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“I have known and worked with James for five years in various capacities involving youth and adult colleagues. I am a career and guidance counselor at a large high school in Lethbridge, Alberta and have many opportunities to interact with youth and the people who work with them. It was in this capacity that I first came to appreciate what James offers to our school and larger community of Lethbridge. James treats people with dignity and respect, no matter their race, gender, age, or socio-economic circumstance. |
Students interact freely and openly with James knowing that he offers them unconditional friendship and guidance. However, I have also been privileged to visit with James and hear his presentation on “Millennium Kids”. Because of his breadth of background, current experience with youth, and ongoing study I believe James is able to share valid and valued information about today’s youth. As a professional, I appreciate this knowledge as it assists me in making sense of what sometimes seem to be incomprehensible attitudes and behaviours. James always presents his knowledge from a core belief in the goodness of people, and especially youth. James shares all information clearly and engages his audience with anecdotes, and examples of current trends. I would not hesitate to refer James as a valued speaker or colleague who consistently puts people as his number one priority.”
- Public School Guidance Counselor
“James was one of the best instructors I have ever had! He is so passionate about the course and the material, and he is approachable if you have any questions. He cares a lot about his students and does everything he can to help them. It was a fantastic experience.”
“I very much enjoyed James teachings. He has a good speaking voice and walks around the class to keep us interested and sometimes makes sound effects in lectures. Some of the vocabulary he used was tough but it helped me to expand. He uses all methods: audio, visual, kin. etc. I enjoyed the clips and graphs. One graph was followed by an explanation and then he would walk up and point to it afterwards and handed out a book with loads of related pictures. This helped me with questions on exams. If only everything could be taught this way I would learn so much more. Thank you for a relevant to my life and career course with such a great teacher.”
“James is the best prof I have ever had! Every class was well presented and interesting. He was very personable and extremely passionate about the material.”
“James was very open to all discussions in class and demonstrated respect for all ideas voiced by students; helpful in clarifying information and using examples that everyone would understand.”
- Sociology of Youth students
“James served as a facilitator at our fall retreat for the School of Business. Faculty and staff have provided extremely positive feedback – especially concerning the fascinating, relevant, and reflective information provided concerning working with the millennial generation now fully present on college campuses across North America. There is no question that everyone left the retreat with new knowledge and strategies to better engage millennial students, and plans to adapt courses and assignments because of the information provided and subsequent conversations throughout the retreat. James utilizes photographs, movie clips, television commercials, print media, advertisements, data from past national youth studies by his colleague Dr. Reginald Bibby at University of Lethbridge and content from his own book (Soul Searching the Millennial Generation) to weave together a scintillating presentation. And, he draws on considerable strengths, skills, and resources to create the conditions necessary for a rich, engaging session filled with dialogue, discourse, and participation by everyone present. Further, James operates within a place of abundance himself, evident in the way he carries himself in the world – the way he lives his life full of relations, obligation and address. Above all, James intellectual and abiding interest in youth and young people is enspirited, applicable, and affectionate.”
- Community College Dean
“James is an exceptional individual. Not only is he a strong advocate for parental involvement in the lives of our children, especially during those teenage years when it is often more difficult for parents to play a role, but he also has the unique ability to see that relationship through the eyes of our youth. He believes strongly in family, but also understands the desire for kids to be ‘unique’, and ‘different’, and ‘distinct’.
But where I saw James as the educator, the motivational speaker, was when we asked him to share his Millennial Youth presentation with a group of parents. His insight into today’s young adults is a real eye opener, and coupled with his skillful presentation technique he delivered an engaging and entertaining evening. Parents loved it.”
- Parent, Business Leader and School Council Chair
“James was engaging and connected well with the students and challenged them with great sensitivity with regards to cultural contextualization and the presentation of his material. The response from the seminary and the students was positive and deeply appreciative of James spirit of humility. James has an immense amount to offer the world of youth ministry and I am hoping that he will be available once again for future ventures in leadership development among youth leaders here.”
- International Youth Ministry Training Coordinator
“Mr. Penner was a guest speaker at one of our Junior Achievement events chosen because of his mastery in the area of youth research along with his ability to discern what is happening with our younger generation. After speaking to our attendees the comment that kept being repeated was “I would like to hear more about what James has to say. Is it possible to bring him back?” With the wealth of information that he was able to supply that is not surprising that we heard that. I would highly recommend James for any event whereby you need factual information delivered in a scholarly format.”
- Provincial Junior Achievement President and CEO