"Teen Mom Prom" takes readers on a compelling true leadership journey with twenty teen moms attending Florence Crittenton High School in Denver, Colorado. These moms are determined to have one magical night as teenagers once again, as they plan to put on the school's first prom. This book allows the reader to experience the chaotic family and living situations of these young women and captures the essence of their personal growth as the project evolves. It also challenges the readers to reflect on their own perceptions and definitions of success.
The story opens on the morning of the girls' first leadership class and only half of the girls show up. The girls, who do show up, are busy putting on their makeup and eating their school provided breakfast. As the year progresses, the class begins to fill up and the girls begin to apply their practical leadership skills on the prom project. The girls' success is not linear, as they face gang shootings, death, eviction and health problems during the year. The girls bond as they help each other through their challenges and work together to solve a major school spirit issue; no one wants to attend the prom.
The book's facilitator model is applicable to any subject matter taught to a marginalized student population, and its relevance is more important today than ever before. Today's educators are dealing with education reform, performance pressures, budget cuts, and most, are dealing with students who are not ready to learn. Each chapter includes leadership insights and facilitator tips qualifying this book to serve as both a motivational story and a practical guide for teachers, facilitators, business leaders, and community leaders, as they go on to create and lead their own innovative programs or unexpected opportunities.
"Teen Mom Prom: Transformation Through Practical Leadership" offers practical and inspiring guidance for those who teach, coach and develop young people who have been defined and dismissed as failures. The story begins with the recognition that an unlikely group of teen mothers have significant potential and can be developed as strong and effective leaders. What unfolds gives testament to the critical importance of high expectations upheld without compromise and to the reality that flexibility, resourcefulness and resilience must be both practiced and taught. The lessons learned will help to build the skills and sustain the passions of the educators and champions working with those others would leave behind.
Sue Carparelli President and Chief Executive Officer Florence Crittenton Services Teen mothers are not just statistics, they can be and are success stories. They like other women, gain tools for success through leadership training. The Teen Mom Prom: Transformation Through Practical Leadership, serves as a valuable guide for empowering women in the pursuit of transformation from Teen Moms to the next generation of world leaders.
Shirley A. Algiene, Ph.D Florence Crittenton High School, Principal This book helps us to understand the complicated journey of young mothers and to see their dedication to building a better life. By providing practical information and tools Teen Mom Prom: Transformation Through Practical Leadership guides us in supporting their success. A must read for anyone who is interested in supporting the potential of young mothers.
Jeannette Y.Pai-Espinosa President The National Crittenton Foundation
About the Author: Tammy Rivera Berberick is the president of Focus on Execution, a consulting firm that helps CEO's achieve clarity, gain traction and get peace of mind. Tammy also was a chair for Vistage, the largest CEO leadership organization in the world and has coached over 150 CEOs and Key Executives. Her industry background includes Colorado School of Mines Executive in Residence, entrepreneurial COO, global Fortune 500 Corporate VP, and national consulting firm experience. She has over 30 years of multi-functional experience across Finance, Information Technology, HR, Strategy, and Sales Operations. This balance of best practice philosophy and real world execution experience provides clients with usable and practical leadership tools to execute and deliver results. Tammy received her undergraduate and MBA from the University of Denver. She also practiced as a CPA in Colorado. Tammy has been on several boards including, the Girls Scouts, and the Women's Vision Foundation. Tammy has been on the board of Florence Crittenton for 8 years and is currently the Vice Chairman of the Board and the Co-Chair of the Hispanic Advisory Council. Tammy received the Colorado Women's Leadership Coalition's Women Leaders of Excellence Award and was named one of the "Top 50 Working Hispanic Women in [the] Nation" (Hispanic Business). Tammy chaired the first state-wide agenda for girls discussing key issues and actions facing girls in Colorado. She developed and delivered a coaching curriculum for high school counselors and faculty dealing with difficult students and parents. She also served as a mentor and facilitator for the Mentoring Company for several years and has mentored over 100 young professionals and high school students. Tammy is a speaker and coach on the topic of practical leadership and she has a passion for helping young women live their dreams. Teen Mom Prom is Tammy's first book.
