Middle School Program
For 40 years, Michael has inspired and educated middle school students through his dynamic and impactful presentations. Drawing from his firsthand experiences, self-developed resilience, and positive rebel mindset, he empowers students with strategies to turn challenges into opportunities, build resilience, and pursue their passions. He also provides valuable insights on fostering social inclusion, diversity, and equity for everyone, including themselves. Whether addressing a school assembly, a specific grade group, Pink Shirt Day, or unique youth retreats for students with special needs, Michael’s presentations artfully blend inspiration, humour, and seriousness.
Michael Bortolotto recently spoke at Southgate Middle School in Campbell River, B.C.. It happened to be Pink Shirt Day week, and Michael helped kick off our focus on social inclusion and how to be a good person to others. His presentations moved and captivated two large audiences of grades six, seven, and eight students. He’s left an impression on us that lasted throughout the week and beyond”
Stephen Hawkins-Bogle, Principal, Southgate Middle School
Why I Love Speaking To Students.
Living with and learning from Cerebral Palsy has given me an empowering perspective on rising above unique challenges. My passion now is to inspire, teach, and show students never to settle for the status quo and to believe that anything is possible.
The methods & strategies I use to deliver
my presentations.
- Tell true stories that inspire, educate, and entertain—while encouraging meaningful reflection, constructive thought, and proactive action.
- Offer easy-to-understand information, straightforward insights, and practical advice drawn from firsthand experience.
- Present simple, easy-to-follow, and actionable life-enhancing strategies that lead to meaningful and positive results.
The key benefits each student will learn.
- Why a straightforward smile, combined with a simple five-step strategy, can promote kindness, cultivate empathy, break-down barriers, and foster inclusion, diversity, and equity within the classroom and the broader school community.
- Learn to see and understand adversity not as a negative setback or roadblock, but as an opportunity to learn, grow, and build resilience— laying the foundation for both present and future success.
Full-Day Presenting Program
Within Michael’s full-day school program, you’ll have access to four 55-minute presentations tailored to meet the needs of middle school students. Please (CLICK HERE) to contact Michael to discuss whether you’d like him to speak to your students about Diversity, Equity, and Social Inclusion or Resiliency.
Half-Day Presenting Program
Based on your school’s daily schedule, Michael will deliver two 55-minute presentations to your middle school students, available in either the morning or the afternoon. Please (CLICK HERE) to contact Michael to discuss whether you’d like him to speak to your students about Diversity, Equity, and Social Inclusion or Resiliency.
Adding Extra Zoom Value To Michael's Presentation.
As an added bonus, teachers can schedule a 30-minute Zoom call so students have dedicated time to ask questions or discuss key aspects of Michael’s presentation. Please (Click Here) to contact and schedule a Zoom call with Michael.
PDF Middle School Brochure
To get full descriptions of the presentations offered to middle school students, please click the button below to access Michael’s PDF Middle School Brochure.
Michael's Signature Presentations:
Diversity, Equity, & Social Inclusion Presentations.
The 1st Step To Diversity, Equity, & Social Inclusion Is A Smile. - (Grade Six through Grade Nine) - (55 Min.)
Michael draws on his insightful personal experiences to explain how kindness and empathy can be a powerful first step in removing biases, breaking down barriers, and fostering a school environment that champions inclusion, understands diversity, and initiates equity.
The Wonderful Power Of A Smile, Kindness, & Social Inclusion. - (Grade Six through Grade Nine) - (55 Min.)
Here’s an opportunity to raise your students’ awareness of the career opportunities and financial benefits of embracing social inclusion, as well as the hardships caused by exclusion. Michael will explain how kindness, diversity, and equity through mutual respect foster abundant opportunities for personal and professional success, while exclusion and mistreatment lead to limited advancement and diminished financial success.
Belonging Shouldn't Be A Challenge. - (Grade Six through Grade Nine) - (55 Min.)
Michael will teach your students how to create a safer, more inclusive school environment through a simple 5-step strategy—smile, ask questions, listen, think, and understand. This approach dismantles barriers, challenges misconceptions, fosters empathy and acceptance, and helps forge new friendships.
Building Resiliency Presentations.
Adversely Boosting Your Resiliency. - (Grade Six through Grade Nine) - (55 Min.)
Teach your students to see and embrace adversity as an opportunity to learn, grow, and build resilience, empowering them to face challenges with confidence and navigate life’s obstacles with purpose and determination.
Looking Inside The Positive Rebel! - (Grade Six through Grade Nine) - (55 Min.)
Looking Inside The Positive Rebel explores the benefits of adopting a Positive Rebel mindset. Michael will explain how this empowering mindset helps students step outside their comfort zones and navigate challenging situations that may evoke uncertainty, insecurity, and vulnerability. At the same time, students are inspired and educated rebel against negative thoughts, ideas of limitations, false conditioning, and self-created fears. Replacing them with confidence, resilience, self-belief, and a strong sense of personal responsibility.
Adversely Boosting Your Resiliency. - (Grade Six through Grade Nine) - (55 Min.)
As a teenager, Michael’s biggest challenge wasn’t my Cerebral Palsy but the anxiety of being judged as different or inferior by my peers. Now, you can guide students to overcome similar struggles by teaching them to adopt a positive rebel mindset, defy their fears, and build confidence to challenge self-doubt rooted in low self-esteem.
Customizing A Presentation To Meet Your Student's Needs.
Please feel free to contact him by phone – text (250-816-2989) or e-mail (michael@michaelbortolotto.com) to talk and consult with Michael on how he can customize a presentation that fits you and your audience’s requirements and needs.