"You guys don't help me since you went to that stupid talk!" - David Saibel's 8 year-old, Marin, California
"Jessica Lahey is a dynamic author and presenter who was able to speak to students, faculty and parents on her visit to The Woods Academy. We could not be more impressed with her ability to deliver so well to such different audiences. The Gift of Failure was a big hit with our community and has resonated with us all since Jessica's visit. Jessica helped us see the value in such an approach, and did so with superb research and a warm and approaching style." Joe Powers, Head of School, Woods Academy
“The very best speakers don’t lecture. They draw you in, through personal stories, the stories of others, points in history, relevant research, and connect with you on many levels. Jessica achieved this and more, by reaching us as youth development professionals, parents, educators, members of our communities, aunts, siblings, etc. Jessica provided great insight into the psyche of anxious parents, pressured children, and beleaguered teachers, paired with language and triggers we can use to help describe the “off-transcript” learning experience we know as camp. Jessica managed to have a conversation with us – no easy task with 1000+ people in the room - and helped us successfully kick off our national conference.” - Amy Katzenberger, Chief Program Officer, American Camp Association
"Jessica gets middle school! At our recent parent event, Jessica did a wonderful job of connecting the realities of parenting a middle school child with the larger topic of resilience. The audience left with both specific strategies to try at home as well as a framework for understanding the true needs of adolescents. As a parent and an educator, I was impressed and grateful." - Andrew Davis, Head of Middle School, Crystal Springs Uplands School
"It was a perfect evening. Jessica's talk was engaging and spot-on, and the kind of thought-provoking content with which we are hoping to engage our parent and teacher audience. She was generous with her time both before and after the talk, answering questions for folks. She made it a special night for all!" - Neil Gordon, CEO, Discovery Museums
Thank you for your talk tonight at the Fay School. It was one of the best I've heard in a long while. I have three children at three different academic levels and abilities. I learned something tonight that I can relate to each child. Parenting, and parenting well, can be so overwhelming at times, so thank you so much for tonight! - Kathy Lohnes, parent
"Jessica spoke to a rapt audience of parents and teachers from our school as well as from the surrounding community. She explained pertinent research in clear and easily understood terms, and dispensed guidance and advice in a supportive and friendly manner. Everyone left with at least one new skill to apply in their classrooms or around the dinner table at homework time. Jessica’s anecdotes about her own experiences as a mother and teacher were not only entertaining; they made us feel that we were benefiting from the wisdom of a trusted friend. I highly recommend her for your school community, and am looking forward to reading her book!" - Matthew Bradley, Head of School, East Woods School
"Jessica presented to both the parent community at Severn School as well as the Middle School and Upper School students. The information she presented to parents was spot-on and very well received. Her discussion on the differences between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation was a great foundation in which to understand ways parents could support their children to become more independent. She had a very nice way of giving parents 'permission' and reasons grounded in research to 'back off' as their children learn and grow with new responsibilities. Jessica is a speaker who is very relatable and connects easily with her audiences! We were honored to have her speak to our community this fall!" - Karin Mitchell, Lower School counselor, Severn School
"Jessica's presentation focused on teaching children the intrinsic value of resilience, perseverance and learning from a growth-oriented mindset. In essence, how to foster and promote their success within a supportive framework that discourages parents from over scheduling and hovering. It was a good reminder to us all that it's okay for a child to experience small and reasonable failures. It's all about "the getting up" when you're knocked down. Jess is very articulate and persuasive and she was a joy to work with. I highly recommend her." - Linda Holden-Bryant, former PA president, Hackley School