Stacey Bess: Beyond the
Blackboard
On Tuesday, September 20th, the School of Education
had the privilege to host Beyond the Blackboard with
Stacey Bess through the Academic Lecture
Series. Stacey Bess is an inspirational educator, and author
of the acclaimed memoir, “Nobody Don’t Love Nobody,” which was made
into the Hallmark movie Beyond the
Blackboard. Because of her tremendous efforts as an
educator and inspirational figure, she was also the recipient of
the National Jefferson Award for Greatest Public Service by an
Individual 35 Years or Under. Around 7:00 PM,
students gathered into Marillac Auditorium, awaiting the
extraordinary educator and speaker. Erica Zissel started off
the lecture by introducing Stacey Bess, while touching upon her
life as an educator, along with her personal struggles with thyroid
cancer. Students and faculty gave Stacey a big round of
applause when she walked onto the stage. As she explained her
experiences from life as an educator inside of a shelter, there was
an extraordinary silence throughout the audience. Everyone was
captivated by her incredible journey as a teacher for children
dubbed “unteachable.”
Through each story and experience Bess shared, the common
denominator was love. She stressed that in order to really get
through to a student, love is the key ingredient. Bess went on to
say, “the foundation of being successful with people in general is
to love them” and to “listen with your hearts and not so much your
mind.” Over 200 students from all schools within St. John’s
University filled the audience, including psychology major and
aspiring school psychologist, Erika Zywocinski. Erika
stated, “Stacey Bess’s story is not one solely for education
majors. Her story not only touched me but motivated and shed a
new light on reaching out to children for my intended career-
school psychology.” Each aspiring teacher in the audience
seemed entranced by her moving story. Education major Amanda
Lalena was particularly moved by Stacey Bess, stating, “She
reaffirmed my passion to be a good teacher. She is living
proof that one person can change a life.” Stacy Bess is the
type of educator that not only changes the lives of her own
students, she influences and inspires people in all aspects of
their lives. She is an eye-opening educator, sharing an
eye-opening experience.
At the end of her moving speech, each student in the audience
received a copy of her award-winning memoir and had the opportunity
to get it signed personally by Bess. As things began to slow
down, Stacey mentioned, “Out of all the universities I’ve been to,
St. John’s University gave me the strongest sense of the Vincentian
Mission.” Not only did Bess have a strong sense of St. John’s
mission in the Vincentian community, student, Andre Moore, did as
well. Andre is in his second year here at St. John’s and a
part of the Advantage Academy Program, as well as, the Event
Management Staff. Stacy Bess’s lecture hit close to home for
him. Moore went through the shelter system with his 7-year old
daughter. He heard about the opportunity of becoming a part of
the Advantage Academy Program, in which he would receive an
Associates Degree in Business Administration from St. John’s
University. In regards to Stacy Bess’s lecture, Andre stated
“There is a special place for people like her in
heaven.” Moore further explained, “That is exactly what
we exemplify here with the Advantage program; making a difference
in people’s lives that have very little options and who may be
destined to be in the same place for 3-5, years.”
Andre Moore feels that through education and compassion,
children who come from shelters will no longer continue the legacy
of homelessness and desperation. As Bess valued, Moore
reiterated, “The Vincentian Mission inspired me. It opened my
eyes to the world as a big place, on the stage of motivating and
helping people. There is no such word as
can’t.” Andre is flourishing as a St. John’s
University student. Just like Stacy Bess, Andre is an
incredible person with an incredible journey, and both are living
proof that love, hard work and compassion can concur all.
Stacey Bess has changed how many people think about
educating. In this complex world that we live in, she has
found a way to motivate students and ultimately, love
them. Stacey has inspired so many in her lifetime, and St.
John’s University is lucky to say that Stacey Bess has inspired our
own students and faculty.
For more information, please visit: http://www.staceybess.com/
-Reported by: Dana Hetzel, Class of 2014