Inspirational Skype Talk

Today (February 4^th), second and third grade students at Jefferson Elementary School got to speak with 2012 Olympic Torch Bearer Jon Tait from the United Kingdom.  Jon is a senior leader and assistant head teacher working in a large North East secondary academy.  As a classroom teacher he has experience working in two different schools for nearly 15 years.  Jon is very interested in creative and innovative teaching practices that engage students and ultimately raise achievement. He regularly presents at TeachMeets and teaching conferences both in the UK and internationally via Skype. 

In 2012, Jon was selected to carry the Olympic Torch at the London 2012 Olympics. This honor was bestowed after he was nominated due to his work with young people, both in schools and as part of his sports coaching in the local community. 

Jon Tait spoke with the kids about his experience of carrying the Olympic Torch at the London 2012 Olympics. He also talked about what the Olympic Torch represents, a brief history of the Olympic Torch relay, what the London 2012 torch design signified and an account of his emotions during one of the proudest moments of his life.  The students were able to ask Jon questions about the torch and were able to see the exact torch that Jon carried that summer!

The lesson was both inspirational and interactive, with the students being able to talk and interact throughout the entire session!

You can read Jon’s ‘Diary of an Olympic Torch Bearer’ here.