It's Okay to Be Different Program
Building Confidence, Leadership, and Emotional Intelligence
The It’s Okay to Be Different Program is designed to empower PreK-2nd grade students with the tools they need for academic success and personal development. This program focuses on helping children build confidence, make great decisions, use their voice effectively, and practice gratitude and emotional intelligence, preparing them for success in life.
Learning Objectives:
1. Building Confidence & Leveraging Their Voice
Students will learn to recognize their strengths and use their voice to express their thoughts and feelings clearly. They will practice positive self-talk and learn how to celebrate their unique qualities, giving them the tools they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom.
2. Informed Decision-Making
Students will learn how to make smart choices in their everyday lives. Through fun, interactive scenarios, they will be guided to think about the consequences of their actions and choose wisely, fostering responsibility and independence.
3. Emotional Intelligence & Empathy
Emotional intelligence will be at the heart of this program. Students will learn how to understand and manage their own emotions and recognize emotions in others. Through role-playing and group discussions, they will practice empathy and learn how to connect with others in a supportive, emotionally intelligent way.
4.Emphasizing Gratitude
Students will be guided through activities that teach the importance of gratitude. They will learn how showing appreciation can positively impact their mindset and relationships, promoting emotional well-being and a positive outlook on life.
By participating in the It’s Okay to Be Different Program, students will develop:
- Confidence and the ability to effectively express their ideas and emotions
- Critical thinking and decision-making abilities
- Enhanced emotional intelligence and empathy for others
- A deeper sense of gratitude and emotional resilience
Our book Shanel’s World and this program will prepare students to become thoughtful, emotionally intelligent leaders in their schools and communities. After completing the program, they will walk away with a strong sense of self-worth and the skills to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. They will also learn about Shanel's various food allergies.
Channeling Emotions & Building Confidence through Journaling- Middle & High School
Helping students improve communication skills that support better interactions with peers, teachers and family members, contributing to a healthier school environment.
This workshop helps middle and high school students manage their emotions through journaling, fostering, self-confidence, self expression, and emotional regulation. Students will explore how personal storytelling can serve as a tool for growth and positive change. Through guided writing exercises, they develop emotional awareness, build resilience, and learn effective ways to express themselves.
Learning Objectives
1. Emotional awareness and regulation:
Students will be equipped to recognize and manage their emotions through journaling. They will be provided with practical strategies for emotional self-care and healthy expression.
2. Improving communication and empowering voices:
Students will be able to express their thoughts, effectively, fostering empathy, and meaningful conversations. Students will be encouraged to see their personal narratives as valuable tools for connection and self advocacy.
3. Interactive journaling and writing exercises:
Students will engage in reflective writing to build self-awareness and boost confidence. Students will be guided in brainstorming, creative projects that express their experiences and goals.
By participating, students will:
- Improve their emotional regulation and resilience through writing practices.
- Developed communication skills that enhance relationships with peers, teachers, and family members.
- Build self-awareness and confidence by reflecting on personal experiences.
- Leave with practical journaling strategies for managing stress and expressing their authentic voice.
Aspiring Author Academy- College Level
Turning ideas into impactful books and leveraging them for personal and professional growth
This academy guides college students to write impactful content or develop the outline for their first book, with an option to self-publish. The program equips students with practical writing techniques, storytelling strategies, and publishing insights, helping them build confidence and leverage their work for professional or academic growth.
Learning Objectives
1. Identify and Clarify their book idea or message, aligned with their passions and audience needs.
2. Develop an Organized Outline that provides structure and direction for writing.
3. Write with Purpose and Impact using storytelling techniques and personal voice.
4. Explore Publishing Pathways and understand the pros and cons of self-publishing vs. traditional publishing.
5. Craft a Simple Book Marketing Plan to promote their work pre- and post-launch.
6. Leverage a Published Book to gain influence, generate income, or enhance their professional brand.
Program Overview
The Aspiring Author Academy is an 6-8 week immersive program designed to teach students the art of impactful writing while offering a structured path to publish their first book or outline. The course provides step-by-step guidance, practical tools, and personal feedback, empowering students to express themselves authentically through the written word. Whether they aim to become authors, entrepreneurs, or thought leaders, students will leave the program with a clear book plan, the foundation to publish, and insights on how to market their work effectively.
Leveraging your expertise and storytelling for influence and impact Keynote
Leveraging your expertise and storytelling as a tool for leadership, brand building and growth.
In this engaging Keynote, attendees will learn how to embrace the power of storytelling to convey their expertise, inspire action, and build lasting influence. Through real world, examples and actionable insights, busy business owners will learn how to weave their personal and professional stories into content – whether for articles or even books. The focus will be on storytelling as a tool for leadership, brand building, and growth, with a call to action to publish and share their story with the world.
Key Focus Areas:
1. The power of storytelling and business: Professionals will learn how to share stories that create emotional connections that inspire action.
2. Crafting your personal brand story: Professionals will learn how to identify key moments and lessons that defines their journey. They will learn how to align their story with reality their brand’s mission and values.
3. Publishing as a Tool for Thought Leadership: Professionals will see how storytelling enhances authority through articles, blogs and books. They will see why business owners should document and publish their expertise.
4. Actionable storytelling frameworks:
Professionals will learn storyboarding ideas to be able to create articles or book outlines.
Key Takeaways for attendees:
- Clarity on their brand story and key experiences that could be shared to inspire others
- A simple content framework for attorney expertise into articles or book outlines.
- Confidence to use storyteller as a way to bring stronger, customer relationships, and grow their influence.
- A road not to start publishing whether through blogs newsletters or self publishing.