Michael Kerosky
At 15 years old, I was a freshman in high school. My life seemed overwhelming. I saw very little good in myself and many times even contemplated suicide. I was pretty “immature” (dependent), desperately needing positive attention, angry, shy, and lacked successful social skills, School was very difficult because I was teased a great deal, treated like a dumb student by teachers, received poor grades, and hung out all the time with other “rejects”. And I did many of the high-risk, self-destructive things that provide an easy “escape” for anyone in such pain. For a number of complicated reasons, my parents were a source of some financial resources (I had clothes, food and place to live – not small things at their income level) but not resources in any personal strength-building way. They did the best they could.
For some reason, the school janitor took an interest in me. I got to know him from demerit/work detail, and would chat with him about school, life and love (or the lack thereof). He would check on me during the school day if I hadn’t stopped by his workroom for a couple days. While he was a man of discreet words, it was utterly clear that he cared about me and looked out for me. At times, he would offer judicious advice and help me out with a project. Mr. Sulier was a beacon of hope for me during a very difficult time. At the local burger stop where I worked, I also had a boss who took me under his wing. Rudy Sprenger was authoritarian, vulgar and strict. I never did much like what he had to say to me about being on time, quality of work and attitude. But through all of that gruff exterior, he somehow communicated and I knew deep down that he was trying to help me; that he had my best interest at heart. He believed I could be a great worker and he was determined to get me there. And being the bright, stubborn German that he was, he did. I attribute some of my best work habits and all of the confidence and success that go with them to Rudy H. Sprenger.
In the early part of my professional career, I worked as a crisis counselor directly helping young people who were struggling with their own identity and deficit messages. For the past 16 years my energies have been focused on helping all of us explore ways to increase the developmental assets of young people. This has included working with schools to find creative ways to help students learn social and emotional skills, feel more connected to someone at school, and to improve school climate. It has also included working with the community to find ways to actively involve young people and to help adults utilize the inoculating power they have through connecting with young people. While I did not start out wanting to do these things through my work, it is no accident that they have become my passion and mission.
