Outstanding People Skills for students — Primary and Secondary
Mark has adapted all of his Big Ten areas of Outstanding People Skills (except, of course, for the one about getting staff engaged) so they are directly suitable and appropriate for students in both Primary (Elementary) and Secondary (High) school.
For example, he helps students develop great communication skills such as how too speak up, speak clearly and speak assertively whether it be to small groups or to large audiences. His content is drawn from topics such as: how to get the message right — smart words, expressions to avoid, the use of metaphors, alliterations, stories, the rule of 3, how to create impact, your first 20 seconds, etc; and how to get the delivery right — the three V's, the 4 P's of the vocal code, what to wear and not to wear, what to do with your hands, where to stand, how to make hand gestures meaningful, the zig-zag eye technique, etc.
Mark delivered a two-hour interactive and entertaining session to a large group children from Year 5 and 6 on the issues of building rapport, displaying empathy and using vocal variety to give different meaning to the words that are said. He also delivered sessions to Secondary students on issues as diverse as using diplomacy and being assertive, how to say no to sexual harassment, how to give a presentation and on public speaking.
Mark's experience has shown that young people respond particularly well to Agent Provocateur Role-Plays and Real Life Rehearsals. (Check out his video where he is presenting to a large group of students .)
Mark is acutely aware that teenagers, mainly because of their age and experience which leaves them vulnerable, need to learn some particular People Skills. For example, they need to develop the strategies, skills and confidence to:
Say 'no' to sexual harassment or to inappropriate questions and comments — anywhere, anytime;
Do their the best at a job interview — even with a poor interviewer;
How to handle 'alcohol situations' such as refuse a lift with a drunk driver, refuse to drink more than they want to, etc.
Mark delivers interactive, entertaining and informative presentations on any of these or combinations of them. Because his presentations on how to handle 'alcohol situations' are so popular, he has provided some specific information on them below.
Helping teenagers learn the art of handling 'alcohol situations'
Mark has also In line with Would you like to help the teenagers in your care handle the real world of alcohol? If so, you won't want them to miss out on a presentation by Mark McPherson. Mark will help them develop both the strategies and the social communication skills they need to deliver them in the real world. Mark's approach isn't about lecturing or moralising. Instead, it's about helping teenagers develop the strategies, skills and confidence to enjoy the world around them but to keep safe and maintain their standing in front of peers. Some of you might be happy in the knowledge that most of these teenagers will learn these strategies and skills with a bit of experience. The danger with leading it to experience is that too many risks are taken along the way — some with disastrous consequences! Why leave it to chance or to a process of trial and error? Mark's 'alcohol education topics' include how to:
- Go to a party, have a good time but refuse to drink more than you want to — which in many cases will need to be zero — and still look 'cool';
- Avoid binge drinking — how to avoid getting into a 'shout' and other group drinking situations.
- Refuse the offer of a drink — and, at the same time, maintain prestige amongst peers; and
- Refuse a lift with a drunk driver — or anyone they don't want to go with — despite their high-spirited friends egging them on to 'come along' and have some fun.
One of Mark's most popular presentations is "The 6 Principles of Handling Alcohol" which can be delivered in a format to suit your needs and the organization of the school. Ask Mark how he can help.
Mark is highly experienced and entertaining
Mark is a highly engaging and entertaining presenter for both adults and teenagers. He has a long and proud history in the design, development and delivery of education programs for teenagers including alcohol education, family planning and sex education and social skills, communication and assertiveness training. For example, he spent 8 years in the classroom as a teacher (of both science and health), a year in teacher education, a year at the Family Planning Association, 4 years with the TAFE Drug and Alcohol Studies Unit, a year at the NSW Board of Studies, 7 years in Health (infection control, HIV/AIDS, Drug and Alcohol), and 5 years in Police with the Drug and Alcohol Coordination Unit.
Mark's presentations are lively, entertaining and informative — he delivers the message that needs to be delivered. His unique style cuts through the nonsense and helps teenagers develop the strategies, skills and confidence they need to handle the real world.
Download a PDF: How to help students handle the real world of alcohol