Our girls in our “Face to Face” workshop practice eye contact!
From a program that just wrapped in one of my schools:
“I learned a lot of skills and things to help me be a better friend. But what I like most was that I learned that I am not any different from the other girls. Sometimes I feel so different and alone. They all feel the same way. Now we don’t have to be afraid to talk about that. It was great. Maybe I will teach these classes one day.” (4th Grade girl)
From this year after ONE workshop:
“I was in a classroom this morning and on three different occasions – the information and skills you taught at girls smarts were brought up as examples!
I know what we do in classroom guidance and Girl Smarts ( and many homes) overlaps, but it is just wonderful to hear the girls repeating and pondering healthy ways to think, feel and act.
Just wanted you to know!”
Elementary School Counselor
From our summer workshops:
I loved the workshops more than you know! Please, please let me know if you do the full 202 series because Samantha and I will attend and I know many of the others will as well. (Samantha’s mom)
Educators:
“Girl Smarts is a program that I wish we had when I was a young girl. We have seen a shift in awareness at our school of not only identifying bullying, but also applying strategies to help others when approached in a bullying situation. It is quite remarkable the amount of growth that has been observed during these seminars, and the excitement that these young ladies leave with is beneficial to their social and emotional growth. These young leaders now stand a little taller, speak with confidence, and are developing into young ladies that they can be proud of. Thank you to the seminar facilitator, Dianna Flett, and all of the remarkable staff members who make this opportunity possible for our young ladies. Girl Smarts is undoubtably making a difference at Conway Elementary School.”
Mrs. Tracy Edwards, Assistant Principal, Conway Elementary
“Girl Smarts is not just a program. It is an approach, a method of helping to build young ladies up so they realize their potential and have the confidence to go after it. Led by a highly motivated, born leader, the sixty young ladies that have become a part of this elite group have grown socially, academically, and most importantly, emotionally. Mrs. Flett brings her very wide variety of life experiences and leadership skills and presents them to children in a way that is understandable and attainable…truly building women leaders, one class at a time.”
Mr. JR Raybold, Principal, Conway Elementary
Girl Smarts was a great opportunity for the girls in our school to learn and practice important life skills. Our girls loved the program! I observed our students making connections between what they are learning in their workshop sessions and in their day-to-day interactions with others. Some of our fifth graders actually taught their classmates how to “use their W’s” to deflect mean comments. I knew then that Girl Smarts is planting important thinking seeds which will hopefully blossom into the confident and respectful actions that this program encourages.
Linda Glaeser, School Counselor, Rockhill Elementary School
“At a time when our young girls are just figuring out who they are and who they want to be, they are bombarded with media and internet messages that are less than desirable. The Girl Smarts program gives girls the tools and time to process the messages and make positive decisions…to be validated in a safe environment.”
Mrs. Stephanie Travers, 4th Grade Teacher Margaret Brent Elementary School
“The Girl Smarts program is an innovative way to teach young ladies various life skills from the proper way to shake hands to how to deal with bullies. Mrs. Flett’s life experiences have given her the means to reach these young ladies by sharing her own conflicts and achievements. Within each session girls not only learn a life skill, but they get to practice the skill in small group exercises. As a paraprofessional at Conway Elementary and a facilitator for Girl Smarts, I am often asked in the hall ways and in the classrooms “when is the next Girl Smarts meeting” by the girls attending. I have also witnessed our classroom teachers who have helped facilitate apply parts of lessons from Girl Smarts to their own classroom teachings. I can definitely see this program grow by leaps and bonds in the years to come. I wish there was something like the Girl Smarts program available when I was a young lady.”
Mrs. Vicki Battle, Paraprofessional Conway Elementary
Power Posing – standing up to bullies!
Parents:
“Self confidence is something my daughter struggles with, and it is great for me that she is hearing from other successful women how to be your own advocate.” (Parent Survey 2013)
“My daughter recently used the lessons you have taught in Girl Smarts. She was having trouble with another girl in her class who was insulting and mean to her. She was able to talk through the situation with me. I used the context of Girl Smarts to talk it through and help her decide how she wanted to handle things. She decided to talk to the girl about her behavior not being acceptable and she also recognized that some of things she was doing may have escalated the conflict. In the girls working things out, my daughter said she too would change some of her behaviors to not hurt the other girls feelings either. They are getting along much better and anxiety levels are much lower.
Thanks for providing context and strategies to real life!! (4th Grade Mom)
“I want to thank everyone involved with the “Girl Smarts” program. Even though I talk with her about different subjects, sometimes it is better when somebody else takes the time and talks to our girls about topics that might be uncomfortable for them to talk with us, the parents.” Maria – Mother
“I like how Kayla has gained the confidence to stand up for herself to her peers, and problem solve her peer issues.” Tammy ( Kayla’s mom)
“Thank you for starting Girl Smarts and being a bridge builder for our girls!” Holly (Charlotte’s Mom)
“I think this helped them realize that “real life” is not the reality shows, the music videos…it shows them they are all beautiful regardless of how they look and where they come from!” Corine (Zoreli’s Mom)
“Thank you for helping Yezmine she feels confident about herself. Yezmine used to think that she was very ugly and no one would want her.” (Yezmine’s mom)
Students:
“Girl Smarts really helped me realize I am important and I have a lot of values.” Jessica
“Girl Smarts helped me stand up for myself. I was in a shell. But now I am fully out and strong.” Jasmine
“Girl Smarts taught me the people in magazines are edited to look perfect and that really they are just normal people.” Lauren
“Mrs. Flett I thank you for bringing Girl Smarts to our school. It really helped me realize I am important and I have a lot of values in my life.” Jessica
“You have changed the way I think about my brain, size and my feelings. I thought I knew everything about me and feelings, then you came and changed it in a good way.” Tea
“Thank you for the help. It was a kids vision of learning. I now feel prepared and ready for the world! Savannah
Additional Supporters:
“If you care to conjure up the personification of caring conscientiousness, persistent diligence, and incorruptible trustworthiness, the image that springs to mind is that of Dianna Flett. In the two years of our service in the Army together and the ensuing 27 years of our friendship, Dianna Flett has never wavered from a path of loyalty to family, friends, and country nor relented from a dogged pursuit of the improvement of each piece of humanity that she can touch. If you strive to slay a dragon or vanquish an impossible task, call on Dianna Flett and prepare to sound the anthem of victory.”
Colonel Dan Johnston U.S. Army, Retired High School Educator
“Dianna is the type of leader who builds you up and arms you with the attributes you need to fly. She is the perfect person to teach young women grace, confidence, and self-reliance so that they too can soar beyond their expectations.”
Anne Weinberg Colonel United States Marine Corps
“Dianna Flett is one of the most remarkable women I know! An intelligent, caring, focused and values driven leader and mother, she is a 21st Century Renaissance woman committed to the ideals of making life better for young women. 25 years ago, as a young West Point graduate, I worked for Dianna in my first U.S. Army assignment. True to Dianna’s inner desire to serve as a role model, she quickly shared her talents with me and taught me fundamental principles of leadership within our Army Unit. She took the time to validate my abilities and guided me into developing new skills. A cherished mentor, Dianna made a huge difference in my life! In my current public service as City Councilwoman for my community, I practice what I learned under her guidance. Girl Smarts is the culmination of her unique experiences as a leader and a woman diligently compiled, documented and packaged to be shared. The message is one of empowerment and inner strength. I can’t think of a more suitable person to guide young women than Dianna. My friend of many years, I know she passionately gives the very best of herself to make a difference in the lives of girls everywhere. She helped me to recognize my potential and I’m confident Girl Smarts is a program that will do the same for you.
Tracy M. Richardson Councilwoman, Marysville, Ohio, West Point Graduate