Back on Track With School

Students will be supported in devising a step-by-step action plan for getting back on track with school. They will first gain perspective and be gentle with themselves if they have fallen behind. We will discuss how critical relationships with teachers are, especially in high school and college. I will guide students through the process of getting back in touch with each teacher, and their guidance counselor if needed. 

Two email templates, one for students and one for parents/guardians, will be provided. We will address in a general sense how to minimize the snowball effect of getting behind in the first place. Although students are not able to wave a magic wand to change their grades, I will help them take concrete action in areas where they do have control. They will assign new meaning to the thoughts they have about their own struggle, break down tasks into small manageable units, and find ways to advocate for themselves. They will challenge any black and white, faulty thinking that derails them, for example we will turn around these thoughts:

•	This is too much to handle.
•	I can’t do this.
•	I’ll never catch up and get everything done.

These statements will be replaced with statements like:

•	I can handle one task at a time.
•	I can make one call or type one email to get going in the right direction.
•	Once teachers know my struggle, they can help me get back on track, that’s why they are there.
•	I’m learning day by day how to manage my life. 
•	Mistakes are life lessons.
•	I am learning how to handle academic challenges better. I may even be able to help a friend in the future.

This class is lecture style with relevant video clips. Students will be directed to begin an email to a teacher they perceive to be most understanding. They will not have to share this work unless they choose to do so. A question-answer period at the end of class will address specific situations. Students will not be put on the spot. They will likely feel much better once they connect with their guidance counselor or academic teacher after direction from this class. 

Students and parents/guardians can view this class as a launching pad for getting back on track. Success will depend on a positive daily mind set and daily support. The key will be finding the one person at your child’s school who relates to them on a caring and personal level. It is possible that a child’s placement is incorrect, or there may be an undiagnosed medical or behavioral condition that contributes to learning struggles. Speaking with a pediatrician or other academic specialists can help determine behavioral or medical issues that may contribute to learning difficulties. However, this is beyond the scope of this lesson and will not be addressed in this class. Our focus is on helping students who already want to turn things around, but feel stuck or paralyzed with how to begin. If you are uncertain if this class is the right fit for your student, feel free to email me prior to signing up. Please be sure that you are okay with the refund policies listed prior to registration.

My philosophy is that teachers, parents and guardians are obligated to find supportive and creative ways to help children learn and study. When students fall behind, once a teacher is alerted to the struggle, figuring out how and why they got behind and what they need for their individual success is critical. Students cannot be measured against other learners. They must be met where they are and be encouraged to do their best within the realm of their own capabilities. Once they are in the right level class, with advocates cheering them on, they can grow as learners. 

My experiences for the better part of two decades in residence life and social work helping high school and college students in mainstream and special education classes gave me tools to help students strengthen their self-advocacy skills. Until a student can flex their own advocacy muscles, listening to and watching parents and guardians can give them the words they need to ultimately become their own best advocate.