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Did you ever wonder what really happens when you coach teens? Especially those who need help choosing the right university or college. What about those standardized tests that are required to take? The SAT, ACT, GRE, and LSAT. Geez – those are rough.
Many families hire a coach to help take these tests. Like a tutor that you would hire for a difficult subject at school. A tutor is a tutor, right? You get the work done for the hour and then you go home or click “leave” on your laptop.
In most cases, that’s the drill.
However, underneath that mountain of work that goes into prepping for college life and achieving the highest score possible, lies an opportunity.
Meet Clarissa Constantine @clarissasteinbachconstantine from Denver, Colorado. A certified professional life coach and tutor. After more than 20 years of working with teens for these standardized tests, Clarissa decided to take it a step further.
Read on to find out what really happens when you coach teens.
Getting a high score on your test is all nice and good, but what’s really going on here? How are you managing your life? What about the humungous change that is about to happen next fall? What are you going to do about so and so? You know who I’m talking about.
There are professionals to help with these life changes, but sometimes all you need is someone to talk to. Like a teacher or tutor, like Constantine, who takes the time to teach concepts like goal-setting, self-compassion & self-esteem, mindfulness, and growth mindsets.
Constantine and her mom struggled throughout her teenager years and into her adulthood. There were definitely ‘typical’ teen/parent challenges, and Clarissa believes her mom did really want was best for her. But, when they didn’t agree on what ‘the best’ was, it seems they ended up putting more effort into being right than into being kind. Clarissa decided to turn the difficulties they faced into her purpose. Her goal? To help other families avoid the turbulent relationship that she and her mother experienced.
What really happens when you coach teens, is that you become invested in their lives. You become a part of the teen’s family which is incredibly rewarding.
I recently chatted with Clarissa and got the inside scoop about her life, her business, and the community she and her husband Joe are creating. Wait until you read this!
I’ve been a test prep coach (SAT/ACT/GRE/LSAT/etc) for 20+ years. I love it, and I’ve always felt that I was meant to do “something more.” I’ve realized that ParenTween Connection is my ‘something more.’
The “lightning bolt” moment was when a friend, who was dealing with some major challenges with her then-15-year-old daughter said, “I just wish I had other parents to talk to.” She’d been to every professional resource she could think of, but still felt very, very alone. I realized that in all my years helping families navigate the college admissions process I’d never found a place where they could be raw & vulnerable and get real support from other parents. So, they say when you find a need, fill it. That’s where ParenTween Connection comes in.
The core of our community is currently our Facebook Group (www.facebook.com/groups/parentweenconnection). It’s a free community for any adult who has kids between 10 & 20 in their world. This includes parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, older siblings, cousins, teachers, mentors – you name it! Basically, any member of the proverbial “village”.
You can also check out @parentweenconnection on Instagram.
Beyond our Facebook group, there are three pillars either already in existence or on their way:
Trusted Expert Network: Think Angie’s List meets professional network. All geared toward professionals who support families with kids between the ages of 10 & 20.
ParenTween University: (coming soon!) Starting at $19.99/month, PTU 101 includes recorded webinars, workshops, articles, and exclusive content from our podcast, which is launching in April 2021!
Local Communities: Whenever we get to the other side of the pandemic, we’re going to launch local communities, led by local professionals. We’ll be hosting social, educational, and volunteer events for parents and teens to participate in, right in their own communities.
Our community is open to any member of the proverbial ‘village’ that it takes to raise kids. To connect with other members of the “village” for moral support, and to get to know the professional members of our Trusted Experts Network.
We’re continuing to expand our Trusted Experts Network and build ParenTween University 101. We’re aiming to launch our podcast in early April. Folks can stay in touch through our Facebook group.
In Clarissa’s case, when you carry so much passion for what you do, the sky’s the limit.
If we can find meaning in our past, no matter how painful it may have been, our experiences can be transformed into a powerful purpose that can be so fulfilling, helpful, and even therapeutic.
I’m so grateful to be able to have the opportunity to write what I’m passionate about and what I think will serve others. If you would like me to write about you and your passions for the Braves The Waves Journal, or for your own company, please be in touch.