A Word From a Grad...

My name is Simeon Bowman, I am currently a senior at Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, Michigan and back in April of 2010 I attended Rapports “College Leadership Breakthrough” class in Las Vegas, NV. The opportunity to take the class was suggested and offered by my sponsor Robin Smith who is the head of the Student Retention Department in the Student Development office at my university. The timing of my attending College Leadership Breakthrough (CLB) was actually quite coincidental; there were two catastrophic events that had taken place in my life in the recent year, one of which being the death of my father. Both of these events had taken a major toll on both me mentally as well as my motivation in school. Simply put, I was struggling.

There are a number of CLB alum from Spring Arbor University, a couple of which I have had the privilege of working with and they had nothing but good things to say about the class. I reminded myself that nothing ventured means nothing gained and dove headfirst into the class. My hopes in attending were simply for a shifting of perspective. A shift large enough to help me reframe the way that I was looking at life, which at the time was relatively drab and futile, to a perspective that was much more optimistic and hopeful. To say that my prayers were answered in full still seems to be a bit of an understatement. The CLB class really opened my mind to the power of community and how it can be used to inspire individuals. The concept of “synergy” was one that seemed to permeate the entire program. It was a remarkable experience being put into a two and a half day class with what originally was a group of total strangers and walking away from the experience feeling as if I had gained a new family.

If there is one thing that I can say that I have taken away from the course it is that the power of community is limitless in its ability to inspire and encourage the individual. Interdependence is not anything to be feared but rather embraced, because it is truly the key to unlocking true potential. Since taking the class it has been my goal to live my life in such a way as to inspire everyone that I come into contact to pursue and seek the power of community, to be encouragers and supporters, and to desire the same. All with the understanding that it begins with me.

-Simeon

NEW Beginnings in a NEW Year!

If your household is anything like mine was with teenagers, I know and understand your pain and frustration!  The start of the new school year is a tremendous amount of stress for everyone in the family.  Empower your teenager to be successful and help them minimize their stress. First, reinforce that it is normal to feel nervous and uneasy as they face the enviable changes of the new school year.  Second, encourage them to focus on new solutions to the challenge ahead.  As both a parent and a teen, the importance of the first month of school can all be simplified by identifying systems.

Teach your teenager to look for the mechanics and identify how and why things work.  Share with them examples of how systems create success in high school and life with practical examples.  Ask them why star athletes are successful.  What traits do they have in common?

Common answers include:

·         Star athletes do not start conditioning on the first day of the season, they practice and condition most of the year

·         They discipline themselves to practice daily to improve their technical abilities

·         They set goals and focus on achieving one goal at a time

·         They succeed because of what they do off the field, not on the field

·         They do not let other people distract them from achieving their goals

Once your teen understands this concept, encourage them to spend these weeks discovering the answer some these questions:

·         What system does each teacher have for grading students?

·         What makes each teacher feel as if a student is participating and interested in class?

·         How is this year’s social system different to navigate than previous years? 

·         How will I get everything done? 

·         How do I use this year to prepare for future success? 

In the meantime, as a parent, you get to work on your own systems for success:

·         How do I create a culture in the home and family that facilitates my child being successful? 

·         What challenges does my teenager face?

·         How do I empower them to succeed? 

·         How do I recognize effort and reinforce positive behaviors? 

As a parent, I encourage you to spend far more time recognizing effort, internal motivation and discipline; and far less time recognizing results.  By doing this you will be teaching your teen a life-long skill of using systems and behaviors to succeed!

Enthusiastically,



Bridgit Parise

The Start of a New School Year

Congratulations on being one of THE most influential people in our society today! You, more than any other human being in this world, will play a role in determining the shape of our leaders over the next 20 years! You have the opportunity to:

•  Live a life that demonstrates the choices you desire for your teen to make!
•  Empower your teen with the potential you notice inside of them!
•  Act as the example that your student desperately needs to see!
•  Dream along side them, affirming that what they yearn for is nothing short of possible!

Yes, Mom and Dad, you have an amazing opportunity to LEAD!!

Rapport Empowered Education speak with parents every single day that share comments such as this...

"Oh, but if you only knew MY teenager..."

"I live with a teenager, what can I expect..."

"I can only hope it's a phase we will pass through quickly..."

And, we interact with teenagers on a daily basis that say things such as this...

"Oh, but if you only knew MY parents..."

"I live with my Mom and Dad, what can I expect..."

"Oh, they'll get over it! It's just this new thing they are stuck on..."

These conversations lead to the belief that some of your frustrations are probably quite similar to theirs! Frustration that "they just don't listen" comes up often on both sides of the fence!

As you and your family begin to move into the start of a new school year take a moment to reflect on the year that has just past. Take time to celebrate your success as a family! Express gratitude for what your up-and-coming CEO, teacher, or doctor has done in school, sports, and most importantly your family! Often times we treat our children like ...well... children! Instead of approaching them as if they really do posses the potential we see within them!

Start this school year off with a fresh new start -one that empowers your teen to be everything you want them to be, they want to be, and they have potential to be!

Enthusiastically,
Vanessa Vann
Sr. Program Coordinator
Rapport Empowered Education