First Lady Michelle Obama Speaks on The Power of Education

Summary

Mrs. Obama returns to the Columbia Heights Education Campus to inspire students, emphasizing the importance of education and the goal of America becoming the world leader in college graduates by 2020. She shares personal stories and those of students like Menbere and Roger, highlighting the power of determination and the impact of higher education on future opportunities. Mrs. Obama encourages students to take control of their education, use available resources, and persevere despite challenges, promising to continue advocating for their success.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Mrs. Obama emphasizes the importance of education, highlighting the goal set by President Obama for the United States to have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by 2020.
• 📈 She points out the decline in the U.S. ranking for college graduates, slipping from first to twelfth, and calls for action to reverse this trend.
• 👨‍🎓 The speech underscores the necessity of higher education, as nearly two-thirds of future jobs will require some form of training beyond high school.
• 💪 Mrs. Obama stresses the individual responsibility of students in their educational journey, stating that the most significant impact on a student's education comes from the student themselves.
• 🏆 She shares personal anecdotes, including her own determination and hard work to achieve academic success and attend Princeton, serving as an inspiration for students.
• 🌟 The speech introduces Menbere and Roger as examples of students who have overcome challenges through dedication and commitment to their education.
• 🤝 Mrs. Obama acknowledges the collective effort needed from parents, teachers, and community leaders to support students in their educational pursuits.
• 💼 She discusses the initiatives by President Obama and Secretary Duncan to strengthen schools, support teachers, and make college more affordable for all students.
• 🌐 Mrs. Obama mentions resources like College Navigator, College Scorecard, and StudentAid.gov, which are designed to assist students in finding affordable educational programs and financial aid.
• 🗣️ The speech concludes with an invitation for a two-way conversation, encouraging students to share their dreams, concerns, and suggestions on how to improve access to higher education.

Q & A

Why did Mrs. Obama return to the Columbia Heights Education Campus?

Mrs. Obama returned to the Columbia Heights Education Campus because she was thrilled to be back and proud of the progress made by the students and staff. She considered it the best place to begin the conversation about education.

What is the significance of the year 2020 in Mrs. Obama's speech?

The year 2020 is significant because it was set as a goal by President Obama for the United States to have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by that year, coinciding with the time when the students present would be graduating from college.

Why did the United States slip from being number one to 12th in college graduates?

The speech does not explicitly state the reasons for the slip, but it implies that it is due to a lack of emphasis and investment in higher education over the past couple of decades.

What is the importance of higher education according to Mrs. Obama?

According to Mrs. Obama, higher education is crucial because by the year 2020, nearly two-thirds of all jobs in the United States would require some form of training beyond high school.

What steps did Mrs. Obama take to overcome her challenges in high school and college?

Mrs. Obama worked hard to get the best grades, got involved in leadership opportunities, developed close relationships with teachers and administrators, applied for financial aid, and used negativity as motivation to fuel her progress.

How did Mrs. Obama's parents influence her educational journey?

Mrs. Obama's parents had an unwavering belief in the power of education and always pushed her and her brother to succeed in school, encouraging her to enroll in one of the best schools in Chicago.

What was the role of Menbere in Mrs. Obama's speech?

Menbere was introduced as a proud representative of the school and her story was highlighted as one that students should emulate.

Why did President Obama and Secretary Duncan work to make college more affordable?

They worked to make college more affordable to ensure that all young people in the United States, regardless of their background, have the opportunity to continue their education after high school.

What is the message Mrs. Obama wants students to take away from her speech?

Mrs. Obama wants students to understand that they have the power to commit to their education, fulfill their potential, and unlock opportunities by taking control of their education and not letting anything stand in their way.

How does Mrs. Obama define the role of students in achieving the 2020 goal?

Mrs. Obama defines the role of students in achieving the 2020 goal as taking responsibility for their education, setting high goals, and working hard to overcome obstacles and challenges.