As parents and educators, we want to be champions for our students, but often we revert to doing things we think will help them rather than asking them what they actually need. Taking the time to truly listen to what they have to say about their experience in the world is one of the best ways we can support students.
In this newsletter, we share some of our favorite ways to embed “Listening In” into your home or school. We also highlight our new Development Director position as well as an upcoming College Admissions workshop on March 10th. We hope to see you there! If you’ve attended our college workshop in the past, please feel free to share the opportunity with your community.
May your year be full of inspiration, connection, and hope.
Warmly,
The Challenge Success Team
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JOIN OUR COLLEGE ADMISSIONS WORKSHOP
MAR 10th at 4pm PT | 7pm ET
Cost: $10
For parents, students, and educators
Learn practical strategies to help reduce unnecessary pressure around the college admissions process and ways to support student’s overall well-being and readiness for life in college and beyond.
A recording will be sent to all registrants after the event.
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“I WISH” - An Easy First Step Toward Listening In
An “I Wish” campaign is a simple yet powerful opportunity to “listen in” to students. Ask students to complete the statement: “I Wish My Teachers Knew...” or “I Wish My Parents Knew…” Educators can do this in-person by asking students to fill out notecards or post-it notes or remotely via an anonymous survey. Parents can also carve out time and space at home to let their children reflect on this prompt.
- Read about how the Mercer Island Parent Edge group partnered with their school district to start an “I Wish” campaign.
- Listen to this "I Wish" compilation created by students
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FOR PARENTS
Explore these practical tips on how to talk with teens from the Center for Parent and Teen Communication, an excellent resource for parents and educators.
- Listen and Empathize. It’s more effective to listen than to constantly offer suggestions and solutions. For the most open and honest communication, let teens do most of the talking.
- Talk One-On-One or Side-by-Side. Public conversations are on the “what to avoid” list. Some teens prefer talking about certain topics when not looking you directly in the eyes. Try talking during “side-by-side” activities like folding laundry, cooking, driving in the car, and even playing sports.
- Watch the Tone and Choice of Words. Avoid using a negative tone or accusatory words like “Why can’t you just…?” Instead, try using an “I” Statement to explain how you feel. Read more for concrete ideas from the Center for Parent and Teen Communication.
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FOR PARENT GROUPS & PTAs
Many parent organizations and schools have begun virtual Parent Education series to start meaningful conversations about student well-being and to listen in to students and educators.
- Host a Parent Education workshop series. Our workshops provide research-based strategies to start meaningful conversations on a variety of topics from sleep to managing schedules and student well-being.
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FOR SCHOOLS & EDUCATORS
Our Challenge Success-Stanford Survey of School Experiences was developed by researchers at the Stanford Graduate School of Education and includes questions on a variety of topics designed to provide schools with actionable data to guide school change. Learn more here.
- Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology used the Challenge Success Student Survey to better understand students’ experience of school and inform their efforts to improve student well-being. Read more about how they did so in our recent blog post.
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INVITATION TO PARTNER WITH US
Do you know a school that could benefit from working with Challenge Success? Registration is now open for our one-day Summer Leadership Seminars:
- Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA - June 16th, 2022
- Virtual - July 28th, 2022
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WE ARE HIRING: DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Join a team of passionate and caring individuals who are committed to helping schools and families create a healthy, well-balanced, and academically engaging life for kids. Learn more about the position and how to apply here. We also welcome you to share this with anyone who might be a good fit.
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