Six Qualities of a Great Mentor
As this year comes to an end, I thought it might be helpful to talk to you about finding a mentor. For you, a mentor might mean reconnecting with a person you feel is ahead of you in their career and nudging you to take a new step. For your students, this discussion might be helpful as they pursue growth
An Unlikely Young Leader Who Survived the Slums in Tanzania
I have a story to tell you about a young man who inspires me to continue my work with students. I invite you to relax for a moment and fasten your seatbelt for a short biography of an unlikely young leader, surviving in the slums of Tanzania, Africa. As you may already know, incredible young people live everywhere in the
How to Overcome After-the-Holiday Slump
We live in a funny and unique day. On the whole, Americans have never enjoyed so much “stuff.” We have more possessions and live in a more materialistic era than at any point in the last century. At the same time, we are less happy than in past days. Go figure. I’ve written earlier about teen’s unhappiness globally. Studies show teens
A New Holiday Tradition—Better Than Giving Gifts
Just a brief post to wish you a very, merry Christmas holiday season and to challenge you to consider doing something new this year. For centuries, Christmas has been a time for giving gifts, spending time with loved ones and taking time off. Regardless of your background, most of you perpetuate the ritual of cherishing the people nearest you by giving
Four Simple Ways to Re-Energize Over Christmas Break
I recently read a short story from Lynn Thibodeau, a mother of an eight-year-old son. Her husband had given her some beauty products last Christmas and she was about wash off one of the facial masks, when her son walked into the bathroom and asked what she was doing. She explained to him: “It was a present from your daddy
Three Refreshing Conversations to Have with Your Teen This Holiday
The holiday season is upon us. Schools are finishing exams, and everyone will soon be off for a few weeks of Christmas vacation. Ahhh. Finally, we all get a break. For some, the holidays are the most cherished time of the year. (My mother embodied this mindset. She wished family visits and Christmas lights would last for months.) For others,
Two Stories of Resilience Every Student Should Hear: Podcast #54
Today I’m excited to share with you a conversation with two specials guests, Sarah Clapper and Timothy Alexander. Sarah was recently crowned Miss Ohio 2017 after overcoming several obstacles to achieve her goal. The second guest is Timothy Alexander, who is serving as the Character Coach for the University of Alabama at Birmingham football team. Timothy has an incredible story
Coaching in a Pressure Cooker
Years ago, Florida State’s head football coach, Bobby Bowden, was fielding questions from an audience of fans. Their team was enjoying a run of several years, being in the top five finishes. It was a good time to be in Tallahassee. An elderly woman near the front raised her hand and said, “Coach Bowden, I don’t have a question. I
One Crucial Gift We Must Give to Teens
Did you know that among young teens, suicide attempts and emergency room visits have dramatically increased over the last eight years? In fact, girls committing self-harm has tripled since 2009. While overdosing on medication was most common among girls, self-inflicted injuries with sharp and blunt objects also increased during the study period. This data was released recently by the U.S.
One Way to Prevent Delinquency
Years ago, I read a poem by Tanielle Beard that struck me at my core. It’s a simple message that too many of us parents, teachers, coaches and employers forget. You may have read it yourself, but I offer a version of it I have updated below as a simple reminder to adults who care about students. I offer this
How Family Meals Impact SAT Scores
One of the paradoxes of our world today is the stunning connectedness we enjoy with people all over the world, and yet, at the same time, we feel isolated. How can people—especially young people—be so connected, yet so disconnected? It’s easy. Our screens connect us technically, but not genuinely. They offer access to people and information, but they’re unable to cultivate authentic
Do You Lower the Standard or Lower Your Goal?
The U.S. Army made a change in their recruiting standards last August. They did not announce it publicly, they just quietly modified a standard for acceptance. According to a report in USA Today, “People with a history of self-mutilation, bipolar disorder, depression, and drug and alcohol abuse can now seek waivers to join the Army under an unannounced policy." “The decision