principals Trust Eddie Cortés
While I serve schools nationally, Florida is my home base and the cornerstone of my tour schedule. I frequently coordinate regional assembly tours across Central Florida, Tampa Bay, and South Florida that allow me to offer:
- Florida-Based & Zero Out-of-State Airfare: Because Eddie is based in Central Florida, Jacksonville and Duval County schools can book on all-inclusive statewide rates with no out-of-state airfare.
- All-Inclusive Flat Rates: Statewide tours across South and North Florida feature 100% transparent pricing with all travel and presentation fees included.
- FLDOE & Title IV Alignment: Every session directly fulfills allowable district funding categories under Title IV, Part A (Safe and Healthy Students) and state resiliency initiatives.
Empower Your Students with Eddie Cortés' School Assembly Programs
Inspire Resilience and Unlock Potential with "I'M POSSIBLE"
As a top youth motivational speaker, Eddie Cortés delivers dynamic and engaging school assembly programs designed to empower students to reach their full potential. His signature program, "I'M POSSIBLE," is more than just an assembly; it's an investment in your students' future.
Eddie utilizes a unique blend of humor, thought-provoking stories, and interactive object lessons to instill resilience, a "can-do" attitude, and a belief in themselves in young minds. Through his captivating presentations, students learn to:
- Overcome Challenges: Develop the inner strength to bounce back from setbacks and view obstacles as opportunities for growth.
- Embrace a Growth Mindset: Cultivate a "I can, I will!" attitude that fosters a love of learning and a desire to continuously improve.
- Unlock Their Potential: Discover their hidden talents and strengths, and gain the confidence to pursue their passions with unwavering determination.
The "I'M POSSIBLE" Impact:
Studies have shown that engaging school assembly programs can have a profound impact on student development. Eddie's presentations are proven to:
- Boost Confidence: Students gain the belief in themselves to overcome challenges and achieve their goals.
- Develop Resilience: Students learn to bounce back from setbacks and turn obstacles into opportunities.
- Improve Academic Performance: Students cultivate a growth mindset that fosters academic success.
- Inspire Dreams: Students are encouraged to pursue their passions and strive for greatness.
Best student assembly ever!
– Principal, Wilson Elementary
"I'M POSSIBLE" School Assembly Program for Every Grade Level:
Eddie tailors his presentations to meet the unique needs and developmental levels of each grade:
Grades K-2 School Assembly Program: Featuring the Grit Squad (30 Mins)
What if Florida's youngest learners believed they could bounce back from anything?
In this high-energy presentation, Eddie Cortés transforms your assembly into a live broadcast of the GSPN (Grit Squad Programming Network). Resilience comes to life through fun skits, live storytelling and interactive "Character Coaches" appearing on-screen that make big ideas simple and unforgettable.
With humor and heart, Eddie and the Grit Squad—including Barker the Broadcasting Beagle and Bounce-Back Bunny—show students how to face challenges, believe in their own "awesomeness," and say “I’m Possible” even when things feel hard.
This isn’t just an assembly—it’s a foundation for confident, capable learning. Your students will walk away smiling, inspired, and equipped with the mindset to grow.
Key Learning Points
- Bounce Back: Learn to overcome obstacles and turn problems into exciting challenges!
- Do Hard Things: Embrace challenges and learn from them.
- Believe in Yourself: Nurture a positive "I can, I will!" attitude.
Let's make "I'M POSSIBLE" a reality for your students!
Grades 3-5 School Assembly Program (45 Mins)
Eddie will help students realize that their potential (what they can do) is far greater than their limitations (what they can’t do)!
He uses humor, thought-provoking stories, and object lessons to teach elementary school students to build resilience.
By developing resilience, your students will be more likely to have a positive self-worth, overcome failure, and achieve better academic results. Your students will be empowered to do hard things and chase their dreams because they are “braver than they believe, stronger than they seem, and smarter than they think.”
Eddie Cortés’ school assembly program will help your students develop the skills they need to become more resilient, and in turn, be more successful. He will teach them that even though life can be hard, they have the strength, intelligence, and courage to do hard things, reach their goals, and make their dreams come true.
Give your students the skills they need to become resilient and successful learners.
Key Learning Points
- Bounce back from adversity and turn obstacles into learning opportunities—determination dictates your destination in life
- Do hard things, face failure, and maintain an “I can, I will.” mindset
- Mentors help you do hard things and go further faster
- Nurture a positive self-worth—worthy of your dreams
- Reimagine the impossible to do the I’M POSSIBLE
Grades 6-8 School Assembly Program (55 Mins)
Eddie's mission to empower young people is deeply personal. As a middle schooler, his dream of playing baseball for the New York Yankees shattered when his cousin cruelly dismissed his aspirations, echoing the doubts he already carried within due to his father's verbal abuse and ultimate abandonment. This crushing experience eroded Eddie's self-worth, leading him to believe he wasn't "enough." He stopped dreaming big and his grades, relationships, and even his life choices suffered.
Eddie's engaging assembly empowers 6-8th graders, showing them their potential far exceeds any perceived limits. Through humor, thought-provoking stories, and interactive lessons, students will learn to build resilience – the inner strength to overcome challenges. They'll learn to turn setbacks into valuable learning opportunities, and develop an "I can, I will!" mindset. This crucial life skill empowers students to believe in themselves and achieve their aspirations. Eddie's message is powerful and transformative, inspiring them to chase their dreams with unwavering belief.
Give your students in Florida the skills they need to become resilient and successful learners.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Bounce back from adversity and turn obstacles into learning opportunities—determination dictates your destination in life
- Do hard things, face failure, and maintain an “I can, I will.” mindset
- Mentors help you do hard things and go further faster
- Nurture a positive self-worth—worthy of your dreams
- Reimagine the impossible to do the I’M POSSIBLE
Serving Schools Across Jacksonville & Duval County
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Riverside & San Marco: Elementary and middle school assemblies for urban core campus communities.
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Arlington & the Eastside: Resilience and character programming across Jacksonville's eastside.
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Mandarin & the Southside: Flexible single-day or multi-school routing for the southside corridor.
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The Beaches & the Northside: Including other Duval County Public Schools K-8 campuses across the district.
Why Jacksonville Schools Book Eddie
Jacksonville is a wide city, and Duval County Public Schools covers a lot of ground between the Northside, Arlington, Mandarin, Riverside, and the Beaches. That is a strong argument for a clustered North Florida date: two campuses in one day, all-inclusive statewide rates, and no out-of-state airfare because Eddie already lives in Florida. I'M POSSIBLE is the K-8 resilience and character assembly. It gives students a shared language for bouncing back, doing hard things, and building self-worth, in line with Florida resiliency instruction, PBIS, and Title IV, Part A. Florida schools already know the program. At Wilson Elementary School in Plant City, Principal Kayla Forcucci wrote that Eddie was easy to work with, responsive to students, and left them with a meaningful message, and one of her teachers called it the best student assembly she had ever been to.
Check Eddie’s Florida Tour Availability
The Best Speaker You’ve Ever Booked, or Your Money Back.
Join the Florida principals who have already transformed their school culture with the "I'M POSSIBLE" message.
Call (800) 799-1460 (Monday – Friday, 8 AM-5 PM CT) to discuss tour dates and all-inclusive pricing for your district.
Everyone has been raving about Eddie and his message.
- Principal, Philisburg Elementary
Endorsed by Educators
Students and staff walked away from his interactive presentation energized and ready to take on the year.
- Michael Archambault, Principal
Download Eddie's Program Guide & Speaking Rate
✔ Top-Rated Youth Speaker for Students
✔ All-Inclusive Speaker Fee — No Travel Expenses
✔ The Best Speaker You’ve Ever Booked, or Your Money Back
Eddie is one of the most uplifting and inspirational speakers we’ve ever had. You NEED to get him into your schools!
- Principal, Rock Island Elementary
Frequently Asked Questions
What grades do your Jacksonville assemblies target?
Eddie presents separate I'M POSSIBLE formats for grades K-2, 3-5, and 6-8 in Duval elementary and middle schools.
Are travel and flight expenses included for Jacksonville schools?
Yes. Duval County campuses are quoted on all-inclusive Florida rates with no out-of-state airfare.
Does the program meet Florida Department of Education requirements?
Yes. I'M POSSIBLE reinforces Florida resiliency and character education instruction, supports PBIS, and fits allowable Title IV, Part A uses.
Can neighboring Jacksonville schools share a date?
Yes. Two Duval campuses, or a Duval school and a nearby Clay or St. Johns County school, can share a morning and afternoon date.
Why Empower Your Elementary Students with the Power of Resilience
Resilience is more than just a "soft skill" – it's an academic superpower that equips elementary students with the tools to navigate life's challenges with confidence and optimism.
At a young age, children encounter various obstacles, from academic struggles to navigating social dynamics. These experiences can feel overwhelming, impacting their self-esteem and motivation.
Equipping elementary students with resilience is crucial for their success. It fosters essential skills like:
- Problem-solving: Developing strategies to overcome challenges and find creative solutions.
- Adaptability: Learning to adjust to new situations and overcome setbacks with grace.
- Emotional Regulation: Managing emotions effectively and responding to challenges with a positive mindset.
Research Highlights the Impact of Resilience:
- "Research shows resilience can improve student grades by a full letter." - © 2017 The Authors. Child Development © 2017 Society for Research in Child Development, Inc.
By cultivating resilience, you empower your students to:
- Build Confidence: Overcome challenges with a "I can, I will!" attitude.
- Develop a Growth Mindset: Embrace challenges as opportunities for learning and growth.
- Achieve Academic Success: Thrive in the classroom and beyond by developing essential life skills.
Discover how youth motivational speaker Eddie Cortés can inspire resilience in your elementary students through engaging and interactive school assembly programs.
Contact Top Youth Speakers today at (800) 799-1460 between 8 AM-5 PM CT from Monday-Friday to learn more and schedule a transformative experience for your school!
My fifth grader enjoyed your presentation, so thank you from a parent and an admin!
– Farrah H., Assistant Principal, Colinas Del Norte Elementary
The P.O.S.S.I.B.L.E. Mindset
P |
Perseverance: Resilience means pushing forward despite challenges. Setbacks are part of progress, your dedication and persistence will guide you to triumph. |
O |
Obstacles to Opportunities: Resilience means seeing obstacles as opportunities to learn, improve, and develop. Approach obstacles with an open mind, extracting valuable lessons and growth opportunities. |
S |
Strength in Support: Resilience thrives when self-care nurtures well-being and seeking support from loved ones and mentors provides vital encouragement during challenges. Strength is found in support. |
S |
Seek Growth: Resilience means embracing challenges as chances to learn, evolve, and become stronger. View difficulties as stepping stones to personal growth and development. |
I |
Inspirational Icons: Celebrate real-life stories of those conquering immense odds to excel. These role models fuel the belief that resilience, determination, and self-confidence can pave the way for remarkable accomplishments. |
B |
Believe in Your Potential: Resilience rests on unwavering faith in your abilities. Recognize and celebrate your strengths, nurturing the self-confidence that fuels your resilience. Believe in your unlimited potential. |
L |
Learn: Resilience means drawing wisdom from both victories and setbacks, shaping growth through adaptation. Embrace setbacks as chances for progress and learning. |
E |
Embrace You: You are Younique, worthy of your dreams, and have everything you need to chase them. Embrace who you are, who you’ll become which is far greater than what or who you are not. |
Recent Florida School Tour Stops
AI Literacy Assembly Recap: Eddie Cortés with Pasco County Schools
Imagine standing in front of the sharpest student leaders from across an entire district and asking a simple question: “Who here has used artificial intelligence to help write an essay this week?” A couple of nervous hands twitch. Then you ask: “Who here has seen AI used to tear someone down in a group chat?” Every single hand shoots straight into the air.
Motivational Speaker Reflection: 2023 IM.POSSIBLE School Tour
Since August, I’ve been on the IM.POSSIBLE School Assembly Tour, partnering with 36 schools across 14 states, and standing in front of 78 assemblies. But let’s not get bogged down by the numbers; it’s about the stories, the inspiration, and the undeniable spark in each student’s eye. Here are a few of my favorites.
Chasing Dreams at Fred Wild Elementary: Building Resilience and Self-Worth with Motivational Youth Speaker Eddie Cortes
To captivate the young minds at Fred Wild Elementary, I kick-started the presentation by sharing my childhood dream – playing professional baseball for the New York Yankees. With the room buzzing, a professional broadcaster narrated the play-by-play of this dream. The students, caught up in the excitement, cheered me on. As the segment concluded with a home run, the room erupted in cheers and applause. This set the stage for the core message: chase your dreams even if they seem impossible, and never give up.
Schedule a Conversation with Motivational Youth Speaker Eddie Cortés to Discuss I'M POSSIBLE Assembly Programs for Jacksonville Schools
Help your students unlock their potential and reach their goals. Join Eddie on this journey and equip them with the invaluable life lessons of hard work, resilience, and self-worth. With these skills, your students will learn to take on the impossible and make it I'M POSSIBLE!
Invite Eddie Cortés to be the guest speaker at your next school assembly program and transform your students’ lives forever. To learn more, contact Top Youth Speakers at (800) 799-1460 between 8 AM-5 PM CT from Monday-Friday.
Looking for an AI literacy assembly? See Generation AI for Jacksonville schools.
More Florida schools: see the Florida youth motivational speaker page.
Eddie was real. He connected with the students and delivered an engaging message.
- Becky W., Superintendent, Forest Park Schools
ABOUT TOP YOUTH 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 and his assembly programs for schools click here.
Follow Eddie Cortés on social: Instagram | Facebook | Linked In
Eddie’s School Assembly Program Tour Dates
Looking for dates in specific states? Explore our regional assembly routes in
Don't See Your Desired Date?
Eddie travels nationwide year-round for school assemblies, leadership summits, and conferences. Reach out to check if he's available for your event date.
Don't See Your Desired Date?
Eddie travels nationwide year-round for school assemblies, leadership summits, and conferences. Reach out to check if he's available for your event date.
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Discovery Call with Eddie's Team
Our team at Top Youth Speakers will reach out within 48 hours to confirm routing availability and answer any questions. You can also pick a time directly on Eddie's Google Calendar:
Choose a Time on Eddie's Google Calendar ➔