HomepageISTEEdSurge
Skip to content
ascd logo

Log in to Witsby: ASCD’s Next-Generation Professional Learning and Credentialing Platform
Join ASCD
March 1, 2020
Vol. 77
No. 6

Seen on the Screen / Empowered Valedictorian

author avatar

    School Culture
    Seen on the Screen / Empowered Valedictorian thumbnail
      A lesson to remember for school leaders: Three years ago, Peter Butera, a high school valedictorian in Exeter, Pennsylvania, went off script during his graduation speech to criticize the powerlessness of his school's student government and the overly authoritative bearing of some teachers and administrators. As if to his illustrate his point, Butera's mic was promptly cut off and he was ushered off the stage, much to the chagrin of attendees. But the story didn't end there. The incident became a viral sensation, and Butera was soon invited to finish his speech before a national television audience on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live. He spoke eloquently about student empowerment as a key component of preparation for the future. "Whoever cut that mic off should not be in charge of education of any kind," Kimmel commented. Watch the segment from Jimmy Kimmel Live at https://bit.ly/36FzQtE.
      el202003_kimmel.jpg

      EL’s experienced team of writers and editors produces Educational Leadership magazine, an award-winning publication that reaches hundreds of thousands of K-12 educators and leaders each year. Our work directly supports the mission of ASCD: To empower educators to achieve excellence in learning, teaching, and leading so that every child is healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged. 

      Learn More

      ASCD is a community dedicated to educators' professional growth and well-being.

      Let us help you put your vision into action.
      Related Articles
      View all
      undefined
      School Culture
      How Micromanaging Dulls School Cultures
      Tara Laskowski
      1 week ago

      undefined
      For Black Women Educators, Affinity Groups Forge Connection
      Angela Harris & Sarah Wright et al.
      1 week ago

      undefined
      Fighting Cynicism (Without the Toxic Positivity)
      Chase Mielke
      1 week ago

      undefined
      True Learning Cultures Promote Teacher Agency
      Salome Thomas-EL
      1 week ago

      undefined
      The Agency Educators Deserve
      Sarah McKibben
      1 week ago
      Related Articles
      How Micromanaging Dulls School Cultures
      Tara Laskowski
      1 week ago

      For Black Women Educators, Affinity Groups Forge Connection
      Angela Harris & Sarah Wright et al.
      1 week ago

      Fighting Cynicism (Without the Toxic Positivity)
      Chase Mielke
      1 week ago

      True Learning Cultures Promote Teacher Agency
      Salome Thomas-EL
      1 week ago

      The Agency Educators Deserve
      Sarah McKibben
      1 week ago
      From our issue
      Product cover image 120041b.jpg
      The Empowered Student
      Go To Publication