Ilse

A year ago Ilse felt she was wasting time, lacking focus or goals, and yearning for self-confidence to lead a successful future. Midway through her sophomore year, Ilse discovered TPC’s Success Coaching program.

Ilse and her coach, Lorri, commenced their weekly coaching meetings in February 2010. Together, they developed a coaching relationship based on trust, respect, and positive energy. With Lorri’s non-judgmental support and guidance, Ilse’s eyes were opened to a new way of living, revolving around setting and achieving goals.

Today, Ilse is a hard-working and ambitious high school senior who spends her free time volunteering, exercising, and participating in public speaking events. These robust experiences are helping reveal Ilse’s formerly “hidden” self-confidence. In fact, she credits her new sense of self-assurance for her improving grades. “Now I’m not afraid to speak up and ask questions during class,” says Ilse. This same confidence is inspiring a fresh perspective on her future as she explores possible career and college options.

As a coach, Lorri is proud of Ilse for evaluating what is or isn’t working in her life and coming up with solutions.

Nic

Arthur and Nic meet up at school for a coaching conversation.

“I accomplished all of my goals last year with the help of my coach.” Nic’s words of victory are reflected in the pride felt by his coach. Arthur, his coach, is a retired physician, who once wondered if he was cut out to be a coach who could listen, rather than diagnose and fix.

The pair had just just began their third year of Success Coaching at Amphi High. 
At their first Meet-Up Arthur recalls the feelings of apprehension typical of most first time Volunteer Coaches, but kept his focus on getting Nic comfortable with sharing. Arthur’s concerns were quickly replaced by enthusiasm and pride.

From the start, Nic demonstrated maturity, quality values, and determination to succeed. Nic realized the value of coaching and that the more he put into it, the more he got out of it,” according to Arthur. “I learned about personal values and adapting who I am to the life I want to live,” Nic explained.

Nic is now a high school graduate and is attending a four-year university.

Jenny

Jenny is a bright, engaging young woman who made poor choices during her first two years of high school.  Although she matured and improved her attendance and performance by her junior year, she was overwhelmed to see what it would take to graduate.  She lost hope and found it hard to stay motivated.

Jane is a married Tucson resident with a full-time professional career.  Looking to volunteer since her youngest child left for college, Jane applied to become a TPC Volunteer Coach and attended TPC’s trainings.

Jenny came into the Touch Point program because an astute counselor noticed that Jenny was struggling and suggested Jenny try coaching. Jenny and Jane began their Success Coaching relationship mid-way through Jenny’s junior year.  Jane’s consistency and respectful, non-judgmental presence each week offered Jenny a sanctuary in which to see and make positive choices, commit to graduation in spite of the challenges, and advocate for what she needed to be successful.

Jenny decided to do everything possible to graduate with her class. She took summer school and extra courses each semester.  She got frustrated and tired.  She wondered often if she could keep up the pace …and if it would be worth it.

Through it all, Jane was there for her, listening, reflecting, and guiding Jenny toward self-determined solutions that she could put into action.

Jenny graduated with her Amphitheater High School Class of 2010! Jane was there to celebrate with “her teen” and shed tears of pride at Jenny’s success.

“Jane was my guardian angel,” says Jenny.  “She seemed to be the only person who really believed in me and, without her, I might not have made it to graduation.”

Next Jenny enrolled in community college and is now working toward her next degree.