Aquinas College - Grand Rapids

Author  -  Speaker  -  Educator

Rejuvenate! Igniting Teacher Passion is an adult SEL Learning strategies course approved 10.5 CPDUs that serves as an inspiring reminder for educators to remember and celebrate their unique contribution to making a difference with our youth. Integrates SEL student learning strategies that accompany book Becoming Awesome! This course is offered on-line, in person or as a hybrid.

Companion training program for my book: Becoming Awesome!

Rejuvenate! Igniting Teacher Passion an Adult SEL Learning Strategies Course

Becoming Awesome! Life Lessons from the World's Greatest Leaders was published on April 13, 2020.

Becoming Awesome! explores effective SEL skills to help teens become contributing members of our communities and prepare them for a lifetime of success. Think, reflect and respond strategy questions for each chapter help educators navigate discussion and learning.


This book appeals to educators who may ask:

    * How can we equip teens to face the complex problems they are bound to face?  
    * How can we prepare students with 21st century skills to succeed and contribute positively to our community?
    * What lessons can we draw on and learn from great leaders?
    * Can history be a springboard for social-emotional learning?

You will be engaged in little known personal stories of some of our greatest leaders. Readers will see examples of leaders throughout history who have transcended humble beginnings, rose above childhood fear and disappointment, and defied the greatest odds against accomplishment by using their own emotional intelligence to persevere and find success.   

Becoming Awesome! helps you layer in social-emotional learning in unexpected and meaningful ways across your curriculum. If you have the passion to help teens improve their attitudes about self, school and tasks as well as strengthen your own social emotional knowledge…this book is for you!

New Degree Press

Author: Becoming Awesome! Life Lessons from the World's Greatest Leaders

Life Journey Mentors is a Motivational and Self Improvement Life Skills company.   

We create 21st century tools for educators to engage students in SEL and life-long success so that they can make a positive contribution in their families, schools, communities and the world.

Life Journey Mentors

President and Mentor

As the CEO for this youth company I helped influence hundreds of teens in the Chicago Public Schools take the lead on their life.   The SMART (Saturday Morning Alternative Reach out and Teach) program was a competitively awarded $1 million contract to provide services and develop and direct an 8-week SEL character education program.  This program was an alternative to expulsion and offered students a way to stay in school while accepting the consequences of their behavior.   

Our team of 30+ facilitators guided teens on lessons focusing on building self-awareness, treating others with respect and making positive choices.  Parents also attended facilitator led parenting sessions giving them an opportunity to discuss and share strategies with each other on the biggest challenges they face when it comes to raising teens.  This successful program resulted in participants having better school attendance, improved grades, and all around greater communication at home.  In addition, 90% of these teens were not repeat offenders during the 6 month following the completion of the program.

Dr. Alan Childs on Children, Inc.

Inspired my project management and production team to understand that every day someone left work happier, managed their team better, and communicated strategy more effectively because of the work we did.  We made a difference by providing insight and feedback to companies on employee engagement levels and strategies on how to do it better.

HR Solutions, Inc.

Project Director

TCF Bank

Service Quality Consultant

Built a strategic planning and customer service measurement consulting practice. Developed and implemented student retention and growth strategies for a large independent school. Served as a Service Consultant with TCF Bank, developing and implementing an internal Make the Difference service strategy and a customer How is my Service campaign for 250+ branches and operations centers.

Customer Viewpoint

Consultant

Specialized in developing, analyzing and interpreting quantitative and qualitative research. National Citibank representative for service measurement incentive criteria, Responsible for creation and management of Mystery Shop and Recognition programs to measure and improve overall customer loyalty and company service performance. Project lead and participant on service reinforcement programs including:  Back to the Basics, Total Satisfaction, Touch the Vision, and Deliver the Experience campaigns.  Key resource for service improvement.  Achieved top 10% ranking on all internal satisfaction surveys completed for my department. 
Positions held: Service Specialist, Service Research Manager, Service Manager, Manager/MIS and Research

April Folta Lara