Synopsis "Reaching Today's Teens"
There has undoubtedly been a dramatic shift in the development of adolescents in our society today. One of the many changes that has occurred has to do with how teenagers interact with not only each other, but the adults in their lives as well. This book attempts to enlighten, encourage, and provide helpful tips for anyone looking to positively influence the next generation. Throwing the ball in the yard, Sunday night dinners, and intense games of Monopoly have been replaced by Netflix marathons, texting while inhaling Subway, and updating statuses on Facebook. And if you think those are the biggest changes, you have not yet attempted to carry on a simple conversation with our new lovable multi-taskers. There is hope though and with the help of some teenage industry lingo and a field map, any parent, Godparent, grandparent, teacher, coach, pastor, or anyone else navigating the jungle of the teenage years can live to tell the story and maybe make a difference along the way. After nearly a decade and a half in the classroom with experiences not only in teaching, but also in coaching and mentoring "at risk" young adults in a suburban high school in Western Pennsylvania, I have seen many things and forged many rewarding relationships. The perspective is one of optimism and confidence in a new group of young people who can be reached and guided if approached in a way that builds connections and allows for differences.
