I recently decided to make some changes to the People Change People website. A desire to make the site as accessible and resourceful as possible motivated the changes. Visitors can now immediately dive into the site’s content. In this process I had to—to rephrase a popular Faulkner quote—lie to rest some of my darlings. That’s okay, so long as you all find it useful. Welcome and enjoy.

-Andrew

Tags: andrew f. robinson, people change people

The Teen Age: 40 Reflections on Relating With Teens—Andrew F. Robinson Eugene, Oregon— Who is the person who touched your life when you were a teenager? Isn’t that the person you want to be to the teens in your life? That’s the person they need you to be says Author Andrew F. Robinson.

Robinson just released his new book The Teen Age: 40 Reflections on Relating with Teens. Robinson’s book is not another self-help manual it’s a well researched, proven look at how each of us can better communicate with teenagers. Readers will find a clear, engaging and reliable roadmap to connecting with teens in ways that will positively impact them for life.

In reading The Teen Age you will also rediscover the things that stood out in your life and will find those same magic moments can impact the teen age around us. “Residing within each of us are resources that, when fully expressed, can make a world of difference in the life of a teen,” asserts Robinson, an educational coach who translates adolescent brain research into relevant applications for organizations throughout the U.S. In this collection of keen, compassionate and disarming essays Robinson both amplifies and models his thesis that the requisite for creating positive change is to risk bringing our full, authentic selves to relationships.

Throughout this highly accessible book Robinson paints memorable word pictures to illuminate both the complexities of the teen psyche, and the ways in which we may succeed—or fail—to secure a trusting, transformative relationship with the teens we care about. “I hope this book will both challenge our assumptions and affirm our deepest intuitions as we reach out to teens,” says Robinson. “I know the sea change that can occur in teens when they experience us as whole, vulnerable individuals who genuinely get them. This can literally save their lives.”

“The Teen Age is an invitation to think beyond our original boundaries—it encourages us to come along side teens, to come alongside one another, respectfully, with an eager curiosity,” says Christine Barber, a counselor with over 30 years of clinical experience, “I find myself fully absorbed in this book, and like a good meal, it lingers with me, naturally continuing to ask questions, to reflect on what I have read.”

“Like missives from a battlefield, The Teen Age gives you the sense that the author, Andrew Robinson, has been there and wants to help you in the work you do with young people,” says John Santin, a Project Coordinator with Oregon Research Institute.

The Teen Age: 40 Reflections on Relating With Teens is available at www.peoplechangepeople.com and on Amazon (click here). This is the author’s first book. About Andrew Robinson: Andrew Robinson is writer, trainer, and speaker who’s received enthusiastic reviews for his energetic and provocative presentations. Through his website, newsletter, blog and podcasts he advocates for effecting positive change by availing ourselves of our creativity and compassion. Robinson’s interest in the dynamics of change and relationships led him to pursue a master’s in education, with a marriage and family therapy specialization, at the University of Oregon. He earned his M.A. in 2001, and in the years following directed a youth development program, which grew to reach more than 50,000 students annually. He is now honored to partner with groups from all parts of the U.S.

Tags: adolescent behavior, adolescent health, communicating with youth, divergent questions, educational reform, effective communication, prevention education, prevention program, prevention programs, teenagers, youth development

High school students give poignant insight into how adults can best connect with them

What would happen if an adult entered a room of adolescents with no agenda but to ask good questions, let teens speak from their perspective, and listen with absolute regard? Andrew Robinson, an educational coach who translates adolescent brain research into relevant applications, wanted to find out. So he embarked on The 6Teens Project, facilitating discussions between small groups of Oregon high school students, then distilling the conversations into espresso shots of video he posted to his website www.peoplechangepeople.com and elsewhere.

“The results were stunning,” says Robinson. In response to the question, “Who has been the most positive influence in your life?” a Latina student shared about her father and how he overcame significant obstacles—most tragically the murder of his own father—to provide a good life for her while modeling kindness, tolerance and respect.

Students shared with startling candor their experiences of adults: how they can identify when adults are truly listening; their desire for a more relevant learning process that incorporates dialogue and discussion.

A recent study published by The Journal of Adolescent Health underscores just how powerful adults can be in the lives of teens. The study reveals that teens who feel connected to parents and their school community will make healthier decisions.

“Our goal is to gather clear, candid feedback from teens and make this available to adults who want to strengthen their connection with youth,” says Robinson. The project’s current topics include: The Best Friend Parent, A Portrait of Listening, and How to Share the Facts of Life.

Robinson describes each 6Teens video as a new portal by which adults can better perceive, understand, and care for teens during this critical, often confusing chapter in life. He hopes to steadily build the 6Teens collection by taking the project to other school districts and youth organizations throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

“This is pure gold,” says Heather Johnson, an instructor at Sisters High School who hosted a series of 6Teens groups. “The process was truly remarkable. Teens have such a strong, innate desire to share their thoughts and experiences, especially with other teens. They so desire to understand and to be understood.”

As a teacher, Johnson says The 6Teens Project has helped her to set personal agendas aside and truly listen and embrace students’ hopes, knowledge, feelings, experiences, and dreams. As a parent, the project has given her confidence—and a passion to build as strong a communicative and reciprocal relationship with her children as possible. “I am grateful to Andrew for bringing this invaluable, life-long opportunity to Sisters High School and our community.”