Students will learn the importance of being and appreciating yourself while becoming Girls of Action.  Some side topics include Imposter Behavior, Taking Risks, Getting Out of our Comfort Zone, Growth Mindset, Small Steps, Stereotyping, Rewiring:  Change Your Brain and many more.  Students will also learn how to move forward to achieve their goals without letting their own minds or the opinion of others get in their way.

I am the teacher behind The Self-Confidence Project for Pre-teens and Teens.  I have taught these classes/projects for over eighteen years to empower students to reach their goals and build self-esteem.  Journals have been a part of my life since I was a child.  I successfully completed Law School with four children in tote, mainly because of my journal lists.  They kept me sane and organized.  
For over twenty years I have had the opportunity to work with students from Pre-K through Graduate School in both a traditional learning atmosphere, and those classes that deviate from neurotypical teaching.  I am a retired certified teacher, attorney and mother of seven (and new grandma). I am also an attorney that specializes in Family and Criminal Court.  I represented kids in NY for twenty years that were going through family court and was trained to handle kids in crisis.  

Every class I create is first implemented in my own household.  My teaching philosophy is that all students are individuals and unique learners that must have a stimulating educational environment where they can grow physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. It is my desire to create this type of atmosphere where students can meet their full potential. I will provide a safe environment where students are invited to share their ideas and where mistakes are considered education victories.

     While incorporating the eight learning styles into each class, I believe that there are five essential elements that are conducive to learning. (1) The teacher's role is to act as a guide. (2) Students must have access to hands-on activities. (3) Students should be able to have choices and let their curiosity direct their learning. (4) Students need the opportunity to practice skills in a safe environment. (5) Technology must be incorporated into the school day.

Homework Offered
Students will read each weekly chapter up to the question/project section.  This is usually about 2-3 pages and should not take long.
0 - 1 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
parent request
Grades Offered

There are multiple sources throughout the book, but the book will be our main source.
Here are 4 benefits of journal writing for students:

1.     Improves writing and communication skills. It goes without saying that the more a student writes her thoughts out on paper, the better she (or he) will be at putting her emotions into words and communicating her needs to others, but what many of us don’t realize is that journals for students also provide a fun and effective way for young adults to work on their writing, spelling, and grammar skills. Of course, a journal is meant to be a private, unedited place for stream-of-consciousness writing, but you will be surprised to see how your child’s skills improve when she continues to put pen to paper.
2.     Provides an outlet. Whether your child suffers from excessive stress, or takes life in stride, there’s no denying that kids of all ages have worries, and journaling provides a fabulous outlet to help them address their feelings. Younger kids will likely want to share their journal with you, but if your child chooses to keep her journal private, she’ll have a place to express herself freely without feeling as though she needs to censor her thoughts for the benefit of others.
3.     Promotes a sense of calm. Writing our thoughts out on paper forces us to come to terms with the things we’re feeling, working through her thoughts will typically bring her back to a state of calm.
4.     Provides solutions. There are tons of journal prompts and worksheets for students that are designed to help kids think outside of their comfort zones, and as your child writes, she will inevitably start to come up with solutions to her problems. (Source:  Meraki Lane).

 Please contact the instructor with any special needs or accommodations.

Please Note:  I do try to post all videos, especially for students who miss class.  However, there are times a student may share something that I feel should not be posted for a student or families' privacy.  Parents can message me at any time if they would like a recording to come down, and students may also do the same.  

Also, on occasion I have parents that consider using this class in place of a licensed psychologist or therapist, I am neither. I have had many years working with students as a teacher and attorney for kids/teens, please see my teacher expertise below.  I am here to help your learners get some tools and make some friends in an enjoyable safe setting.