Search Institute

Training of Trainers: Building Developmental Assets in School Communities

dalbright — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 09:49:24 -0500

Train your own people to educate others about Developmental Assets. Host a Building Developmental Assets in School Communities workshop and build a team of teachers, administrators, and staff to share assets within your school or community as part of their current job responsibilities. This newly equipped team will help you build enthusiasm and energy and spread the message further, faster, and easier without incurring the cost of individual training.

By participating in this workshop, these trainers will be able to

successfully organize and facilitate a one-day asset-building workshop for school staff called Building Developmental Assets in School Communities;
accurately and effectively field questions from participants;
reference and recommend resources that will help participants;
gain a deeper understanding of how to create developmentally rich school communities;
verify 14 hours of training through a Certificate of Participation.

Workshop Format:

Day One: An orientation on becoming a trainer followed by participation in the six-hour Building Developmental Assets in School Communities training being presented to a school audience.
Day Two: How to provide the training to others.

Who Should Attend: Educators who have credibility with and connect to their colleagues, are youth/child centered, are innovative and possess strong training skills, commitment, energy, and confidence to serve in a training role within the school system.

Length: Two 7-1/2 hour days.

Materials: The Asset Approach and Your Classroom booklets and 150 Ways to Show Kids You Care mini-poster. Each individual or team must also purchase the training resource library at $415 plus shipping (a $600 value!). The library includes Search Institute publications to help educators build assets.

All library materials are packaged in a rolling backpack to provide ease in transporting to training locations. You can view the complete library here.

“A very well-designed TOT (and I have been to many). This was one of the best delivered by an engaging and empathetic trainer who inspires by modeling everything he stands for. Thank you!”

Search Institute Training & Speaking Open Enrollments—Our most popular trainings, open to the public.

jennyb — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:50:11 -0500

Open Enrollments are trainings that offer a limited number of seats to the public. They go fast so, reserve yours now!

These trainings are designed to prepare you to take your asset-building program to the next level. We offer trainings that will help you mobilize your community, deliver Search Institute trainings, develop a group of dedicated asset-building trainers, and more.

September 29–30, 2010: Essentials of Asset Building, Uncasville, CT
Learn to create and support a group of asset builders in your community. Join us in Uncasville to find out how to empower local trainers to spread the asset message further, faster, and more effectively.
Find out more about the training

October 11–12, 2010: Building Developmental Assets in School Communities, Bakersfield, CA
Do you want to train the members of your school community to build Developmental Assets for their students?
Find out more about the training

October 26–27, 2010: Essentials of Asset Building, North Highlands, CA
Learn to create and support a group of asset builders in your community. Join us in North Highlands to find out how to empower local trainers to spread the asset message further, faster, and more effectively.
Find out more about the training

National Night Out

dalbright — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:59:53 -0500

National Night Out is a great time to get to know your neighbors. Visit www.nationalnightout.org to find out more, and use the resources below to help make your neighborhood’s National Night Out a success.

Make Your Neighborhood Event Fun and Meaningful

Asset-Building Ideas for Neighbors and Neighborhood Groups
This handout, from Pass It On!, contains great ideas for getting together with neighbors to make your community a better place for youth.
Search Institute Summer Tips
These business-card-sized handouts are great for handing out to people attending your National Night out or any other event. Just print them on perforated business-card sheets, and start spreading the asset message!

	Great Group Games A collection of fun and meaningful activities for people of all ages.
	Great Group Games for Kids Packed with creative ways to entertain groups of kids in grades K-5.
	I Noticed! Notes Use these kind, funny messages to “catch” your neighbor kids when they do something right.
	150 Ways to Show Kids You Care A thoughtful, refrigerator-sized poster you can afford to give every neighbor.
	Ready, Set, Grow! Lots of young children in your neighborhood? Give families a growth chart that measures both physical and emotional development.
	Conversations on the Go How do you make sure teenagers feel included at your event? Strike up meaningful chats with this insightful book of questions.
	Asset Category Stickers Based on Developmental Assets ®, these stickers remind neighbors about the things that matter most to kids, such as support, boundaries, and positive values.

Developmental Assets are Free!

admin — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 10:29:07 -0600

We have a wealth of resources that won’t cost you a cent!

Free Resource Downloads

Looking for ideas of how to use these resources?

Well, here are some great examples of places utilizing Search Institute’s free asset resources:

Bain Bridge, Georgia A community showcased each asset on DA list on their community website weekly.

Los Alamos Local community newspaper wrote an article about one of the 40 Developmental Assets and how it can help youth make better decisions.

Free Webinars and Podcasts

Check out our Webinar and Podcast Library – updated regularly!
A great way to gather information from Search Institute’s trainings and workshops!

Free Ways to Connect with Youth

Anyone working with or have daily interaction with youth would love this section, because it has clever methods to engage youth & children while also building on their assets.

Example of how Search Institute’s activities are being shared:
5 Minutes For Mom> This online resource for mothers used one of Search Institute’s activities of reading to youth and children, and talks about the importance of reading to youth while making it fun and engaging

Free Research Findings about Assets

This section showcases Search Institute research in various sectors and communities to help you gain a better understanding of assets.

Example of how Search Institute’s research is being used:
Times Reporter> Local Ohio newspaper featured some of Search Institute’s research in their article about Father’s Day.

Free E-newsletters (and archives of all newsletters)

Free Grant-Writing Help

Grant Writing Resources

Marilyn Peplau, Trainer

peterh — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:43:05 -0500

Marilyn “Pep” Peplau
Search Institute Trainer
Home State: Wisconsin

Professional Expertise
Marilyn Peplau is an educator, speaker, consultant, and trainer with expertise in the areas of:

Developmental Assets
Student assistance programs
Healthy Communities • Healthy Youth initiatives
Asset-building practice in communities

Contributions to Search Institute
As a contract trainer for Search Institute, Peplau serves as a speaker, trainer, and training program designer for organizations (especially schools) and communities interested in building Developmental Assets for and with youth, starting a community-wide asset-building initiative, or creating community change on behalf of youth.

Peplau assisted Search Institute in developing the Building Developmental Assets in School Communities training, and Change of Heart school retreat. With a passion for writing, she’s contributed to countless Search Institute resources, including Great Places to Learn, You Have to Live It, Pass It On, and What Young Children Need to Succeed. Your Classroom: Simple Ways to Create a Positive Learning Climate fulfilled her 7th grade English teacher’s prophecy of writing a book(let) some day!

Major Workshops and Training Programs

Trainer at PIPfests, high schools, community, and state youth conferences (more than 500 training events)
Asset-building presenter at Wisconsin State Superintendents’ Conference
Facilitator of CESA workshops on asset building and resiliency
Lead advisor for natural peer helping program.

Awards and Honors

Wisconsin Secondary School Counselor of the Year
Wisconsin Home Economics Association “New Achiever” Award
Wisconsin Home Economics Association Teacher of the Year
Vision Training Associates’ Outstanding Relationship Building Award

Professional History
In addition to her long-term commitment to New Richmond High School and work with Search Institute, Peplau served as a Teaching and Learning Facilitator at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Master of Education program where she:

Proactively guided teachers pursuing a master’s degree in education as they identify, investigate, and transform their beliefs and practices about teaching and learning
Used the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards as primary content for the incorporation of best practices and theory as part of individual and community-wide learning experiences
Worked collaboratively and cooperatively to develop training and authentic assessments

Former positions include:

26+ years as a high school classroom teacher and guidance counselor in New Richmond, Wisconsin, school community
Guidance counselor for New Richmond High School, New Richmond, Wisconsin
Family/consumer education teacher, New Richmond, Wisconsin

(She also values her middle school coaching experience and one day as a 2nd grade teacher!)

Professional Activities

Member of CESA #11 Assessment Development Team
Charter Member, School Improvement Management Team
Member, National Center for Research in Vocational Education
Member, University of Minnesota “New Design for Comprehensive High Schools”

Community Activities

5-year leader, New Richmond Healthy Communities • Healthy Youth team
Liaison and columnist for weekly newspaper column on assets
St. Croix County’s American Cancer Society “Relay for Life”
Local United Way Board
New Richmond Area Foundation Executive Board Member

Education

Wisconsin Certification in Guidance and Counseling, grades 6–12, University of Wisconsin—River Falls, Wisconsin
M.S., home economics education, University of Wisconsin—Stout, Menomonie, Wisconsin
B.S., home economics education, University of Wisconsin—Stout, Menomonie, Wisconsin

Request Marilyn Peplau for the following trainings by calling Search Institute Training at 800-294-4322 (outside the United States, dial 207-642-6270).

What’s Up with Our Kids?
Everyone’s an Asset Builder
Sharing the Asset Message
Building Developmental Assets in School Communities
Deepening Asset Building in School Communities
Building Developmental Assets in School Communities TOT
Change of Heart: A Student & Staff Asset-Building Retreat (also available as a Training of Trainers event)
Powerful Teaching

Search Institute Partners with Target to Promote Summer Learning

jennyb — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 12:18:12 -0500

Powerful Tips for Parents Help Kids Continue to Learn throughout the Summer

Target® has launched a new social marketing campaign based on the research of Minneapolis-based Search Institute®. Each week, new tips will be posted on the Target Facebook page that helps parents encourage their kids to keep learning and creating throughout the summer. Search Institute’s Facebook page expands on these tips and offers even more resources for parents this summer.

Studies of more than 2.2 million young people consistently show that the more assets young people have, the less likely they are to engage in a wide range of high-risk behaviors

The Target Summer Learning Tips are based in Search Institute’s positive youth development, resiliency, and prevention research. This research led to the framework of the Developmental Assets which are 40 common sense, positive experiences and qualities that help influence choices young people make and help them become caring, responsible adults.

Studies of more than 2.2 million young people consistently show that the more assets young people have, the less likely they are to engage in a wide range of high-risk behaviors and the more likely they are to thrive. Assets have power for all young people, regardless of their gender, economic status, family, or race/ethnicity, and are better predictors of high-risk involvement and thriving than poverty or being from a single-parent family.

“Search Institute is proud to partner with Target on the Facebook Summer Learning Series,” stated Peter Benson, President and CEO of Search Institute. He continued, “We hope this campaign helps parents make the most of the summer and helps their kids be better prepared for school in the fall.”

According to the National Summer Learning Association, all students experience learning losses when they don’t engage in educational activities over the summer.

Students typically score lower on standardized tests at the end of summer vacation than they do on the same tests at the beginning of the summer.
Most students lose almost three months of grade level equivalency in mathematical computation skills over the summer months.
Low-income students also lose more than two months in reading achievement.

The Target Summer Learning Series and the Search Institute Facebook campaign will continue into August with weekly updates and tips for parents of children ages 3-13. Join Search Institute and Target on a summer adventure filled with creativity, adventure, and learning. www.facebook.com/SearchInstitute

Request a Letter of Support for Grant Applications

admin — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 11:44:19 -0500

Search Institute will provide a letter of support to any organization or community seeking funding for an asset-building project or initiative. Fill in the requested information below and Search Institute will respond to your request within two business days. If your request is urgent, please call 877-240-7251 for immediate assistance. We will customize your letter of support to meet the needs of your grant application.

Teacher Appreciation

jennyb — Tue, 05 May 2009 09:12:35 -0500

April is Financial Literacy Month!

jennyb — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 09:33:41 -0500

Help youth acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to take control of their financial destiny.

Search Institute has the tools to help you make the most of Financial Literacy Month. You can improve your kids’ personal financial literacy by teaching them key financial skills. Search Institute can help you talk to your kids about money and the values that will help them make wise financial decisions in the future. Giving kids opportunities to help improve their money skills will benefit them now and help them become financially responsible adults.

Did You Know?

The more Developmental Assets that kids have, the more likely they are to make smart money management choices. While 72 percent of young people who have 31 to 40 Developmental Assets save money, only 27 percent of young people with 10 Developmental Assets or less save money.¹

Celebrate Financial Literacy Month with Search Institute

The following resources will provide you with good advice for talking to your kids about money and instilling positive financial values.

ParentFurther: a Search Institute Resource for Families
Kids and Money: An Introduction

BankIt
A financial education resource for parent and teens created by Capitol One and Search Institute

1. Developmental Assets: A Profile of Your Youth (Minneapolis, MN: Search Institute, 2005), 2003 weighted aggregate dataset, unpublished report.

Strategies You Can Use: Get a Personal Perspective on the Assets

dalbright — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:52:57 -0600

Maria's Story DVD-Simple Stories of the Extraordinary Impact of Asset-Building

jennyb — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:34:29 -0600

Two compelling stories from Search Institute rooted in intentional asset-building actions.

Maria's Story is told by Flora Sánchez, Search Institute Senior Trainer, the stories describe two encounters she had witha young woman named Maria across a 14-year span and illustrate how her simple act of engagement transformed both their lives. The DVD also contains a series of discussion questions for individual or group reflection, which encourage viewers to think about how they can reach out to young people in their own lives.
Other bonus features include “Maria’s Song,” performed by Ken Medema at Search Institute’s 2007 Healthy Communities • Healthy Youth Conference , and “50 Ways to Build Healthy Youth,” a collection of asset-building actions set to music.

Here are some ways in which others are using this DVD resource:
• Enrich an introduction to Developmental Assets with the video as a “call to action.”
• Use the video and associated discussion prompts with groups you are working to engage in asset building. The content helps them build a personal action plan of where, in the daily-ness of their own life, THEY can be an asset builder.
• Add inspiration and motivation to any asset presentation by use of these compelling stories.
• Add some PUNCH to events honoring asset building in your community by sharing these powerful examples of simple acts.
• Provide the DVD as an asset-building gift to those who care deeply about our young. Recognize and honor their own actions by letting them know how these stories remind you of them.

Learn more about the Maria's Story DVD.

Essentials of Asset Building

dalbright — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:02:35 -0500

Search Institute senior trainer Flora Sanchez discusses the Essentials of Asset Building Training of Trainers event.

Education Blog

admin — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 09:14:49 -0600

Nathan Eklund, M.Ed., is a professional speaker and trainer who works with students, teachers, and administrators to seek hopeful solutions to problems in schools.

The Power of Mentoring—Free Tools

gener — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 08:32:41 -0500

January is National Mentoring Month! Join Search Institute in celebrating mentors all month long with new resources to help you build successful mentoring relationships and programs.

Forming Successful Mentoring Relationships

Mentoring relationships provide young people with a valuable source of support; however, many adults feel reluctant or shy about becoming mentors. The tools below describe the benefits of mentoring and offer effective strategies for developing relationships that make a difference in kids’ lives.

FREE Mentoring Tools and Downloads

Thank a mentor with a special “thank you” e-card

Tools for Mentoring Adolescents
(Developed in cooperation with the Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota.)

What’s Working? Tools for Evaluating Your Mentoring Program

Sample handouts from Mentoring for Meaningful Results:

Asset-Building Resources for Mentors

Mentoring for Meaningful Results
The complete guide for mentoring program leaders. Learn how to start and maintain a successful mentoring program in your school, organization, or community.

Activities on the Go
This handy resource contains many ideas for fun one-on-one activities that build relationships between kids and adults.

Conversations on the Go
Conversations are at the core of successful mentoring relationships. Use these ideas to get—and keep—kids talking.

Mentoring and Developmental Assets

Building strong relationships is at the core of both mentoring and building Developmental Assets. Because of this, the assets framework fits seamlessly with a mentoring program, which allows both young people and adults to form and sustain relationships across generations, and is an excellent way to intentionally form connections between kids and adults.

Learn more about Developmental Assets

Mentoring Links

MENTOR
Learn how to become a mentor, start your own program, find resources to improve your program, find information on statewide mentoring partnerships, and read mentoring-related news.

How Was Your Day at School Podcast.

admin — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:14:17 -0600

Search Institute education consultant Nathan Eklund discusses his book on teacher job satisfaction, How Was Your Day at School?

Conversation Generator: Fun and Easy Ways to Connect with Kids

jennyb — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:52:10 -0500

If this one doesn't suit you, click the button for more ideas.

For more great ideas, check out the Activity Generator!

Would you like the Conversation Generator on your Web site? Download the Conversation Generator

Featured Publication

For even more conversations, try Conversations on the Go: Clever Questions to Keep Teens and Grown-Ups Talking, a Search Institute Press Publication.

Activity Generator: Fun and Easy Ways Connect with Kids

jennyb — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:45:09 -0500

Are you looking for fun and easy ways to connect with kids? Try the activity below. If this one doesn't suit you, click the button for more ideas.

All activities adapted from Search Institute Press publications. Visit the Search Institute store for more information.

For more great ideas, check out the Conversation Generator!

Would you like the Activity Generator on your Web site? Download the Activity Generator

Featured Publication

For even more activities, try Great Group Games: 175 Boredom-Busting, Zero-Prep Team Builders for All Ages, a Search Institute Press Publication.

Testing Your Memory: An Activity for Use When Introducing Developmental Assets

suzyw — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 10:37:51 -0600

Training Tip from Jim Conway, Senior Trainer

This simple participatory activity can be used during a presentation of the Developmental Assets to illustrate the importance of the framework as a lens for viewing the experiences of youth within a community. It also provides a way to emphasize that the assets are not a program. I often use the activity at the beginning of my presentation.

Activity Directions
1. Tell participants that in a moment we’re going to review the asset framework, but first we’ll take just 90 seconds to test their memories.
NOTE: You can play this up a bit noting that at this particular moment (mornings, after lunch, etc.) our brains may be a little dull and what we’re going to look at in a moment is really important and you want everyone’s brain as attentive as possible.

2. Ask participants to move around the room and make a mental note of everything they see that is the color red. Tell them that they will have 90 seconds to identify and remember as many things as possible. Explain that they should not write anything down, but simply make a mental note so that they can remember each item later.

3. Answer any questions that participants have and tell them to begin – monitor and announce the time remaining at 30 second intervals. Tell participants not to return to their seats because at the end of 90 seconds you will be testing their memories.

4. When 90 seconds have expired have participants partner up with someone near them and stand facing one another (if you have an odd number you can have one group of three)

5. Ask participants to close their eyes and leave them closed until you ask them to open them. When everyone is ready announce that they are now to share with their partners, without opening their eyes, everything in the room they remember that is the color blue.

There’s usually a moment of surprised moaning and laughter.

6. Give participants a few minutes to share what they can remember and then ask them to open their eyes and return to their regular seats.

7. Process the activity by asking first if folks had a hard time remembering blue stuff and why that was the case. Then make the point that this activity is a simple illustration of the fact that we tend to see what we’re looking for! Point out that the asset framework is primarily a lens, like putting on a pair of glasses that allows us to really see the lives of young people in our communities. Stress again that assets are not a program but “a way of seeing youth.”

A few cautionary notes:
• While I have used this activity with young people, I find that it works best with adults. Young people sometimes focus on “doing it right” and are more prone to actually get upset by the change in color at the end. This is not always the case, however, and I encourage you to try it out with youth to see how it works for you.
• Occasionally I will have someone in the group who is color blind. I find that sometimes they say that they can still distinguish between particular colors or shades. You can check with them to see if that’s the case and structure the activity accordingly if possible. Make sure that in the process you don’t give away the ending. This is rare and I’ve found that those folk are also fine with “sitting it out” and watching the group doing this activity.

Have fun…Hope it adds to your training!

Search Institute Training and Speaking Podcast

dalbright — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 10:45:56 -0500

Kaija Shaffer, Search Institute’s communications manager, interviews Donna and Tim Duffey of Vision Training Associates.
Visit the Search Institute Training and Speaking Page

Resources for Libraries

peterh — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:33:51 -0600

Building Great Communities…Book by Book

Librarians are doing some of the most important work in positive youth development today. Search Institute Press resources benefit libraries in three ways:

Programming: Our books of activities, games, mentoring tools, and community outreach ideas provide youth program leaders with thousands of ways to reach out to teens. Get sample pages of The Best of Building Assets Together and Great Group Games.

Professional Development: Our research framework of 40 Developmental Assets offers a fresh way of looking at your work with children and teenagers. Learn more about specific ways that libraries can meet these assets by reviewing the download Developmental Assets and Library Connections.

Collection Development: Our books on your shelves serve a wide variety of audiences: professionals and parents, coaches and nurses, teachers and mentors, youth workers, and adult patrons who have caring relationships with youth in your neighborhood. Get sample pages of Parenting at the Speed of Teens, Parenting Preteens with a Purpose, Empowering Youth, Engage Every Parent, and How Was Your Day at School?

Ordering Information

Our books are available from wholesalers nationwide and from Independent Publishers Group (800-888-4741, www.ipgbook.com). If you have any questions, or you’d like a review copy or a Search Institute Press trade catalog, contact Bill Kauffmann, Resource Specialist, at 612-692-5527, or billk@search-institute.org.

To learn more about our publishing program visit Search Institute Press.

Happy Holidays e-card from Search

peterh — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:39:05 -0600

A Season of Appreciation: Holiday Gifts That Make a Difference

jennyb — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 09:58:01 -0600

Our fun and inspirational publications are the perfect way to show your gratitude. Thank parents by giving them fold-up mini posters to post on the refrigerator. Make a teacher’s job easier with a time-saving activity book such as Great Group Skits.

Whether you’re shopping for a professional or a member of your family, you can find what you’re looking for at Search Institute. Any family member will welcome a copy of Conversations on the Go or Stay Close. And books like Building Character from the Start are great for teachers and program staff.

Save 10%! Visit the Search Institute Store for details.

Gifts for Teachers and Program Staff
Show teachers and staff members that you care with these gifts.

How Was Your Day at School? — Improve your school as a workplace, avoid teacher burnout, and increase retention.

Just When I Needed You — Be inspired by adults who made a difference in the lives of youth.

Great Group Games — Over 175 games to disband cliques and build friendships between students.

View more gifts for teachers and program staff

Gifts for Mentors
Thank a mentor with one of these gifts this holiday season.

Just When I Needed You — Be inspired by adults who made a difference in the lives of youth.

Activities on the Go — These activities help kids and adults connect. And they’re fun!

Take It Personally — Find out how you can build assets in every child’s life in this workbook.

View more gifts for mentors

Gifts for Parents and Families
Any parent or family member will appreciate these thoughtful gifts.

Launching Your Teen into Adulthood — Preparing a teen to enter the adults world is tough. Find insight and help in this book.

Ready, Set, Grow! posters — This growth chart provides helpful tips for fostering a child’s development.

Playful Reading — Learn how to turn your kids’ favorite children’s books into asset-building learning experiences.

View more gifts for parents and families

Take It Personally with Free Facilitator's Guidebook

jennyb — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:17:50 -0600

By Jolene Roehlkepartain

An update on the best-selling publication Taking Asset Building Personally, this action-and-reflection workbook contains everything individuals need to make a stronger commitment to building Developmental Assets for children and teenagers.

On your own or in discussion groups, use this guide to help you find:

basic information on Developmental Assets;
tried-and-true tools for reflecting on your opportunities to connect with kids;
fifteen new exercises to help you take action;
even more ideas for building assets with children and youth of all ages.

Ideal for staff meetings, parent groups, volunteer trainings, and community events, this workbook helps people from all walks of life learn about the power they have to make a difference in the lives of young people.

Listen to a podcast about the book
Download sample pages
Read more or purchase the Book

This free, printable facilitator’s guidebook is designed to supplement Take It Personally. If you are a discussion group facilitator, you will the essential exercises and strategies for building assets in this guidebook useful.

Download the Facilitator’s Guidebook

"School Connectedness" on Capitol Hill

nathane — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:48:22 -0500

I’d like to send a big kudos to Jon Terry, a tireless advocate for positive youth development in Washington D.C. If you like guns, education, oil, and a host of other issues, you’re pretty well represented in Washington. If you’re rallying lawmakers around positive youth development? That’s a little more lonely.

Jon has organized a Capitol Hill briefing next Tuesday centered around the CDC’s report around school connectedness. Search President Peter Benson will be speaking. Lawmakers will be listening. This is a cool day.

Here’s a description on Jon’s blog about the event. We’ll report back on how it goes. Make sure to read the CDC’s report in Jon’s posting. Print it out. Forward it. Distribute it. And if you’re anywhere near Washington, get to the briefing. Call your state representatives and encourage them to go. Write letters in support of positive youth development.

Jon Terry, Search Institute, and all organizations and individuals working to change society’s perceptions about youth can use all the help we can get in raising awareness around the issues we care about the most!

Investing in Good Teachers

nathane — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:11:04 -0500

Thanks to my friend Tim Hatfield from Winona State University who sent me this beautiful article from the Winona Daily News titled, Want to Get Lucky? Invest in Teachers.

The article ends with this fantastic quote that could serve as our Thought for the Day:

As Gladwell would say, it’s not just the toil of genius, but the toil of those who seek to foster genius, that brings us our luck.