School Program

Serving as a support structure for teachers and administrators, Find A Tree brings a new approach to youth development by helping students identify and actualize their dreams by connecting them to their academics and through developing initiative.

The Challenge

At the heart of the challenge facing schools in America is a fundamental problem: students have given up. They have the tangible resources they need: textbooks, qualified teachers, and computers. What they lack are the intangibles: hope, motivation, and dreams. Any administrator can create a wish list of additional resources; however, a larger investment in material items will only bring a marginal increase in student achievement. Intangibles like desire and self-direction have a larger impact on student success than any textbook or lesson plan can. Students who want to learn will learn. They can overcome any budget gap or outdated facility, but students with no interest in learning have a barrier too high to surmount.

On the other hand, there are many students graduating and going to college who have no purpose. They have not uncovered their talents, interests, or dreams. When many college-bound students are asked, “What are you going to study?” A common answer is, “I don’t know.” When pressed about why they are going to college, the fallback response is often, “Because I am supposed to.”

The Solution

Today, students are programmed to go to college, but college is not the panacea for living your dream. Students should examine who they are; what their talents, interests, and dreams are; and select an educational plan that will enable them to realize their goals and dreams. This was stated very well by a dedicated and inspired math teacher from Manual Arts High School in Los Angeles. Mario Aguirre said that “I ask my students if they know why they are going to college, and they always give vague answers. This means they are going to college, which is good, but they are going without their trees. I told them that the college experience would be much more powerful when a student has a dream that triggers vigorous focus and efficient energy."

In order for students to learn and achieve, they must explore what lies within. They must ask themselves, “What are my talents, interests, and dreams?” The education process must begin with what lies within students and then provide them with the academic, psychological, and life skills necessary to manifest their goals and dreams. When students connect their education to their dreams, their attitudes, behavior, and academic achievements will all improve, and they will be on the path to reaching their potential.

(From the training guide Unlock Students’ Potential by Daniel Armstrong.)

The aim of Find A Tree is to help schools reduce the dropout rate, reduce the number of failing grades, reduce the number of incident reports, increase attendance, improve grades, and increase graduation rates. The program teaches students how to identify their life goals and how to use the tools education provides to achieve those goals. Language and math skills, as well as students’ overall academic performance, improve as students integrate academics with the pursuit of their dreams.

For academically successful students, Find A Tree provides students with guidance on how to uncover their passions and determine their dreams. The program gives their education meaning and purpose by connecting academic classes to their dreams.

Unlock Students’ Potential 

Daniel Armstrong shares the systematic approach of his internationally acclaimed Find A Tree empowerment program to provide role models with a proven formula for motivating and mentoring youth of all ages to maximize their achievements. The book is clear, concise, interactive, practical, and actionable. Get yours now!

Read an excerpt from Daniel's teacher guide Unlock Students' Potential.

DOWNLOAD excerpt

“My students have embraced this program and have literally transformed. Find A Tree is a structured method that supports students, linking education to their dreams. This program has a very grounding and motivating force to help students master their academic subjects.”

Wanda Szeremeta

Life Skills Teacher and Director of Athletics
Los Angeles Unified School District
Los Angeles, California

“Find A Tree is a program for anybody seeking to excite, engage and motivate students and have them succeed.”

Dr. Yolanda Rangel

Assistant Principal
Roosevelt High School
Los Angeles, California

“From the perspective of one who has taught in the Los Angeles Unified School District for more than 25 years…Find A Tree is the most effective day-to-day program I’ve seen in terms of encouraging students to develop meaningful goals and then relating the importance of education to achievement of those goals.”

Randy Fong

Teacher
Roosevelt High School
Los Angeles, California

Get in Touch

For questions and more information, please contact Daniel through email. If you would like to stay in touch with Daniel, please let him know and leave your email address.

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