Disgruntled Teens Save the World: Creating Solutions and Models for Change

The idea for this series of classes came to me when I was recently attending a workshop on increasing student engagement in the classroom. It opened with a slide listing challenges teachers face in the classroom and one of the top challenges was “increasing disrespect from students.” I eagerly awaited discussion of how to address this key issue and was disappointed when the next slide jumped right in to ice breakers. Where was the examination of disrespect, its underlying causes, and how to earn respect? How can we increase student engagement if we aren’t striving to earn their respect? 

First and foremost, I want learners in this class to feel heard. I want them to gain confidence. I want them to come away feeling empowered.

I have a BS in Psychology and an MA in Education, both with an emphasis on development. I am well versed in how culture shapes our experiences, and our identities. As a former college lecturer and workshop facilitator, I have 3 years of previous experience leading and navigating discussions of heavy topics with teen and adult learners. I am new to outschool, since summer of 2024, and I recently achieved status as an Outschool ACE Educator which requires training in Agency, Community, and Expertise.

When my university had never had a Pride event, I was part of a committee that built the first annual CommUnity Pride: a week long event of workshops, networking opportunities, community services, and entertainment. 

When there was not an adequate secular preschool in my community, I created one and ran it from a one room school house owned by the local recreation district.

When there was not a library in walking distance of my community, I created a Little Free Library of books, games, puzzles, and educational toys that were rotated on a regular basis to make the most use of a limited space.

I am currently building a new life for myself and my teen after a series of losses and hardships.

I have a lifetime of experience creating accommodations for daily life for myself and others and recently capitalized on that experience by getting formal training and certification as an Executive Function Coach. I’m great at building relevant skills and helping learners find their strengths. As a parent to a teen with a strong sense of social justice and a high level of outrage at the systemic problems in education and society, my evening routine for the past 5 or so years has included deep dives into political, social, and philosophical topics. Most important, I’m excellent at helping teens feel heard and validated. 

That’s all academic. What qualifies me on a personal level to teach this topic? I’m a snarky, outspoken malcontent. I will never just accept the way things are. The purpose of my life is to leave this world better than I found it. I cannot say whether I will reach that goal. I can only say I strive towards it every day. I will encourage your learner to strive for a better world too.