District 170 Success Teacher Plans to Inspire the Masses in 2012

Some would describe Fred Chaney as a motivational speaker. He prefers the term "success teacher," mainly because it encompasses so much more.

A Homewood resident that runs a parent-to-school bridging program at , Chaney has a knack for inspiring people.

But he prefers "teacher" over "speaker," simply because of the connotation.

“I’m really a teacher," Chaney said. "I’m not okay with telling somebody they need to do something without showing them the how-to of it.”

Chaney's latest endeavor is called Maximize 2012, which is a bi-weekly series of free seminars aimed at helping people realize their potential.

“Potential is ability that may or may not be used, and I think our heart is to help people to not take that potential to their grave," Chaney said. "But to actually release that potential here in this Earth’s realm. Because whatever people are carrying inside, this world needs it.”

His way speaking reveals an odd mixture of passion and self-imposed composure, making Chaney perpetually seem as though he's about burst at the seams. 

This success teacher and his inspirational series of events is backed by the Sylvan Learning Center in Homewood for a reason.

"Just in coming to know Fred, he is an inspirational speaker and can really bring some enlightenment to just about anybody," said Colleen Dunlavy, executive director of Sylvan in Homewood.

Chaney's organization, Purpose4Living, operates out of the Sylvan Center, a partnership Dunlavy said she has cherished.

“Really it came from our friendship with Fred," Dunlavy said. "Our kids play ball together. We live on the same street."

Chaney said he did a similar program last year called "The YOU Factor," and was amazed at the range of ages and personalities he met. 

“In our last meeting we had seniors and teenagers," Chaney remembered. "Everyone was able to pull something out of that and apply it.”

All of these series and programs are a parter of a larger project Chaney calls Success With Fred.

In the past Chaney has made headlines with his FUSE program at District 170, which is meant to further open the communication lines between parents and Wilson School. with help from local barbers at .

The Maximize 2012 seminars start Jan. 21 at 5 p.m. and are located at the Sylvan Learning Center, 17600 Halsted Street in Homewood.

Anyone interested in attending is encouraged to register at the Purpose 4 Living Website.