Teen Trend Setters

No matter your age, boy or girl, living in the city or the country… you can’t resist the allure of spring and knowing that Spring Break is just around the corner. Baseball, soccer, sun filled days at the beach, sleeping in late and no homework are but a few of the wonderful things that come with Spring Fever. We at the TTRM State office hope that you have a wonderful and safe week!

April is Volunteer Month, and you my friend are a volunteer! So upon your return from the week of sun and fun, I encourage you to recommit to the mentoring relationship that you have nurtured throughout the year. Although we are in the home stretch remember that your mentee continues to look forward to seeing you on a regular basis.

“One thing I know; the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.”
~ Albert Schweitzer

Happy Valentine’s Day! Reach out to your elementary mentee this month:

• give them an extra, “Great Job!”
• make an effort to find the things that they are doing right and point them out with a smile on your face.
• communicate with your student that you believe he/she will be successful at each task.
• be enthusiastic, show that you are excited about reading and the story.

Happy New Year! Or maybe I should say, Welcome to Finals! I know many teens are facing exams and that the beginning of 2008 is the end of first semester. But with the start of the New Year an opportunity arises to renew your commitment to your elementary student/mentee and to yourself.

A New Year reminds me of a chance to reflect. To look at our lives and decide if we are the people we want to be. Are we meeting our full potential? Are we focused on our dreams and goals? And are we thinking and acting in a manner that will bring us closer to those dreams and goals? I share with you the following quote, by Frank Outlaw, as 2008 begins and encourage you to put it into action:

Watch your thoughts; they become your words.
Watch your words; they become your actions.
Watch your actions; they become your habits.
Watch your habits; they become your character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

What will your destiny be? How do your words, actions, habits and character influence the destiny of the child that you, as a Teen Trendsetter, work with?

“You know, some people believe that our generation, the generation of teenagers now, is not concerned with any of the things going on in our world or that if we do care, we don’t bother doing anything about the problems. Our generation is accused of never having a solution. Well, at Fort Lauderdale High School we’ve found a solution. And our solution has nothing to do with rebelling, with using violence, or blaming our problems on those that are older than us, those that run the world. No, our solution is to help out on our own. About fifteen students at Fort Lauderdale High School, including Bevannie Smith and Sara Hand, two of the returning Teen Trendsetters, are going to elementary schools in our communities and improving the reading levels of our third graders.”

This is an excerpt from a blog written by Sara Hand the LEAD Teen Trendsetter at FLHS. I received the blog today and began to consider the perception many people have about those attending high school. Over the years, I have had the honor of training, meeting and working with over 10,000 high school students and I can say without a doubt, that those of you who are part of the Teen Trendsetters Reading Mentors program are indeed committed to the future of our great state.

Sara goes on to say, “These fifteen teenagers show that respect for others is not an option, but something that should be given without prejudice or discrimination.”

I couldn’t agree more, respect is a two way street and through the process of showing respect one finds that they then receive it. Perception is an attitude or understanding of what is observed or thought! And it is your perception of your generation that matters most! You have a concern, you have found a solution and each and every one of you are making a difference. I wish you all a safe and restful winter break and look forward to what the New Year brings! ~Teecy Matthews, Director, Teen Trendsetters Reading Mentors