Adolescence is a search for identity. Figuring out who you are, what and whom you like, what drives your motivations and what values guide your path is a complex journey. As we enter into a new year and in fact a new decade, let’s convert the saying New Year, New You (signifying goals for change) to… New Year, Real You (accept and be who you are). Living authentically is a critical ingredient to solidifying one’s identity. It means being honest and transparent as well as genu

Adolescents learn more easily when they feel heard, understood, and cared about. Teachers should see teen reactions and attitudes through the lens of behavioral development. We know that adolescents are acutely aware of when adults are treating them with respect and when they aren't. We also know that engagement leads to successful academic outcomes and a greater sense of well-being for both the student and educator. If teens are more likely to engage with adults who respect

Adolescence is a notoriously difficult phase of life, and being authentic as a teenager is not an easy task. Think about how hard it is, even as adults, to stay authentic in our own lives. Authenticity is our expression of emotions, reactions, thoughts and ideas that are consistent with our internal experience. It’s what is real and true for us from our perspective and values. Staying authentic requires self-awareness, confidence, and a willingness to tolerate and work throu

If you work with teens, you probably already know that the quality of your relationship with them is an important and potent predictor of success across a range of settings. But for many of us, engaging with adolescents is not always instinctive. Even if we have great instincts, challenging adolescent dynamics can derail the relationship when we are not deliberately focused on key relationship skills. Data gathered through focus groups, surveys and interviews with hundreds o