So you may get to know Alissa just a bit, I asked her a few questions.
Why do you like to teach children? As a former Family and Consumer Science educator, I am energized and passionate about equipping young people with life skills that build their confidence for successful future endeavors.
What did you learn from growing up on a farm in Lancaster County and what was your favorite thing to do as a child on the farm? It was only later in life that I grew to appreciate the gift I was given by growing up on a farm, not to mention in beautiful Lancaster County, PA. Farm life taught me that few things are as rewarding as hard work, and that it’s good to get your hands dirty every now and then. A favorite childhood farm memory includes playing house with my dolls on the Combine Harvester machine, when it was not in use, naturally.
What was your favorite book to read to your boys? Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney was one of our favorite children’s books we read to our sons. We especially found Big Nutbrown Hare’s response to Little Nutbrown Hare’s love for him especially endearing… “Oh, that’s far, that is very, very far.”
What is your favorite thing to do in Pennsylvania? One of my favorite things to do in Pennsylvania includes buying freshly picked sweet corn in early September from Amish road side produce stands. Freezing corn with my Mother and sister has always been an early fall tradition.
If you could invite anyone to dinner….? One person that comes to mind is my college professor Dr. Deborah Tippett from Meredith College, Raleigh, NC. Dr.Tippett is the department head of Human and Environmental Sciences. She embodies wisdom and knowledge, with southern elegance. Dr.Tippett is an inspiration in the field for many women. Because our friendship began in the South, I would likely serve a menu of southern origin. Perhaps smoked pork BBQ, the “Fixins’” and the predictable chocolate chess pie.
What advice do you have for raising happy and healthy children? I think about the suggestion we were given early on, which was “Parent with the End in Mind”. Happy children are not grown through constant entertainment and entitlement. But, rather with age appropriate boundaries and lots of grace. As parents of sons, we value their ability to respect themselves and others in such a way that they choose a life of integrity. Doing the right thing, especially when no one is looking. Treating a woman like a lady, goes without saying.
Testimonial
If you are interested in starting your own business teaching manners to children, I invite you to have a conversation. Whether we decide to work together or not, I am confident our call will be full of insights.
“I was looking for charm school-type material for my after-school program for girls and came upon the Manners To Go website. It was like finding a treasure trove of “what-to-do(s)” and “how-to-do(s)” on manners for children. It was more than I could have imagined finding.
In receiving my MTG training, Lisa provided every tool and resource needed to become a successful MTG Consultant.
Lisa’s Manners To Go is a great product, and it is a joy working with her!”
-Lindafaye, N. Etiquette Consultant, 2015
“Lisa, I am so happy I found you. I’ve wanted to teach kids etiquette for years but never had the time to research all the material and then figure out how to teach it. With Manners To Go, I now have the PERFECT program to start my business. You delivered exactly what you promised: excellent support and a turnkey system.
It was truly an honor to be trained by someone of your caliber and experience, who was willing to share “everything you know, do, and use” with me.I would highly recommend you to anyone wanting to teach children’s etiquette!”
If you are looking to start immediately and save money on travel and time, then this is your best option.You choose the dates of our trainings. Most choose to have their sessions once a week, others twice. This is a “live” and private training. It is NOTself-guided.
PRIVATE Training. That’s right, we meet in person, the two of us and our focus is completely on your business. Click the image above or follow the button below to learn more and to see a list of cities available for your training.
Lindafaye has worked within the public education system for years. She is not only an educator, but a mother of six. She talks to us about her passion and her mission to teach manners to as many children as possible in Richmond, Virginia. Enjoy my interview with her.
Well, my first thought is that I love to teach because it is that one thing, besides singing, which comes so easily to me. I see it as a gift from God. It’s a gift that keeps on giving, because I am rewarded on a daily basis!
What brings you the most joy from your students?
The greatest joy is in witnessing the “light” that comes into the eyes of a student when he or she “gets it.”
What is your teaching philosophy?
Marva Collins, a teacher who founded the Westside Preparatory School in Chicago, has been my inspiration since I first heard of her back in the 1980s. She taught children who were labeled “learning disabled” how to read and understand Shakespeare, among other things. I adopted her philosophy, and that is, children learn exactly what you teach them.
What advice would you give to other mothers about raising happy and healthy children?
I say, if you teach them nothing else, teach them very early what it means to have integrity, and to be honest in all they do. Teaching these characteristics, especially when you model them in your very own life, goes a long way to raising happy and healthy children. Also, know that children want our guidance and direction. My first born are identical twin girls. It was so important to me to make sure that they understood even though they were identical, in genetics and their physical beings, they were individuals, in their emotional and spiritual selves. I didn’t know it then, but I was basically teaching them to be emotionally intelligent, by being true to themselves. I am proud to say that all six of my children frequently thank me for the way they were raised.
If you could invite anyone to dinner, who would be on your guest list? (living or deceased)
That would be my paternal grandmother! I did not really get to know her. When I was very young, three or four years old, my mother married someone other than my father, allowed him to adopt me without the permission of my biological father, and forbade my grandmother from seeing me again. Apparently, I had spent a lot of time with my grandmother, but don’t remember much of it. I met her again as a young adult, and only shared two meals with her. I would love to have had a lifetime of dinners with her so I could just sit, talk, and share my thoughts and receive wisdom from her.
Tell us about the Sister Card Club? When did you launch it? Why did you create it?
The Sister Card Club: The Official Guide to Becoming and Being a Young Woman — that is the full title of the workbook pages I have written for club members. The purpose of the Sister Card Club is to provide a guide for tween and teen girls that leads them on an intentional journey.
I have mentored girls in my church, and my children’s schools since the late 1980s. I officially launched the Sister Card Club in October of 2011 and formed an LLC.
Why did I create The Sister Card Club? Since my twin girls were tweens themselves, they were always bringing their friends home to “hang out”. Many times I would end up mentoring, and giving guidance to their friends. In 1991, I became a member of a very young church in my community. I realized the children, especially the girls, did not have any adult guidance. Most were being raised by a grandmother or an aunt and were in dire need of the basics in life. I soon began borrowing the church bus to pick up the girls on the weekends, bring them to my house to teach them simple things like how to take care of, and groom themselves. One day I decided that I needed to sit down and outline the things these girls needed to know and learn in order to reduce risk in succumbing to the same fate as their mothers. At that point I knew that that was my purpose in life . . . my calling.
The name Sister Card Club came to me after a discussion with a friend about where I could find a book to teach the girls everything in my outline. This friend laughed and said “Girl, I’m going to take your sister card away from you . . . you have the book right there! (pointing to my head) YOU write the book you’re looking for!” That is when I decided I was going to start the “Sister Card Club” and write a book. (Hence, the Official Guide to Becoming and Being a Young Woman, which is a workbook for club members.)
Flats or heels?
Umm. . . .I consider myself to be a really girly girl. I LOVE wearing heels . . . but I don’t wear them as often now because as a teacher I am on my feet and/or walking all day. So, a combination of now being in the teaching field, and reaching another “stage” in my life, when I go to my closet in the mornings, I tend to gravitate to the flats when I go to my closet in the morning!
What was your favorite book that you read to your children when they were growing up?
My very favorite books to read to my children were the Berenstain Bears books by Stan and Jan Berenstain. There was a life lesson in every story. Their favorite book for me to read was Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale by John Stepto. It is a story about beauty on the inside and on the outside.
If you are interested in starting your own business teaching manners to children, I invite you to have a conversation. Whether we decide to work together or not, I am confident our call will be full of insights.
Casey, from The Island School of Performing Arts in Gulfport, Mississippi contacted Manners To Go recently because she had the desire to add an educational component for her community. She is now licensed and certified to teach the Manners To Go program.
Casey talks to us about her passions and her mission to teach as many children in Gulfport, Mississippi about manners. Enjoy my interview with her.
1.Share with us a few lessons your son has taught you about manners?
Patience with younger students. It will take time, but if you can start manners young it will make a world of difference. Even if it’s teaching “Please” and “Thank You” from learning to speak and communicate.
2.Casey, what do you find most joyful about being a mom?
EVERYTHING! My son is my world. There are hard days, moments and so forth, but when he gives me a kiss, says “thank you” and more, the world is a good place. I love watching his mind grow and develop, how excited he gets and how proud he is when he figures it all out! Its magic!
3. What are your favorite things to do in Gulfport, Mississippi?
The Beach. I love living a “coastal” lifestyle. Even on the busiest of days, I can drive down the beach to go to work. In less than an hour I can see the islands, a farm, a casino, and some of the best food you will ever eat!
4. What has been your absolute favorite ballet costume?
Ohhhh,that is a hard one! Personal…My blackbird. Students…Emeralds
5. What is your favorite book from childhood?
Where the Wild Things Are
6. What is your favorite thing about having dinner with your family?
Tradition. Other than the obvious family time, the tradition and the stability of it. The world moves CRAZY fast now and taking the time eat with your family is so important. To break bread together, away from the computers, phones, apps and more is simple and beautiful!
7. What is the best lesson your mother has taught you?
To pull yourself together! To make sure you look presentable and nobody sees and knows your drama. A lady does not tell her “drama” to everyone. We all have crazy moments, relatives, and more, but how we act through those moments and situations tells all. And to keep your heart to the Lord and faith strong!
Casey has been a student of the dance arts since the age of two and started competition at age five. She began teaching at the age of 14 and is going on her seventh year with her own school. She is certified in two different dance education/teaching programs and is currently working on her third. She is VERY excited to share the Manners To Go program with the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Eloise and Manners for Back to School | August 27, 2015 Event 4:00-5:30 pm
Join me, Lisa Taylor Richey and Eloise in New York City for a rawther extraordinary and unforgettable event. Oh yes, and bring your mostly companions. Thank you very much and charge it please. You will have so much fun at The Plaza you will not even realize that you have the best manners in the whole wide world.
Tea with Me and Eloise
As seen on the Today Show Website, “Sweetest Tea Parties for Mom’s and Kids.” Tea, manners and Eloise certainly go together. Join us as we sip tea, sit like a lady and learn to interrupt only if we must. At this event, children and their mostly companions, through role playing and games will master:
Manners Tips for “Taking Your Daughters and Sons To Work Day”
For over 22 years, the “Take Our Daughters and Sons To Work Program”, has partnered with corporations to host our nation’s children in the workplace. The program is designed for both boys and girls and exposes them to an office environment. To find out more, check out their website www.takeourdaughtersandsonstowork.org. The date for this year’s event is April 23.
I was lucky enough to experience this when I was in the corporate world. It was such an enlightening experience for us all. We went out to lunch together, shared our story with them and we got fresh new workers for the day.
Here are 10 tips on how to use good manners while your child is at the office:
Make arrangements with their teachers ahead of time. Fill out absentee paperwork if necessary.
Find out if your company has organized events for the children. If so discuss with your child ahead of time what will be happening during the day.
Brush up on the following social skills. Practice eye contact, a good handshake, and standing up for introductions.
Let your child know the importance of getting along with others.
Talk about ways to start a conversation. They will be meeting a lot of new children and your co-workers. To include others and to be included is very important. Some conversation starters: Where do you go to school? Do you play sports? How many pets do you have? What is your favorite movie?
Keep in mind your office dress code. Remember first impressions are very important. A conservative outfit is your best choice in this situation.
Remind your child to use their inside voice.
Whining is not allowed.
Often lunch is served. A few reminders for manners at the table: eat with your mouth closed, the napkin belongs in your lap, and elbows off the table.
Have your child write thank you notes to the personnel who were involved in making it a special day.
Lisa Richey provides etiquette programs to businesses, schools, and individuals.
