Teen Relationship Email Series Click Here

Teen Leadership Cohort Click Here

The podcast link to This is So Awkward

Welcome to "Leaders of Today: Teens to Titans," the podcast dedicated to empowering our youth to become the leaders of tomorrow. Let's dive into the complexities of teen dating. This episode is the first in our new series on understanding and supporting our teens as they navigate romantic relationships. Stick around until the end to find out how you can join our email series and gain access to all the resources we’ll discuss today.

Teen dating today is vastly different from when we were teenagers, even down to the terminology. Remember the bases? That concept is completely outdated now. If that realization alone surprises you, it's a wake-up call to the need for defining experiences and expectations for our teens. I’ve created resources to help teens define roles and experiences in their romantic connections. While we may not fully catch up, it's critical to help them understand what terms mean individually and within their relationships. Misunderstandings can lead to uncomfortable experiences, such as differing interpretations of "hook-up."

As a teacher and a parent, I realized I wasn't great at asking for consent. How could I expect my children or students to understand and practice consent in critical situations if they weren't exposed to it from me? I've since changed my behavior and shared how parents can better ask for and respect consent, giving children the opportunity to express it. This is one of the key areas we cover in our resources.

So, what are some of the key points covered in our resource on understanding teen dating? Let’s break it down:

• Activity: Teens are asked to define several relationship terms.

• Example: They then compare their definitions with their friends or romantic partners to identify any misalignments. For instance, one teen might think "dating" means exclusivity, while another might see it as casual.

• Activity: Teens consider statements like, "I have no regrets about my relationships or my behavior in a relationship."

• Example: Encouraging self-awareness and thoughtful reflection on past and current relationships helps teens understand their actions and their impact.

• Activity: Teaching the importance of understanding and expressing consent.

• Example: Discussing how to ask for and give consent in various situations. One parent shared how their daughter effectively handled a challenging situation because of a conversation we had about integrity. It was comforting to know she had that resource.

• Activity: Acknowledging that teens may be in sexual relationships rather than just romantic ones with a sexual component.

• Example: Engaging in these conversations proactively, before situations arise, to prepare teens. This includes talking about the emotional and physical aspects of relationships.

• Activity: Using scenarios to help teens think through potential situations and their responses.

• Example: Building their ability to handle real-life situations based on prior discussions. For example, what to do if a partner pressures them into something they're not comfortable with.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of "Leaders of Today: Teens to Titans." If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with other parents who might benefit from this conversation. Together, we can support our teens in navigating their relationships and becoming the leaders of tomorrow.

Teen Relationship Email Series Click Here

Teen Leadership Cohort Click Here

The podcast link to This is So Awkward

Welcome to "Leaders of Today: Teens to Titans," the podcast where we explore how to empower our youth to become the leaders of tomorrow. Let's dive into a topic that every parent of a teenager will find incredibly relevant—teen friendships. This episode kicks off a new series dedicated to understanding and supporting the ever-changing social lives of our teens.

When our kids become teenagers, their friendships change dramatically. Kids who were once close friends may drift apart, while new connections form. The onset of "mean girl" behavior and other social dynamics can be overwhelming for both teens and parents alike. As parents, it can be frustrating to feel off base when we try to share our observations about their friendships. It’s tough to resist the urge to say, “It’s your life, deal with the consequences,” especially when we end up comforting them after a friend betrays their trust. It’s a challenging time for them and for us as parents.

So, what can we do? My best advice is to be a listener and show genuine curiosity about what’s happening in their social lives. One activity I find particularly helpful in my program is creating personal webs with the teens.

Every time we do this activity, teens often come back and say, “Wow, I had no idea I had such a [positive/negative] relationship with this person. When I did my web, it was so clear to me.” Teens generally know who is good for them and who is toxic, but it’s hard to admit mistakes in relationships at this age. Seeing these dynamics laid out on paper can be incredibly eye-opening. It’s either a reality check or a confirmation of how lucky they are.

The activity involves creating a web that links everyone in their lives. I encourage teens to take a day or two to complete this, as they may not remember everyone at once. As they go through their daily routine, they recall people on the periphery of their lives. Once the web is complete, we evaluate each relationship for positive or negative qualities.

We pick two different colors to represent positive and negative qualities. For example, let’s use red and green. We assess each relationship based on several qualities:

• Power:
  • Red for relationships where there’s a power imbalance (either they have power over someone or someone has power over them).
  • Green for equal power dynamics.

There are other qualities we evaluate in the activity, but this is a great starting point for your teen to see what types of relationships they have.

I also encourage you, as a parent, to create your own web and share your findings with your teen. This can open the door to meaningful conversations about relationships. By being a listener, showing curiosity, and using tools like the personal web activity, we can help our teens navigate their friendships more effectively. This approach not only helps them identify positive and toxic relationships but also fosters open communication between you and your teen.

And here's something exciting—this episode is just the beginning of a new series on navigating teen relationships! To stay updated and receive all the resources we’ll be sharing, including detailed guides and activities, make sure to join our email series. You can find the link to join in the show notes.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of "Leaders of Today: Teens to Titans." If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with other parents who might benefit from this conversation. Together, we can support our teens in building healthy, positive relationships and becoming the leaders of tomorrow.

Teen Relationship Email Series Click Here

Teen Leadership Cohort Click Here

The podcast link to This is So Awkward

Welcome to "Leaders of Today: Teens to Titans," the podcast dedicated to empowering our youth to become the leaders of tomorrow. We’re kicking off a new series focused on helping parents and teens navigate the complex world of teenage relationships. This series will cover relationships with peers, dating partners, parents, and friends. Each episode will provide valuable insights and strategies to support your teen through these formative years. Stay tuned until the end to find out how you can join our email series and gain access to all the resources we discuss today.

The teenage years are crucial for developing relationships that shape one’s identity and future interactions. This series aims to provide parents with insights and strategies to help teens navigate relationships with peers, dating partners, parents, and classmates. It is not an easy task, as relationships become more complex during these years, and our kids often share less information with us. As a teen leadership coach, I understand firsthand how challenging these years can be. I needed these resources for myself as a teen and now as a parent of teenagers.

Today, we’re diving into peer relationships. When working with teens in the leadership cohort, one of the most impactful activities is a discussion about integrity. We explore what integrity means and the challenges associated with it. Peer relationships in middle and high school are highly influential. Every teen wants to belong, and sometimes they will go to great lengths to feel accepted. The group they belong to might not be the one they or we, as parents, desire. This dynamic is challenging for both teens and parents.

Every parent and teen faces situations where teens might act out, try new things, or shut down entirely. These behaviors are often responses to the pressure to belong and be accepted. Discussing integrity helps teens reflect on their behavior by sharing experiences they've witnessed. It provides a safe space to evaluate what they would want done for them in similar situations, fostering empathy, awareness, and kindness. This activity is most effective in a group setting, where teens can hear and learn from each other.

We start with a question like: "You walk into the cafeteria and see another student sitting alone. None of your friends think twice about it, but you do. What do you do?" They don’t have to act on what they say they would do, but thinking about it initiates the integrity conversation. This discussion is invaluable, and I love facilitating it. I know they will think about their peers differently the next time they enter the cafeteria. What they do is up to them, but they will have considered their actions, which is more than most students do.

Join our next info session to see if your teen is ready to join the Young Teen Leadership Cohort. By participating, your teen will engage in meaningful discussions and activities that help them navigate their relationships with integrity and empathy.

Want to stay updated and receive all the resources we’ll be discussing in this series? Sign up for our email series by following the link in the show notes. You'll gain access to valuable tools and information to support your teen through their journey.

If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with other parents who might benefit from this conversation. Together, we can support our teens in navigating their relationships and becoming the leaders of tomorrow.

Welcome to Season 3 of Leaders of Today: Teens to Titans, the podcast where we delve into the formative experiences of today's leaders, uncovering how their young adult years shaped them into the influential figures they are today.

In this exciting trailer for Season 3, we offer a glimpse into the compelling stories and profound insights from our upcoming interviews with current leaders. Each episode will feature personal reflections on the critical moments and experiences from their young adult years that influenced their leadership journeys.

• In-Depth Interviews: Engage with leaders across various fields as they share candid and inspiring stories from their youth, revealing the pivotal experiences that sparked their leadership development.
• Personal Reflections: Discover the challenges they faced, the pivotal decisions they made, and the mentors who guided them along the way.
• Valuable Lessons: Gain actionable advice on nurturing leadership qualities, embracing personal growth, and empowering others through their shared wisdom.

Our diverse lineup includes leaders from a wide range of industries, including:

• Heads of Schools who transformed educational institutions with visionary leadership.
• Former Division 1 College Basketball Athletes and Coaches who leveraged their athletic discipline and teamwork skills to lead both on and off the court.
• CEOs who turned their early entrepreneurial spirit into successful businesses.
• Motivational Speakers who use their own journeys to inspire and uplift others.
• Entrepreneurs who navigated the early challenges of starting their own businesses.
• Community Leaders who made a significant impact on their local communities through early engagement and dedication.

• Resilience and Determination: Overcoming early obstacles and maintaining perseverance.
• Mentorship and Support: The influential role of mentors and supporters in their early years.
• Empathy and Understanding: Leading with compassion and emotional intelligence.
• Vision and Innovation: Turning youthful ideas into impactful and lasting change.

We invite you to be part of this enlightening journey. Subscribe to Leaders of Today to ensure you don’t miss an episode. Follow us on social media for behind-the-scenes content, updates, and more.

• Subscribe to Education Unimagined on your favorite podcast platform.
• Follow us at Peersnotfears on all social media for updates and exclusive content.
• Share your thoughts and stories with us using #peersnotfears.

Season 3 of Leaders of Today promises to be our most impactful yet. We’re excited to share these incredible stories with you and inspire the next generation of leaders. Tune in and let’s reimagine education and leadership together.

Stay tuned for our first episode, dropping soon!

Teen Entrepreneurs: Lucy and Kalena of PureLight Apparel

Description:

In this episode, we sit down with two inspiring 14-year-old entrepreneurs, Lucy and Kalena, the co-founders of PureLight Apparel. Their journey began at age 12 with a creative idea to make journals more attractive, which quickly turned into a profitable venture. With their initial earnings of $300, they took a bold step and invested in their current apparel company, PureLight Apparel.

Episode Highlights:

• Introduction to Lucy and Kalena: Get to know the dynamic duo behind PureLight Apparel. They share their background and how their friendship sparked a successful business idea.

• From Journals to Apparel: Learn how Lucy and Kalena transitioned from creating and selling journals to launching their own apparel line. Hear about the initial challenges and triumphs they faced along the way.

• Skills and Lessons Learned: The girls discuss the invaluable skills they've acquired, including technology, graphic design, buying and selling with vendors, building relationships, investing, borrowing money, and learning from mistakes. They emphasize the importance of taking risks for growth and how supporting each other has been crucial in overcoming obstacles.

• The Launch Process: Discover the detailed process behind launching new products, from developing ideas to determining production quantities. Lucy and Kalena explain the time and effort involved in bringing their creative visions to life.

• Utilizing Resources: The duo shares how they've leveraged various resources to aid their growth and learning, highlighting the importance of being resourceful and seeking help when needed.

• Current Success and Future Plans: Lucy and Kalena talk about the success of PureLight Apparel, including their participation in a local pop-up store for three months and an upcoming pop-up event in early March. They also reflect on their experience being featured on another podcast.

• Mission and Goals: Understand the mission behind PureLight Apparel. Lucy and Kalena aim to create clothing that makes people feel confident and comfortable. They share their vision for the future and what they hope to achieve with their brand.

Quotes:

• "Taking risks is the only way to grow."
• "Making mistakes can be hard, but we support each other when mistakes are made."
• "Our goal is for people to be confident and comfortable in our clothing."

Call to Action:

• Follow PureLight Apparel: Stay updated on Lucy and Kalena's journey and latest releases by following PureLight Apparel on social media.
• Upcoming Pop-Up Event: Don't miss their upcoming pop-up event in early March. Details will be shared on their social media channels.
• Support Young Entrepreneurs: Be inspired by Lucy and Kalena's story and support young entrepreneurs in your community.

Social Media Links:

• Instagram: @PureLightApparel
• Tiktok: PureLight Apparel
• Website: www.purelightapparel.com

Tune In: Listen to the full episode to hear more about Lucy and Kalena's incredible journey and how they continue to inspire others with their entrepreneurial spirit.

Subscribe: Don't forget to subscribe to our podcast for more inspiring stories and insightful discussions.

Build Leadership: If you want your teen to explore leadership here is a great place to start with Peers Not Fears 10 Ways to Ignite Leadership Skills.

Today, we've dived deep into the world of AI in education, guided by the perspectives of students navigating this technological frontier. We've heard how AI emerged in classrooms during spring 2023, becoming a valuable tool for students across various academic tasks.

The students we interviewed shared compelling stories of AI as a multi-functional ally. From summarizing texts and generating ideas to crafting emails and even drafting papers under time pressure, AI has become an indispensable aid in their academic toolkit.

Yet, amidst these praises, a crucial theme emerged: the line between using AI as a helpful tool and overreliance on it. Our interviewees eloquently expressed their views on this delicate balance. They emphasized the importance of maintaining their unique voice and integrity in their work, not letting AI overshadow their critical thinking and creativity.

When it comes to high-stakes assignments like college essays, students tread cautiously. While AI offers tempting shortcuts, they're aware of the risks, understanding that colleges can discern AI-generated content. This awareness keeps them grounded, using AI primarily for brainstorming rather than the final masterpiece.

Comparing AI to human feedback on writing, students highlighted the irreplaceable value of teacher and counselor insights. AI can enhance and refine, but it lacks the depth and understanding that human interaction brings to the table.

In exploring how teachers regulate AI, we discovered a spectrum of approaches, from outright bans to cautious integration. Students echoed the sentiment of not letting AI do the thinking for them, advocating for a symbiotic relationship where AI supports but doesn't supplant their own cognitive processes.

Wrapping up our enlightening journey, we've seen the nuanced dance between technology and education. The conversations with students have not only shed light on the appropriate use of AI but have also inspired a protocol to guide educators and learners in navigating this dynamic landscape.

Link to Podcast This is So Awkward https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-is-so-awkward/id1576221880

This is So Awkward Podcast interview Dr. Michael Rich https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/digital-wellness-with-dr-michael-rich/id1576221880?i=1000652569824

Link to Teachers Pay Teachers Peers not Fears Page https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Peers-Not-Fears

Link to AI Classroom Protocol https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Evalauating-the-Use-of-Artificial-Intellegence-AI-in-the-Classroom-11499327

As professionals in education and leadership development, it's time we shine a spotlight on a group that often gets overlooked: high school sophomores.

Sophomore year is a critical time in a student's journey. It's a period of immense transition, where they're navigating new relationships, testing boundaries, and facing increasing pressures from peers. Yet, it's also a time ripe with opportunities for growth and development.

Ignoring the needs of sophomores is not an option. When we fail to provide them with the support and guidance they need, we risk losing them during this pivotal year. That's why it's imperative that we focus our efforts on empowering sophomores to see themselves as leaders.

By investing in programs that cultivate confidence, resilience, and decision-making skills, such as those offered by organizations like Peers Not Fears, LLC, we can equip sophomores with the tools they need to succeed both in and out of the classroom. If you want more information about the sophomore program email lorraine.connell@peers-not-fears.com or go to our website https://www.peers-not-fears.com/teen-leadership

As educators, parents, and professionals in leadership development, let's make a commitment to prioritize sophomores and provide them with the resources they need to thrive. Together, we can unlock their potential and shape them into the future leaders our world needs.

#EmpowerSophomores #LeadershipDevelopment #Education #FutureLeaders #PeersNotFears #HighSchoolEducation

As teens, we often find ourselves navigating a complex web of expectations from our peers, teachers, and even our parents. Sometimes, it can feel like we're putting on a mask just to fit in or avoid judgment. But what does it mean to be truly authentic in a world where conformity seems to be the norm?

Let's start by talking about literal masks. With the ongoing pandemic, many of us have had to wear face masks to protect ourselves and others. While they serve an important purpose, they can also feel like a barrier, hiding our expressions and muffling our voices. But just because our faces are covered doesn't mean we can't still be seen and heard.

Figurative masks, on the other hand, are a bit trickier to navigate. These are the masks we put on to hide our insecurities, our fears, or even our true identities. Maybe you feel pressured to act a certain way to fit in with a particular group, or perhaps you're afraid to speak up for fear of being judged.

But here's the thing: wearing a figurative mask might help us blend in temporarily, but it also prevents us from fully embracing who we are. And when we hide behind these masks, we not only betray ourselves but also miss out on the opportunity to connect with others authentically.

So, how can we start to shed these masks and show up as our true selves? It all starts with self-awareness and self-acceptance. Take some time to reflect on your values, passions, and goals. What makes you unique? What brings you joy? Embrace those aspects of yourself, even if they don't fit the mold of what society expects.

Next, surround yourself with people who accept you for who you are, masks and all. Whether it's friends, family, or mentors, having a support system can make all the difference in feeling confident enough to let your true self shine.

And finally, remember that it's okay to be vulnerable. Opening up about your struggles and insecurities can be scary, but it's also incredibly freeing. When we allow ourselves to be seen in our entirety, flaws and all, we give others permission to do the same.

So, to all the teens out there struggling to find their place in the world, know that you are not alone. You are worthy of love and belonging just as you are, masks and all. Keep shining your light brightly, because the world needs your unique brilliance now more than ever.