Empowered Youth https://empoweredlancaster.com Relationship Education for Students & Teens in Lancaster, PA Fri, 10 May 2024 21:19:01 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://empoweredlancaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/cropped-favicon-32x32.png Empowered Youth https://empoweredlancaster.com 32 32 High Expectations https://empoweredlancaster.com/high-expectations/ https://empoweredlancaster.com/high-expectations/#respond Mon, 18 Sep 2023 16:44:13 +0000 https://empoweredlancaster.com/?p=859

As a teacher, setting high expectations for your students is crucial in creating a positive learning environment that fosters growth and development. When a teacher sets high expectations, they communicate to their students that they believe in their ability to be successful and thrive.

Setting high expectations shows that the teacher has a positive outlook on their students’ potential. When a teacher expects their students to achieve great things, it sends the message that they believe in their ability to do so. This belief can be incredibly empowering for students who may be struggling with self-doubt or fear of failure. By setting high expectations, the teacher is encouraging their students to aim high and work hard to achieve their goals.

Not only that, setting high expectations helps to cultivate a growth mindset in students. When students are challenged to meet high standards, they are encouraged to push themselves beyond their current capabilities. This can lead to increased confidence and a sense of accomplishment when they are able to meet or exceed the expectations set for them. Additionally, when students are encouraged to embrace challenges and view them as opportunities for growth, they are more likely to develop a positive attitude towards learning and take ownership of their own academic success.

Furthermore, setting high expectations demonstrates a teacher’s commitment to their students’ success. When a teacher sets a high bar for their students, they are communicating that they are invested in their students’ academic and personal development. This investment can inspire students to take their education more seriously and work harder to achieve their goals. It also shows that the teacher is willing to provide the support and guidance necessary to help their students reach their full potential.

In conclusion, setting high expectations is a powerful tool that reveals a teacher’s belief in their students’ ability to be successful and thrive. By setting a high bar, teachers can empower their students to aim high, cultivate a growth mindset, and demonstrate their commitment to their students’ success. Ultimately, this creates a learning environment that is positive, challenging, and rewarding for everyone involved.

]]> https://empoweredlancaster.com/high-expectations/feed/ 0 The Success Sequence https://empoweredlancaster.com/test-post/ https://empoweredlancaster.com/test-post/#respond Thu, 05 May 2022 18:56:58 +0000 https://empoweredlancaster.com/?p=603
Success comes in many forms. We might define success as achieving certain life goals -- having your dream job, marrying the right person for you, or enjoying a life where work and play are balanced.

Whatever your definition of success, it most likely relies upon financial security for your and your family. You may have seen examples of this kind of success as you grew up, or you may have felt like no one around you made it to this point.

No matter our backgrounds, we all want success for our children. And regardless of what we know or think we know, we want to provide them with concrete results and a clear roadmap to get there.

Luckily, Wendy Wang and Brad Wilcox conducted a series of studies to provide just those practicalities. Known as "The Success Sequence," their conclusions identified three steps that, if done in order, all but guaranteed a life without poverty.

1) Graduate from high school. As hard as it can be to get our kids excited about school most days, we all realize the value of a good education. In addition to the knowledge they gained by finishing school, a person demonstrates perseverance and responsibility, two keys traits that set them up for a positive future.

2) Get a full-time job. It should come as no surprise that gainful employment greatly enhances a person’s financial security. When someone can pay all their bills — and know how to save for the future — their chances of avoiding poverty are dramatically improved. In fact, no matter what your situation is, completing these first two steps cuts your odds of falling into poverty by more than 50%.

But there’s one more step that improves your child’s odds of success even more…one that might not seem obvious at first blush.

3) Get married before having children. We may have heard this advice in society over the years, but it may seem more like moral idealism than a practical financial plan. Many people ask “How does waiting to have kids affect someone’s odds of being in poverty?”

As many of our students have pointed out over the years, “Kids are expensive!” The younger you are when you have your first child, the harder it is to provide for both that child and yourself (as well as your partner, if they remain in the picture).

By waiting until marriage to have kids, you not have direct financial savings — always helpful to avoid poverty — but you also give yourself time to pursue your goals and dreams.

We all realize that we adults do not have all the answers. We need time to figure life out. As soon as we have kids, our attention justifiably shifts to them. That means our goals take a backseat — as they should — to the needs of our children.

And not to overstate the obvious, but if you wait until marriage to have a child, you set yourself up for a partnership. Having another adult in your household means another person to care for, but it also means another person to contribute to the financial (and emotional and social) health of you and your child.

These three simple (but admittedly difficult) steps are the surest means to lead your child to a successful future. They might stumble as they pursue this success sequence, but as long as you can help them keep their eyes on the bigger picture, you will set them up for the best shot at a successful life.

]]> https://empoweredlancaster.com/test-post/feed/ 0