Critical Thinking and Adulting: Higher Level Thinking for Better Decision Making

Hello! My students know me as Mrs. Rae and I really enjoy facilitating discussions over real-life situations and adulting skills. Young people are on the verge of stepping out on their own, which is incredibly exciting, but also unbelievably terrifying! There are so many life skills that could help them get on the fast track to success! However, they have limited exposure to these concepts and skills. That's why I have put together interactive lessons that will help young people increase their capacity for critical thinking, professionalism, effective communication, leadership, and utilizing positive coping skills in order to be better prepared for the world after the high school years. These are skills everyone can use, whether their path lies in furthering their education, going directly into the workforce, starting their own business, or taking on a family business. 
I also teach business and computer courses to provide practical lessons that will provide the technical skills learners can use to get ahead in higher education or any business setting they choose to go into!
My professional background starts with home health, where I worked with youth with developmental disabilities for 5 years. In that setting, I helped these children learn daily living skills to achieve their highest level of independence and complete their schoolwork. I was able to provide support and a safe learning environment for children with individualized and varied educational and learning needs. 
I earned my degree in Developmental Psychology, which focuses on how the brain learns and develops over the lifespan. After graduation, I became a Behavioral Health Rehabilitation Specialist. Working with this population taught me what can happen to young people when they do not have support systems and access to education when they are struggling with mental health needs. 
I got my teaching certification through the Oklahoma Department of Career Technology, and I taught Business Management Administration at a Technology Center for  three years for juniors and seniors in high school. I teach basic computer skills, Fundamentals of Technology, MS Office Suites, Customer Service, and Accounting. My favorites, however, are the "soft skills". I love creating projects and discussions based around teamwork, leadership, coping in the real world, interview and resume skills, enhancing communication, presentation skills and public speaking, literacy and learning cheats, project and time management, financial planning, and any other life skills that we come across. Whew. I especially love critical thinking exercises, because we are all life-long learners so these skills come in handy!
Having worked in both education and mental health, I am sensitive to all types of learners, and I am very flexible in how we achieve our goals depending on the needs of those present. My goal is to meet learners where they are, ask for their input, be real about adulting and the skills they will need, and, ultimately, create a fun and interactive learning environment and collective social experience that is an inclusive space for everyone!
A little about me: I am a very proud Dog Mom, a green thumber (plant freak), the woods are my true home, music is life, and I am a super nerd when it comes to photography. Everywhere I go, I take a million pictures just to get that perfect one that captures the moment! It drives my friends and family crazy sometimes. Oh, and I can't stand the smell of cinnamon candy. Gross.