If you were sharing self-esteem tips with teens, what would you tell them?

This week I had the opportunity to co-facilitate a workshop on self-esteem for students at McClain Community High School.  This school, located in Lakewood, CO (a suburb of Denver), is the alternative high school for the Jefferson County School District. My co-facilitator, Rashelle Shone, and I are members of the 2022 class of Leadership Jefferson County.

 

Successful Living Program

Each year, the members of this leadership class select a community service project, and our class selected this program. In our workshops we spoke on subjects that students at McClain had identified as being important to living successfully. Examples of other workshops included goal setting, renting an apartment, interviewing for a job, money management, and more.

Over 200 students participated in these workshops. Each workshop was offered three times. The response from the students was very favorable, and we as workshop facilitators thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

In our workshop, Rashelle and I helped students identify their strengths and learn how those strengths related to their self-esteem. We also shared ways to increase self-esteem and how having a higher level of it has a positive aspect on their lives.

Here are just some of strengths that the students shared:

  • Empathy
  • Being respectful
  • Having a healthy relationship
  • Making people laugh
  • Open-mindedness
  • Generosity
  • Loyalty
  • Accountability
  • Determination
  • Vulnerability

Our self-esteem workshop’s tips included:

  • Talk to yourself in a kind and encouraging way and minimize negative self-talk
  • Do things that make you happy and lift your spirits
  • Spend time with people who are positive and feel good to be with
  • Learn a new skill and help others learn new skills
  • Discover your strengths and find ways to use them
  • Have confidence in the decisions you make
  • “No” is a complete sentence

 

Leadership Jefferson County

Leadership Jefferson County is a leadership development program for professionals who live and work in Jefferson County. It’s a program of the West Metro Chamber of Commerce, with each new class selected in July through an application process. Our class, which graduates in June, consists of 28 individuals who hail from many industries, such as the education system, local government, public safety, nonprofit, and the private sector.

Our time together as a class has given us a broader view of civic leadership through contact with a wide range of people and institutions that shape Jefferson County. We started with a 1 ½ day leadership skill building retreat last August. Then we have spent a full day together each month.

Each month we have a focus, such as arts & culture, human services, education, local government, business, criminal justice, and health. Along with learning about a variety of nonprofit, governmental and private sector entities in these fields, I’ve developed long-lasting friendships. It’s been one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had.

 

About Joyce

Joyce Feustel helps people, especially those age 55 and up to be more effective using social media, with a special focus on LinkedIn and Facebook. She works with business owners, business development professionals, business consultants, job seekers, and more – ranging from entrepreneurs to people in large corporations. Find her at www.boomerssocialmediatutor.com