Michelle D JohnsonI have worked as an educator for more than thirty years in both the public and private arenas. As an educator, it has become clear that all students want to be understood as human beings. This is especially true when behavioral, emotional, and develomental challenges present themselves. For learning to occur, students must feel valued. This realization eventually led me to the concept of Great Empowered Minds (GEM). Despite the many obstacles and experiences life may present, students always have purpose and value. It is my hope that the strategies and activities from the G.E.M program will be useful to you in your journey as a professional who works with youth. I will, in turn, have given back to the profession, for which I am eternally grateful. Read More Read Less