AuthorEducatorMotivatorActualizerGuide

Wes Hall

Success Strategies Success Strategies For Working With For Working With

At-Risk YouthAt-Risk Youth

Topics of DiscussionTopics of Discussion•Beyond the fear of consequence - why punitive approaches don’t work with many at-risk youth•You can’t teach me until you reach me – the do’s and don’t of building a relationship with at-risk youth•Creating a positive learning environment in your classroom – it’s all about culture

Cont.Cont.

Passion, power and purpose – How to keep yourself motivated so you can motivate your students

WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF

“AT-RISK”?

AT-RISK DEFINITION •An at-risk student is defined as a student who meets one or more of the following: •A student who is not meeting the requirements necessary for promotion to the next grade level or graduation from high school. •A student whose education attainment is below other students of their age or grade level. •A student who is a potential dropout.

A student who is failing two or more courses of study.

A student who has been retained. A student who is not reading on grade

level. This definition does not include a

student who has been identified for special education services under Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

A BETTER WAY TO A BETTER WAY TO THINK OF ‘AT-RISK” IS THINK OF ‘AT-RISK” IS

--------

NEED

At-risk youth needAt-risk youth need

More loveMore patienceMore commitmentMore guidanceAnd more self-mastery (From you)

The #1 stimuli that determines the outcome of your

interaction with a student labeled “at-

risk” is?

YOU

Success strategy #1 Success strategy #1 ENERGY!!!ENERGY!!!Control your energy – Control your outcome

The art is for the student’s behavior to The art is for the student’s behavior to imitate yoursimitate yours – not for your energy to become – not for your energy to become

like theirs like theirs

Energy is the non-spoken Energy is the non-spoken conversation that speaks to the conversation that speaks to the instinctual facet of the receiver instinctual facet of the receiver

How to maintain your advantageHow to maintain your advantage

Know that each student knows where they are

Know each student who remains in school is still trying to play by the rules – (parents – society – etc.)

Know that you have options related to how you handle a challenging situation – and subtly make them aware of those options

How soon do youth begin How soon do youth begin to size you up?to size you up?

Immediately

“My mom used to bring strange men to the house. I learned how to read people really quick for my own protection.” Abused 14 year old girl

SUCCESS STRATEGY #2 - SUCCESS STRATEGY #2 -

RELATIONSHIPSRELATIONSHIPSYou can’t teach me until you reach me

Relationships Relationships do’s and don’tsdo’s and don’ts

Don’tsDon’tsDon’t - try to be cooler than you really areDon’t – play at the same level the

students wants to play – be playful but don’t play

Don’t match tone with student who speaks to you in a disrespectful tone

Do’sDo’sDo – display calm and friendly authorityDo – establish boundaries earlyDo – tell students exactly what to expect

from you and your classDo - Understand their energy and allow for

“Energy” momentsDo – praise publicly (often) – criticize

privately Do - allow students to see your lighter sideDo – express genuine concern for student’s

success

Success strategy #3 Success strategy #3

Empowering You!!! Empowering You!!!

•Purpose •Passion

•& Power!

The “I Am” is always becomingThe “I Am” is always becoming

Anything that is not growing … is dying

Anything that is standing still … is going backwards

Make sure you’re always BECOMING better – greater – more complete

Purpose Is The One Thing That Keeps You Going When Everything Around You Is Falling Apart

Purpose Excites YouPurpose Ignites YouPurpose Pulls YouPurpose Drives You

““I Am Here For A Purpose And I Am Here For A Purpose And That Purpose Is To Grow Into A That Purpose Is To Grow Into A Mountain, Not To Shrink Into A Mountain, Not To Shrink Into A Grain Of Sand. Henceforth Will I Grain Of Sand. Henceforth Will I Apply Apply ALLALL My Efforts To Become My Efforts To Become The Highest Mountain Of All And The Highest Mountain Of All And I Will Strain My Potential Until It I Will Strain My Potential Until It Cries For Mercy!”Cries For Mercy!” Og Mandino Og Mandino

QuestionQuestionHow does the brain learn?

Through repetitionThrough repetition

They even wrote a song about it

Another QuestionAnother QuestionWhen does the brain stop

learning?

The moment a habit is formedThe moment a habit is formed

When does the brain begin to When does the brain begin to learn again?learn again?

When it accepts there is a problem and it conflicts with

who you are

Be careful about Be careful about the “Habits” you the “Habits” you

allow to form allow to form within you and in within you and in your classroomyour classroom

Success Strategies Success Strategies For Working With For Working With

At-Risk YouthAt-Risk Youth

Facilitator: Wes Hall

Creator of: The Student Empowerment Program

To bring Mr. Hall to your schoolTo bring Mr. Hall to your schoolContact: Ebony Hawkins – Contact: Ebony Hawkins –

402-714-3894 or 402-714-3894 or whall8882@aol.comwhall8882@aol.com