EDUCATORS AND/OR FUTURE EDUCATORS (i.e. STUDENTS MAJORING IN EDUCATION)

BACKGROUND: The First Thirty is based on the true story of educator Greg Forbes Siegman, his efforts to make a difference during the first thirty years of his life, and the first thirty things learned from the people and places he encountered (and setbacks and successes he experienced) along the way.

A significant part of the book revolves around Greg's experience in Education - as a student, as an educator and as a philanthropist assisting schools.  The story highlights the incredibly profound impact that teachers had on his academic record in particular and life in general.  The book also reflects upon the unique twists and turns that led to him discovering his unexpected passion to teach for eight years.  The book reflects candidly on how hard it is to become a 'good' teacher, and the immense respect Greg developed for those who do it well.   The book also details how that respect led him, as a philanthropist, to make efforts to honor the teachers who had impacted his life so profoundly.  The First Thirty is now used by schools, conferences, organizations and Book Clubs that support Educators and/or promote the profession to those considering it.

In the process of transferring schools as a student, working at a wide variety of schools as a substitute teacher, getting invited to speak at a variety of events, and assisting many schools through philanthropy, Greg has had a unique opportunity to spend years working with and learning from teachers and students from a broad cross-section of racial, social and economic backgrounds around the country, and he has observed many things which the truly great teachers do -- and do not do -- which transcend those differences, and, in turn, he has been asked to speak with current and future educators about those observations.   

Sample of BOOKS & SPEECHES: 
== Greg was the guest speaker at an event for dozens of instructors at Confederation College in Canada

== Greg spoke at an event for some of the St. John's University faculty and administrative leaders (and separate events for St. John's students, including those who are planning to become educators) 

== Greg accepted an invitation to serve as one of the keynote speakers at a 2007 event for educators and school administrators in the Midwest. In conjunction with event, organizers order dozens of copies of the books, workbooks and the posters based upon them
== HESC ordered copies of The First Thirty for all of the educators and site leaders attending their Conference in NY; booked Greg to keynote two Conferences for educators, site leaders for them.
== Greg serves as Denver Academy Honorary Writer in Residence

== A grade school Principal ordered copies of The First Thirty for every adult at the school -- and copies of the book's Lessons Poster for every room in the school
== Greg asked to speak to students studying Education at schools like Boston College
== Bari's Book Club (Book Club for Teachers) selects The First Thirty for their reading
== Keynote an annual event for education, business and community leaders hosted by local Mayors in Minnesota
== Catholic Middle School in Canada orders copies of The First Thirty for faculty, students
== University of Missouri-St. Louis order copies of The First Thirty for staff reading

== Suffield Rotary Club in CT ordered copies of The First Thirty for local students to learn more about philanthropy and teaching
== Middle school, high school and universities incorporate The First Thirty into various classes (ranging from American Lit class to Reading class to Contemporary Authors class to Leadership class to Race & Culture course), in conjunction with stories like Homer's Odyssey, Night, Schindler's List, Americans All and Tuesdays with Morrie
== The New York Giants (NFL) sponsored an essay contest based on the book for high school students in NY.  In Minnesota, the NFL Vikings sponsored an essay contest based on the book for middle school students in Minnesota.   In Connecticut, Rockville Bank sponsored a college scholarship for the winner of an essay contest based on the book. 

SAMPLE OF FEEDBACK FROM GREG'S SPEECHES & REVIEWS OF THE FIRST THIRTY:

"[The First Thirty is] a dazzling gem...When you finish, you will want your students to read it, too.  Its lessons are immensely teachable." -  Teacher Information Network

"Every educator and future educator in America should read this story.  It reminds me why I became one in the first place."  - Amy Ziperstein, Elementary School Teacher, Illinois

"Thank you [to Greg] for sharing with us today!   His messages to both students and faculty/administrators were both on-point and refreshing." -  Denise Hopkins, Dean, St. John's University

"I read The First Thirty.  Amazing.  Difficult.  Inspiring. Amazing – In such a short time, [the main character, Greg] accomplished so much!  He persevered through setback after setback, taking every opportunity to learn and grow from his experiences.  He has inspired and touched so many lives in such deep and lasting ways.  He has used the fuel of his outrage, the fuel of his passions, the fuel of his imagination, the fuel of the love and support of those he befriended and inspired, to drive him and support him...Difficult – Many times I was near tears as I read about what Greg has done... I have dreams of projects to do with my students...Yet, when it comes to getting down to the details of doing this, I seem to crash... I think I am afraid.  I imagine that my fear is of failure…in fact, my primary failure is in not doing...I am [now] going to start really showing up.  I am sure that I will fall flat on my face many times in this process.  But I will just show up again. Inspiring – ...Reading this book is helping me to recognize how deeply I resonate with the ideas of bringing people together – building bridges. ..I have a poem taped to the door of my apartment so that I see it as I leave each day...The poem is called “The Bridge Builder” by Will Allen Dromgoole and it speaks of a man who comes to a “chasm, vast and deep and wide” crosses it himself and then builds a bridge over the chasm.  When others ask him why he is building, since he already made it across, he responds “There followeth after me today/A youth whose feet must pass this way./Good friend, I am building the bridge for him.”  Greg is a bridge builder.  And by his example, he has inspired youth and aged alike to go out and build bridges.  I am working to find my path in this bridge building.  His story is yet more encouragement to follow the deep yearnings of my heart.  I thank you for sharing his story, it is shaping so many other stories, including mine." - Megham Freytag, teacher

"I listened to his speech and loved every minute of it!...I want to be an elementary school teacher and hope to make a difference in children's lives. I like to keep a notebook of all of the things that I want to do in my classroom and I added a bunch of stuff after his speech." --Amanda, Boston College student

"I loved The First Thirty. It has a wonderful structure to it, especially how it maps out the 'hero's journey.' I think this would be a great supplement to the Odyssey, Catcher in the Rye, or even Beowulf. Certainly, when I establish my own class curriculum, I intend to implement the First Thirty in some way. - Lindsay Green, Student Teacher (and future full-time educator)

"The First Thirty is a tribute to teachers - those found in classrooms, and those who impart their wisdom in the course of everyday life." 
- Anna Marie Johnson Teague, DAWSON + MURRAY + TEAGUE Communications (Texas)

"Thank you so much to Greg for coming to our campus....I really enjoyed meeting him in person...My class still has not stopped talking about the lecture, and how amazing it was to meet Greg in person.  His talks were very informative and engaging...I have really enjoyed using The First Thirty in my course..." --- Rosette Allegretti, The School of Education, St. John's University  

"Thank you to Greg for his presentation at our Teacher Institute.  We heard many good comments on how inspiring he was...[and] we especially enjoyed your website's pictures of your visit to Godfrey. Thanks again for the difference he continues to make in peoples' lives.  He is a mover and a shaker!!!!  If we can ever be of assistance to him or give a reference for him, please do not hesitate to let us know.  Thanks for making a difference!" Kathi, Regional Office of Education #40 

"...Sometimes as teachers, we get caught up in everything that goes on outside the class, and we need to be brought back to what we do everyday.  Greg touched upon many things that I truly believe in and validated that I am on the right track. I would love to see him back at Confederation College." - Alphonsa, teacher, Confederation College

"Greg gave a grounded and realistic profile of some of the “human” attributes that make great teachers.  He inherited his grandmother’s wisdom. A nice boost in mid-semester." -  Barry, teacher, Confederation College

"Thank you to Greg so much for an awesome presentation tonight. When I saw the ad in the paper [for the Speaker Series], I knew he had messages that I needed to hear..." - Katie S, High school teacher, Canada

 "Greg's stories were great and so inspiring...I teach...I'm a big fan of how he lives his life!" -  Sarah, Public School Teacher

"The First Thirty illustrates the responsibilities we have as parents, grandparents, teachers and business leaders to influence the people around us...Every teacher should make The First Thirty required reading. It's William Saroyan for the next generation."   - Sam Geil, President of company and Parent, California

"I finished the book. I really liked it.  It was inspiring. I think it's good for both children and adults, the lessons in it resonate with people of all ages and I found them to also really have an impact on me." - Sonya Hessels, Honours Bachelor of Arts, University of Toronto, Bachelor of Education Student, Lakehead University, Canada

"I personally read 'The First Thirty' earlier this year and was brought to tears on three different occasions. I knew right away that I wanted to try and make it possible for our students and staff to meet Greg. The themes of his story reinforce aspects of our mission like service, leadership and lifelong learning." - Paul Newton, Principal, Enrico Fermi High School (CT)

"As an educator and a mother, I will use this book to initiate conversations that will encourage children to be positive role models in society."  -   Michelle LaBrosse-Nelson, Teacher (Minnesota)