For a Better Online World…
The Internet moves at the speed of light. So does online misinformation and misuse. No one person can keep up with it all, but a Community can make a difference.
Join Shape the Sky and be part of the dialogue.
We are a network of concerned parents, educators, clinicians and media who have come together for a common cause: to enrich the online experience for our children through better education and more effective communication.
We can’t learn if we don’t talk. It’s time to start the conversation.
Where Knowledge Meets Wisdom
Children are born into an online world where they often believe they’re all on their own. They don’t think parents have the understanding to help. Or worse, that parents may overreact to requests for guidance. So kids don’t ask, parents don’t get involved—and the conversation never starts.
The truth is, children have the knowledge to navigate the Web, but lack the wisdom of an adult’s experience to do so safely.
At Shape the Sky, we bring knowledge and wisdom together. We’ll give you an inside view of the online world our children live in. So you’ll know how to “talk the talk.”
Then, we’ll help you start the conversation with your children. So you can connect, share and learn together.
A Community For Change
When you use the Web, you become part of it. You are responsible for helping it be a positive and healthy experience for every child, everywhere.
But for children at-risk, the Web can be a far different place. A critical role our community plays is helping to identify these at-risk children and give them the guidance they need, when they need it.
Making our online world a better place is a mission—and a passion—that never ends. With your participation, we’ll only grow stronger. By adding your voice and your resolve to our cause, you’ll help us protect our children in the digital age.
BIO
Ryan Klingensmith, MA, LPC, NCC
Founder
“Kids have the knowledge to use technology, but sometimes lack the wisdom to use it responsibly. Adults have the wisdom to be responsible users, but sometimes lack the knowledge to use technology. My goal is to connect knowledge with wisdom.” – Ryan Klingensmith
Our Testimonials
Our Testimonials
Lara A. Bezjak - Federal Coordinator/Elementary SupervisorAlbert Gallatin Area School District From the very beginning of his presentation, Ryan Klingensmith was able to capture and maintain the attention of our teachers and staff. The material was significant to the audience from both a teacher perspective, as well as, a parent. Ryan’s program provided our staff with a unique professional development experience as it was not necessarily directly related to instruction. Yet, the material impacts the learning environment more than we could imagine. While though many districts offer the program for parents, we believe it was extremely beneficial for our teachers.
11/6/2018
Brian Swartzlander - Middle School Principal Kiski Area School District Ryan Klingensmith's presentation "Creating Responsible Kids on Cell Phones" emphasized the need for adults to be immersed in the technology that students experience daily. We are grateful for his help in educating our students to become positive digital citizens.
9/27/18
Dr. Timothy M. Wagner - Associate Principal for Program Planning & InnovationUpper St. Clair High School The Shape the Sky presentation was an important way for our staff to raise their awareness about profound issues affecting our students. Ryan Klingensmith's presentation style blended research-based content with relevant anecdotes in a way that made the information accessible for all. Adolescent development continues to require the committed support of engaged and informed adults — toward that end, Shape the Sky brings the needs of today's young people to the forefront.
10/13/18
Autumn Barry-Kyle - Teacher & ParentAltoona Area Junior High Ryan Klingensmith does an incredible job of presenting ways for adults to help create responsible kids on social media. His presentation format is so unique that it captivates his audience! In fact, we have invited him twice to our school district for parent presentations.
10/10/18
Mrs. Laura Bierbower, M.Ed., LPCYoungsville Elementary Middle School Counselor, K-5 I am beyond grateful that we were able to bring Shape the Sky to our community. The information is so important and I love that it is presented in a way that promotes reasonable responses from adults. Too often, our society jumps to the extreme of wanting to ban sites, apps, or devices. Shape the Sky's mission of teaching responsible behavior is much more realistic and practical within the culture of our youth. The two hour presentation flew by and was packed full of useful information. I highly recommend hosting this event for your community. Your community will definitely benefit from it!
9/28/2018
Tracy Schultz, MS - Project ManagerBehavioral Health Services of Somerset and Bedford Counties, Inc. (BHSSBC) Shape the Sky provided our behavioral health care providers with a fantastic training. Staff members were astounded by what they discovered regarding the online world of today’s youth. Ryan’s training style is energetic and he uses real world examples to illustrate the key points of the presentation. Every parent, educator, mental health worker, CYS and Probation staff member and drug and alcohol treatment provider should take this course.
8/22/16
Dr. John Boylan, Principal of Burrell High SchoolBurrell School District Ryan Klingensmith does an outstanding job of connecting very difficult, sensitive material to multiple audiences. Both the parents and teachers of the Burrell School District are continually gaining knowledge to protect are most valuable people - our children. Thanks Ryan!
8/22/16
Cindy CaliguireMontour School District Mr. Klingensmith’s engaging presentation to Montour faculty and staff on social media safety was so impressive; school counselors went to see it again at a recent PASAP workshop and are working to bring him back to present this important information to our community. Not only does Mr. Klingensmith present the most current concerning information regarding social media, but he also offers suggestions to help keep students safe.
2 / 18 / 15
Travis BartaApollo-Ridge Middle School Principal I would like to thank Mr. Klingensmith for putting together an informative social media seminar for the parents and concerned community members here at Apollo-Ridge. I wanted to let you know that the program was very well received and I have heard many positive comments. The information that you shared concerning social media helped adults become more aware of what our students are possibly doing with both technology and social media. I would high recommend attending one of his seminars.
9 / 18 / 14
Barry J. BalaskiMoon Area High School Principal After 23 years of being in education, I have finally found a presenter that can present sensitive topics on social media safeguards in an engaging and informative way that is accepted by teachers, students and parents without hesitation or complaints.
9 / 12 / 14
Feedback from Presentations
Our Testimonials
Ryan Klingensmith's presentation "Creating Responsible Kids on Cell Phones" emphasized the need for adults to be immersed in the technology that students experience daily. We are grateful for his help in educating our students to become positive digital citizens.
The best and most informative workshop I attended this year.
Should be a required workshop for any parent and any professional who works with kids/teens. Extremely relevant. I think he could/should come every year as social media is constantly changing as are the trends of use with our kids/teens.
Ryan had you listening from the beginning of the presentation through the end without thinking about anything else. His knowledge is shown within his presentation.
This was the best speaker/workshop I've ever been to. Very honest and had no problem bringing up the true issues that people tend to ignore.
Fantastic session: well-educated and well-prepared speaker presented relevant information in a well-organized style.
As a guidance counselor, we deal daily with issues that evolve from social media. I will now be better able to advise students as to more secure use.
Mr. Klingensmith’s presentation was excellent. I gained a great deal of professional knowledge from his presentation. The material he shared will aid me in the ability to help my students.
I learned more in this workshop than I have in the last 4 that I have been to. I love when workshops provide information regarding the new culture of our students. As adults, the older we get the further removed we get from the students we are working with.
I am a guidance counselor and when talking with teenagers their social life often revolves around social media. I need to know what is out there and how it works in order to understand and engage with my students.
I deal often with student conflicts that arise due to use of apps. I gained greater knowledge of how students are using these to communicate in both appropriate and inappropriate ways.
It is important to know of the different social media issues when dealing with students in the capacity of an assistant principal.
As a school counselor it is essential that I stay abreast of the trends related to social media and mental health.
I believe having the knowledge of what social media/ social networking sites the students are currently using will help me to establish a better rapport with the students and their families. It is my intention to provide the students with information on what to do if they witness “concerning” blogs, posts, or statements on these social networking/social media sites.
As an Elementary School Counselor, the knowledge I have gained will help me prepare my current parents to better monitor the activity of their young ones.
The social media presentation was awesome! Very eye opening and relevant.
Mr. Klingensmith’s presentation made me more aware of what to listen for when working with my students. Being updated on the social media trends will help me to be more aware of today’s teen culture in all aspects of my classroom.
I learned lingo that will assist me in recognizing at risk students.
I finally have a better understanding of #hashtag’s!
Mr. Klingensmith’s presentation was very valuable to me as a school counselor
Ryan Klingensmith did a fabulous job of bringing us all up to speed on the latest and greatest in student technology behaviors!
Of greatest value to me was specific advice about the right questions to ask and ways to approach things so that your child and/or student will actually come to you when they need help.
The information regarding current apps and what students are using them for is of great value. Social media is extremely relevant when working with students in middle school.
Have a question about Shape the Sky? Interested in having a Shape the Sky presentation in your community? Just fill out this Contact Form, and we’ll be in touch. Thank you.
Shape the Sky
connect@shapethesky.org