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I Will Do Better

By Nicki Sanders | Feb 1, 2013 | Comments Off on I Will Do Better

January is always a month of change and transition for me. I set big goals and work hard to eliminate old, unproductive habits. In January I’m ready to conquer the world. I ushered in 2013 with the same level of enthusiasm and intention but before I knew it the whole month had gone by.   […]

Help Them Do Their Best In School

By Nicki Sanders | Jan 30, 2013 | Comments Off on Help Them Do Their Best In School

We are all aware of the sad statistics and educational obstacles that youth in foster care encounter.  A student must adjust to different curricula, different school culture, different teachers, and different peers each time they enter a new school.  Regularly changing schools often has negative social, emotional, and academic effects on youth already burdened by […]

What Classes Should I Take?

By Nicki Sanders | Jan 28, 2013 | Comments Off on What Classes Should I Take?

Years ago I worked in a school-based program and at the start of each new school year I organized a parent workshop related to helping your child have a successful school year.  Topics included things like the importance of school and home partnership, parent-teacher conferences, homework and study tips, understanding your child’s report card, and the […]

Independent Living In The 21st Century

By Nicki Sanders | Jan 25, 2013 | Comments Off on Independent Living In The 21st Century

Mastering certain life skills is essential to successful independent living.  Life skills includes more than learning how to prepare a meal, drive a car, schedule a doctor’s appointment, or dress for a job interview.  Our last blog post explored Common Core Standards And Youth In Foster Care. The Common Core Standards are skills acquired for use […]

Common Core Standards and Youth in Foster Care

By Nicki Sanders | Jan 23, 2013 | Comments Off on Common Core Standards and Youth in Foster Care

President Barack Obama is sounding the alarm for education reform and the necessity for an increase in college educated citizens to continue to complete on a global scale.  Have you heard the urgent appeals for more students majoring in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)?  Pearson education firm ranks The United States […]

Tribute: King Holiday Lyrics and Video

By Nicki Sanders | Jan 21, 2013 | Comments Off on Tribute: King Holiday Lyrics and Video

King Holiday by King Dream Chorus and Holiday Crew   Watch: King Holiday Music Video Once a year we celebrate Washington and Lincoln on their birth dates And now a third name is added to the list A man of peace, (Drum Major for Justice) Now every January on the third Monday We pay homage […]

My Family Is Familiar

By Nicki Sanders | Jan 18, 2013 | Comments Off on My Family Is Familiar

We’re not a full month past the most celebrated holiday season and most of us have to admit that family celebrations can be stressful.  You may not have wanted to invite the sister who criticizes everyone, the uncle who challenges everyone to an arm wrestling match, the aunt who uses profanity at the dinner table, […]

A Life List Is Better Than A Bucket List

By Nicki Sanders | Jan 16, 2013 | Comments Off on A Life List Is Better Than A Bucket List

I remember working with a group of youth a few years ago who had been given a school assignment to write their obituary.  How morbid! I remember saying to myself, “Why would you ask teens to think about their deaths instead of their lives”.  Young people surrounded by crime, poverty, and disappointment don’t need to […]

Mentors, Goal Achievers, Game Changers

By Nicki Sanders | Jan 14, 2013 | Comments Off on Mentors, Goal Achievers, Game Changers

Dictionary.com defines a mentor as a wise and trusted counselor or teacher.  During National Mentoring Month, I want to offer to you that your life is either a cautionary tale or a positive example.  With that being said, you can be a role model or a mentor to someone you may not know personally based on […]