Professional Development Training

PLUS ME: Bringing Stories To Life

Help your high school students build confidence by unlocking the power of their personal story—starting with your own.

 

Experience a two-day immersive training at our Storytelling Center in Highland Park, CA (Greater Los Angeles area), to learn the approach that has helped over 200,000 students tell their stories—building connection to community and the confidence to pursue their college, career, and life goals.

Spots are limited and scholarships are available. Choose your July training session (July 9-10 or 15-16) to be ready for the 2025-26 school year.

 

Why this training matters

Every young person has a story that matters.

But many students struggle to recognize the value of their experiences—or to express them in a way that builds connection and confidence.

Without this foundation, they often feel isolated, unmotivated, and uncertain about their future.

 
 

*Sources: National Library of Medicine (2022); LAOYC (2023); EAB (2023)

We can change that.

Facilitators using the PLUS ME approach begin each workshop by sharing their own story—modeling courage and vulnerability to open the door for students to do the same.

After a PLUS ME workshop, students report the following:

 
 

Now, through PLUS ME: Bringing Stories To Life, you can learn the approach and become a catalyst for storytelling—helping the youth you serve feel more connected, more motivated, and more prepared for what comes next.

 

get started in just 3 steps

STEP 1

Register today for a summer session (July 9-10 or July 15-16)

STEP 2

Attend the training session to learn the PLUS ME approach and connect with your cohort

STEP 3

Put the PLUS ME approach into practice in your classroom or program

Over two days, you will:

  • Reconnect with your own story and build community with a cohort of like-minded professionals

  • Learn a proven framework to strengthen rapport with your students from day one

  • Leave with the tools to make storytelling a lasting part of your work

    • Teachers + school leaders

    • College + career counselors

    • Nonprofit + community-based youth workers

    • Anyone supporting youth through storytelling

    • 12 hours of professional development

    • A My Story Matters Journal to keep and use

    • A supportive cohort of peers to share stories and insights

    • Breakfast and lunch each day

  • Participants will receive a PLUS ME handbook with practical guidance for bringing this work to students—whether it’s:

    • Leading a five-hour series

    • Embedding prompts throughout a semester

    • Integrating questions into daily engagement

    Journals will be available at a bulk discount to support direct implementation in the school year ahead.

    You will also be among the first to learn about upcoming trainings launching in 2025–26 to deepen your practice.

 

CHOOSE YOUR SESSION

Date: July 9–10, 2025 (Wed+Thu) or July 15–16, 2025 (Tue+Wed)

Time: 10AM – 4PM daily

Location: PLUS ME Storytelling Center — Highland Park, Los Angeles

Registration Fee: $1,500 per participant

Registration Deadline: Friday, June 27, 2025 at 11:59 PM PT

 
 

NEED SUPPORT?

We are offering a limited number of scholarships.

If selected, we will follow up with next steps for your reduced registration fee.

 
 

WHAT EDUCATORS HAVE TO SAY

 

WHAT STUDENTS HAVE TO SAY

“It opened my mind and heart to be able to tell my story.”
“I learned that we tell stories to connect with others and to feel less alone.”
“This helped me write my story for the future.”

FAQ

  • Too many students reach high-stakes moments—college essays, job interviews, life after graduation—without the tools to tell their own story.
    A student’s confidence starts with knowing their story matters: this experience helps you model that truth so your students can live it.

  • No previous facilitation experience is required. This experience is about deepening your own reflection and connection to storytelling.

  • Absolutely. Whether you work in a school, nonprofit, or community-based setting—if you support youth, this is for you.

  • This experience takes place at our Storytelling Center in Highland Park. We encourage you to look for hotel accommodations in nearby areas such as Glendale, Pasadena, or Downtown LA. Breakfast and lunch will be provided each day.

  • You will:

    • Receive a handbook to guide implementation in your setting

    • Have access to discounted My Story Matters Journals to bring the experience to life

    • Be the first to learn about our follow-up trainings launching in the 2025-26 school year to deepen your skills

  • Just yourself. We will provide all materials, as well as breakfast and lunch each day.