Mandela Was Right - Education Changes the World, and So Do You

Mandela Was Right - Education Changes the World, and So Do You
Image supplied Ellise Hollie Hayward

By Ellise Hollie-Hayward

Our Disabilities Editor Ellise was born with Cerebral Palsy and is on a mission to share her optimism and encouragement with the world. Here she gives a word of encouragement to educators after her latest motivational talk.

Ellise and some of the Jill Dando News patrons at the Good News Post

“One of the greatest people to live in the last 100 years, Nelson Mandela was right when he said: 'Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.'

In my visits to schools, colleges and universities across the UK, I’m seeing this first hand.

I believe everyone who works in education makes a positive difference in someone's or many people's lives. So if you are in education - be encouraged!

I always leave them with some messages of encouragement and support as follows:

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO WORKS IN EDUCATION

  • I would like to give a lot of credit to everyone who works in education.
  • Every teacher will hold a special place in my heart.
  • It's important to approach with a positive attitude.
    In secondary school I was given choices and options, it made me feel that I wasn't the most difficult child to support.
  • A good sense of humour is important.

I just had the pleasure of going back to Plymouth University where I'm beginning to be a familiar face - it was so great to be back again!

For the third year in a row, Plymouth University invited me back to be a keynote speaker at their very last Equality, Diversity and Inclusion conference 2025.

I had the pleasure of delivering a presentation to an audience of upcoming new educational professionals, which was part of their EDI topic and developing their skills in inclusion and disability.

My presentation was based on my experiences in mainstream schools and what I went through as a student with cerebral palsy.

My main message was ‘ask, never assume’ and working and communicating as a team to ensure that all needs are met and allowing the student to have a voice. 

I often see a lot of passion in trainee teachers and I really love when they really take everything in that I say and see them making notes. Nothing greater than seeing a room full of hands up with their questions to ask me afterwards, it is one of my favourite parts of being a motivational/public speaker. 


I always love it when organisations ask me back to speak to them again, I always feel a sense of happiness and love and it reminds me why I do this and the impact that I made in sometimes a space of 20 minutes.

It really is one of the best feelings in the world! Educators at all levels - keep up the great work!”

For more stories by Ellise and Jill Dando News click here

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