Who knew school would be from home?

It's been a while since I posted. Life has been busy in other areas and other than posting on the Strategies for Success Facebook page, I haven't been focused on the Strategies program.

I've had the idea in the back of my mind that someday I'd like to turn the Strategies for Success curriculum into an online program so teens could access it directly since schools have not been open to adding it to their program of studies. But I had doubts as to how effective it might be without the key element of student interaction. I didn't know how much it would cost to do this lessons justice. I didn't know if I had the time and could assemble the right team to make it happen.

The good news is that I was still using the strategies myself and through social media, I learned that many of my former students were as well.

So what's changed? Covid-19 has arrived and everyone is sheltered in place. Teens are now learning remotely with teachers doing their best to alter their classes with little notice. Talk about stress. I had a messenger conversation with a former student who said her two songs were struggling to cope with all the changes and I knew I had to act.

So it's in the works. I've given in and made the first video, a welcome and explanation of what the program is all about. I've changed the name to "Success for Life 101" because I think it better describes the fact that it's a beginning course with life lessons. I've found someone to transcribe what I say so I can have the written version available for people who would rather read content that watch a video. And I'm beginning to structure how it might work in my head.

I reality I should be listening to the sound of the waves of the Gulf of Mexico from my little beach condo. But that vacation that I've never missed in my adult life will have to wait a year. This spring will be in Rhode Island. What's good about that? I get to see what blossoms during the 3 weeks I'm usually away. I get to create this. I'm safe at home and don't have to worry about how I might get back in tough times. By asking myself 'what's good about this?' I'm redirecting my thoughts, my sadness at missing the friends I only see there, my stress in an entirely different direction and that can only make life easier...even in tough times.

And that's what I intend to do for the teens who will ultimately watch this program. So check out the intro video here and stop back to see when the lessons start showing up. Can't wait to get started!