Only 45% of Arizona youths detained by police last year were enrolled in school. (Juvenile Processed, 2002) “In 1990, minority youth were likely to have less favorable outcomes than Anglo youth that commit comparable offenses. In 2000, using reported data and a comprehensive qualitative process - where key stakeholders were interviewed and focus group sessions were held with individuals actively involved in the juvenile justice system - there is substantive agreement that minority youth are still over-represented when compared to their Anglo counterparts for comparable offenses.” (Commission, 2002)

Peer-community facilitators, as change agents, are rare in the development of alternative solutions to this growing problem: disenfranchised youth. Spectrum Academy is a potent answer to the current crisis facing our educational and juvenile systems today. It is a combination of a youth residential treatment center (RTC), charter school, and community technology center (CTC). This concept encompasses the value of education as emotional rips repair, because an emotionally unavailable youth cannot learn effectively. The community technology center promotes positive social interaction while facilitating the delivery of inexpensive e-curriculum to its patrons and to the vast array of charter schools that are struggling with the high costs of state-of-the-art education.

It seems our very survival, according to the analysis of socio-economic systems, depends on consumerism, cultural genocide, and environmental destruction for the sake of fossil fuels, fast foods, and corporate profits. This behavior affects our children immensely as they see no ‘common sense’ in our survival living styles. The old formulas simply do not work anymore; students are dull and listless in the classrooms, yet need healthy rites of passage. Emotionally and intellectually disenfranchised youth internalize their anger and act out in unprecedented violence toward self and others. Traditional education has not addressed the growing emotional and intellectual needs of our children; the connectedness of mind, body, and spirit. Currently, the situation regarding at-risk youth is cumbersome and oblique in regards to understanding the ‘big picture’ and the solutions necessary to empower our youth. A new myth is in process of creation and you can participate right now, today. Are you ready?

Opportunity Summary

Ted and Nancy Faust Sizer wrote in their book, The Students are Watching, “A student’s hope and sense of agency is often dependent on her sense that there is something that she can do which is valued by others”. Spectrum Academy’s unique program offers students structure to find success in new experiences and provide valuable work opportunities, reflecting increased personal value and self-esteem. Nurturing the individual is an important part of this plan. The disciplined structure provided some latitude and offered students the guidance to learn how to make positive choices in their lives.

Vision: Spectrum Academy, a proactive and progressive holistic educational environment, identifies and addresses the changing developmental and personal needs of challenged youths, empowering them to prepare for their journey toward successful community awareness and participation.

Holistic education is concerned with the growth of every person's intellectual, emotional, social, physical, artistic, creative and spiritual potentials. We are unique as a leader in the research, design, and implementation of holistic education using state-of-the-art technologies. Our collaborative alliances and partnerships with industry leaders bridge 21^st Century learners with 21^st Century technology and our emerging global culture.

Mission: Provide an alternative state-of-the-art holistic educational and living environment for youth 14 - 21 using peer-community development protocols, supportive of the community socio-economic structure, resulting in healthy and productive young adults who contribute to society.

We believe our first responsibility is to prepare the students to meet the challenges of the rapidly changing world around them. A holistic strategy in a peer-based community atmosphere facilitates students to perceive and understand the various contexts that shape and give meaning to life. Introducing students to a holistic view of the planet, life on Earth, the emerging world community, and the students’ interdependence demonstrates best practices of systems thinking. The environment and staff will nurture the development of emotional and multiple intelligences empowering each student’s personal growth. Engaging systems thinking requires student involvement in the research and design of their educational process, which creates ownership of learning. A collaborative approach toward problem solving develops critical interpersonal skills. Emerging technologies and their integration into our curriculum provide the students with real-time real-world experiences that prepare them for entering post-secondary life.

Imagine a fully integrated approach to inspiring and challenging our youth of today... aware of our problems and quickly focusing on creative solutions that empower balanced choice. Empowered adults now can empower our youth. The human race has entered a new era, an evolution in educational and social methodologies. Visionary perspectives lead to paradigm changes in society. Our world faces critical situations in developing our future society. Humanity is ripe for change. Primary areas of concern are commerce, education, administration of resources, and intense exploration into the depths of what keeps us afraid, angry, ignorant and immobile.

Key Recommendations

Spectrum Academy is a potential answer to the current crisis. It is a combination of a youth residential treatment center (RTC), charter school, and community technology center (CTC). Experience and research have shown that these three areas can indeed work as one, which is what we intend to demonstrate through the creation of such an environment. We call this environment Spectrum Academy. The charter school is our first order of business.

A healthy life includes several areas of mastery, which most adults still have difficulty achieving in their daily living and working experience. Youth today have an even more demanding scenario as the world around them is changing rapidly. These basic areas of focus include Work; Intellect; Life Planning; Fulfillment; Recreation; Motivations; Health; and Relationships. Be The Dream, a 501 (c) (3) educational corporation, has determined that the synergy of the residential treatment center, charter school, and community technology center is what will determine a successful endeavor as the process develops through best practices of pedagogy and management philosophy.

Key Financial Start-up Assumptions

Charter School

Start up - $300,000

Annual Budget – $1,200,000

Community Technology Center – e-Curriculum Data Center

Data Center start up – $430,000

Residential Treatment Center

Start up $71,000

20-bed annual budget $1,854,000

Land Purchase - Construction Costs $50,000,000

Forecasted Operational and Financial Results

150 students- charter school is financially operational beginning the third year.

Forecasts show the CTC/Data Center business unit reaches break-even in 6^th month of the second year.

Forecasts for the residential treatment center are being compiled.

Invitation

Imagine a fully integrated approach to inspiring and challenging our youth of today... aware of our problems and quickly focusing on creative solutions. The human race has entered a new era, a revolution in educational methodologies. We are unveiling the embryo of an integrated master plan that could solve our educational and behavioral difficulties- unifying youth and adults while building individual and community respect.

We need solutions to bridge concepts and creators, chaotic experiences with order and structure. Chaos is only the beginning of the process of establishing natural order. Conflict, used wisely, evolves into harmony. Can we acknowledge that we have been going in the wrong direction? Better yet, can we accept that we have done the best we could with limited information and resources and now have better information and greater resources to affect positive change? Spectrum Academy offers solutions today that will change the patterns of problems of today by offering habilitating healthy habits for tomorrow. Please join us in this endeavor to empower our youth, now and for future generations.

Situational Analysis

In our world today, children suffer. Across Arizona and America, the suffering continues and the complexity of the issues rise exponentially as the global village expands. Educational systems, family environments and welfare agencies, no longer nurture the creative spark in our children; the love and care every child deserves and needs. Children who overcame the myriad of abusive scenarios are teaching others, both young and old, of the necessity to love and be loved. Many youth are caught in a frustrating correctional system that is challenged to reduce recidivism. Repairing emotional rips and tears in the family unit, if there is one, challenges yet another overburdened system. The survivors are doing a fantastic job in nurturing those they can, sharing volumes of experience, harvesting their past and showing the rest of us the path to a new approach, which shares accountability and responsibility. A nurturing environment that provides emotional and intellectual freedom to respond and grow personally and socially demonstrates a caregiver community’s love.

Anyone who works with at-risk youth understands that much more can be done toward addressing his or her needs. In the U.S. alone, many are warehoused in group homes with little or no opportunity to develop the necessary life skills to survive and thrive in today's world. Job markets are shifting faster than academic programs can keep up. Rather than create environments that nurture multiple and emotional intelligences, we drug our youth into submission and wonder why they choose to self-medicate and defy the 'system' that holds them captive. Adaptive systems and 'wrap-around' models in social services still only address the problems and symptoms of this decay in moral servitude. Peer-community facilitators, as change agents, are few and far between in the development of alternative solutions to this growing problem. Developing a model community that demonstrates integrated solutions seems to be in order.

Strategic Objectives

Innovative Community and Student Support

Spectrum Academy involves recurring themes throughout successful educational and youth programs, which are intensive family involvement; peer mentorship; intensive psychological treatment that includes all aspects of their lives; the use of animals as metaphor and therapy; a return to nature; stringent structure; individualized programs; and the instruction of new coping and living strategies. Habilitation of our youth is a priority at Spectrum Academy. Developing a peer-based community that reduces recidivism through effective education of conflict resolution applied to individual and group environments is one of our primary goals.

	Strategic Goal #1- Internal To provide a measurably effective and appropriate public college preparatory and holistic life skills education to a diverse group of students.
	Key Components	Objectives
	1. Student Achievement Foster student achievement for diverse learners through the development and implementation of a program, which encourages individual strengths, expands each student's academic skills and content mastery and develops character.	Evaluate Spectrum Academy's curriculum in terms of our Mission and Charter; make any necessary recommendations for change Create flexible curricula (or multiple pathways) for all students to reach their highest academic potential. Improve test scores without compromising the educational mission of the school Understand and address discrepancies in student achievement Provide the services and support students with learning differences need to succeed Develop a consistent, school-wide plan for demonstrating student achievement using multiple assessments including standardized tests. Create a student achievement database and monitor student progress longitudinally Attract and support the success of African American, Latino, English language learner and learning disabled students
	2. Student Enrollment Enroll and improve the performance of a wide range of students, including those who have been typically underrepresented in higher education.	Continually evaluate the enrollment process Continue our efforts to attract "all kinds of minds" Attract and support the needs of African American, Latino, English language learner and learning disabled students Develop targeted outreach programs and increase awareness of Spectrum's mission among underrepresented populations
	3. Faculty & Staff Development Attract, retain, develop and support exceptional teachers and staff who are committed to the fulfillment of Spectrum Academy's Mission	Create a schedule that gives high priority to faculty collaboration and planning time Create a faculty/staff workload that is sustainable Establish priorities and create ongoing, coordinated faculty professional development plan* Maintain teacher: student ratios at 20 per classroom or lower per semester Prepare a plan for faculty retention Improve decision-making processes (in order to ensure effective use of faculty time) Develop opportunities for and evaluate performance of faculty and staff Develop faculty leadership opportunities
	4. Parent Involvement Involve parents in supporting their students' success and participating in the life of the School.	Increase parent involvement Support the development of a parent community Increase parents' understanding of and commitment to our Mission Provide parent education opportunities that are responsive to the needs of the Spectrum Academy parent community Encourage parent usage of Spectrum Academy's resources Encourage parent input
	5. Internal Communication Foster communication among students, parents, faculty, administration and Board in order to provide information and promote dialogue, involvement and support.	Provide regular multimodal communication with parents on school-wide news and events and student performance Provide regular communication with and between students, parents, faculty, administration and Board members Foster open communication and dialogue on issues of importance to the school and parents Develop clear dispute resolution policy and procedures
Strategic Goal #2- External To define and achieve long term organizational sustainability
Key Components			Objectives
6. Leadership Development Develop and support strong leadership by the Advisory and Governing Board to ensure Spectrum Academy’s ability to meet its Mission and attain long term viability			Define the roles of the Board, Committees, Principal and management Determine the Board of Trustees composition and structure needed to implement the Strategic Plan Attract, develop and evaluate an effective Board of Trustees Develop a Succession Plan for the Board, Principal and Key Administrators Develop a performance evaluation process for the Principal and the Board Develop strategies to support and retain the Principal Create a sustainable administrative structure
7. Funding Develop a long-range financial plan that assures the school's success and sustainability.			Align the budget process to support the attainment of the Mission and Strategic Plan Ensure the fiscal soundness of the operating budget by ensuring the most efficient and optimal use of all resources Develop funding strategies and programs which bridge the gap between Arizona's ADE allocation and the cost of delivering Spectrum Academy's college prep and life skills program to a diverse community of learners Develop a Capital Campaign Plan to support the attainment and/or improvement of a long-term school site and peer-community village Solicit private grants and scholarships
8. Charter Renewal Develop a plan to renew Spectrum Academy's Charter when due and prepare a contingency plan should the Charter not be renewed.			Review the charter and Mission Statement Understand the charter renewal process and develop a plan for renewal Develop a base of support with the Arizona Board of Education and Charter School Association Develop plans to ensure the long term viability of Spectrum Academy Ensure compliance with legal requirements
9. Partnerships Define, develop and sustain partnerships with the Arizona Department of Education, academic institutions including colleges and universities, community leaders and funders to obtain support for Spectrum Academy's Mission and Strategic Goals.			Develop and implement partnerships with each key group. Develop partnerships with individuals and organizations who can support the school's long term viability Develop partnerships with educators and educational organizations that share Spectrum Academy's Vision Investigate opportunities for sharing resources with community partners
10. Facility Secure a physical plant, which meets Spectrum Academy's current and future program needs.			Provide classrooms and other facilities sufficient to allow Spectrum Academy to meet its Mission Secure a facility that we have sufficient control over that we can raise funds for purchase and/or tenant improvements Investigate alternative physical plant plans including, but not limited to: o Lease of a new site o Purchase of a new site Continue to make building improvements needed to deliver Gateway's program and meet school building code requirements for charter schools Ensure the safety of the students and faculty
11. External Communication Foster communication with funders and community to provide information and promote dialogue, involvement and support.			Improve awareness of, and support for, Spectrum Academy in Gilbert and statewide. Develop and implement a plan for communicating with and motivating all interested constituents. Share best practices with the educational community

Keys to Success

Function

The function of holistic education within the community exemplifies the systems approach in business, education, and community. The cohesive and comprehensive approach integrates the current and future needs of our developing local and global communities. It is the total immersion of the student in their environment, utilizing best practices of educational processes, and connecting real-world exploration that prepares students with critical thinking, problem-solving, and entrepreneurial skills to meet life’s callings. Ultimately we all seek some joy of living; enjoyment of life. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s research identifies some interesting details that not only acknowledge the obvious; they reveal potential structure for creating environments that illicit personal and professional growth, which is so necessary for the future of students and their success in life.

“As our studies have suggested, the phenomenology of enjoyment has eight major components. When people reflect on how it feels when their experience is most positive, they mention at least one, and often all of the following. First, the experience usually occurs when we confront tasks we have a chance of completing. Second, we must be able to concentrate on what we are doing. Third and fourth, the concentration is usually possible because the task undertaken has clear goals and provides immediate feedback. Fifth, one acts with a deep but effortless involvement that removes from awareness the worries and frustrations of everyday life. Sixth, enjoyable experiences allow people to exercise a sense of control over their actions. Seventh, concern for the self disappears, yet paradoxically the sense of self emerges stronger after the flow experience is over. Finally, the sense of the duration of time is altered; hours pass by in minutes, and minutes can stretch out to seem like hours. The combination of all these elements causes a sense of deep enjoyment that is so rewarding people feel that expending a great deal of energy is worthwhile simply to be able to feel it.” (Flow, 1990)

Given these factors and the capacity to meet them in an educational environment, we feel that not only will the students have the opportunity to experience success academically; the community, of which the school is a part, will experience success in real-world models as they develop their future vision, engage their peers, and extend their influence into society. The inclusion of a percentage of disenfranchised youth in the school population effectively cleans the fish tank instead of just wiping off the fish. The results are empowered youth who can make positive choices and provide leadership for their peers.

Holistic education means that the organization itself has to be aware and functional within the realms of mind, body, and spirit. On a pragmatic level, this means that we consider the ‘total system’ of a human being in process of development. Gardner found that there are multiple intelligences at work in the learning system of a student. Goleman brought emotional intelligences to our awareness. Others, like Steiner and Montessori, have attempted to address these intelligences in their own ways, whether acknowledging them outright or just by knowing there is a ‘better’ way to prepare youth for the journey of life. Csikszentmihalyi, Covey, Drucker, DeBono, Peters, and Senge are all pointing toward personal and organizational transformation through understanding the connectedness of people and process. Systems-thinking is a core competency of that kind of organization. The ‘systems’ approach here is to identify and nurture the natural skill sets of the individual in order for them to find their natural order and place within the collective, evidencing and exampling a holistic lifestyle that affects positive change.

Traditional structure found in both business and education is hedging the idea of initiative and innovation through understanding the need for collaborative alliances – cooperation instead of competition. Edward DeBono clearly addresses this concept below:

“At any moment our thinking is shaped by a number of factors. Sometimes we are aware of these factors and sometimes they are so much in the background that they exert their powerful influence in a hidden way. We can challenge these shaping factors just as we challenge existing methods, concepts, or ideas. But in this case we are not challenging something that already exists. We are challenging the factors and pressures that lead us to think in a certain way.” (Serious Creativity, 1992)

Leading innovative peer-community student programs and services:

Problem-solving and reasoning skills: Children who think that there are only two ways to solve problems--fight or give-up--are more likely to become either perpetrators or victims of violence. Children's ability to reason well can give them a wider variety of options than just fighting or running. Children who are more proficient at generating and evaluating options in academic and social settings are less likely to choose violent ways of solving conflicts and promote the same behavior tendencies in others.

Social capacities: These skills, attitudes, and dispositions include development of empathy, effective communication, humor, and attachment to positive, non-violent individuals or groups. Understanding another person's point of view and having concern for other persons can help students generate a wider variety of options--some of which may be mutually acceptable. Students must be able both to listen with understanding and to be understood. The ability to laugh and create moments where others, too, feel more light-hearted can often become one of the most successful options to reducing violent responses. Humor can also enable someone not to immediately take things too personally. The ability to be a friend and have friends can create a stronger desire to find non-violent ways of solving conflicts.

A productive sense of purpose, independence, and power: Children who are more likely to turn to violence have no hope in the future. Conversely, children who believe they can control their lives and want to direct their lives in positive and productive ways are more likely to seek non-violent means to resolve conflict.

Peer mediation programs:

Teaches students to view conflict as a natural part of life

Teaches students to solve their own problems

Improves communication, critical thinking and negotiation skills

Reduces the time teachers and administrators spend on discipline

Reduces the number of detentions and suspensions

Promotes intercultural understanding

Fosters a climate within the school that is conducive to learning

Initial assessments of students/clients in:

Aptitude and Ability

Multiple Intelligences

Emotional Intelligences

Learning Styles

Holistic Understanding

Special Needs

Systems Thinking Awareness

Company Background

Company Ownership

Spectrum Academy is an educational branch of Be The Dream, a non-profit 501 (c) (3) registered educational and philanthropic corporation in the State of Arizona. The Co-Directors of Be The Dream reside in the Town of Gilbert. Spectrum Academy will include the staff and teachers as owners and stakeholders within the first year of operation. Collective ownership is yet another facet of the holistic system approach.

Start-up Plan (US Charter Schools Model)

First Level WBS Network Diagram

Second and Third Level WBS Network Diagrams

Deliverables

Project Mgr. Ed. Mgr. Bus. Mgr. Com. Mgr. Asst. Status

Deliverables

Core Group/Experts R C C/S C C I

Comprehensive Plan C/S R C C C I

Charter Draft R C/S C C C I

Charter Application R C/S C C C I

Letters of Support R C C C/S I I

Operations Plan C/S C R C C I

Operating Agreements C/S C R C I D

Formal Organization R C C C I I

Enrolled Students I R C C C NS

School Staff C/S R C C C I

Instructional Program C/S R C C C I

Support Services S I R I I D

Building/Site S C C R I D

Student Performance Data S R I I C NS

Stakeholder legend: I-Informed S-Signs-off C-contributor R-responsible

One Responsible and one Sign-off per deliverable

Legend: NS-Not Started C-Completed I-In progress D-Deferred O-Overdue

Locations and Facilities

Initial development of Spectrum Academy will be in the Gilbert/Chandler, Arizona area. A specific location has not been determined, although options are being considered. The ideal location would have some existing structures for initial classrooms and administrative activity with suitable acreage (150-200) for development and expansion.

Key Products and Services

Description

Qualities and Dimensions of Effective Youth Education

Effective youth education responds to the real lives, needs and interests of youth.

Youth feel like they matter.

Holistic education is innovative and dynamic.

There is not one model – in this environment there is a relational pattern of knowing youth; innovating and changing in order to be responsive.

Hospitality and relationship building are foundational to effective youth education.

Young people are welcomed and accepted.

Extending personal invitations, providing warm groups is intentional and ongoing.

Web of relationships: youth with youth, youth with adults, business community with youth, youth in their families.

Effective youth education has a variety of ways for youth to be involved.

Boundaries between programs are permeable.

Holistic education is multifaceted.

There are variety of levels of participation among youth and their families.

In effective education, youth are active in making positive changes happen (youth are not passive receivers of learning.)

Youth have ownership of their education efforts.

Youth share leadership in programs and visioning.

Youth relate and share their success with their peers.

Leading programs help youth grow in their own empowerment and self-esteem.

SPECIFIC PROGRAMS / COMPONENTS

Holistic Education Formation
Education with adolescents most often begins with real life issues and connects learning to life. Learning formation is at the heart of youth education. To be effective and engaging with youth, learning formation has these qualities:

Facilitated by open-minded, authentic, passion-filled adults

Engages youths’ energies toward inclusion rather than exclusion

Includes community building, peer and social

Includes peer sharing, empowerment and leadership

Includes animal care and gardening/landscaping

Teaches about personal identity and relation to the world

Seizes teachable moments as the most precious commodity

Is experiential, active and innovative in the rapid-change environments

Doesn’t feel like school – doesn’t lecture or have too much focus on textbooks.

Community Service
The experience of service helps youth grow in compassion and understanding. An effective method of engaging youth in community service is educational reflection – connecting acts of service to learning, peer-community social teachings and everyday life. These experiences:

Change their perspective

Broaden their awareness

Create empathy

Help youth feel valuable

Make life real – hands on and heart-centered

Form community

Leadership
Youth have a different way of expressing understanding within daily living – it is more sensual. Youth’s expression of connecting school-to-living in daily life needs incorporation into the celebration of success. Music and wholesome activities are important for youth to engage in their experience. The involvement of youth in community service brings tremendous value to the community – providing energy, skill and powerful presence. For the young people it builds confidence, self-esteem, and helps them develop life goals.

Extended Trips
Trips, camps, conferences and regional events are important because they:

Help youth feel pride and enthusiasm in their transformation

Build community among youth

Build community between youth and adults

Create opportunities for leadership

Amaze young people by connecting them with large numbers of other youths in the community.

Retreats
Youth retreats have a unique ability to touch the hearts of young people, build communities of service, help youth to grow closer to their own inner fortitude and draw youth back into active involvement in life. Retreats change the lives of young people. Studies have shown:

Youth mentioned the life changing impact.

Adult leaders frequently mentioned some aspect of peer community/leadership.

Staff recognize profound positive changes in youth.

Educational Assessments

Linking assessment to instruction - embedding it in the process of learning - is critical to full implementation of new science standards. To allow students to construct learning in the classroom through authentic experiences, assessment must be:

Open-ended, allowing for discussion and revision of new understanding.

Tolerant of divergent thinking and promote the notion of no "one right answer."

Presented in alternative modes, not just written responses to limiting questions.

Designed to foster analysis, comparison, generalization, prediction, and modification.

Capable of promoting collaboration and team effort in demonstration of competence.

Ongoing and cumulative, showing growth over time. (NCREL, 2003)

Design of the Assessment Process

Student, faculty, and administrative goals and objectives to improve student academic achievement

Statements about how much responsibility the faculty have for the design and implementation of the assessment plan

Role of faculty development and training in assessment

How to utilize faculty expertise in the assessment process

Program reviews for academic departments

How the school can use students, faculty, and administrators in its multiple measures

Role of administrators in the areas of budgeting, resource allocation, and time management for the assessment plan

Competitive Comparison

“A spiritualized education would seek to open the mind, warm the heart and awaken the spirit of each student. It would provide opportunities for students to be creative, contemplative, and imaginative. It would allow time to tell old and new stories of heroes, ideals and transformation. It would encourage students to go deep, into themselves, into nature, and into human affairs. It would value service to others and the planet.” (Spirituality, April 14, 2003)

Research has determined that there are few, if any, that apply the complete concept of Spectrum Academy. Several residential programs include elements of holistic education, peer-mediation/community, and/or community technology centers. Spectrum Academy is a Vision of Value for empowering disenfranchised youth caught in the throws of insolence and maturation. A full comparison on Spectrum Academy’s competition would take substantially more research and recommended as part of further development.

Sales Literature (in development)

Marketing is through presentations and web-based activity with few exceptions. Promotional materials are not complete at this time. Points addressed in marketing campaign include:

Active student, parent, community and teacher participation in debate and decision-making are essential to strengthening public education.

Society reinforces public education's importance in a democracy by publicly governing schools, in addition to publicly financing them. Rather than diminishing parents' responsibility for their children, this underlines the collective responsibility for everyone's children.

Improving the quality of, and access to, education must drive the agenda for educational reform, rather than fiscal restraint or ideological conviction.

The public education system currently makes available, and is committed to continuing to offer, a variety of program options to meet the diverse needs of all students.

A publicly funded, democratically governed system of education with a mandate to provide quality education for all children should not be undermined by charter schools.

True choice in education must enhance educational equity, making pedagogically-sound choices equally available to all.

Sourcing and Distribution Channels

Technology

21^st Century learners need 21^st Century technology at their fingertips, including:

State-of-the-art computers and LAN

Updateable e-curriculum supplemented learning

Multiple intelligence learning centers

Emotional intelligence development

Multi-media studio – computer-based

Ergonomic classrooms w/special needs inclusion

Core subject state-of-the-art lab materials

State-of-the-art machinery for vocational programs

Supply Chain Management

The supply chain management philosophy applied to the school environment would call for the integration of customer and company, student and school, parent/partner and community. Practical applications of research bring the cross-functional teams together to share information, materials, and resources that empower the school’s compliance with its mission. The vision of the founders includes the incorporation of supply chain management applied to creating collaborative alliances, which also includes the research and development of resources. The Advisory Council and Board of Directors are utilized for contacts and resources to help establish relationships that can benefit from research provided by the school through its students and staff.

Future Products

Community Technology Center/e-Curriculum Delivery

“Long distance learning has taken on a important role in developing countries like Brazil, where the vast territory and large population requires the use of powerful tools capable of offering quality education courses, from entry level post-secondary studies to masters and doctor degrees. The rising demand for such education courses has provoked the need for developing collaborative alliances between academic institutions and clients.” (Azevedo, et al, 1999)

The delivery of curriculum through electronic means is a growing trend in America. Developing a Community Technology Center (CTC), with data center capacity, to compile and deliver e-curriculum serves not only the community of residence; it also allows businesses, home-schoolers, and public and private schools across the nation low cost access to state-of-the-art curriculum. This feature can fund the RTC in three years. This also fits with the 21^st Century Technology Educational Centers program currently offered by the U.S. Department of Education.

Future Development

Contracted curriculum packages (bundled or stand-alone) will offer educational programs at greatly reduced costs, increasing access to low-income areas. This increases opportunity for teacher-developed curricula and making it available to large numbers and remunerate the creators in the process. Community Technology Centers, developed as partnerships with schools, provide additional capacity for adult education programs for acquiring a GED or college credits toward degree programs. Community-based educational programs empower community leaders and members to effectively develop and manage community affairs. Access to social services electronic programs increases quality of life for low-income community members.

CTC Opportunities

Charter schools that choose to work together, sharing site licenses, can reduce curriculum expenses while increasing teacher effectiveness, which means more time with the students and easier lesson planning. Web hosting services, along with e-mail, provide schools greater exposure with less cost. Internet content filters installed on-site keeps clean content delivery for students and teachers. Non-Profit Organizations benefit through reduced costs, greater accessibility of Internet or Web-related services, while building capacity in the development of the network of organizations and service to the community. Service Organizations can offer assistance, information, and programs while establishing growth in their community network. Discussions, forums, web-based workshops are made available with ease of data management. (see Appendix – Community Technology Center Cash Flow Projection)

Youth Residential Treatment Facility (RTC)

At-risk students are often wards of the court or in behavioral/correctional programs. Additional funding sources are available through RTC development and utilized in the overall educational programs offered by Spectrum Academy. A peer-based community wrap-around model, including support systems of family, friends, teachers, therapists, probation officers, etc. is currently a goal established with the partnership of the Arizona Juvenile Corrections Department and Value Options service provider. Recidivism decreases dramatically through peer-based programs that empower leadership development. (see Appendix – RTC Start-up Costs)

Market Analysis

Market Segmentation

The Town of Gilbert, Arizona is the initial site development location. Gilbert is the eighth largest city in Arizona with a 10-year 265% increase in population. The Per Capita income was $24,792 in 2000 with a near 80% Caucasian population. Service area will include Maricopa County as program expands.

Population Stats as of 2000

Town of Gilbert Comparison	Gilbert	Phoenix	Tucson	Flagstaff
Pop. 1990 (Rev.) Pop. 2000 Change % Change State Ranking Growth Ranking National Ranking	30,003 109,697 79,694 265.62 8 19 205	988,983 1,321,045 332,062 33.58 1 410 6	417,139 486,699 69,560 16.68 2 828 30	45,857 52,894 7,037 15.35 11 890 569

Income Stats as of 2000

Town of Gilbert Comparison	Gilbert		Phoenix		Tucson		Flagstaff
	Count	%	Count	%	Count	%	Count	%
Households 2000 Under 20,000 20,000-30,000 30,000-40,000 40,000-50,000 50,000-75,000 75,000-100,000 100,000-125,000 125,000-150,000 150,000-200,000 Over 200,000 Avg HH Income Median HH Income Per Capita Income	35,512 2,003 2,252 2,776 3,652 9,693 7,484 4,053 1,552 1,190 857 $76,554 $68,032 $24,795	5.64 6.34 7.82 10.28 27.29 21.07 11.41 4.37 3.35 2.41	466,114 95,958 65,797 63,368 51,551 89,831 45,918 22,526 10,935 9,674 10,556 $55,408 $41,207 $19,833	20.59 14.12 13.59 11.06 19.27 9.85 4.83 2.35 2.08 2.26	192,884 58,949 33,894 28,508 20,476 29,487 11,946 4,714 1,817 1,713 1,380 $40,133 $30,981 $16,322	30.56 17.57 14.78 10.62 15.29 6.19 2.44 .94 .89 .72	19,355 4,796 2,944 2,543 2,000 3,360 1,793 941 338 343 297 $50,076 $37,146 $18,637	24.78 15.21 13.14 10.33 17.36 9.26 4.86 1.75 1.77 1.53

Ethnicity Stats as of 2000

Town of Gilbert Comparison			Other Metropolitan Areas
	Gilbert		Phoenix		Tucson		Flagstaff
	Count	%	Count	%	Count	%	Count	%
Pop. 2000 White Black Asian Hispanic Other	109,697 87,597 2,515 3,863 13,026 2,696	79.85 2.29 3.52 11.87 2.46	1,321,045 736,844 63,756 25,453 449,972 45,020	55.78 4.83 1.93 34.06 3.41	486,699 263,748 19,795 11,537 173,868 17,751	54.19 4.07 2.37 35.72 3.65	52,894 36,760 866 651 8,500 6,117	69.50 1.64 1.23 16.07 11.56

Sources: US Census Bureau and Synergos Technologies, Inc.

Target Market

Market Needs

Holistic education

Special needs programs

College prep

Life skills

Technology-driven

Peer-community

ESL inclusion

Homeschooling

Educational Trends

There are 116,910 public and private schools with K-12 students in the United States alone, of which 89,508 are public. Virtually every public school is now connected to the Internet. In the US alone, there are over 52 million K-12 school students and 4.2 million K-12 teachers. USD 351 billion was expended on K-12 education in 1999 with an additional USD 232 billion spent on post secondary education, not including vocational, specialty and professional development training. (Source: National Center for Education Statistics) It is estimated that schools write 25 million purchase orders in a year at a cost of between USD 100 and USD 150 above the actual cost of the product for each requisition. (Source: Lamar Alexander, CEO of Simplexis.com, February 1, 2000).

Ten Educational Trends Shaping School Planning and Design

The Lines of Prescribed Attendance Areas Will Blur

Schools Will Be Smaller and More Neighborhood Oriented

There Will Be Fewer Students Per Class

Technology Will Dominate Instructional Delivery

The Typical Spaces Thought to Constitute a School May Change

Students and Teachers Will Be Organized Differently

Students Will Spend More Time in School

Instructional Materials Will Evolve

Grade Configurations Will Change

Schools Will Disappear Before the End of the 21st Century (Or Will They?)

(Kenneth, 2002)

According to the National Home Education Research Institute, there were and estimated 1,700,000 to 2,100,000 children (grades K-12) home educated during 2002-2003 in the United States. In 2000-2001 the number was about 1.5 million to 1.9 million, demonstrating a continued growth in home educated youths. Now the concept of holistic education is reaching the halls of academia.

Holistic Education...

is concerned with the growth of every person's intellectual, emotional, social, physical, artistic, creative and spiritual potentials. It actively engages students in the teaching/learning process and encourages personal and collective responsibility.

is a quest for understanding and meaning. Its aim is to nurture healthy, whole, curious persons who can learn whatever they need to know in any new context. By introducing students to a holistic view of the planet, life on Earth, and the emerging world community, holistic strategies enable students to perceive and understand the various contexts, which shape and give meaning to life.

recognizes the innate potential of EVERY student for intelligent, creative, systemic thinking. This includes so-called "students-at-risk", most of whom have severe difficulties learning within a mechanistic reductionistic paradigm, which emphasizes linear, sequential processes.

recognizes that all knowledge is created within a cultural context and that the "facts" are seldom more than shared points of view. It encourages the transfer of learning across separate academic disciplines. Holistic education encourages learners to critically approach the cultural, moral and political contexts of their lives.

values spiritual literacy (in a non-sectarian sense). Spirituality is a state of connectedness to all life, honoring diversity in unity. It is an experience of being, belonging and caring. It is sensitivity and compassion, joy and hope. It is the harmony between the inner life and the outer life. It is the sense of wonder and reverence for the mysteries of the universe and a feeling of the purposefulness of life. It is moving towards the highest aspirations of the human spirit.

(Holistic Education Network, Tasmania, Australia)

Market Growth

Table 1 shows the number of charter schools in 1999-2000. Table 2 shows the number of charter schools in 2002-2003. Arizona alone went from 207 in 1999-2000 to 464 in 2002-2003, a 124% increase over two academic years. Table 3 shows the number of youth involved in the Maricopa County Juvenile Corrections from 1997 through 2002. Table 4 shows increase in new and recommitment of youths in the Arizona Juvenile Corrections System.

Table 1

Selected States Charter Schools for 2002-2003

State	New Schools for 2002-2003	Total Schools for 2002-2003	Approved to Open 2003-2004
Alaska	1	15	0
Arizona	49	464	11
California	89	428	7
Colorado	6	93	0
Connecticut	0	16	0
Florida	38	227	4
Georgia	8	35	3
Idaho	5	13	1
Illinois	3	29	0
Kansas	2	30	0
Louisiana	2	20	0
Massachusetts	6	46	6
Michigan	3	196	12
Minnesota	18	87	0
Missouri	5	26	2
Nevada	4	13	0
New Jersey	2	56	0
New Mexico	7	28	4
New York	7	38	10
North Carolina	5	93	2
Ohio	31	131	0
Oregon	6	25	1
Pennsylvania	15	91	2
Rhode Island	3	8	0
South Carolina	7	13	0
Texas	25	221	0
Wisconsin	22	130	0
US Total	393	2695	69

Table 2 (US Charter Schools)

Table 3 (AZ Supreme Court)

Table 4 (AZ Supreme Court)

In the last 15 years, the number of juvenile offenders under the age of 15 increased 94%. For the same period, here are specific trends given FBI category counts:

· Simple Assault --- up 98%

· Aggravated Assault --- up 64%

· Carrying a Weapon --- up 50%

· Murder --- up 39%

· Robbery --- up 37%

· Auto Theft --- up 17%

· Arson --- up 17%

· Vandalism --- up 15%

· Larceny-Theft --- up 11%

· Burglary --- down 17%

· Rape --- down 20%

(O’Connor, Tom, Ph.D., 2003)

Industry Analysis

General Statistics for Arizona

Schools Allowed- Unlimited

Charters Operating (2001) 419

Approval Process

Eligible Chartering Authorities Local school boards, state board of education, state board for charter schools

Eligible Applicants Public body, private person, private organization

Types of Charter Schools Converted public, converted private, new starts

Appeals Process None

Local Support Required No

Recipient of Charter Charter school governing body

Term of Initial Charter 15 years

Operations

Automatic Waiver from Most State and District Education Laws, Regulations, and Policies Yes

Legal Autonomy Yes

Governance Governing board

Governing Body Subject to Open Meeting Laws Yes

Managed or Operated by a For-Profit Organization Yes

Transportation for Students Authorized by local school boards, transportation may be provided by the district; other charter schools receive state transportation aid to provide transportation for students

Facilities Assistance Department of Education must publish list of vacant state buildings suitable for charter schools. Non-profit charter schools may apply for financing from Industrial Development Authorities.

Technical Assistance Provided by Department of Education /non-governmental entities

Reporting Requirements Annual report card for parents and A.D.E.; also an annual audit.

Funding

Amount Authorized by local school boards, funding may be negotiated and is specified in the charter; for other charter schools, funding is determined by the same base support level formula used for all district schools. Estimated portion is about $4,600.

Path Funds pass through district to charter schools authorized by local school boards; from state to all other charters schools.

Fiscal Autonomy Yes

Start-up Funds Federal and state funds available

Teachers

District Work Rules Covered by district bargaining agreement, negotiate as separate unit with charter school governing body, or work independently

Certification Not required

Leave of Absence Up to 3 years

Retirement Benefits Charter schools must participate in state’s retirement system

Students

Eligible Students All students in state

Preference District residents if sponsored by local school board; siblings.

Enrollment Requirements Not permitted

Selection Method (over-enrollment) Equitable selection process such as a lottery

At-Risk Provisions None

Accountability Students must take AIMS test; nationally standardized norm-referenced achievement test as designated by the state board, and distribute an annual report card

Other Features

Location of Charter School School districts cannot sponsor charter schools located outside the geographic boundaries of the district

-- October 2001
The Center for Education Reform

Industry Participants

A survey of several senior executives from two of the areas of concern would provide benchmarks for building. Administrators from charter schools and youth residential treatment centers were helpful in defining focal areas. Order of the answers is not significant to the priority of concern.

Who are your customers?

Youth 14-21

Families

Support people (friends, teachers, etc.)

Referral sources

Agency professionals (Probation Officers, case managers, etc.)

What do you think constitutes excellence in customer service?

Customer involvement

Attention to detail

Careful listening

Follow up

Total quality management

How could you best serve your customers without any bottlenecks or restrictions?

High staff to client/student ratio

State-of-the-art-training

Profit sharing (as identifier of better customer service)

Personalizing services

Technology availability

Community exposure

How do you communicate your Vision and Mission?

Formal meetings and training

Demonstrated by management

Customer interactions

Community involvement

Advertising and publications (print, web, manuals)

What are the major concerns in running your organization?

Maintaining employees

Staying tuned to Vision and Mission

Becoming best in industry

Value-added services for customers

Making the money last

Return on assets

Do you follow the ‘Management By Walking Around’ technique and if not, what management techniques do you use?

Resounding ‘Yes’ and…

Micromanagement (ability to deal with customer one-to-one)

What organizational models do you follow?

Organic/horizontal

Hierarchy

How does your organization create collaborative alliances in the community?

Professional meetings, trainings, Special events

Networking with contacts

Professional partnership development

Contracts for services

How do you feel a change in the economy affects your organization?

Fewer dollars available from funding sources

Budget cuts – retards programs

Greater utilization of limited resources

What have you found to be the best methods of communication in your organization?

Face-to-face

Personalized communication (e-mail, memos, letters)

Longer timelines for exchanges

Open door / open books

Recognition of individual contributions/group achievements

What accounting standards does your organization follow?

General accounting procedures

Special reports as needed for funding sources & State agencies

Do you focus on profit per location or profit per customer?

Profit? (residential treatment centers)

Profit per location

What are some of the primary fiscal obstacles you face?

Shortage of grants

Federal funding

Corporate sponsorships

Tax dollars

Reduction in staff

Budget cuts

What is the corporate culture like in your organization?

Well-educated

Cyber savvy

Family oriented

Mostly casual

Inclusion at all levels

What innovations has your organization implemented in your industry?

Peer-based community program

Partnership with referral sources

Holistic educational approach

How do you feel today’s youth are developing toward employability?

Need better socialization skills

Conflict resolution/mediation

Need more flexibility in dealing with change

Need better problem-solving skills

What are you most concerned about in running an organization today?

Developing a cohesive team

Creative, dynamic and flexible as change agents

Distribution Patterns

Since the 1999-2000 academic year there has been a 224% increase in the number of charter schools in Arizona alone. Mostly at-risk students that were not able to perform in regular district schools populate these schools, which is not what was intended by the AZ Department of Education. This population has a high incidence of problems within the community, from criminal offenses to dysfunctional social skills. Recidivism is high without special programs designed to address behavioral and psychological needs in educational settings. A demonstrable model with proven success in the community and statistically is easily duplicable in any area of urban or rural need.

Competitive Factors

Active student, parent, community and teacher participation in debate and decision-making are essential to strengthening public education.

Improving the quality of, and access to, education must drive the agenda for educational reform, rather than fiscal restraint or ideological conviction.

The public education system currently makes available, and is committed to continuing to offer, a variety of program options to meet the diverse needs of all students.

A publicly funded, democratically governed system of education with a mandate to provide quality education for all children should not be undermined by charter schools.

True choice in education must enhance educational equity, making pedagogically-sound choices equally available to all.

Key Competitors

Charter schools and residential treatment centers offering similar programs.

E-curriculum development and delivery companies currently using the Internet.

Community technology centers providing educational programs.

Existing juvenile corrections programs.

Strategy Implementation Summary

Strategy Pyramids

Make our name known. We are unique as a leader in the research, design, and implementation of holistic education using state-of-the-art technologies. Our collaborative alliances and partnerships with industry leaders bridge 21^st Century learners with 21^st Century technology and our emerging global culture.

Nurture the development of emotional and multiple intelligences empowering each student’s personal growth. Engaging systems thinking requires student and parental involvement in the research and design of the student’s educational process, which creates ownership of learning.

Use destination thinking to develop collaborative alliances. Partnerships increase exposure and resources. Transformational leaders are the brokers of dreams, shaping a strategic vision of a realistic and attractive future that bonds employees together and focuses their energy toward a superordinate organizational goal.

Incorporating emerging technologies and their integration into our curriculum provide the students with real-time, real-world experiences that prepare them for entering post-secondary life.

Value Proposition

Demonstrating a systems approach to living through the educational environment is crucial to the evolution of society as a whole if we expect to survive, let alone advance as a global village. Respectfully, a local environment is no less a global village. Peter Senge uses an excellent illustration of the process of maturation into ‘seeing’ our current reality before we can change it:

“Significantly, Scrooge can’t make the choice to change before he becomes more aware of his current reality. In effect, Dickens says that life always avails the option of seeing the truth, no matter how blind and prejudiced we may be. And if we have the courage to respond to that option, we have the power to change ourselves profoundly. Or, to put it in more classic religious terms, only through the truth do we come to grace.” (Fifth Discipline, 1990)

Competitive Edge

Spectrum Academy, built on the foundation of best practices in management philosophy, incorporates customer involvement, supply chain management, and labor relations. Adhering to the goals of the balanced scorecard approach, the school will engage cross-functional teams at every level in its operations. The discoveries of these teams and the analysis of their findings will set the prioritization for elements within each division and department. Systems-thinking requires that all elements have importance and relevance in the mix. The primary factors however, will be meeting State and Federal Standards for education with fiduciary responsibility being equally important.

Dedication to the holistic education philosophy affects staff and students, nurturing collaborative alliances that example the kinds of relationships necessary for success in post-secondary life, as well as engaging the student in their education and development of critical thinking skills that reveal the innate patterns and processes in the emergence of systems thinking. Spectrum Academy’s creation of interdependent business and community relationships demonstrate the value of the vision and mission of the school.

In today’s ever-changing environment, Spectrum Academy will have the administrational and operational foundations to manage that change with skill and precision. Combining, even synergizing, the traditional framework of business, school, and community so that it is addressed as a whole system only makes sense in the growing demands of operating in the world in an integrated fashion. The infrastructure of progressive institutions allows and even encourages new discoveries and their incorporation into the institutional mix. The Academy seeks to apply cutting-edge integrative technologies, both scientific and psychospiritual, across the spectrum to meet the emerging demands of the 21^st Century student and community.

Marketing Strategy

Positioning Statement

Educational reformation is unavoidable and happening slowly through a variety of methods. Much of this process is happening through underdeveloped or underutilized programs and click and mortar structures caught in paradigm paralysis. This paradigm paralysis occurs because there are no new models, no working examples, of what is truly necessary to develop strong youth and adult learning programs ultimately building a strong community. It is apparent by our ‘walled communities’ that we have forgotten the essence of what makes us strong as a nation. Sustainable growth comes from community involvement that is facilitated through the inclusion practices of the organization; developing a community capable of raising the new genre of children through a systems approach to learning. Our innovative peer-community and curriculum development and the community responsive students that graduate will know Spectrum Academy as a leader in educational reform.

Pricing Strategy

Utilize multiple programs for higher ratios of dollars per student.

Collaboration with AZ Charter School Association for e-curriculum delivery.

Bundled curriculum site licensing for distribution and reduced costs for consumers.

Partnerships with Service Providers, AZ Juvenile Corrections, Courts, and Universities.

Access government, federal and state, funding to support low-cost delivery of services.

Provide services unavailable anywhere else.

Promotion Strategy

Homeschooling networks

Juvenile Corrections Department

Social Service and Health Care providers

Webvertising – E-mail with auto responders

Holistic and Alternative Health practitioners

Public relations events with radio and television coverage

Marketing Programs

Webvertising using targeted e-mail and auto responders

Search engine marketing – keyword purchase and sponsor links

Traditional sales – expos, conventions, civic groups

Newspaper and radio advertising

Educator conventions

Related media publications

Public relations campaign

Sales Strategy

“The survival of our ego is at stake. Our vision begins to be stated in things we don’t want- ‘I don’t want to fail,’ ‘I don’t want to be unhealthy,’ or ‘I don’t want to want to be poor.” (Crum, 1987)

Our current educational environment often contributes to ‘moving away from’ rather than moving toward a goal or a vision, even though it is often stated otherwise. The fear of failure often precludes the joy of success. The affect is not the desired outcome. Destination thinking replaces old habits with new ones, moving toward achievable and realistic success. A holistic approach includes the development and nurturing of the creative nature within the human being, at the core of our being human. An integrated system naturally addresses inherent conflict and provides tools to ascend from it, using the conflict to engage creative thinking rather than rote action.

Utilization of those who have gone before often stimulates positive change to a greater degree. Optimal change agents, in this case, span several areas of concern, expertise, and professional endeavors. Presentations and networking are a core competency of our sales effort; know face-to-face communication is the most productive and builds the greatest rapport. Civic organizations, angel investor groups, local and national corporations, philanthropic foundations, and various ‘Anonymous’ groups hold the capacity to capitalize on concern, holistic philosophy, professional contacts, and resources unknown. This strategy facilitates a truly Win/Win for the business units, community and participants, direct or indirect.

The foundational fabric of Spectrum Academy empowers the development of leaders, within the organization, the student body, and interacting with the community. The transformation of disenfranchised youth spills over into the entire environment of the Academy. The Co-Directors, examples of charismatic and transformative leaders, instill the need for achievement through progressive opportunities for the youth to do and be more than in their past living habits. This gratifies the need for personal power in the progress toward meeting goals and objectives while increasing cognitive ability, interpersonal skills, self-confidence and changes in ethics. Although the staff and peers display some managerial behaviors in this process, such as interpersonal, informational, and decisional roles, the collective leadership methodology and philosophy of the organization achieve the results.

Milestones

Management Summary

Organizational Structure

Spectrum Academy’s strategic plan denotes three specific areas within the school’s management matrix. These areas include Education, Commerce, and Community. The Education Group facilitator shares the vision and has an in-depth understanding of educational systems, including effective school administration, exemplary exceptional student services, outstanding curricula and faculty development, rapport-building student promotion and retention, and innovative information technology systems. The Commerce Group facilitator also shares the vision has an equally in-depth understanding of State and Federal laws and regulations, creating collaborative alliances, supply chain integration, sales and marketing, and information technology. The Community Group facilitator shares the vision as well and has a mastery of marketing school programs, adult education programs, grant research and writing, after-school program development, and information technology. The Co-Directors hold the vision and have an understanding and mastery of strategic planning, educational and organizational development, business administration, and information systems integration.

Communication Plan

“Communication plans should be divided into two categories: project communications and constituent communications. Project communications include the interaction that is required in order to deliver the engagement with quality. Included in this category are the project plan itself, the memos and status reports that the team distributes to one another, the team meetings, and the minutes that are issued from them. In the realm of constituent communications are the executive briefings, auditorium presentations, newsletters, "lunch and learn" sessions, posters, brochures, focus groups, and feedback mechanisms like e-mail and voicemail suggestion boxes.” (Freedman, 2000)

Best practices in pro-active management include up-to-the-minute reporting in order to anticipate and resolve problems before they have a chance to impede progress of the project. Along with the items mentioned above, we will be including e-room, net-meetings, and video-conferencing via the Internet. Technology use will be an asset of the curriculum and functioning of the school and a key feature of the process and stakeholder training. The Education, Commerce, and Community group facilitator determines the lines and types of communication necessary to serve their group, while maintaining the integrity of Spectrum’s open communication philosophy. The organizational chart has the appearance of a hierarchical structure yet, the communication lines are more flat-lined and organic in the actual workings of the organization.

Management Team

The management team is forming. Features include academic and experiential expertise that leads successful educational institutions, law firms, civic organizations, social services, and technology companies. Diversity in the core team is critical and demonstrates the holistic approach of systems-thinking.

Co-Director

Robin J. Engel, MAOM, BAEd

Construct curriculum, order supplies/texts, facilitate in-class and computer-based learning. Track progress, create remedial programs and projects, serve diverse learners. Facilitate student government development and implementation.

High School Teacher, CARMEL COMMUNITY ARTS & TECHNOLOGY CHARTER SCHOOL 2002-2003

Taught all core subjects plus Drama, led school’s fall and spring expositions, facilitated student product development and student-led conferences, responsible for entire high-school program and students.

Co-founded service to address educational and youth related issues. Selected and secured venues/ vendors. Developed media relations, including three radio interviews. Acquired speakers and facilitators and co-hosted seminars. Managed expenses and accounting.

Assisted students in grades five through eight with their individually paced studies in various subjects. Tracked student files, ordered supplies, conducted class meetings, organized special activities, evaluated work, and delegated tasks to two assistants. In addition, taught afternoon science classes, developing the curriculum, ordering supplies, and modifying materials for each grade level.

Substitute Teacher, Kyrene, Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe School Districts 1996-1997, 1999-2000

Taught grades pre-K through eight in all subjects. Conducted classes with limited and sometimes vague instructions left by the full-time teacher.

Planned, organized, delegated, and implemented daily lessons, utilizing a variety of instructional styles, including group work, individual work, classroom lectures, hands-on instruction, private tutoring, and journal writing. Developed consistent routines to provide clarity and enhance learning for students with diverse academic capabilities, including ESL, gifted, mildly retarded, and emotionally unstable students.