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It sounds exciting, but what's so different about this program? Our attitude for one thing. You'll appreciate it in the video material and see it shine through in the counselor's guide -- educators loving what they do, and doing their very best to make a difference.
Is there anything else that sets Every Teen Has Challenges apart from similar programs? Yes, our unusual approach to the material! This video is comprised entirely of actual interviews with 16 forthcoming teens. Effective counselors and teachers know that the best way to reach young people is through other young people. This program provides you with that opportunity.
Too often, videos make teens feel lectured at, preached to, even chastised. They shut down before the message is heard. Even with the very best of intentions and a "teen-friendly" script, there is often a chasm of distrust between the teen and the on-screen, authoritarian figure; the older and wiser narrator. Not so with Every Teen Has Challenges.
At Five Star Educational we asked ourselves, "What if everything you wanted to communicate to teenagers was said entirely in their own words, as seen through their own eyes, without any editorializing? Wouldn't that instantly remove any resistance to the material? After all, if a teen can't trust a fellow teen, who can he or she trust? Besides, who could better understand what they're going through?"
In Every Teen Has Challenges, we've cut out the narrator and allowed 16 candid teenagers to speak freely about their challenges, difficulties, and depression, and to share the steps they've taken towards resolving these issues. As we come to appreciate the steps that they've taken in dealing with their difficulties, we are encouraged to take a more active role in facing our own challenges. Issues presented include:
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- discrimination
- drug use
- teen suicide
- eating disorders
- and other issues
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"I had a large emotional investment in making the Challenges video," says Producer/Director Dan Sperling, "because I would have been a perfect candidate to appear in the video when I was a teenager. I basically went about creating a resource that I wish had been available for me."
"I have a tremendous amount of respect for the students who participated in the project. They're all very likable and inspirational. Although I never appear on video, I tried during the interview process to be as honest and open with them about my life, as they were with me. While shooting the interviews was a sheer pleasure, the difficulty came during the editing process. We had over 15 hours of incredible material and had to cut it all down to about 80 minutes. Talk about challenges!"
Learn more about the author, Lisa B. D'Acierno.
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