Transforming ourone child at a time
Learning to lead in love!
"Choose Love is a movement that role models and encourages students to assume goodness in others. It challenges us to be accepting of our unique characteristics and the value each of us brings to the world."
Who We Are
Jill and Laura are the founders of Choose Love in Schools. They are excited about helping future generations lead in love.
Jill Miller
Laura Pedersen
Choose Love is a movement that role models and encourages students to assume goodness in others. It challenges us to accept our unique characteristics and the value each of us brings to the world.
"Our vision is to transform our nation one student at a time."
Love calls us to go beyond our comfort zone and choose kindness and compassion instead of judgment, choose honor and respect over lashing out, choose to agree to disagree, choose to look past our differences and continue to value the other person. We have believed the lie that in order to love someone we have to agree with all their beliefs. Choosing love does not mean we compromise our convictions, but instead we simply choose compassion.
Jill MIller, a singer/songwriter and speaker from Iowa, felt compelled to write a song in response to the racial tension that swept across our nation last summer, as well as the unrest and division surrounding COVID-19 and politics in general.
Torn by having a son who serves in law enforcement and her passion against racism of any kind, she knew she had to do something. She found herself at a place where the negativity on social media and in the news became overwhelming and, like most of us, felt as if we were divided on every front.
As a songwriter, Jill knows that music is a powerful tool, and truth is, she became obsessed with doing something positive! Along with her co-writer Rachel Barrentine, the song "Choose Love" was born. A powerful video A program that has music as one of its key drivers. A song will be written and recorded to go along with each of the 6 principles (see attached). K through 5 would include these songs in the music curriculum, and the song that goes along with the theme for that week is played in the classroom at the start of the week or each day. Getting major artists to record these songs brings everything to a new level! Publish a children’s book for each of the 6 principles (see attached).
In the high schools, we would have a STAT (Student-Teacher Assistant Law Enforcement Officers will be involved, similar to DARE, to assist and support teachers. T-shirts, pins, and other merchandise would be utilized to help promote and keep the idea front of mind. "Choose Love Champions” recognition wall at the school. Every time a student is caught doing an act of love, their name goes on the wall. Weekly “Choose Love Champions” chosen and given rewards, i.e. pizza Monthly/weekly champions are in the running for “Choose Love Champion”of the year. Their name goes on a plaque at the school.
"Choose Love Champion" of the year gets a backstage pass to a concert showcasing local individuals and businesses was created to go along with the song, and the mayor of her hometown declared it “Choose Love Week in Siouxland” last August. Daily acts of love were encouraged in the community.
Here’s the deal, our main goal is to bring light into a dark world. We are convinced that when we approach the issues facing our nation with a mindset of love, true and lasting change can and will happen. And there’s no better place to begin this transformation than with our kids!
We are committed to keeping this message pure and simple, no other agenda but love. This is NOT a political movement, and we will fiercely guard against any other agenda being brought into this movement, whether we agree with the agenda or not. We will do our very best to keep this message pure and simply about love.
When we stand together, we can and will rise up from the negative things happening around us. There is SO much good when we choose to look for it! Together we can be a light that will chase away the darkness when we Choose Love!
Along with her business partner, Laura Pedersen, and encouragement from the local chief of police and other city leaders, Jill and Laura birthed the idea of bringing this song and movement to schools. With the input of local leaders, below are some “big dream” ideas from a brainstorming session and ways this program can impact lives:
- A program that has music as one of its key drivers. A song will be written and recorded to go along with each of the six principles.
- K through 5 would include these songs in the music curriculum, and the song that goes along with the theme for that week is played in the classroom at the start of the week or each day.
- Getting major artists to record these songs brings everything to a new level!
- Publish a children’s book for each of the six principles.
- In high schools, we would have a STAT (Student-Teacher Assistant Team) in place at each school. A teacher would get a stipend to be the "coach” for Choose Love to help drive the program. It would be called a “Choose Crew” and would be similar to Student Council.
- Law Enforcement Officers will be involved, similar to DARE, to assist and support teachers
- T-shirts, pins, and other merchandise would be utilized to help promote and keep the idea front of mind.
- "Choose Love Champions” recognition wall at the school. Every time a student is caught doing an act of love, their name goes on the wall.
- Weekly “Choose Love Champions” chosen and given rewards, i.e. pizza party, medals, hats, etc.
- Monthly/weekly champions are in the running for “Choose Love Champion” of the year. Their name goes on a plaque at the school.
- "Choose Love Champion of the year gets a backstage pass to a concert by one of the Choose Love artists.
- Local TV and radio stations highlight the “Choose Love Champion” of the month.
- High School students become “Choose Love Mentors” to younger kids.
- “Choose Love” logo on football helmets and sports uniforms as a
- Movement support by local businesses, display “Choose Love” signs, and provide financial support. Entire community involved.
- Kids help produce and star in local commercials.
- Redo the "Choose Love" song and video with kids singing it. Each school.
- Pull in the arts (drawings, poetry, creative dance, etc.) centered around each principle. Have a contest and prizes for each principle.
- Citywide event held at the end of the year. Each of the songs would be sung by a different grade. For example, Grade 5 students from all the different schools sing the song about Kindness. The winners of the poetry contest for that grade read their poem at this event, show their artwork,etc. A community celebration to Choose Love!
- A Nashville band plays backup for the event.
As you can see, the sky's the limit!
Who We Are
Choose Love is a movement that role models and encourages students to assume goodness in others. It challenges us to be accepting of our unique characteristics and the value each of us brings to the world.
- Jill Miller - Co-founder
Jill has a zest for life that is contagiou
s! Through her songwriting, speaking and writing, she is simply a friend telling her story, hoping it will touch your heart, encourage you in your struggles, and inspire you to keep reaching for your full potential. She is a Nashville Recording artist and has released 6 CD's to date. She is also a Speaker, Coach and Teacher with the John Maxwell Team.
Laura Pederson - Co-founder
Laura is a Speaker, Coach, and Teacher with the John Maxwell Team and has over 25 years of experience in culture change and organizational training and development.In 2016, Laura released the book, "Choose Joy: Finding Hope and Purpose When Life Hurts." The book is based on her late sister Sara Frankl’s writings about her journey to discovering joy amid a debilitating illness. Since the book’s release, Laura has also published a study guide and video series to accompany the book.
Jill and Laura are the founders of Choose Ministry, a women’s conference with a mission to encourage and equip women to make Godly choices that transform their everyday lives
What is Choose Love?
Choose Love is a movement that role models and encourages students to assume goodness in others. It challenges us to be accepting of our unique characteristics and the value each of us brings to the world.
Our vision is to transform our nation one student at a time.
Love calls us to go beyond our comfort zone and choose kindness and compassion instead of judgment, choose honor and respect over lashing out, choose to agree to disagree, choose to look past our differences and continue to value the other person. We have believed the lie that in order to love someone we have to agree with all their beliefs. Choosing love does not mean we compromise our convictions, but instead we simply choose compassion.
Where did this idea come from?
Jill MIller, a singer/songwriter and speaker from Iowa, felt compelled to write a song in response to the racial tension that swept across our nation last summer, as well as the unrest and division surrounding COVID-19 and politics in general.
Torn by having a son who serves in law enforcement and her passion against racism of any kind, she knew she had to do something. She found herself at a place where the negativity on social media and in the news became overwhelming and, like most of us, felt as if we were divided on every front.
As a songwriter, Jill knows that music is a powerful tool, and truth is, she became obsessed with doing something positive! Along with her co-writer Rachel Barrentine, the song "Choose Love" was born. A powerful video A program that has music as one of its key drivers. A song will be written and recorded to go along with each of the 6 principles (see attached). K through 5 would include these songs in the music curriculum, and the song that goes along with the theme for that week is played in the classroom at the start of the week or each day. Getting major artists to record these songs brings everything to a new level! Publish a children’s book for each of the 6 principles (see attached).
In the high schools, we would have a STAT (Student-Teacher Assistant Law Enforcement Officers will be involved, similar to DARE, to assist and support teachers. T-shirts, pins, and other merchandise would be utilized to help promote and keep the idea front of mind. "Choose Love Champions” recognition wall at the school. Every time a student is caught doing an act of love, their name goes on the wall. Weekly “Choose Love Champions” chosen and given rewards, i.e. pizza Monthly/weekly champions are in the running for “Choose Love Champion”of the year. Their name goes on a plaque at the school.
"Choose Love Champion" of the year gets a backstage pass to a concert showcasing local individuals and businesses was created to go along with the song, and the mayor of her hometown declared it “Choose Love Week in Siouxland” last August. Daily acts of love were encouraged in the community.
Where do we want to go?
Along with her business partner, Laura Pedersen, and encouragement from the local chief of police and other city leaders, Jill and Laura birthed the idea of bringing this song and movement to schools. With the input of local leaders, below are some “big dream” ideas from a brainstorming session and ways this program can impact lives:
- A program that has music as one of its key drivers. A song will be written and recorded to go along with each of the six principles.
- K through 5 would include these songs in the music curriculum, and the song that goes along with the theme for that week is played in the classroom at the start of the week or each day.
- Getting major artists to record these songs brings everything to a new level!
- Publish a children’s book for each of the six principles.
- In high schools, we would have a STAT (Student-Teacher Assistant Team) in place at each school. A teacher would get a stipend to be the "coach” for Choose Love to help drive the program. It would be called a “Choose Crew” and would be similar to Student Council.
- Law Enforcement Officers will be involved, similar to DARE, to assist and support teachers
- T-shirts, pins, and other merchandise would be utilized to help promote and keep the idea front of mind.
- "Choose Love Champions” recognition wall at the school. Every time a student is caught doing an act of love, their name goes on the wall.
- Weekly “Choose Love Champions” chosen and given rewards, i.e. pizza party, medals, hats, etc.
- Monthly/weekly champions are in the running for “Choose Love Champion” of the year. Their name goes on a plaque at the school.
- "Choose Love Champion of the year gets a backstage pass to a concert by one of the Choose Love artists.
- Local TV and radio stations highlight the “Choose Love Champion” of the month.
- High School students become “Choose Love Mentors” to younger kids.
- “Choose Love” logo on football helmets and sports uniforms as a
- Movement support by local businesses, display “Choose Love” signs, and provide financial support. Entire community involved.
- Kids help produce and star in local commercials.
- Redo the "Choose Love" song and video with kids singing it. Each school.
- Pull in the arts (drawings, poetry, creative dance, etc.) centered around each principle. Have a contest and prizes for each principle.
- Citywide event held at the end of the year. Each of the songs would be sung by a different grade. For example, Grade 5 students from all the different schools sing the song about Kindness. The winners of the poetry contest for that grade read their poem at this event, show their artwork,etc. A community celebration to Choose Love!
- A Nashville band plays backup for the event.
As you can see, the sky's the limit!