Speaking Topics

For Middle School, High School, and College Students

Diversity at School
What does diversity mean? Is it a word young people understand? What does diversity mean in the context of your school?  How well do you listen to others?  Are you friends with those who don’t look like you? Who may not think like you?  Diversity is a big issue, but one that young people can grapple with successfully.

Student Leadership
Yes, the adults are encouraging students to be leaders, but what does that mean to a developing teen’s brain?   This talk explores the difference between popularity and leadership, in the context of powerful peer pressure, and shows students how to see the difference between leading through power, fear, and bullying versus mutual respect, dignity, and friendship.

Wellness, or Who will sit with me at lunch?
Sensible decision-making, positive body image, and thoughtful friendships are the keys to wellness in the still-developing teen mind, for both boys and girls, middle schoolers, high school, and college students, and yet for so many young people, issues surrounding popularity and peer pressure are overwhelming.  Shanterra presents better options.

Middle School, High School or College Freshmen – Surviving the Transition
For the newest, youngest students at a given school, the new beginning is often a difficult one.  In this talk, Shanterra encourages students to think about themselves, how and with whom they make friends, what sort of student they want to be while acknowledging that what is probably top of mind is “Who will sit with me at lunch?”

For Parents, Teachers, Coaches, and Other Adults in the Lives of Young People

The reality of peer pressure, or Who is going to sit with me at lunch?
Adults who work with kids want every one of them to be liked, to be seen, to be heard.  But without a positive sense of self, and sense of connection and commitment to others, no young person can shine.  Unfortunately, peer pressure, negative body image (for both girls and boys) and fear of making decisions overwhelm many students.  Shanterra helps adults understand how to give young people the tools and skills and bravery to overcome the peer pressure and negative thoughts, and to be successful in spite of the constant question which nags at so many:  Who is going to sit with me at lunch?

Through her presentations, Shanterra has impacted the lives of over 15,000 students at schools, colleges, leadership camps, and educational programs throughout the world with messages of self-respect, self-empowerment and community action.  To view where she has spoken click here.