The Inspiring Story Behind the INSPIRE School Programs (Tara Oksuzler)

Reformers Collective

Host Becky Hennesy hangs out with one of her besties! It's Tara Bollinger-Okszuler, the creator of an incredible non-profit organization called Inspire School Programs. In this episode, they breakdown how Inspire was launched, how it's grown, and the secret power of starting small.
They also take listeners into Tara's own "inspiring" journey from Miss Missouri who had a degree in Broadcasting to her "crazy faith" move to Texas in 2012 to start in Inspire program in Cedar Hill.
So what exactly is Inspire School Programs? Its primary purpose is to create SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) mentoring programs, events and curriculum that inspire students to discover their value, find purpose and build strength to be successful in life while positively contributing to their community.
Inspire School Programs focuses on partnering with local schools to provide SEL programs and mentor students. According to student survey results after a semester of classroom mentoring, Inspire had the following results:

• 86% - felt an increase in self-confidence
• 94% - respect themselves more
• 85% - respect others more
• 91% - make better relationship choices
• 66% - used at least one positive coping technique for anger or anxiety within a week

Inspire uses classroom mentoring, curriculum and events to create a safe environment to help students develop in SEL competencies. Inspire works with local schools to determine their specific student issues and address them in programs. Inspire’s approach to student mentoring includes academic encouragement, positive coping skills, social and emotional intelligence development as well as mental health awareness.
The Reformers Collective podcast is part of the expanding Charisma Podcast Network (CPN). Click here to visit the CPN main page. While at CPN, look for additional Reformers Collective resources such as Becky's blog articles on the topic of reformation.
Let's keep bringing godly solutions to earthly problems!