Dear Faculty and Parents,
My name is Cyndy Drew Etler. I am a teacher, teen life coach and author. I am writing this letter to introduce you to my book, STRAIGHTLING, and its accompanying website.
STRAIGHTLING is a memoir recounting my adolescent years, and the pain I endured at the hands of the system. The lessons that I teach young people through the sharing of my story can open the doors of communication for teens who face any types of struggles, not just those with problems similar to my own.
Most importantly, allowing students to read my very genuine, but often painful, story can better prepare them to be aware of their own needs, and the needs of other students in their schools. It shows them that they are far from alone.
While the details of my problems may be alarming to some, they will be topics that are all too familiar to many teenagers today. I handle the specific incidents of abuse in my book with as much dignity as the situation allows. While the original edition of STRAIGHTLING contains some adult situations and profanity, none of it is gratuitous or used for shock value. Rather, it represents an accurate portrayal of the events as they occurred. The school edition, on the other hand, has been scrubbed free of stronger language and content.
The school edition features discussion questions that target the concerns of young adults. A Common Core-based curriculum is available, at no charge, at www.cyndyetler.com/books; you will also find links to the music mentioned throughout the book.
Thank you, and I look forward to sharing these life-changing moments with your students.
Sincerely,
Cyndy Etler, M.Ed.
Leave a comment You must be logged in to post a comment.
Cyndy,
I also heard the tail end of your interview on Charlotte Talks, and I am horrified by what you and the other children went through in Straight, Inc..
I really was a rebellious teen that drank, smoked pot and cigarrettes – but thank God I was never put into a facility such as this and have since “grown up,” as they say.
I feel so badly for all of the children (now adults) recounting their stories of abuse on the surviving straight inc. website. I wish someone would have stepped in on behalf of the children and had these facilities shut down at the time.
I want to thank you for having the courage to share your story, helping other survivors to share theirs, and for making a difference in the lives of teenagers today. You have taken a very personal nightmare (for yourself and others) and transformed it into a positive life lived with purpose – to help others.
All my love and support to you and the survivors, as I know that all of you HAVE the strength within you to leave your cocoon, become beautiful butterflies, and fly.
Don’t ever let them take your wings.
Aimee
aimee
August 26, 2012
Aimee, you’re a damn poet. Your closing lines kind of made my eyes sting. Thank you.
Cyndy
September 2, 2012
Listening to your interview on Charlotte Talks. Amazing! What a horrible experience.
Noticed a mistake on this page. Thought you’d like to know. Remove the word “is” from the following sentence.
“I am writing this letter is to introduce you to my book, STRAIGHTLING, and its accompanying website.”
Sounds like you’re doing great work with today’s kids. Keep it up!!
Stan
Stan
August 20, 2012
I thought I was the world’s OCDest editor. Turns out, Stan, that you are. Much appreciated!
Cyndy
August 21, 2012