RECENT TESTIMONIALS
Hands down, absolutely the best speaker I've ever heard!
- teacher
McHenry County, IL
April 2024
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Hi Jordan! You were just at my school yesterday at Marian Central! I wanted to let you know how much your message resonates with me. I have been diagnosed with adhd for 13 years (i’m 17). It’s always been something that I’ve felt embarrassed about. I never told anyone. This year (my junior year) was the first time I told even my best friends. I’m scared that they’ll see me differently or think that I’m weird. Your message really made me understand how we are all so different but that is what makes us beautiful. Thank you for spreading this beautiful message. And bringing awareness to this topic!
- student
Marian Central Catholic High School
Woodstock, IL
April 2024
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Hey Jordan im a student at Woodstock north high school i just wanted to say omg everything you where talking about i relate to so much i have an IEP and ADHD i relate to everything you said from being scared to raise your hand and getting the question wrong to not wanting to read because you would get the words wrong and people would laugh. my life is really hard right now i struggle with school everyday when you came to school on Tuesday for me it was a really really hard day i woke up at 5am and it was so hard for me to even stay together that day. you have truly changed the way i look at life now and you inspired me to even on my bad days to keep going honestly i think you are my new idol. You have changed my mind set and im so happy you talked to our school Tuesday because if you hadn't idk where i would be right now your so inspiaring and its really incredible what you are doing to get your voice heard i read your book in just 1 day and it was so amazing your story truly amazing i juts wanted to say thank you for making me realize that even when my life is hard there is always a brght light at the end of the day. i went straight home and gave my mom a big hug and told her thank you for everything she has done for me! thank you so much for everything jordan its really incredible
-student
Woodstock North High School
Woodstock, IL
April 2024
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Had the opportunity to hear @imjustakidwithaniep speak at Marian Central Catholic today. Jordan is a dynamic speaker with a story and that can resonate with so many people, me included,
Two things stuck in my head:
1. My struggle Is my strength.
2. It's not about the grades but rather the journey to get those grades.
If you don't know him, check him out. You won't be disappointed!
- Shawn
Woodstock, IL
April 2024
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Hi Jordan- my son and I got home not too long ago from your amazing event tonight. I’m sure you’re tired after a long day. I just had to let you know how special you are and just how much of an impact you have on the people you speak to.
I have been a fan of yours for a while. I always comment on your mom videos, as they really hit home as a mom of three young adult boys. I also talked to you in the beginning of the school year in hopes of trying to get you to my school to speak to the students. I’m still working on that. 🤞I know you hear stories from so many of the kids that you meet but I just had to let you know how much my son A. got out of meeting you tonight. He also became a fan after I sent him and his two brothers many of your mom videos as well as some of your other inspirational videos about never giving up and all of that. I would always speak to him about you and how you struggled with so many things and persevered and look at where you are now. So he didn’t give me any argument when I mentioned your event a while ago and we got our tickets. I only wish my other two were able to attend.
A. who is my youngest, he’s 20, has been struggling, major struggles in school since preschool, and some health stuff over the last couple of years. He had to have multiple surgeries and finally is doing better with that, but is still in such a very tough place. All of my kids are, but he’s been struggling the most lately and I just can’t even tell you, and I’m tearing right now as I’m writing this, just how much your honesty and openness with your own struggles really resonated with him tonight. We had a great discussion on the way home and he thought you were great and he knew you were real, otherwise he and a lot of those kids that were there tonight, would’ve not listened to you so intently. You have an honesty and a way of captivating your audience just by being you. There were so many things that you said that I always say to him, but I think hearing it from somebody else that’s been through similar struggles, especially the school stuff and the confidence, just meant so much. It’s not easy for a lot of these kids to sit for over two hours and listen to somebody so intently, yet as I looked around the auditorium, everybody was so focused and listening to your every word and I can’t thank you enough for being so authentic.
Your ability to connect with these kids is amazing and even the little boy Liam just sharing his story in front of everybody was amazing and that’s what you do for these kids and for us parents. Hearing you talk about your mom all the time, she reminds me of me and all of the other moms and dads sitting in the audience tonight. I literally can go on and on, I don’t even know if you’re going to get this message but I hope you do. I’m sure you get lots of them from people around the world, but I just wanted to let you know how special you are. My son said to me, I felt like he was talking to me, and I said, A, that’s when you know you have an amazing person up on that stage because they make it seem like they’re talking to you directly and I reminded him that everybody in that audience no matter how old they were, were struggling in some way, even us parents. Thank you for all you do. It is invaluable to the kids and the parents both. I’m so glad your mom never gave up on you and most importantly, that you never gave up on you and I hope that’s what A. and everybody in that auditorium away from tonight. I hope you get some much-needed rest tonight. And thank you again! Tonight you validated everything I knew you were and more and it was an honor for my son and I to meet you.
- parent
Long Island, NY
April 2024
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Yo dude you were at my school today in bayport blue point i just wanted to say that was real cool keep doing u man
- student
James Wilson Young Middle School
Bayport, NY
April 2024
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Hey jordan! I just wanted to say thank you for coming to my school today. You really changed my perspective on life and you taught me to be greatful for my mom. My mom follows you and she admires your kind words. I really listened to everything you said today and i’m never going to forget it. Thank you for changing lives and keep doing what you’re doing.
- student
James Wilson Young Middle School
Bayport, NY
April 2024
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Hey Jordan just reaching out idk if ur going to see this u came to my middle school today James Wilson young and I loved what u said thank you
- student
James Wilson Young Middle School
Bayport, NY
April 2024
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thanks dude! For everything that story reached me I’m sure it reached others
- student
James Wilson Young Middle School
Bayport, NY
April 2024
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Hi! I was one of the students you talked to and I just want you to know you changed my life.
So thank you
- student
March 2024
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Hey Jordan, I saw your speech. You came to my school, the mount olive high school in New Jersey. I just thought that your speech was so inspiring. And thank you for coming. ❤️ You helped me learn to appreciate those who support you the whole way and really to appreciate my mom. I really think you changed my life. Thank you! ❤️
- high school student
Mount Olive High School
Flanders, NJ
March 2024
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I am a kid from Mount Pleasant I just want to say I loved your show today and I've been struggling with my mental health for the past few months and I just wanted to say your speech about mental health and all that really helped me keep going thanks man I appreciate you💯💯
- high school student
Mount Pleasant, PA
March 2024
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Finding Jordan Toma to address students' lagging skills in perseverance, motivation and the reality of working hard was great! He is so relatable for students. They were mesmerized.
At our school, we will continue to use his motto, "Your struggle is your strength," and reference him and his story when working with our students.
Thank you-
Lynn Cummings
School Counselor
Lester C. Noecker School
Roseland, NJ
March 2024
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Henry B. Whitehorne Middle School
600 Bloomfield Avenue
Verona, New Jersey 07044
January 27, 2024
Dear Fans of Jordan Toma,
If you are considering Jordan Toma for a speaking engagement, my advice is to contact his office immediately. If you have been inspired by Jordan’s book or by his videos, let me assure you that you will be even more inspired after you hear him speak in person.
The day of the visit, Jordan arrived early to prepare everything and to say hello to staff. As soon as the students entered the room, Jordan began interacting with them, talking to them and giving out prizes.
We squeezed 670 students in grades 5 through 8 into the school gym, but you could hear a pin drop when Jordan began speaking. He moved throughout the crowd, and really connected with our students. He spoke from the heart, sharing his struggles with ADHD, anxiety, and dyslexia. What I love most about Jordan’s message is that he is so unflinchingly honest. He doesn’t hold anything back. He is a great role model who proves that it’s cool to be sensitive and admit to your vulnerabilities. He teaches students that everyone struggles, and it is nothing to be ashamed of. He promises them that things get better because part of being human is getting better at handling whatever challenges life brings. I had to hold back tears as I saw my students looking up at him with such hope in their eyes.
There is no doubt in my mind that Jordan is a remarkable person with a unique gift. Somehow he is able to walk into a room of over 700 people and make each and every single person, child or adult, feel seen. I feel blessed to have met Jordan and to have had the opportunity to introduce him to my school community. All of the feedback I received from staff, students, and parents was overwhelmingly positive.
I look forward to the day when I can invite Jordan back to my school. I hope you have a chance to meet Jordan, too.
Sincerely,
Jen Kleinknecht, School Librarian
HBW Middle School
jkleinknecht@veronaschools.org
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Dana Hoover Review
As a teacher in my 26th year, I have sat through many assemblies. I’ve watched speakers’ words go in one ear and out the other. Until today.
Jordan Toma shared his journey with our 4th through 8th graders. He engaged them and spoke to their hearts and minds.
I can’t tell you how many faces lit up. They recognized themselves in Jordan’s story. They were moved. All of them. Jordan reached them in a way that no one else has been able to.
As I sat and watched Jordan’s presentation which felt like a rock concert at times with how cool and fun the vibe was, my heart exploded.
As a teacher and a parent of a child with an IEP, Jordan’s visit was the best “Professional Development” I have ever had.
I wish every child could hear and see Jordan in person. It is his calling. He is a gift to us all/
Furthermore, Jordan’s story needs to be heard by every parent and adult in education. He will motivate you, remind you that you’re doing right by your child, and really make you understand that OUR WORDS become the inner thoughts of our students and children.
Jordan…as you continue your journey, I encourage you to start exploring the possibility of talking directly to teachers and parents.
Today, you made many kids feel stronger, stand a little taller, and understand that their struggle is their strength. Additionally, the parents and teachers that were in attendance benefited greatly. Thank you for helping us become better…to do better for our children and students.
The struggles you went through were actually blessings. God knew you needed to go through it in order to touch the lives of so many.
Dana Hoover
Third Grade Teacher
St. Gregory the Great Academy
Proud to be a Mom of a Kid With An IEP!