Biography

Prior to embarking on his career as a speaker and advocate for kindness, Rich was a science teacher for 15 years at a middle school on Long Island, New York.  As a man of science, perspective is something he learned at a younger age than most, and has always been something he was fascinated with.  On his thirteenth birthday, Rich was admitted to the hospital with a life-threatening condition called benign idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension.  His bout with the disease nearly killed him and robbed him of the vision in his right eye.  Realizing how short life could be, Rich decided to make the most of his time and made a pact with himself to make every day count.

For almost 25 years he stood by that code until life tested him again with the tragic loss of his only son, Richard Edwin-Ehmer (Rees) Specht at just 22 months old.  Just when he was ready to give in to despair, a kind stranger came to him and reminded him of the power of simple acts of kindness.  The acts of kindness that he and his family received after Rees’ passing inspired them to “pay forward” that kindness.

Rich and his wife started “The ReesSpecht Life Foundation” in memory of their son.  Its goal was simple: Remind people of the power of human kindness;  which the foundation does in the form of scholarships for High School seniors, and the worldwide distribution of almost four hundred thousand ReesSpecht Life “pay it forward” cards.

The work of Rich and the ReesSpecht Life Foundation has been featured by The Today Show, Fox and Friends, CBS News and many other news outlets and publications.  In 2014, Rich wrote the award winning children’s book “A Little Rees Specht Cultivates Kindness”, which is slated to become an animated television series that teaches children that our kind acts are like seeds that help to cultivate kindness in others.  The book and television adaptations of A Little Rees Specht Cultivates Kindness represents the culmination of Rich’s goal to help make this world a little better, one Rees’ piece at a time.

Rich’s presentations are sure to leave your students/staff with the belief that they too have the power to overcome anything life throws at them and make a difference in this world.

Grades K-2:  (30-45 minutes). Assembly consists of a reading of Rich’s children’s book (animated with sound effects) and a brief discussion of the story.  Students are engaged to look at kindness like a seed that they can plant.  Mr. Specht will bring along real seeds and question the children as to how/what they can do to make them grow.  Rich then takes those attributes they mentioned and ties them into the idea that if we want kindness to grow we need to cultivate it, just like our seeds. A sing along to “We are spreading the seeds of kindness” follows.  Rich finishes by tying everything back to the book and ends the presentation challenging your students to use their super-power of kindness and spread the seeds of kindness.  All students and staff in attendance will receive “seed of kindness” cards to motivate them to go out and spread some kindness.  Includes follow up coloring activity.

Grades 3-5: (30 minutes to 1 hour). This program is different than the K-2 presentation and does not directly involve the book.  The book is mentioned and the theme of cultivating kindness like a seed is still the main focus.  The difference with this presentation is it focuses a bit more on Rich’s family’s story.  The main focus is on the kindness the family received after Rees’ accident (his passing is not mentioned) and the effect it had on them and their community.  Rich then recounts how they came up with our “Pay it Forward Cards” and how they quickly spread across the world (Over 380,000 at current count).   Mr. Specht demonstrates the idea that one kind act can lead to another and start a chain reaction.  He shows them a growth chart that ends with him pointing out that it is his wish to change the world…

The presentation ends with a challenge to your students to think a little bit about how they see the world – and their ability to change it.  Rich uses his science background, and some interactive tools, to challenge your student’s perceptions of perspective.  When all is said and done, he will have your students amazed at how much of a difference a simple change in our point of view can make.  Rich finishes the presentation with a challenge to the students to go out and plant the seeds of kindness and open up people’s eyes to a different way of seeing the world – because if we see the good in the world, we can make this world a better place, one Rees’ piece at a time.

Middle School: (40 minutes to 1 hour or more)

Rich’s middle school programs are designed to show just how powerful kindness is and the importance of perspective and choice when it comes to thinking of our place in the world and our ability to make a difference in it.

The formation of the Cultivate Kindness movement is set against the backdrop of Rees’ passing and the events that transpired afterwards.  Rich shares with the students several examples of the exceptionally kind acts the family received following Rees’ passing and the family’s repeated efforts to repay those kind deeds

Not accepting that those who helped them in the darkest hour would not take anything in return, he recounts how they came up with our “Pay it Forward Cards” and how they quickly spread across the world (Over 390,000 at current count).  Using his science background, and a clever demonstration, Rich reinforces and proves the idea that one kind act can start a chain reaction of kindness.  He shows them a growth chart that ends with him pointing out that it is his wish to change the world…

The presentation ends with a challenge to your students to think a little bit about how they see the world – and their ability to change it with their actions.  Using more of his science background, and some interactive tools, Mr. Specht will challenge your student’s perceptions of perspective.  He will prove to your students that their actions, both good and bad, matter – and all have consequences.  When all is said and done, Mr. Specht will have your students amazed at how much of a difference a simple change in their point of view can make.  Rich finishes the presentation with a challenge to the students to go out and make a change for the better by starting their own chain reaction of kindness.  This presentation will open your student’s eyes to a different way of seeing the world – allowing them to see the good in it, and that their ability to make it even better starts from within.  All students and staff in attendance will receive a “Cultivate Kindness Pay it Forward Card” to help them in their quest to make this world a better place, one Rees’ piece at a time.

High School/College:  (40 minutes to 1 hour or more)

Rich’s High School programs are designed to show just how powerful kindness is and to address the misconception that kindness is “just for kids”.  The presentation starts with the idea that simply wishing for the world to be a better place is insufficient.  Using his science experience, Rich proves that wishes alone accomplish nothing and that waiting for a wish to come true is the recipe for apathy.  Additional themes include the importance of perspective and choice when it comes to thinking of our place in the world and our ability to make a difference in it.

The formation of the Cultivate Kindness movement is set against the backdrop of Rees’ passing and the events that transpired afterwards.  Rich shares with the students several examples of the exceptionally kind acts the family received following Rees’ passing and the family’s repeated efforts to repay those kind deeds.

Not accepting that those who helped them in the darkest hour would not take anything in return, he recounts how they came up with our “Pay it Forward Cards” and how they quickly spread across the world (Over 390,000 at current count).  Using his science background, and a clever demonstration, Rich reinforces and proves the idea that one kind act can start a chain reaction of kindness.  He shows them a growth chart that ends with him pointing out that it is his wish goal to change the world…

The presentation ends with a challenge to your students to think a little bit about how they see the world – and their ability to change it with their actions.  Using more of his science background, and some interactive tools, Mr. Specht will challenge your student’s perceptions of perspective.  He will prove to your students that their choices and actions, both good and bad, matter – and all have consequences.  Most importantly, he will demonstrate that the most dangerous choice is choosing to do nothing at all.  When all is said and done, Mr. Specht will have your students amazed at how much of a difference a simple change in their point of view can make.  Rich finishes the presentation with a challenge to the students to go out and make a change for the better by starting their own chain reaction of kindness.  This presentation will open your student’s eyes to a different way of seeing the world – allowing them to see the good in it, and that their ability to make it even better starts from within.  All students and staff in attendance will receive a “Cultivate Kindness Pay it Forward Card” to help them in their quest to make this world a better place, one Rees’ piece at a time.

Elementary:

“We are still “cultivating kindness” at East Quogue Elementary! We all ordered shirts, books and extra cards. We can’t wait to help increase the number of Rees’ Pieces! Your heartfelt assembly and words really touched us. Thank you!” – Jackie Martin (Teacher East Quogue Elementary)

“I am in awe of your strength and the ease with which you connected with both the children and adults during your presentation. It is obvious that you have worked hard to polish it without seeming too practiced. Your message is simple, yet powerful and has already changed the world. I am sure of that. When I gave my fifth-grade students their kindness cards this afternoon, I asked them to draft a list of 10 acts of kindness they could gift to someone. I explained that their kindness has the capacity to change the world, so to be thoughtful about the way they choose to “spend” their kindness card. It ignited such a deep and beautiful conversation in our classroom. My hope is your hope, Rich, and I thank you for being the face and voice of that hope. Rees’ legacy will live forever in every act of kindness and it all began with you.”  – Kristine A. (Teacher Cherokee Street Elementary School)

“I think this was by far the best cultural arts program we have ever had! Students were engaged entire time. They all walked away with a great feeling of how each one of them could plant a seed of kindness throughout their everyday life. As a teacher I observed them cultivating it the remainder of the day. Loved it. Thank you for continuing to plant Reese’s seeds around the world.” – Barbara Haining (Mills Pond Elementary School)

Middle:

“I was fortunate enough to sit in on your presentation today (I had to make sure the mic stayed working) at Seneca middle school. Your story and presentation was moving, sad, inspirational, funny and more! to see a couple hundred 6th graders sit quietly for over an hour is quite an accomplishment! I am truly sorry for your loss, but what you have decided to do with it is nothing short of amazing! As a dad myself, I connected on many levels with your words. You provided a way to reach every individual in the auditorium- no small feat! I hope you can take your story and message far beyond Long Island and New York for that matter, the world needs to experience your amazing story!”  –Jim Enright (Seneca Middle School)

“Among the best, if not the best and most powerful presentations I have seen in this auditorium in 30 years of teaching [at I.S. 281]“. – Mark Hayden(Assistant Principal I.S. 281 Brooklyn)

High School:

“It was an awesome presentation- heartbreaking, but you’ve really turned tragedy into something amazing! I can tell you were once a teacher, as you definitely kept their attention.” – Dr. Laura Inscoe (Wakefield High School)

“…this organization is truly inspirational. I’ve now seen you speak twice at Driftwood Day Camp as a staff member, and they have both been incredible. Keep doing exactly what you do!” –Jamie G. (Counselor Driftwood Day Camp)

“Your presentation brought tears to my eyes but joy to my heart.  It was truly a privilege to have heard your story… Thank you for bringing true hope back into my heart.” Caterina P. (Suffolk Community College)