Hollywood 'Freedom Writer' Closing Speaker at Illinois Association of School Boards Conference on November 21, 2010

CHICAGO, Nov. 18, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- An Original Freedom Writer, Manuel V. Scott, whose story is told in the Hollywood movie, Freedom Writers, starring two-time Academy Award® winner Hillary Swank, will be the speaker for the third general session of the 78th Joint Annual Conference of the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB), Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA), and Illinois Association of School Business Officials (Illinois ASBO), to Illinois education leaders.

Scott says, "People often say 'you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.'  It's true you can't make it drink, but you can slap some salt in its mouth and make it thirsty!"  He will share practical, proven strategies on how to create a thirst for education in students; and, he will inspire leaders to renew their commitment to changing lives.

"I was once dismissed as 'unreachable' and 'unteachable,' and classified as an 'English as a Second Language' student," says Scott.  At the age of fourteen, Manuel dropped out of school, and began to fulfill the awful prediction that he would be either dead or in jail by the age of eighteen.  

However, due to an amazing transformation, Manuel has defied all the odds stacked against him.  "Something special happened, and I love sharing that message with others."  The once high school dropout now holds degrees from the University of California at Berkeley, and Trinity International University.  He is the author of Take Matters Into Your Own Hands: Dream Now!

"I do not share my story to impress people," Scott explains, "but to impress upon them some invaluable lessons that could literally change the quality of their lives forever.  When I speak, I make sure that audiences are crystal clear about how to transform their lives, classrooms, departments, or organizations."

Scott is a nationally recognized speaker whose bold story encouraged him to rethink beliefs about himself and others, and to re-chart his future and become a citizen for change.

To learn more about Manuel and see clips of his dynamic presentation, visit www.manuelvscott.com.

SOURCE Glimpse LLC