“Navigation tools for teens in private schools”

LECTURE OUTLINE

Having the opportunity to go to a (good) school and acquire a good education is wonderful opportunity for any teen. If you are a teen of color this has mixed blessings of opportunity and struggle.

There are issues that arise being a minority in any environment, and when this environment is a learning facility, these issues affect and often counter the good that is intended for the student. Being young is not an easy journey, we all are affected by the hurt, lack, and loss that occurs in life. Many students of color have addional issues of identification, living in two worlds, breaking the chain of poverty consciousness, breaking the chain or being the first generation that is experiencing legacy consciousness, handling the overt and subtle biases, navigating the difference in how they are raised at home and school. The feeling generated by these issues can lead to extreme behaviors of conforming and rebelling.

Andre Salvage and Associates has developed a series of lectures that address these and other issues all students will face. Without instilling a sense of separation, fear or anger, these lectures focus on tools, skills and role playing that enable teens to take advantage of the opportunity the school has to offer, without losing themselves in the process.

Here are some of the topic discussions, realizing that these topics can be combined, tailored and changed to fit any scheduling restrictions.

Internal Awareness… knowing yourself first

• Examining your own prejudices and bias behaviors
• Not being the spokesperson for your race or culture
• Picking your battles
• Knowing your passions and sensitivities
• Rebelling or conforming; the dangers of these extremes
• Removing the chip from your shoulder or the “please like me” badge from your chest
• Hosting your own party…. So there
• The power of being objective and not taking things personally
• Not taking remarks personally
• Deciding beforehand how to handle racial remarks
• When to ignore and when to say something

Community

• Living in two worlds
• Being you with friends in school and friends in your neighborhood
• School friends visiting your home

School

• Finding your way through school
• How to ask for what you need
• Dealing with racial remarks
• Gaining alias, talking to friends, making agreements about how to best support each other.

Assertiveness… Saying how you feel… or not.

• People will take your lead.. so lead if you want
• Talking to teachers
• Talking to students
• How to act not react to commitments
• Remaining balanced.. not minimizing or over emphasizing the issue or comment