| Class Name: | Soft Skills 软实力修炼：健全的心志，快乐的人生 |
| Class Room: | 427 |
| Class Time: | 4:00-4:50 PM |
| Pre-requirement: | Age 12+ |
| Textbook: | |
| Class Goal: | Dr. Plesec (retired psychology) and Nurse Jan Maren lead the class.
人的一切烦恼都来自于人际关系.
All troubles come from relationships with others and yourself.
Dr. Plesec is a retired Psychologist, who has more than 30 years of clinical experience. Nurse Practitioner Jan Maran has diverse experience including mental health and primary care. Michelle Fu has a Ph.D. in Physics and over 20 years of experience in the IT field with special experience working with people. They will present a Soft Skills class. The curriculum is informative, challenging, and fun covering topics relevant to getting along socially. The class is helpful in confronting issues that occur when Eastern values meet Western values, particularly in the school setting.
The Student Soft Skills class has been taught for two years at the Chinese School. Soft skills are a combination of people skills, social skills, communication skills, character or personality traits, social intelligence and emotional intelligence. These skills do not depend on acquired knowledge; they include common sense, the ability to deal with people, and a positive flexible attitude.
The Fall 2020 class began with the students creating class expectations and agreements that would serve as “ground rules” for running the class. These Expectations and Agreements were reviewed each class. The class topics for this semester were
Respecting others
Skills for Forming Positive Relationships
Enhancing Your Self Image
Interacting with Others
Giving Compliments vs Giving Opinions
Giving Positive Feedback
Reacting to Criticism.
The Plan for the Spring class for Soft Skills is to enhance communication skills for handling difficult emotions, for meeting the demands of the moment if discord arises, developing skills in cooperating with others, utilizing the powerful skill of empathy.
Since this class is based on interaction, and because the Spring 2021 class will be taught with the Zoom format, it is important that students have access to computers with video cameras and email to get assignments. The class topics will be generated with consideration of the needs shown in classes The class quality is dependent on the students participating fully by doing homework assignments and that they engage during the class with verbal and written contributions.
Testimonies from the students and parents in the class.
One student, who’s family moved into the area 2 years ago, attended the class with the question of “how to make friends.” They have made multiple friends and are more comfortable starting a conversation.
One mom wrote to me:
“Thanks a lot for the dedication and love you, Dr. Plesec, and Jan put into the class! I think the skills you taught in the class will benefit the students for their lifetime. The class teaches students how to manage emotions and relationships, help and ask for help, express positive feelings and deal with uncomfortable situations. These are critical skills which will help people sail through their good and bad time. I wish I could have taken such a class when I was young. Thank you!”
One dad shared the story of his child’s development in understanding his and other’s emotions when he recalled how they had properly apologized after getting in a fight with their mother.
After one dad observed the class, he understood more about ABCs (American Born Chinese) who grew up in American culture and appreciated the diverse values that Dr. Plesec and Nurse Jan brought to our Chinese community.
Parents are welcome to the class.
为人父母的终极使命，其实是培养出适应社会的孩子。并且需要从很小的时候就开始培养，为孩子提供与外界接触的机会，鼓励孩子参加社会活动。
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| Teacher Name: | Fu, Yi, Maran, Janet/ Plesec Tom 傅易 |
| Teacher Contact Info: | Phone: 702-401-8225 (text during the day, it is OK to call me at night) Email: Michellezheng999@gmail.com |
| Parents Representative: | |
| Parents Representative Phone: | |
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