By Yuxi Chen
June 15, 2026
On April 28, 2026, motivational speaker Jordan Toma shared his story during a presentation at JMS to encourage JMS students to treat each other with respect and kindness.
Toma not only has a large social media following, but also travels to schools all around the country to share his amazing story with students. Toma’s young life and childhood was not easy, as he dealt with bullying from elementary school all the way through high school. This intimidated him and made him hesitant to participate and join in activities with others. Eventually, he found out that one of his gifts was speaking about his experiences to motivate others, and this sparked his successful career today. His reason for sharing his story is that he wants children to learn from his experience so that they will take more opportunities and become more outgoing. Craig Lonshein, a student that witnessed Toma’s presentation states, “Before I met Jordan Toma, I was rather quiet and didn’t participate as much in class because I had a fear I was gonna get the question wrong. I decided to think about his presentation and tried to participate more, and it went amazingly.” This shows that Jordan Toma’s presentation can have an effect on his audience’s daily interactions and can improve their overall learning experience.
Toma’s life story is often relatable to students, and his presentation encourages them to make positive changes. At the start of his presentation, Toma gave away many shirts and bracelets labeled, “My Struggle is My Strength,” and "I'm Just A Kid With An IEP.” He also has social media where he posts inspirational content about appreciating the things around you and growing as a person. Toma wants students to be motivated to be their best each day. Craig Lonshein states, “Jordan Toma is an amazing person and he wants to inspire young kids to achieve whatever they want to do in life.”
Jordan Toma impacted many students with his presentation, with advice that can be applied at home and at school. His message extends beyond the Jericho community as he encourages students throughout the country to be confident in themselves and be an active part of their community. For those who have the opportunity to hear him in person, his presentation is a truly memorable experience.