Lisa produced a special cut of The Addict’s Wake just for educators.
Engaging, age-appropriate, and evidence-based programs on addiction and opioids
When schools want to help their students understand the risks and dangers of drugs and alcohol, there’s no shortage of programs, videos, and lesson plans available. But when schools and universities want to help their students talk through and grapple with challenging problems like addiction, recovery, and the fallout from opioids and drugs, they call Lisa Hall.
These talks don’t have buzzwords on achievement or educator-friendly jargon about goal-setting and outcomes. They don’t even feature lingo kids are likely to be using!
Lisa believes what all know to be true: kids are smarter than they are sometimes given credit for, and adult problems require adult conversations. That’s why she created a special educator’s cut of The Addict’s Wake.
While most of her work in schools and university classrooms stems from The Addict’s Wake, it doesn’t have to be the primary focus. She can go deeper to talk about:
- Legal, ethical, and moral questions
- The law enforcement response
- The role of courts
- Family dynamics and relationships
- Hope, despair, and other personal emotions kids and teens may experience as a result of addiction
- Coping skills, resilience, boundaries, and decision-making skills
Ready to start the conversation?
If you’d like Lisa to visit your school, workplace, or community event, reach out and start a conversation about what would work best for your group.
One of the few speakers available for elementary, middle, and high schools
Almost all drug-prevention and drug-related mental health speakers focus entirely on middle and high school students. Lisa is one of the few ready to talk to elementary-age students.
Her work with Avie’s Hope helps some of the most vulnerable kids talk through and understand addiction. Addiction and hardship respects no age or curriculum guideline.
Elementary schools looking for in-classroom or school-wide program guest speakers can turn to Lisa for age-appropriate programs.
What’s right for your school or classroom
While addiction and recovery are the most likely things educators are interested in hearing about, it’s not the only thing. Lisa would love to speak to media arts and video production students about the art and craft of filmmaking.
Schedule a phone or Zoom call to ensure everyone is confident about a visit to your class or campus. She does not work through agents or speakers’ bureaus, and interactions are with her alone from start to finish.
FAQs about Lisa speaking at our school or university
Not in the traditional sense. However, students pursuing careers in public health or those working to overcome adversity or find positive coping skills may find her talks motivating. Adverse Childhood Experiences, substance abuse in the family, suicide prevention, and recovery impact families and young lives differently. Addiction impacts nearly every family in some way, and students of all backgrounds are likely to find positive meaning and impact from her talks.
Absolutely. University and college instructors may find it helpful to include when discussing matters related to filmmaking, law, social work, community outreach, and related programs.
Depending on the age group of students and background, outcomes can vary — and that’s a good thing! Elementary school teachers may find Lisa’s program an excellent way to get students to draw or understand they’re not alone. Middle school and high school teachers can use her talk as a springboard to other lesson plans, like writing prompts or additional background research. Science teachers can help students explore the chemistry and biology of addiction, too.
PowerPoint slides are used only because they’re the most common and straightforward means of showing material in a classroom. But these slides can and frequently do include videos from The Addict’s Wake. Sound and video are the only basic technical needs.
Vapes and opioids are worlds apart in their known risks and impact in our communities, though she recognizes schools struggle with underage vape usage. Discussing vapes as another vector or kind of addiction for older kids and teens is possible.