Workshops
Thank you for your interest in bringing me in for a workshop! Below you will find information about my signature workshops as well as my bio and headshot, all of which can be used to advertise the event.
Each workshop runs for one hour. They are intended for parents, but teens are welcome to join as well.
I offer three workshop options: one for a general parent audience, one specifically for parents of LGBTQIA+ teens, and one specifically for parents of Jewish teens. Descriptions are below. Please select the option that best meets the needs of your community.
My workshops can be held in person or on Zoom, though I usually prefer in person, if possible!
Workshop option #1: Supporting Your Student in the College Process (for a general parent audience)
Maybe you have a clear vision for your student’s college experience, or maybe their educational path after high school is a mystery waiting to be revealed. Regardless of whether you are in either of these situations or somewhere in between, the college application and selection process is a hefty task standing between your student and their future. It involves a lot of uncertainty, and it can be difficult to feel like you have agency when navigating the complex system of college admission.
While the admission decisions are out of families’ control, the good news is that there is a lot you can do to support your student in choosing the best-fit school. Parents will leave this interactive workshop feeling empowered to focus on what they can do to best position their student to thrive in college.
Workshop option #2: Supporting Your LGBTQIA+ Student in the College Search (for parents of LGBTQIA+ teens)
Searching for colleges that are a good fit for your student can be overwhelming. There are academic, geographical, and financial factors to consider, among many others. For LGBTQIA+ students, one of these many other concerns is finding campuses that are inclusive, supportive, and welcoming. At this workshop, we will discuss how to find such campuses. We will address the following questions:
What are the most impactful ways in which universities can support queer and trans students?
How can prospective LGBTQIA+ students assess whether or not the school is a good fit?
Parents will leave this interactive workshop with a clear path forward in determining how safe and affirming a school will be for their student.
Workshop option #3: Supporting Your Jewish Student in the College Process (for parents of Jewish teens)
The college process can be stressful to navigate, especially when considering the pressure to gain admission to a selective school. Jewish families might also be considering whether the Jewish community on campus meets their student’s needs, and they might be concerned about antisemitism. This adds another layer to the complexity of the college search.
In this workshop, we will discuss the complexities of the college process through a uniquely Jewish lens. Through guided discussion, participants will assess their priorities and values when conceptualizing the ideal college for their student. Parents will leave this interactive workshop with information that will help them support their student in choosing a good-fit college.
Rachel Oshinsky (she/her) is the founder of Purple Goat College Consulting and Associate Member of Independent Educational Consultants Association. Prior to serving as an independent college counselor, she worked as a K-12 classroom teacher and a higher education professional. As a college counselor, she specializes in working with LGBTQIA+ teens and the Jewish community. You can find her online at purplegoatcollegeconsulting.com.