TFHS students get visit from motivational speaker

Resilience is a team sport, according to Pete Hall. Hall was invited to return to Thompson Falls High School last week by Principal Jodi Morgan. She first witnessed Hall's speaking ability when he came to the district for staff training before school started.

"I asked the students what type of speaker they would like to have come to our school to talk about issues and coping skills," Morgan said. They described Pete Hall, she added. The students wanted a speaker who is relatable, covers several topics along with coping strategies, and uses interactive training that engages the students to take action.

Hall's resume includes elementary teaching in California and Nevada and school principal in Spokane. Experience has led him to becoming a speaker. "I have been speaking and training staff and students off and on for 20 years and full time for the last 10 years," Hall said.

Hall told students that the number one factor that carries us through hard times is resilience: the ability to acknowledge and attend to personal stress. Being able to tolerate and cope with stress when reality happens depends on how we react to situations that arise in our lives. Hall explained how the brain works through neuroscience. The left hemisphere of the brain at the top, or "upstairs," releases dopamine, serotonin and endorphins when all is good. The right hemisphere and "basement" brain releases cortisol and adrenaline when things are stressful in our lives.

"Ten things to keep the brain strong and healthy and able to build resilience include: regular 8-10 hours of sleep every night, healthy diet, plenty of water to keep brain hydrated, exercise, good breathing strategies, and working together/good healthy friendships. Challenging yourself by constantly learning new things and limiting screen time daily scrolling to two hours maximum is important. Finally, be sure to laugh. Release endorphins by finding humor in your life and show your gratitude. Give thanks for all you have and practice patience and tolerance,"

Hall told students that they should create visuals to remind and support their classmates. One way would be to create posters to be hung around the school. He let the students take time to leave the assembly and create posters, videos, or whatever they wanted, in small groups to share when they returned. Most of the students made posters to share. They demonstrated leadership, breathing techniques, exercising, and a pillow with a clock drawn on it for proper sleep. "Set an alarm clock to tell you when to go to bed at night," Hall suggested.

A quote from his presentation slide show is, "Wash the plate, not because it is dirty, nor because you were told to wash it, but because you love the person who will use it next."

Hall replied to a question from a student regarding someone in the audience on their cell phone. "My normal reaction is I hope they heard what I said. That's all I've got is hope. But hope doesn't do me any good. What matters is did I tell stories that resonate with the students? My worry is less about hope and more about expectations I set." Hall added that he doesn't take those things personally. He concluded, "You are in charge of your own learning. Resilience is a team sport. Be the best you can be for your friends. Help them be their best."

Hall currently lives in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and can be reached at [email protected].