About the authors: Steve and Patt Saso

Steven Paul Saso
After graduating number one in his class from Bellarmine College Preparatory High School, a high-profile school in San Jose, California, Steve entered the Jesuit Order and for eleven years studied to be a priest. After leaving seminary with a Master's Degree Steve resumed his career in Education.

Steve's endless energy and passion for teaching has made him a popular high school teacher for over thirty years. He taught at Jesuit High in Sacramento, CA and Bishop O'Dowd High School in Oakland, CA before leaving to open a high school on the central coast of California.

In 1982, and newly married, Steve and his wife, Patt, moved to San Luis Obispo, California to help open a Catholic high school in the community. There, along with a team of parents and educators, he opened Mission College Preparatory High School. He was the Assistant Principal and his responsibilities included fundraising, student recruitment, Director of Student Activities, Director of Admissions, and Athletic Director. Students called Mr. Saso the "heart and soul" of their high school.

Steve returned to his alma mater, Bellarmine College Prep., in 1987. He recently stepped down from his position of Department Head after seven years of service. For the past nineteen years on student evaluation forms, ninety percent of Steve's students have rated him an Excellent Teacher. Year after year, many graduates tell him that his courses were among the most influential classes during their high school years.

In 1989, along with his wife, Patt, he co-founded Saso Seminars, an inspirational organization committed to assisting parents and educators in raising respectful and responsible children.

As national speakers and authors, Patt and Steve travel speaking passionately about love, life, and relationships. Their message stirs hope and encourages parents to cultivate influential relationships with children. People say they not only have exceptional things to teach, but they are also great models as a married couple sharing the real-life struggles and rewards of being parents. People appreciate the male and female perspective of family-life that they bring to their seminars. Together they make a dynamic team.

Patt and Steve are authors of Parenting Your Teen with TLC and of the award-winning book, 10 Best Gifts For Your Teen and a set of audio parenting resources.

Steve's Educational Background
Masters of Divinity Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley Berkeley, California Summa cum Laude Bachelor of Arts, Classical, in Philosophy Minor in Mathematics Gonzaga University Spokane, Washington Magna cum Laude Secondary Teaching Credential California State University, Hayward Awards Masters of Divinity - Summa cum Laude Bachelor of Arts - Magna cum Laude 2001 Outstanding Teacher Recognition by University of California, San Diego Professional Membership National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) Publications Parenting Your Teens with T.L.C. (Sorin Books, 2006) 10 Best Gifts For Your Teen (Sorin Books, 1999) "Dad and the Horrible, No-good, Very Bad, Parenting Day" (US Catholic Magazine, 1998) "How to Communicate Much Better with Your Teen" (Bellarmine College Prep. Parenting Handbook, 1997)

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Patt Slovik Saso
After graduating in the first class of girls from a former all-boys high school, Moreau Catholic High School in Hayward, California, Patt went to the University of San Francisco as a California State Scholarship winner. She completed her college degree with a Bachelors of Science from California State University, Hayward.

While working on an advanced degree Patt met her husband, Steve, and after their marriage they moved to California's Central Coast. While in San Luis Obispo, Patt worked as a Campus Minister coordinating the retreat program and running groups for students. Patt has designed and organized over eighty weekend and twilight retreats for high school and college students, young adults, women, and couples.

Patt completed her Masters of Science in Counseling at Cal Poly, in San Luis Obispo, California. Working as the Executive Director of a non-profit counseling center in Santa Maria, California, Patt gained experience as a clinician, and also managed the center's fiscal budget, fund raising, board meetings, and public relations. By the time Patt and Steve returned to the Bay Area they had two boys and Patt was pregnant with their daughter. Patt worked part time as a therapist and time and a half as a mom. She was exhausted most of the time.

Currently, Patt has a psychotherapy practice in Milpitas, California. She works with individuals, couples, parents, and teens struggling to make sense of their hurting or deteriorating relationships. As the mother of three teenagers, she understands first hand the delicate balancing act of juggling family, demanding careers, and busy personal lives and the toll it can take on us if we don't pay attention. She guides people back to the joy in their relationships.

Combining their expertise in 1989, Patt and Steve founded Saso Seminars, an inspirational organization committed to assisting parents and educators in raising respectful and responsible children. As national speakers and authors, they travel speaking passionately about love, life, and relationships. Their message stirs hope and encourages people to become emotionally healthy individuals.

Patt and Steve Saso are authors of Parenting Your Teens with T.L.C. and the award-winning book, 10 Best Gifts For Your Teen and a set of audio parenting resources. They are the parents of three adolescents.

Patt's Educational Background
Masters of Science, Counseling California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California Magna cum Laude Thesis Dissertation Bachelor of Science, Physical Education: Kinesiology California State University, Hayward Certificate in Alcohol and Drug Studies University of California, Santa Cruz Awards California State Scholarship Recipient Masters of Science Degree - Magna cum Laude Licensure California Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist California Board of Behavioral Sciences License number MFC31091 Professional Membership California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists Publications Parenting Your Teens with T.L.C. (Sorin Books, 2006) 10 Best Gifts For Your Teen (Sorin Books, 1999) "How to Communicate Much Better with Your Teen" (Bellarmine College Prep. Parenting Handbook, 1997) "The Journey of the Heart" (US Catholic Magazine, 2001)