Straight from the Heart

In Straight from the Heart forty-five students tell a part of their story about when, where and why they lost their way in school. Their honest, and sometimes raw stories are powerful and engaging, both for other students and for adults. For adults the stories are a window into the subterranean world where struggling teenagers think, feel and live. They remind us what it's like to live in that youthful skin again and to be navigating those vulnerable, confusing places in life when everything seems to be spinning out of control. When other students read these stories they are often powerfully impacted as well. Struggling students are reminded they are not alone; that others have had it bad, too. Students from healthy, happy families receive a poignant reminder of how blessed they really are. Their understanding and empathy for others less fortunate peers begins to expand and grow. Straight from the Heart is a collection of just a few of the hundreds of stories I have been entrusted with over the years. I feel honored to have earned the trust of so many young people who have shared their private and personal journeys through some of the most difficult seasons in their lives. To protect them, I have left out any identifying information. The truth is, these stories could have been written by teenagers from schools all across America. Why? Because the root causes of their disengagement in school are all too common. Divorce, violence at home, frequent moving, addiction, the party life, abandonment, and so much more. These are the core issues... the roots of apathy. Each chapter ends with a series of questions that enable students to reflect and write about the stories they have read. They also provide a launch pad for meaningful conversations about the struggles students may be having in their own lives. Simply using stories like those found in Straight from the Heart can communicate with resounding clarity that a teacher cares and is willing to talk about things more personal. It opens a door to a kind of connection that transcends the teaching of content and offers a pathway to reach students where they may need help the most.