Andy Thibodeau was called “Mr. School Spirit” by King’s College at Western University when they named him alumni of the year in 2014. This passion for leadership and school spirit started in elementary school when Andy successfully ran for student council Vice President. He won the election because no one ran against him! From organizing dances in grade 8, pep rallies in high school and orientation week in University, Andy’s enthusiasm for youth leadership led to his unique career of inspiring students and staff across the continent.
Since 1992, Andy has delivered thousands of fun inspirational presentations to schools and conferences across North America. Over two million people have seen him speak in all 10 Canadian provinces, the Yukon and 40 US states.
Andy attended elementary and secondary school with the OSLC conference coordinator, Stu Saunders. He has been blessed to speak at every OSLC since 1992 and is one of the very few speakers to have keynoted every provincial leadership conference!
Andy lives in his hometown of London with his wife and two daughters. He has his History degree on the dean’s honour list from King’s College at Western University. Andy empowers student leaders because he was always an active student leader: Student Council VP in elementary school, Student Council President at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary, and Orientation Week coordinator in University. A highlight of Stu and his student leadership careers was when Much Music named their high school the “Most Spirited School in Canada” while he was president and Stu was Student Events Coordinator.
WORKSHOPS
1. “The Look” Bounces off me! Dealing Positively with Negativity in Student Activities.
We have all seen it when we are in a leadership role … someone gives us the “look” of disapproval and we feel our enthusiasm for leadership fade a little. In this hilarious and life-changing workshop, Andy gives you effective strategies on handling negativity; dealing with rejection; having the courage to be an example of good decisions; maintaining enthusiasm; effective appreciation; communicating care; and improving school climate. A high-energy program based on Andy’s experience as a student leader and a community building speaker since 1992.
2. “Rallies that Rock, Assemblies that Amaze.” Ideas and Inspiration to Create Memorable Student Gatherings!
During the 1988 to 1989 year at Laurier Secondary School in London, our conference founder Stu Saunders and his friend Andy Thibodeau were student council executives. Together they organized a year of student activities, assemblies and pep rallies that had them named by Much Music (Canada’s MTV) as the most spirited school in Canada.
Andy shares the ideas and strategies behind the ten rallies and assemblies they organized that year. His insights are complimented by new lessons from the thousands of schools he has visited since 1992. This session will transform the way you, your leaders, and your school staff will view assemblies, pep rallies and student gatherings! Promotion, planning, and execution insights will be shared!
3. “CAN I COUNT ON YOU?” – Building Your Reliability to Lead Yourself and Others
Execution of ideas is the number one challenge for students in school. This session will immediately improve the ability of leaders to work together, improve their organization skills, decrease stress, and execute ideas into action and activities!
This session addresses the concepts of time management from a unique perspective. Trust is the foundation for loving families, fun friendships, spirited students’ councils, successful businesses, and effective leaders. Yet people earn the trust of another by being reliable. Andy offers useful and immediately applicable advice for improving reliability. Through his insights, he demonstrates how increased reliability improves one’s time management, creates successful events, and inspires TRUST in leaders!
With all students, student leaders and staff balancing their time between school, family and work commitments, this program can transform how your team organizes their priorities and gets activities accomplished!
Resources and insights on Event planning and time management will be shared.
“Making Care Contagious” – Improving School Spirit and Student Leadership.
The concluding program will tie together the previous three sessions. School Spirit is caring, but how do leaders make this care contagious? Andy has developed 5 Habits that form the core of all successful student leadership activities. This hilarious and high-energy workshop gives hands-on advice on working effectively with school staff; improving event promotion and attendance; creative communication; and initiating inclusion.
Follow Andy’s 5 Habits to “get your care, out there!”