Q & A with Youth Educator – Brenda Allen

20 Mar Q & A with Youth Educator – Brenda Allen

Welcome to the first feature in our series of Q & A’s with Iowa educators! In this blog series, Iowa educators share their stories. Find out why they chose their career path, the challenges they faced along the way, the rewards of working with youth, advice for keeping youth inspired and involved in your community, and more. Our goal with this series is to inspire others to make a difference for our youth, inform community leaders about the importance of engaging youth, and share the impact (great or small) you can make as a result of your dedication to educating and empowering the next generation.

Brenda Allen has been involved with youth education and leadership for 22 years and is currently the ISU Extension & Outreach 4-H Youth Development Professional Development Specialist. She lives in central Iowa and serves staff and volunteers across the state.

Brenda was my first friend and colleague at 4-H. We first shared a cubicle and wouldn’t you know…she even suspected I was pregnant with my first child before I made it public. Brenda was the foremost person who inspired me to dig deeper in my understanding and connection with youth. She is an expert (holds a doctorate) in youth development and has done incredible amounts of research around positive youth development.

Some of my favorite memories with Brenda were when I served as a mentor to the Iowa State 4-H Youth Council as it related to marketing. Brenda oversaw the whole council and provided leadership to the three-day Iowa 4-H Youth Conference that was planned BY youth, FOR youth, and brought nearly 1,000 high school students to the Iowa State University campus every summer.

Brenda’s ability to connect with youth in ways that challenge them, provide companionship, and ultimately enable them to feel like they are positive, contributing and effective members of society is incredible. See what Brenda has to share about her career path and how we can all further engage young people in our communities.

Emerge Marketing Solutions: Why did you choose this career path?

Brenda Allen: I suppose it was a calling. I knew from high school on that I wanted to work with youth in some capacity. I started out as a public school teacher, but always had a heart for volunteering with youth and non-formal education. I was a 4-Her growing up and it provided me with the experiences that were most significant in my own development and so I believe in its value and also believe I have the skills and responsibility to provide those same opportunities for today’s youth.

EMERGE: What do you see as your organization’s purpose?

BRENDA: Our mission is to empower youth to reach their full potential through youth-adult partnerships and research-based experiences. I believe it and live it and advocate for it. The part I am most passionate about is youth-adult partnerships. Youth are resources today—not just potential for the future. I learn from the youth I work with regularly and have built stronger relationships and trust by respecting youth and understanding they are assets rather than problems to fix. So, I work with staff, volunteers and partners to ensure this approach is utilized throughout our communities.

“Youth are resources today—not just potential for the future. I learn from the youth I work with regularly and have built stronger relationships and trust by respecting youth and understanding they are assets rather than problems to fix.”

EMERGE: What are the major challenges you see to keep youth engaged and interested in learning?

BRENDA: Youth often don’t feel valued or listened to. They also sometimes don’t see the value in the experience itself. So often adults plan things that they think “would be good for youth” but they don’t ask the experts—the youth themselves—or engage them in the planning. When we empower youth and demonstrate that we recognize their value in the process, give them responsibilities, etc., my experience has been that they typically rise to that occasion. They will follow through. That also increases their self-esteem and their commitment to whatever the effort or organization is. When we ask youth for their opinion and ensure the activities or plans we’ve made are things they want to participate in or with, that increases their ownership and excitement to participate as well.

“So often adults plan things that they think “would be good for youth” but they don’t ask the experts—the youth themselves—or engage them in the planning. When we empower youth and demonstrate that we recognize their value in the process and give them responsibilities, my experience has been that they typically rise to that occasion.”

EMERGE: How can we inspire youth to become involved in their community and youth organizations beyond traditional sports?

BRENDA: Find out what excites or motivates them; engage them in the conversations about what the community needs or what the youth organization should focus on, etc. I think the other piece that is critical is to ensure whatever you’re doing helps youth meet their four basic needs for Positive Youth Development—Belonging, Mastery, Independence, and Generosity. When opportunities are provided to do that, youth will be engaged. When there is a caring adult that provides consistency and structure and focuses on building positive relationships with the youth that are involved, the youth will continue to be engaged.

EMERGE: What’s your best advice for others interested in getting involved with serving youth?

BRENDA: You don’t have to be an expert on all things to work with youth, but you do have to want to be present, be genuine, and keep trying. They know when you’re not. You won’t always get it right, but if they know you’re trying they are also pretty understanding. Working with youth provides so many rewards—I learn from them, I laugh with them, and it keeps me coming back to see their energy, optimism, creativity, and new ideas.

“Working with youth provides so many rewards—I learn from them, I laugh with them, and it keeps me coming back to see their energy, optimism, creativity, and new ideas.”

EMERGE: If you could create an ideal world for the next generation, what would be the highlights?

BRENDA: I want a place where youth feel safe to be themselves and are accepted and valued for who they are. I love it when I see youth and adults learning and working together because the energy is so positive on all levels and it creates a stronger commitment to the community by all involved. I want youth to have enough provisions and care so they don’t have to worry about finances as young people, but instead can be given opportunities to explore and develop their own skills and have choice in what opportunities they pursue to make themselves and the world better.

“I love it when I see youth and adults learning and working together because the energy is so positive on all levels and it creates a stronger commitment to the community by all involved.”

Are you inspired and want to make a difference for your community, country or world?  Consider being a 4-H volunteer! It is quite possibly one of the most rewarding and impactful way to make a difference for our future!