GEAR UP Is Cool
Thanks for connecting with CoolSpeak, this landing page is just for you! Here you’ll find free resources to help you level up your engagement and ensure you’re making decisions aligned with the core needs of your school, community, or organization.
Resources From The 2025 GEAR UP West Conference
Carlos Ojeda Jr.
Carlos Ojeda Jr. is a nationally acclaimed speaker, educator, and youth development expert with over 25 years of experience inspiring students, parents, and educators. As the founder of CoolSpeak, the nation’s leading youth engagement company, Carlos combines his passion for education with his entrepreneurial spirit to empower the next generation.
Unlocking the Magic of Student Engagement: Making High Impact Programming (HIP) Work for You
Joaquín Zihuatanejo
Joaquín Zihuatanejo is an author, poet, spoken word artist, and award-winning teacher. Born and raised in the barrio of East Dallas, Joaquín expertly captures the duality of the Chicano culture. He’s captivated thousands with his honest depiction of barrio life. Joaquin is a highly sought educator for his writing workshops, especially college and scholarship essay sessions.
Stand Up & Be Heard: Bringing Poetry and an On Campus Poetry Anthology to Your Middle School/High School Students
Dollars For Scholars
Joaquín Zihuatanejo
Joaquín Zihuatanejo is an author, poet, spoken word artist, and award-winning teacher. Born and raised in the barrio of East Dallas, Joaquín expertly captures the duality of the Chicano culture. He’s captivated thousands with his honest depiction of barrio life. Joaquin is a highly sought educator for his writing workshops, especially college and scholarship essay sessions.
Stand Up & Be Heard: Bringing Poetry and an On Campus Poetry Anthology to Your Middle School/High School Students
Dollars For Scholars
Chris Collins
Chris Collins is a speaker, author, and culture coach whose message uniquely blends humor and knowledge while bringing energy to provide high-impact moments with results that last long after the presentation. His deep passion for student leadership, combined with his expertise in leadership strategies and love of music, allows him to share authentic messages and ideas that are both engaging and effective.
You Belong Here: Combating Imposter Phenomenon With Goal Setting
CoolSpeak Services GEAR UP Partners Love!
Keynotes
Dynamic Speakers. Real Impact.
Our CoolSpeakers turn personal stories into powerful life lessons. Whether it’s a student assembly or professional conference, CoolSpeak keynotes are energizing, authentic, and unforgettable.
Professional Development
Relevant. Actionable. Anything But Boring.
Professional development that energizes your team with relevant, real-world strategies to boost student engagement and restore motivation in the classroom and beyond.
Summer Camps
More Than Camp. It’s A Movement.
CoolSpeak camps combine leadership, motivation, and fun in high-energy environments where students build skills in leadership, storytelling, college readiness, and more. We create transformative experiences that stay with students long after summer ends.
Classroom Takeovers
Inspiration In The Classroom.
CoolSpeak’s Classroom Takeovers bring creativity and self-expression into your classroom, turning CoolSpeak’s time into teachable hours. Bring CoolSpeak directly into your school day for poetry, creative writing, leadership, financial literacy, and more.
CoolSpeak Helps You Put the Motivation Back into Education
CoolSpeak: A Youth Engagement Company will provide you with tangible benefits typically not available to individual speakers. With our combined talent and live & online resources, we’re able to serve the entire community – students, parents, and teachers – with a comprehensive plan to address your goals and needs.
Join CoolSpeak and make a positive and sustainable impact with our youth and our communities.
Let’s Get Started
We help you put the motivation back into education.
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CoolSpeak is the Nation’s #1 Youth Engagement Company for Students, Parents, and Teachers.
We Help You Put the Motivation Back into Education.
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