The "Eye of the Mentor: Hip to the Game"

 

Join me and take a deeper look at the lives of your students that are navigating the influences of youth culture!

 

Get my book, "The Eye of the Mentor: Hip to the Game"

 

                 Dive in to each chapter and quickly learn to be a better advocate for high risk students and to teach them to set and reach the personal goals noone may be supporting them in.

 

Let me Inspire Your Students To Overcome What's Causing Them to Fail and to... 

 "Live Chosen!"

 At the beginning of any Shaper course, program, or presentation you may hear the same mantra. Its a self-affirmation statement that I personally use whenever I feel myself doubting my abilities to overcome obstacles and barriers. 

"You've been CHOSEN for a greater purpose; destined to live beyond measure, designed to be more then a conqueror. Everyday is your opportunity to live your best life now! So what are you waiting on?"

This is the belief we stand on for each of our Shaper student programs. All students, young and old, have the potential to do great things. As mentors, teachers, parents, counselors, and life coaches our job is to help them get there. I believe one way to do that is by helping all of us to understand that we have been made; and even CHOSEN to be great!



Show the world you Live Chosen by purchasing your own, Chosen T-Shirt today!

O.W.N.U-Graduates of 2011 Make Your Mark!

Today I had the pleasure of watching one of my mentees graduate from high school. To all of the graduates of 2011....congrats...its on you to be the next movers and shakers.
O.W.N.U....Our World Needs You! And to all parents of all future and soon to be graduates...
Expect greatness!

College...Are students ready?

                         Good Morning! While you enjoy that cup of coffee....check out this article and let me know what you think.    I am ready and waiting to hear from you on this one. Have an inspired morning.

   A recent study found that 1 out of 3 American students have to take remedial English, Math, and/or Science before entering college. Does this mean American students are less prepared for college than other students?  What do we do to facilitate change?  Let me hear your comments on this one.  Check out the article and then let me know what you think.

Shaper

http://amfix.blogs.cnn.com/2011/06/08/perrys-principles-why-are-so-many-american-students-unprepared-for-college/

"9th Wonder" Tells Young Men To Stay Encouraged

Patrick Douthit a.k.a 9th Wonder visited Wilmington for the first time to help inspire young men to stay in school and overcome adversity to accomplish their goals. '9th Wonder' is a Grammy award winning producer and a lecturer for Duke University. During his discussion he uses his own personal life experiences to tell the young college age and high school men that he has lived the life many of them are currently experiencing. He goes on to explain how not long ago he was sleeping on the sofa of a close friend. Ten years later he was awarded a grammy! Motivating male students is at times extremely difficult however through Mr. Douthit using his affiliation with names like Jay-Z, Little Brother, and Drake to show how important professionalism is no matter what stage in life you're currently in he was able to captured their imaginations and leave a lasting impression.

Tell Me I Can't, I Will

In the spring of 2000 I competed in the C.A.A Conference Track and Field Championships. I was favored to win the high jump however I was placed in the long jump as well to try and help my team. I was a novice who was jumping against the reigning conference champion in the event. After two less then stellar attempts I had one jump left. As I prepared while watching the champ finish is final jump I was told by a teammate that my coach had mentioned to him that I had "done a great job but there was no way he would beat the reigning champ."  Hearing this my entire demeanor changed.  I was a humble athlete but in my mind I could beat anybody in anything I competed in; on any day of the week. And I needed him and everybody in that stadium to know that. I got so angry I don't even think I waited to count out all of the proper steps... for the final attempt. When my name was called I ran straight for the long jump pit and although my leg had been hurting on and off throughout the day I was determined to jump further than anybody else had that day. As I took off I watched as I cleared the mark jumped by the reigning champ on the previous jump.  Even before I'd landed I knew I had won. From that day forward my philosophy became:
                                                  "Tell me it can't be done, I'll do it!"

Heart of an Athlete---Mind of a Champion!

 You are...greater than your circumstance

                 bigger then your doubters

                
                 learning from your failures

                 push yourself to do more
  
                 hungry to be more

                 ready when called

                 built to overcome every obstacle you experience

                 the greatest you've ever known

                                                   You are the Future....believe!
                                                           

                                                          

              

Want to Change Lives?

Each of us has experiences that can touch someone else. You have value! Never believe your life's pain can't be used to ease someone else's. Period.

shaperspeaks---Peace