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Every student in America deserves the opportunity to learn how to make better decisions.

Intro

What is The Anatoliah Workshop?

Created and facilitated by Berklee-educated Mr. Chelo, the Anatoliah workshop is a fun, structured, and highly engaging 45-minute session that deeply teaches students an effective decision-making roadmap.

What problem does it solve?

Students often make decisions without recognizing how focus, self-talk, and emotions influence every decision they make in and out of school.

Where can it be held?

Libraries

Cafeterias

Classrooms

Media centers

How many students can attend?

30 students. per session.

Who is the workshop designed for?

Athletic teams

Graduating classes

After-school programs

Student leadership groups

Clubs and student organizations

College and career readiness groups

Boys’ and girls’ empowerment groups

Peer mentors and student ambassadors

Band, chorus, and performing arts groups

*The workshop is designed for student growth and
development—not as a disciplinary intervention.

Workshop

Why this workshop matters?

A decision-making roadmap.
Anatoliah helps students recognize how focus, self-talk, and emotions shape every choice.

Tools they can use immediately.
They leave with practical strategies for making better decisions in school and at home.

Stronger student ownership.
Anatoliah helps students take responsibility for their choices, behavior, and future.

Anatoliah in Action

"What am I paying attention to?"

Chelo begins by explaining that every decision has a starting point—and on the Anatoliah Decision Roadmap, that starting point is focus.

Students then participate in an engaging, focus-driven activity called “Find the Color.” The experience demonstrates how easily attention can be directed or distracted and reinforces the importance of focusing on what truly matters before making a decision.

"What am I telling myself?"

Students learn that focus leads to the next stop: self-talk—the internal conversations students have about what they are focusing on.

During this lesson, students participate in an interactive activity called “The Game of Twos.” The activity reinforces how self-talk can move a decision in one of two directions: it can either empower students to make stronger choices or weaken their confidence and judgment.

"What is this making me feel?"

Chelo explains that Focus Road and Self-Talk Avenue lead to the next stop: emotions—the final place a decision travels before becoming a reality in school and in life.

During this lesson, students participate in an interactive activity called “Who Is Controlling You?” The activity highlights the importance of recognizing and managing emotions before those emotions begin controlling their choices, reactions, and behavior.

Students will have the opportunity to ask questions, share thoughts, and connect real-life situations to the roadmap. Chelo will guide the conversation by tying student questions back to focus, self-talk, and emotions.

To reinforce the lessons learned, each student will receive a 5" × 7" Culture Challenge Card designed to help them continue practicing leadership, accountability, and positive decision-making throughout the school week.

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Impact

Since 2012, diverse school communities across 11 states — from Maine to California — have brought The Anatoliah Workshop to their students.

At every stop along the way, students have learned how focus, self-talk, emotions impact their decisions and day-to-day behavior. Here is a small sample of what they are saying!