“Mike Sheehan is a dynamic and masterful weaver
of words, music and magic, with an outstanding ability
to reach out to people of all ages.”~Shivon Robinsong - Founder and co-director of
The Gettin' Higher Choir
Mike's Bio:
Mike is a caring, experienced and charismatic process facilitator, event
planner, large group animator, youth educator, song leader, freestyle
rap artist and Beatboard founder .
Mike's body of work reflects a special interest in designing and
facilitating programs for large groups with diverse cultural backgrounds.
He demonstrates a high capacity for teamwork, organization, facilitation
and co-facilitation, enhancing shared vision, and turning planning
into engaging programs on the floor, online and in the hearts and minds of
the people he works with.
Mike has been active in the specific field of leadership for 14
years. His use of games, activities and exercises have created highly
dynamic and meaningful experiential learning environments at international conferences,
school assemblies, residential programs , detention centers, and
in classrooms.
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Bio continued...
Mike designs and delivers a wide range of programs which include interactive stage shows, leadership trainings, workshops, life skills development programs, staff development programs as well as multi-day
community events. A central theme to his work is exploring positive solutions to youth
related issues using theatre, visual art, music, games,
activities and discussions.Mike often uses
material from his workshops to spark the creation of youth driven
performance pieces.
He specializes in creating safe containers where
people feel comfortable to get real. By holding space and providing innovative and engaging structures that allow people to learn from each other Mike empowers a sense of ownership within the group.
Mike uses fun and creative ways
of learning to keep people engaged. He believes everyone is artistic, and expects to find learning in
the process of making art. His group work/play philosophy involves
a clear vision for a beginning, middle and an end to each session with
a sensitive and open consideration of the groups needs in
the moment.
Mike frequently engages groups and individuals through aspects
of Hip Hop culture which explore and strengthen personal
voice and advocate the journey beyond misogyny, violence,
and homophobia. His understanding of youth culture enables
him to connect with at risk/underserved youth and invite
them to participate in fun, safe and dynamic environments.
He offers inclusive and playful structures for large groups that raise
the energy and deepen the level of connection in the room.
“Our time gathered at any event is precious. Often in new large groups people feel cold and tentative. I like to offer programs where
participants are able to make connections which strengthen
the groups ability to
feel safe and share, experience empathy, make discoveries,
be heard and feel rejuvenated. How a group first comes together
is important in creating a tone for the whole gathering.”
Mike continues to compliment his experience as a trainer
and large group facilitator with academic applications in
the fields of diversity training, peace education, and
deconstructing White privilege.
He is passionate in the fields of communication and First
Nations culture. He continues developing and delivering workshops
and multi-day programs in the Pacific North West (The Salish
Sea).
Mike delivering a workshop at the Earth Charter +5 event in Amsterdam
If you would like to know more about Michael
Sheehan, his current projects or availability please contact
him at mikesheehan@beatboard.org.
Here are some of the Youth Empowerment and Arts Organizations
Mike has worked with:
The Power of Hope unleashes
the positive potential of youth through arts-centered intergenerational
and multicultural learning programs that value self-awareness,
leadership, community and social change. www.powerofhope.org
Large group facilitator at 13 week
long gatherings and 13 weekend gatherings with over 50 participants
Advanced Facilitators Training (1 week intensive)
Express Yourself Training (Infusing the Arts into Learning Programs)
2001 - Present
The United Nations Association in Canada engages
the Canadian public in the work of the United Nations and
the critical international issues which affect us all.www.unac.org
Regional Coordinator for the Youth of Today City of
Tomorrow Initiative
Creating press releases and handling interviews
Designing and delivering presentations for schools
Training youth for a Model UN simulation
Networking and building partnerships with youth serving
organizations
2006 - Present
Caldera is a non-profit arts education organization
whose mission is to foster creativity among underserved youth
and adults. Programs take place in schools and community centers
throughout Portland and Central Oregon. www.calderaarts.org
Lead facilitator for week end and week long programs with over 60 participants
Designed and facilitated a Staff Training for 2005 summer programs
Designed and facilitated 3 ten-day Life Skills Programs for 2005 Summer
Programs
Facilitator for Apprenticeship Program For Young Leaders
2003 - Present
Terra Centric provides fun and safe Adventure Based
Learning programs that promote skill development, personal empowerment,
positive self esteem, creativity and environmental awareness. www.terracentricadventures.com
Lead Facilitator for 5 youth gatherings
Program design and lead facilitator for International MBA Student's
Orientation for Malaspina Collage
Contract program provider
2002 - Present
Inside Out Development LLC is a consulting
agency that works with a variety of youth serving agencies
and institutions. Inside Out provides a wide range of services
and programs, ranging from curriculum development to youth
intervention programs, to staff and program development.
Hanif Fazal - Director
Advanced Facilitators Training (6 month intensive)
Co-Facilitated School Leadership Trainings with 4 of Portland’s
poorest schools
Facilitated 3 week long Summer Residential Programs with over 50 youth
2003 - Present
Building Bridges brings people from different
backgrounds together to address social and natural diversity
issues. The bridges we build are solidly based on years
of active study and involvement in social learning, cross-cultural
communication, participatory education, clinical psychology,
and ecopsychology. www.island.net/~bridges
Advanced Facilitators Training For ‘Inclusive
Leadership Adventures’ (8 day intensive)
2003 - Present
The Earth Charter seeks to inspire in
all peoples a new sense of global interdependence, and
shared responsibility for the well being of the human family
and the larger living world. It is an expression of hope
and call to help create a global partnership at a critical
juncture in history. www.earthcharter.org
Invited to Amsterdam for the Earth Charter + 5
conference
Facilitated group activities for 200 international delegates during plenary
session at the EC+5
Active member of the Earth Charter Youth Initiative
Working on the development of an EC Youth Leadership Program
2003 - Present
Metaphor: Diversity through Hip Hop facilitates
self-discovery and community building workshops in BC's
maximum security juvenile detention centers, remote communities
and a number of other people-serving organizations. www.beatboard.org/programs/metaphor.html
Fifth year contracting with the Burnaby Youth Secure
Custody Centre
Co-designed and co-facilitated a week end youth gathering for the city
of Powell River
Designed and facilitated a 5 day youth gathering in March for Surrounded
By Cedar (An Agency in Victoria Serving Urban Aboriginal Youth) in partnership with the Victoria Native Friendship Center
Currently touring 101 schools in BC
2004 - present
Beatboard is a team of professional
artists and facilitators who are experienced at engaging
all kinds of youth in dynamic and positive learning environments. www.beatboard.org
Founder, and Director
Presenting at
conferences and school assemblies
Designing and facilitating experiencial education programs in schools, at conferences and online
Training and consulting
2004 - present
References and Testimonials:
Youth participant-
"I really enjoyed all the activities because I thought that it made me trust my peers more and that I learned to see the good of people and not to look at one side. It really made me open up and come out of my comfort zone. This has given me the tools I need to become a better peer support and just a better friend. All the activities really allowed me to express my true feelings and I learned more about myself. This was great fun."
Youth participant-
WOW! During 65 minutes I have learned more about the people in the room with me than I had during the rest of this 2 day conference. For once, I stopped thinking about myself and completely focused my attention on getting to know someone new. This workshop changed the way I see everyone around me.
Keith Moen - Youth & Family Counsellor Lansdowne
Middle School
(250) 920-7992 - kmoen@sd61.bc.ca
“I have had the opportunity to observe, participate
and co-facilitate with Mike on multiple occasions. I can
say unequivocally that my experiences in Mike's workshops
have been liberating. He is a dynamic and creative spark
that super charges a room and brings people into a place
of
exploration and
risk-taking beyond the norm.
Yet his compassion and care raises this energy in a safe and grounded
manner. I've witnessed youth explore and express in ways I did not
think possible through Mike's support and encouragement.
He is masterful in his creative tricks and tools. Mike is very self
aware of the structures and systems of oppression and is able to facilitate
very difficult topics. He is brave and bold, which I feel comes from
a place of honoring and celebrating the youth he works to support.”
Shivon Robinsong - Founder and co-director of
The Gettin' Higher Choir
(250) 386-3184 - www.shivon.com
Gloria Hansen - President of the Canadian Board
of Directors for The Power of Hope
(250) 995-8731 - gloriabnhansen@hotmail.com
Dr. Linda Hill - Co-founder and Director of Building
Bridges Consulting
(250) 746-1529 - bridges@island.net
If you would like to know more about Mike Sheehan, Beatboard's
current projects or availability please contact him at mikesheehan@beatboard.org.
