Resources
Looking for resources and encouragement you can put to easy, practical use as you train up the next generation of leaders?
Our resource section below contains an eclectic array of content derived from our What I Wish I Knew at 18 Leadership/Life Skills program, Parenting for the Launch book, and speaking engagements to educator, parent, and student audiences. Here you’ll find a sampler of the many ways LifeSmart Publishing is committed to building a new generation of honorable and successful leaders, and a library of hands-on, reproducible tools for your essential mission.
"Wings Not Strings" Powerpoint slides: LaCasa de Cristo
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Presentation slides accompanying Dennis Trittin's April, 2022 talks with the Moms of Teens groups.
Voices
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Which voices are we listening to? Here are some clarifying word opposites to reflect on our time.
12 Gifts to Give Your Seniors for Graduation: Video
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Authors Dennis Trittin and Amy Carney share their top 12 gifts for graduating seniors to prepare them for independence in this video.
Gifts to Give Your Seniors for Graduation
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Resources to help build key leadership/life skills for graduates
LaCasa de Cristo Workshop handout
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Handout accompanying Dennis Trittin's workshops, Parenting Today with Tomorrow in Mind.
LaCasa De Cristo Parenting Workshop Slides
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Downloadable slides to Parenting Today with Tomorrow in Mind workshops presented by Dennis Trittin to the Moms N More program.
JAG 2019 NTS WORKSHOP: FROM JAG STUDENT TO WORKPLACE SUPERSTAR!
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Presentation by Dennis Trittin at the July 2019 JAG NTS in Orlando.
JAG 2019 NTS WORKSHOP: EQUIP THEM TO THRIVE, NOT JUST SURVIVE
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PRESENTATION BY DENNIS TRITTIN AT THE JULY 2019 JAG NTS IN ORLANDO
Personal Leadership Attitude Assessment
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This resource helps us evaluate the attitudes we bring into daily life. It's a helpful tool for our personal growth.
Parenting for the Launch: La Casa de Cristo
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Presentation to Moms of Teens program at La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church in Scottsdale, AZ.
Reducing Student Anxiety: An Ounce of Prevention
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Research is abounding that today’s students, whether in college or high school, are showing unprecedented levels of anxiety. This is a direct consequence of how our children are being trained, and it’s up to us as parents, educators, youth leaders, and other caring adults to accept responsibility and reverse this course. Their very futures and socio-emotional health are at stake. Within this resource are nine key trouble spots that are aggravating teen anxiety where parents can take ownership, and five key trouble spots for educators and school leaders.
Growth Challenge Sample
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An example of our "Growth Challenge" exercise that can be used to help realize growth areas, set attainable goals, and measure progress.
AG 2018 NTS WORKSHOP: EQUIP THEM TO THRIVE, NOT JUST SURVIVE
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Presentation by Dennis Trittin at the July 2018 JAG NTS in New Orleans
JAG 2018 NTS Workshop: FROM JAG STUDENT TO WORKPLACE SUPERSTAR!
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Presentation by Dennis Trittin at the July 2018 JAG NTS in New Orleans
Our Top Ten Parenting Goals for the School Year
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As we at LifeSmart evaluate the trends among today’s teens and young adults, we can often correlate the results to parenting effectiveness. No, we are not in control of our children’s success, but we can foster a supportive environment to give them the best chances. Based on feedback from students, educators, employers, and mentors, we crafted our top ten goals for parents this year.
JAG Workshop: From At Risk to Workplace Superstar
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Presentation by Dennis Trittin at the July 2017 JAG national conference in Las Vegas.
JAG Workshop: Equip Them To Thrive, Not Just Survive
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Presentation by Dennis Trittin at the July 2017 JAG national conference in Las Vegas.
NYAR: Equip Them to Thrive, Not Just Survive
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Presentation by Dennis Trittin and Arlyn Lawrence at the 2017 NYAR Conference in Savannah.
Top Ten Parenting Tips to Promote College Readiness
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Preparing our children for a successful launch into adulthood is one of our greatest parenting responsibilities. And a huge milestone! Unfortunately, many college students are struggling at this pivotal time of life. Our nation’s college completion rankings are plummeting, and we are witnessing a surge in mental health issues on campus. Parents, we need to take the lead in turning this around. So, here are our best tips to help set your teens up for a successful college experience.
Will We Ever Let Them Go: Full Article
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What can we do as parents, high school educators, university professors, and employers to better the success rate of the younger generation? What is our role in equipping them to thrive? With holistic education that overs ALL of life's bases, I believe we can see them soar to new heights.
Position At-Risk Students for Career Success
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Power Point presentation given by Dennis Trittin and Arlyn Lawrence at the National Dropout Prevention Network conference, Oct. 4, 2016.
Equip Them to Thrive, Not Just Survive (Detroit NDPN Presentation)
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Power point presentation given by Dennis Trittin and Arlyn Lawrence at the National Dropout Prevention Network conference October 2, 2016.
PFTL Group Study PPT PDF
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PDF of the Facilitators' Power Point Presentation for the Parenting for the Launch Group Study
PFTL Group Study PPT Slides
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Power Point Presentation for facilitating the Parenting for the Launch Group Study
PFTL Group Study Participant Guide
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A five-week group study guide to accompany Parenting for the Launch: Raising Teens to Succeed in the Real World
LifeSmart Parenting Checklist - Standard
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A helpful self assessment for parents preparing teens for the "launch"
LifeSmart Parenting Checklist - Faith Based Version
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A helpful faith-based version of our self assessment for parents preparing teens for the "launch"
LifeSmart & VA Workplace Readiness Skills Mapping
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Alignment of LifeSmart Success Pointers in What I Wish I Knew at 18 Leadership and Life Skills Course with VA Workplace Readiness Skills. This document summarizes the mapping of the skills list to the curricular content and which success pointers from the WIWIK curriculum and MVP Employee DVD address them.
Positive Traits and Values
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A list of recommended positive traits and values for parents and educators to consider in preparing children and teens for a successful adulthood.
What I Wish I Knew at 18 Student Survey
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Pre- and post-course survey for the What I Wish I Knew at 18 Leadership and LifeSkills course
How to Be an MVP Employee - Presentation
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Powerpoint of Dennis' MVP Employee talk in PDF format
Preparing Your Students for Real World Success - FCSEM 2014
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Presentation for FCSEM 2014, PDF Format
How to Be an MVP Employee - Article
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Whether you’re on a summer job or working in your new career, discover what it takes to be an MVP employee!
Preparing Your Children for College and a Career
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PDF - Preparing Your Children for College and a Career, Dennis Trittin.
Personal Balance Sheet
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Help young people inventory their assets and constraints and discover their immeasurable worth.
Washington Student Leadership - Mining the Treasure in You
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Presentation to Washington Student Leadership, March 7, 2014 in Olympia, WA
AAFCS Webinar: "Life Is about Relationships: How World Class Leaders Build & Sustain Them"
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VSCA Presentation March 2013
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Dennis Trittin's March 2013 VSCA Presentation (PDF Format)
Personal Leadership Foundation
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How one program can improve student performance, narrow the achievement gap, AND foster healthier school cultures.
What I Wish I Knew at 18 Christian Student Guide Sample Lessons
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Sample Lessons from the What I Wish I Knew at 18: Life Lessons for the Road Ahead Christian Student Guide.
What I Wish I Knew at 18 Student Guide Sample Lessons
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Sample Lessons from the What I Wish I Knew at 18: Life Lessons for the Road Ahead Student Guide.
What I Wish I Knew at 18 - Chapter 1
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Chapter 1 of What I Wish I Knew at 18: Life Lessons for the Road Ahead.
Leadership and Life Skills Course Overview
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The What I Wish I Knew at 18 Leadership and Life Skills Course is an innovative and engaging program based on the practical life wisdom contained in What I Wish I Knew at 18: Life Lessons for the Road Ahead. Developed to reflect the dynamics of classroom or small group instruction, this nine- (or 18-) week course engages students by integrating relevant subject matter into an enriching and empowering format.
What I Wish I Knew at 18: Success Pointers
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A handy (PDF format) listing of all 109 Success Pointers from Dennis Trittin's book, What I wish I knew at 18: Life Lessons for the Road Ahead.
