Award Winning Educator to Speak at Sierra Canyon School

From a press release:

Sierra Canyon School is pleased to welcome author and educator Michael Brandwein for a public presentation to parents of children pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade. The presentation, Bringing Out Their Best: How to Teach Kids Outstanding Skills for Life is open to the public and will take place on Thursday, Oct, 16 at 6 pm, in Sierra Canyon’s Upper School Library, 20801 Rinaldi St., Chatsworth.

Brandwein, the star of the Emmy award-winning PBS television series “Parenting Puzzle” has over 25 years of experience speaking to educators and parents about the importance of building stronger and more positive working relationships with their children.

“We know the qualities we wish to see in our children, including responsibility, kindness, confidence, respect, creativity, persistence, and more. But how do we build these great things in our kids?” Brandwein said. “In my work in education and youth development I’ve identified ways to take qualities and break them down into specific, achievable skills that we can teach by using special, but simple forms of positive communication.”

The presentation is part of Sierra Canyon’s commitment to providing the best educational experience for families in greater Los Angeles. “Michael Brandwein is an intellectual, a comedian, and from the depth of his soul, a person of character,” according to Adam Horwitz, Sierra Canyon’s Lower School Dean of Students, “Michael is able to challenge parents and educators to think differently about their responsibilities in school and at home.”

Brandwein, who has a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Chicago, lives in Illinois with his wife and two children. He has authored five best-selling books on training and leading adults who work with children. His presentation at Sierra Canyon will touch on the importance of face-to-face social skills they need to build meaningful, in-depth relationships.

“Parents are understandably nervous about how children’s grades and how they will do on big tests that affect placement and college admission. But parents need to also understand that to do well in these situations requires more than memorization of academic knowledge,”Brandwein said, adding, “It also requires persistence, calmness, confidence, problem-solving, and more. These are not just things that young people ‘get.’ They are learned. And parents can be the best teachers of these key skills for success.”

Sierra Canyon’s organizers hope the evening will increase the positive communication in the homes of those who attend. “Michael will make you laugh, cry, and rejoice at the same time. I’ve seen people walk away from his presentations feeling ‘wow – I’ve been taking short-cuts in my relationships, but I need to take the time and do it the right way, and develop the right skill sets in my children’.”

To attend the 6 pm presentation in Sierra Canyon’s Upper School Library by Michael Brandweinon Thursday, October 16, 2014, please RSVP with names and number of guests by Tuesday, October 14, 2014 to 818-882-8121 x260 or email ssan@sierracanyonschool.org