High Energy Teen Marvel Rivals Gaming Hour!

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**Before Enrolling**  
Please note that usernames/gamer handles will be visible to other learners enrolled in this class. In some cases, gamer handles/usernames may need to be shared with the teacher and/or each other to connect to private servers or participate in the game. By enrolling in any *Artful Gaming with Maryam Awan* classes, families consent for their learners to use gamer handles in class for educational purposes. Learners are reminded not to ask for or accept friend requests from classmates per Outschool Trust and Safety Guidelines.  

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What Makes Maryam Awan’s Gaming Classes Unique?  

Let’s face it: teens often get the short end of the stick.  

While younger kids have countless ways to socialize, teens frequently get grouped with much younger children for convenience. But teens deserve their own space!  

They operate on a different level—socially, conversationally, and in maturity. They need outlets where they can connect with peers their age without adjusting for younger kids.  

Maryam Awan’s classes provide a genuinely teen-focused, relaxed, and safe environment. Whether your teen wants to sharpen their life and social skills through gaming or simply make friends, this is the place for them!  

In these classes, teens (and mature 12-year-olds) game together while building genuine relationships, practicing social skills, and developing life skills—all in a way that feels natural to them.  

As a National Certified Counselor and Bullying Prevention Specialist, Maryam offers expert supervision and guidance to create a safe, engaging space for teens. With over 20 years of experience as an educator, counselor, and gaming moderator, Maryam has helped countless teens build meaningful social communities through gaming.  

So hit pause on life and enroll your teen today for fun, competitive gaming, and valuable life lessons!  

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### Weekly Schedule  

Each week, learners will log into class to socialize, strategize, and compete with other gamers. The structure is highly learner-directed, fostering genuine connections, independence, and autonomy. Weekly gaming activities include playing as many Marvel Rivals matches we can fit into the classtime.   

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### Compete. Spectate. Strategize. Socialize.  

It’s time to showcase your skills while learning new ones. Join us for friendly, respectful battles in a fun and energetic environment. This is the perfect space for teens to relax, compete, and build life and social skills through collaborative gaming.  

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### Technology & Troubleshooting  

Before enrolling, please note that this is a **Life Skills and Social Class**, not a tech support class. Limited time will be spent troubleshooting technology issues. Learners and families must:  

- **Understand basic technology** used in your home. This includes how to connect to private servers, enter game codes, and troubleshoot devices before class.  
- **Prepare in advance** by ensuring learners can access the game, server, and tools needed.  
- Be aware that **connection issues** (e.g., server drops, mic problems) are out of the teacher’s control. Learners may need to wait for one game to end before rejoining.  
- Recognize that the class may involve high-energy group interactions with minimal time for tech-related disruptions.  

The teacher and learners may offer minor assistance, but extensive tech support is not provided.  

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### A Few Notes About Class Style  

1. This class is high-energy! Gamers will compete in dynamic matches while socializing. Learners may speak over one another and express themselves excitedly, which is typical for group gaming sessions.  
2. This is not a “how to play” or “how to socialize” class but a moderated space where learners can practice sportsmanship, social skills, and strategic thinking in their own way.  

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### Learning Goals  

Learners may focus on the following skills, depending on their goals:  

- **Critical Thinking**: Analyzing and strategizing during Marvel Rivals matches.  
- **Quick Thinking**: Reacting and adapting to fast-paced in-game situations.  
- **Stress Relief**: Enjoying gaming as a way to unwind and connect with friends.  
- **Leadership and Empathy**: Taking on leadership roles, collaborating with peers, and showing empathy.  
- **Community Building**: Developing a sense of belonging, autonomy, and ownership through gaming.  

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### Materials Needed  

- A copy of *Marvel Rivals*.  
- A compatible gaming console or PC.  
- Strong Wi-Fi for smooth gameplay.  

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How Do My Social Gaming Classes Work?

I place all of my gaming classes in the Social and Life Skills category for a very productive reason. Amazing progress and goals can be achieved through gamification!

Gaming with live groups, in moderated and supervised settings, offers a safe and inclusive space for learners and gamers to be faced with many real-life decisions, challenges, and goals. Through my classes, without handholding, I encourage gamers to take the lead and navigate these challenges safely and at a pace and in a social way that is comfortable to them with the goal of learners gaining confidence, independence, and autonomy. 

Social skills like patience, empathy, leadership, conflict resolution, how to ask for help, how to help others, confidence and even just being happy with being yourself are practiced as opportunities arise in my classes. 

Those who are on the introverted side are honored and respected just as much as those on the extroverted side and everything in between! No one will ever be put on the spot to present themselves in ways in which they are not comfortable. 

We are all works in progress! 

As a National Certified Counselor, my training includes a gradual approach to easing children and teens into new social groups, similar to that of easing a new fish into a fish tank. This approach is used for all sessions allowing new member gets a feel for the environment, our gaming world, and the communication styles of other players. 

Each session allows players to gain naturally gain independence and autonomy by letting *them* choose what style of socialization and gaming they prefer.

In each class, we have a wide variety of gamers with different social norms. Some are very outspoken and continually speak up during class while others prefer to communicate by typing in the chat with one another and some simply enjoy being a part of our group while quietly playing along in ways that are comfortable for them.

Essentially, in my social sessions, I foster a stress-free environment where learners have a comfortable and inclusive space to simply be *who they are and how they choose to be* in social settings without pressure. 

This approach builds stronger connections with others but most importantly creates a sense of confidence, independence, autonomy, and a feeling of belonging without having to change who they are. 

In all of my gaming classes, learners lead the way in how *they* choose to present themselves. This is a great way for learners to make their own informed decisions on how they want to socialize and game. This approach allows personal social goal-setting. Learners can choose to practice different social styles in a safe and inclusive setting to see what clicks well with them.

Striving to create a safe space without pressure in a chill and inclusive environment, please feel free to reach out any time. Parent/Teacher communication is very important to me, so should you or your child have any concerns or issues, please reach out and we can discuss and collaborate on how to make things better as needed. I have found that parent/teacher communication really helps in creating the quality experience that learners look for. 

Should you find that your child is looking for collaboration or more engagement than they are getting, please let me know and we will work on ways to help them achieve their social goals! 

Often, learners are shy and don't speak up so there is no way of telling whether or not they would like to join in on some collaborative action, so any communication before or after each class is always welcome. 

While my classes are not “how to play” or “how to socialize” structured classes they are wonderful atmospheres for learners to showcase who they are and give them avenues to grow in the ways in which they choose to. 

If your learner comes to class and is on the quiet side, I will always honor and respect their choice! They will never be asked to turn their cameras on or to speak up and socialize, unless *they* choose to, after the initial daily video verification. I will always encourage engagement and at the same time let them lead the way!