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Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders
At Peers Not Fears, we believe leadership is for everyone. It’s not about titles—it’s about action, influence, and showing up fully in your own life.
Dive into our posts and discover how to empower your teen to grow into the leader they’re meant to be.
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Learning Is a Risk – Are We Making It Safe to Build Student Confidence?
Learning is risky—and our classrooms must be safe enough for students to take those risks. Are you making space for that risk?
Lorraine Connell
May 283 min read
Words That Stick: How We Communicate Matters More Than We Think
The words we say stick—sometimes forever. What we think is small can shape how a child sees themselves for life.
Lorraine Connell
May 213 min read
Lessons from Leadership Coaching: What Middle Schoolers Teach Us About Growth
Leadership starts with discomfort. When we give students space to struggle, reflect, and grow, we unlock their true potential.
Lorraine Connell
May 144 min read
Leadership and Integrity Skills, and Giving Credit Where It's Due
Giving credit costs nothing—but not doing it can cost someone everything. Let’s teach students the power of honoring original work.
Lorraine Connell
May 73 min read
When “Bad Behavior” Is a Leadership Test—for Teens and Adults
To help teens lead, we must let them push back—without pushing them away. Growth starts when we respond with trust, not control.
Lorraine Connell
Apr 223 min read
Belonging and Authenticity As a Teenager: Belonging vs. Fitting In
Belonging means being your true self, not just fitting in. Help your teen explore their identity with insights from leadership coaches.
Lorraine Connell
Dec 23, 20243 min read
Fostering Leadership in the Classroom: Reflection Prompts and Exercises for Growth
Foster leadership in the classroom by reflecting on growth zones, relationships, and empowering student voices to inspire confident leaders
Lorraine Connell
Dec 3, 20244 min read
Stories of Teen Leadership Transformation—Seeing Leadership in Every Teen
Unlock your teen’s leadership potential! Peers Not Fears helps build confidence, resilience, and essential leadership skills for success.
Lorraine Connell
Nov 20, 20245 min read
Creating a Classroom of Student Vulnerability and Growth
Creating a classroom of vulnerability & empathy empowers students to take risks, embrace growth, & feel safe sharing their authentic selves.
Lorraine Connell
Nov 12, 20244 min read
Embracing Biases: The Hidden Roadblocks to Seeing True Leadership in Youth
Confronting biases transforms classrooms and leaders. Challenge assumptions, embrace diverse strengths, and see every student's potential.
Lorraine Connell
Nov 1, 20244 min read
Leadership, Risks, and Comfort Zones: Classroom Leadership Opportunites
Leadership growth happens when we step outside our comfort zones, but not too far. Explore how risk, challenge, and failure lead to success.
Lorraine Connell
Oct 25, 20244 min read
Seeing Every Student as a Leader: A Fresh Perspective for Educators to Use Classroom Leadership Strategies
Every student has leadership potential. When we stop reserving leadership for a few, we empower all students to grow and lead themselves.
Lorraine Connell
Oct 9, 20243 min read
From Overlooked to Empowered: How Being a Student Shaped My Journey as a Teacher and Coach
Being overlooked as a student shaped how I see leadership potential in others. Here's how I encourage quiet students to step into leadership
Lorraine Connell
Oct 8, 20243 min read
Unlocking Leadership Potential in Every Student: A Teacher’s Approach
Empower your students to step up and lead. Together, we can create a stronger, more connected school community. Learn more here
Lorraine Connell
Sep 24, 20244 min read
Building Leaders Everywhere Using this Type of Leadership Model - especially in the classroom!
With the New Year upon us, I spent time reflecting on why my method of leadership development has been proven time and again - learn why.
Lorraine Connell
Jan 2, 20245 min read
Leadership is Hard - We Can do Hard Things!
Leadership and chemistry are both hard. Challenges make us stronger leaders, but we need each support. We can all develop into leaders.
Lorraine Connell
Jan 21, 20234 min read
Building Community as an Educator
Often we do not have that same expectation for ourselves. We also need to be a part of our own community, one with our fellow educators.
Lorraine Connell
Jan 2, 20236 min read
Consent
It is really a misnomer that consent resides only in the bedroom. It actually happens very early in our lives.
Lorraine Connell
Aug 3, 20223 min read
Why Self-care is Important for Leaders
Where should we draw the line with work at home? If we bring work home, it then becomes normal. Let’s just look at the numbers:
Lorraine Connell
Apr 18, 20223 min read
Cell Phone Policy
We should be working to help students, and ourselves honestly, know how and when to effectively use cell phones.
Lorraine Connell
Feb 13, 20223 min read
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