Teaching Philosophy
Our goal: to see more teens choosing to delay sexual activity.
The problem: teens aren't exactly known for delaying gratification.
Studies show that the teen brain is still changing in a key area called the prefrontal cortex — the area of the brain that controls working memory, inhibition, and impulse control. Jay Giedd, a neuroscientist, says of teens in The Primal Teen, "They have the passion and the strength, but no brakes, and they may not get good brakes until they are twenty-five." Knowing that the adolescent brain is still forming in areas that impact decision-making and impulse control, even into their mid twenties, Amplify tailors to students’ needs.
First, we challenge students' assumptions. You may hear us ask a lot of questions and encourage students to think through their answers – some of which sound “wrong” on the surface. This is intentional! We want to dive deeper to hear what teens are really saying, bringing their assumptions to the surface. It is crucial for students to feel heard and believe their thoughts are valuable. We use a model called The Cycle of Interaction developed by Andrew Robinson, an educational consultant who specializes in teaching for behavioral change. The Cycle of Interaction takes our exchanges with students from the surface to a depth that challenges students to critically analyze their assumptions. This vital step helps students engage in the discussion and also helps us know where and how to provide information to the class.
On a more sub-surface level, we also desire to connect with students. All educators at Amplify believe abstinence until marriage is the best choice and that it is possible. We have found through research and experience that students are more receptive to hear and act upon our message when they trust the educators. Their relationship with the educator built over the course of just a few days directly impacts their attitude and receptiveness to the message. Teens make decisions based more on how they feel than what they "think," so creating a relational connection to the message has a bigger impact than providing information alone.
Finally, you will see us asking students to take a number of next steps. That is because the last part of our teaching philosophy is to empower action. Remember how the teen brain is still forming? Teens have a hard time with this step, so teaching students refusal skills, helping them to become aware of the influences around them, and empowering them to fight against pressure is crucial to help teens succeed in the pursuit of a healthy future.
