Empowerment Pod

Subject: Social Studies: Empowerment, Current Events

Pre-reqs: None

Structure:

Virtual, 2 hours, twice a week

For teens ages 13-18

Class max: 12

Class Description:

Teens are angry and have every right to be.

They’re burnt out, overworked, have unmet needs, and are somehow expected to bear it all while being polite, obedient, and responsible. They are standing at a precipice, about to go out into a world where they will need to be successful at skills that were never explicitly taught. But thank goodness they know what sin, cosine, and tangent are.

Teens are inheriting a disaster:

Public education is being gutted and it wasn’t exactly a stronghold beforehand.

Healthcare is being dramatically cut when we already pay more and receive less in healthcare than any other first world (and some third world!) nations

Human beings are denied their human rights every day.

Everything that is considered the bare minimum of a civilized society is falling apart.

Of course they are angry. I’m angry for them. I can’t give them the world I want them to have.

So I’m doing the next best thing.

I’m teaching them to build it for themselves.

In this live virtual series, we’ll cover what isn’t covered in a typical school setting.

We’ll meet the needs that are going unmet.

We’ll build community, resilience, and hope.

Learning Goals:

• Understand social justice including why and how to take a stand

• Learn how to apply critical thinking skills to a variety of situations

• Develop executive function skills like task initiation, planning, and more

• Lead/participate in learner-led workshops

• Build a sense of community and maintain friendships beyond the classroom

Class Methods:

• Interactive discussion

• Learning and skill building games

• Passion projects

• Learner-led workshops

• Lecture with slides

Time Outside of Class:

0-2 hours outside of class for passion projects, developing a learner-led workshop, and final “Creating Models for Change” project.

Grading:

Grading is provided on request

The goal is to build mastery and confidence

Guardian/Parenting Guidance:

This class will explore themes like social justice and injustice, inclusivity, standing up for the rights and well being of others, etc. Topics may include violence, racism and other bigotry, etc. Profanity may be present.

Supplies:

• Reliable device with reliable internet access, camera, and microphone

• Digital or paper note taking (optional)

• Passion projects and models for change may include flyer, posters, brochures, presentations, videos, drawings, 3d models, etc. Learners will choose which products to create and will need the necessary real supplies or digital apps to create them.

Inclusivity:

• Quirk Ed provides a neurodivergent- and queer- friendly space

• Reasonable accommodations are the norm, not the exception

• Because this is a highly interactive class, cameras are generally required to be on. Exceptions will be handled on a case by case basis. I understand cameras on can be a sensitive subject for some learners and I will do whatever I can to build their comfort.

• While speaking is encouraged in discussions, learners may make use of the chat option to share their thoughts.

Bullying Policy:

Bullying will not be tolerated. I may mute mics, send learners to the waiting room, exclude them from class temporarily, or remove them from the roster entirely. Refunds will not be given if a learner is removed for bullying.

Cost: $1030/semester per learner or $206/month for cash pay families with recurring autopay/auto invoicing

Building the skills, values, and voices of the next generation

ESA approved in:

• Arkansas

• Louisiana

• New Hampshire

• Utah

• West Virgina

• Arizona (qualified students with disabilities only)

• Families must verify with their state that this is an eligible expense