Programs:
Leadership and Life Skills
Creating our Culture - A fun and meaningful 50 minute interactive stage program designed for conferences and school assemblies.
Life Skills Program-
Advanced Leadership Training
For youth 14-18 years
Objective: Develop critical life skills, enhance interest in learning, envision a positive personal future, understand and experience the benefits of being a member of a healthy community, and develop the tools and desire to take these lessons out of the classroom and into everyday life.
Structure: This program can be customized to fit specific needs around content, frequency of visits, length of sessions, and program duration. Here is a suggested outline:
• Program runs 2 hours a month for 7 months
• Sessions are most effective with 12-50 participants
• Follow up activities are provided to teacher/supervisor (where applicable) to increase continuity between sessions
• Credit suggested for participants who successfully complete program
Method: In a fun and safe learning environment participants make life-enriching discoveries through an engaging series of arts-based games, activities, and exercises. In combination with teaching metaphors, participants are encouraged and supported to share their ideas and learning through facilitated group discussions. The activities and discussions are designed to:
• Enhance creative thinking abilities
• Promote self-expression and reflection
• Encourage teamwork and co-operation
• Develop listening and communication skills
• Explore conflict resolution tools
• Encourage creative risk-taking
• Build self-esteem
• Increase awareness of self and others
• Celebrate diversity and respect of others
• Move thoughts beyond judgment and stereotypes
• Support participants to search for win/win solutions to complex problems
'Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.' --Yeats
Behavioral outcomes:
• Increased ability to focus
• Imagines new possibilities and takes steps towards future goals
• Rejuvenated interest for learning
• Demonstrates healthy methods to relieve stress
• Increased interest in people who are different than themselves
• Makes new choices which serve their best interests
• Improved relationship with self and others
Components:
Beginings – Introductions, community agreements, creating safe space, trust and team building. Often when a young person realizes they are part of a community without putdowns or competition their willingness to take creative risks increases - this is where the fun and learning begins.
Awareness of Self and Others – A series of non-verbal activities and a series of non-sight activities bring participants to a new playing field allowing them to make new observations about themselves, others, and the group as a whole. Only when we become aware of a pattern within our self do we get a choice, either cultivate that pattern because it brings useful results or try anything different in that situation because that pattern is not helpful. We also explore the meaning of personal responsibility and how it’s connected to personal power.
Learning styles and Communication – Interesting demonstrations, games and exercises useful in determining how an individual likes to learn. This workshop also includes activities where we explore personal voice, body language and awareness of how much non-physical space people take up in a room.
Conflict Resolution – This session explores Non-Violent Communication and other conflict resolution models participants can apply in times of inter-personal challenge. Group discussions, partner work with role playing and demonstrations allow participants to internalize new frameworks for getting their needs meet in a peaceful way.
Beyond Limiting Beliefs & Celebrating Diversity – A series of innovative group activities and discussions connected to metaphors designed to inspire new perspective and enhance the value of difference. The classroom is a mosaic and each person is a tile with a unique and important role in revealing the picture.
Goal and Dream Building – Every choice has two questions; if I do this what will it get me, and what will it cost me? In this workshop we explore interactive and reflective personal discovery models involving multiple art forms. We learn to articulate what we truly want, break getting it into bite size chunks, and find the courage to start getting it.
Taking it back to the Community – This workshop is about community identity and community vision. In small groups, participants are asked to describe their community. Through a series of theatre exercises participants unravel creative presentations and performances about their community, how they'd like to see it change, and what steps need to be taken to make that change. (This workshop can be designed as an interactive presentation for an audience.)
“And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give
other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated
from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others”.
--Marianne Williamson
References and Testimonials:
I have had the opportunity to observe, participate and co-facilitate with Mike on multiple occasions. I can say unequivocally that my experiences in Mike's workshops have been liberating.
He is a dynamic and creative spark that super charges a room and brings people into a place of exploration and risk-taking beyond the norm. Yet his compassion and care raises this energy in a safe and grounded manner. I've witnessed youth explore and express in ways I did not think possible through Mike's support and encouragement.
He is masterful in his creative tricks and tools. Mike is very self aware of the structures and systems of oppression and is able to facilitate very difficult topics. He is brave and bold, which I feel comes from a place of honoring and celebrating the youth he works to support. Keith Moen -- Youth & Family Counsellor Lansdowne Middle School kmoen@sd61.bc.ca
Mike Sheehan is dynamic, masterful weaver of words, music and magic, with an outstanding ability to reach out to people of all ages. Shivon Robinsong – Founder and co-director of The Gettin' Higher Choir www.shivon.com
" I had a lot of fun. I liked that everything was interesting and interactive and challenging. I learned a lot about things like trust and listening and communication skills." ~youth participant
" I found the whole workshop amazing! I opened up a lot and learned a lot about myself and others." ~youth participant
" I really enjoyed the activity with the questions such as: Who are you? Etc. It made me feel as though I could really open up, which I have never really done on that level before." ~youth participant
Please ask about ideas for funding sources if needed.Mike Sheehan
Beatboard Programs
Victoria, BC
mikesheehan@beatboard.org
