Rock My Campus: The Power of You Through Personal Branding

Outline

OUTLINE
1. Introduction (5 minutes)
Content
My story, and why personal branding is so important.
Brief introduction of what personal branding is and its significance in education and mental health

2. Discovering the Foundation of Your Personal Brand (10 minutes)
Content:
Importance of self-awareness in personal branding.
Key elements: strengths, values, weaknesses, and unique approaches.
Why this is important and how to apply it to your life and the class room
Engagement:
Activity: Exercise where participants jot down their core values, core talents, and core flaws.
Peer Sharing: Discuss reflections with a partner.

3. Crafting Your Brand Hook (10 minutes)
Content:
Explanation of a Brand Hook and its influence.
Examples of effective Brand Hooks from educators.
Why this is important and how to apply it to your life and the class room
Engagement:
Activity: Draft a Brand Hook using a template.
Peer Sharing: Share hooks with partner for feedback.

4. Developing Your Personal Brand Statement (10 minutes)
Content:
Overview of a Personal Brand Statement.
Steps to create a compelling statement.
Why this is important and how to apply it to your life and the class room
Engagement:
Activity: Guided writing exercise to draft a Personal Brand Statement.
Peer Review: Exchange statements for feedback with a partner.

5. Implementing Authenticity in Teaching (10 minutes)
Content:
Impact of authenticity on student engagement.
Strategies for integrating personal branding in teaching.
Why this is important and how to apply it to your life and the class room
Engagement:
Activity: Brainstorm ideas for incorporating authenticity in the classroom.
Share Out: Participants share one actionable idea with the group.

6. Wrap-Up and Q&A (15 minutes)
Content:
Recap of key takeaways from the session.
Transition to the Q&A portion.
Engagement:
Open the floor for questions, encouraging participants to share their insights or challenges regarding personal branding.

Engagement Tactics Throughout the Session:
Frequency:
Incorporate interactive elements every 10 minutes to maintain engagement and create growth.
Tactics:
Peer-to-peer interactions to foster collaboration and connection.
Device-based activities (e.g., polls or shared documents) for instant feedback.
Group discussions to encourage active participation.
Use real-life examples and relatable anecdotes to make the content engaging.

Supporting research

The Current Crisis in Education
The education system is in crisis due to teacher burnout and stress, leading to high attrition rates.
According to the Learning Policy Institute, in 2023 indicates that the U.S. has faced a teacher shortage crisis, with nearly 300,000 teachers leaving the profession between 2021 and 2023.
The National Education Association (NEA) reports that during the 2022-2023 school year, over 200,000 teaching positions were either unfilled or filled by teachers not fully qualified for their roles. This shortage has forced many school districts to hire individuals who lack full certification.

New teachers face significant challenges due to gaps in skills and training.
A 2023 study by the Learning Policy Institute highlights that about 40% of new teachers lack sufficient training in crucial areas such as managing student behavior, diverse student needs, and differentiating instruction.
This lack of preparation contributes to the high turnover rate, with nearly 20% of new teachers leaving the profession within their first five years (National Education Association).
Furthermore, the American Federation of Teachers finds that only 60% of new teachers have access to high-quality mentorship programs, which are essential for developing the skills needed for effective teaching.

Students are struggling with mental health issues, a major factor contributing to behavior problems and teacher burnout.
This has been exacerbated by increased smartphone and social media use, which has been linked to a 58% rise in mental health problems among adolescents (JAMA Network Open, 2021).
As of 2021, approximately 19% of adolescents aged 12-17 experienced at least one major depressive episode in the past year, up from 13.3% in 2015 (National Institute of Mental Health, 2021).
Anxiety disorders have also surged, with prevalence rising to 31.9% in 2021 from 25.1% in 2016 (National Institute of Mental Health, 2021).
Additionally, suicide rates among individuals aged 10-24 increased by 34% from 2010 to 2021, making suicide the second leading cause of death in this age group (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022).
With 70% of U.S. teens spending over three hours a day on screens and about 40% reporting cyberbullying experiences (Pew Research Center, 2023), these trends highlight the urgent need for targeted mental health support and interventions for young people.

These issues underscore the urgent need for improved training and support systems to better equip both new and experienced educators to handle the complex challenges they face in the classroom.