According to CT Insider reporter Alex Putterman, “An estimated 19 percent of Connecticut residents between ages 14 and 26 are disconnected from education and employment or “at risk” of failing to graduate high school, a new report from Barbara Dalio and Dalio Education says.”
This is a crisis that sets Connecticut back by as much as $750 million a year; that’s direct costs plus lost state revenue from idle young adults not paying taxes, according to the same report.
One High School in Norwalk is taking a bold and innovative step to reconnect and inspire students, and close the achievement gap.
Norwalk, CT – Brave Enough To Fail (BETF) brings its BOSS Academy skills for success program to the entire student body at P-TECH at Norwalk High School in Connecticut, in the greater New York City area. It’s the first time the program is being delivered as part of the curriculum, to an entire student body.
BETF has delivered the BOSS Academy program to more than one-thousand students at 12 schools and youth agencies over the last three years, always in groups of no more than 15 students. The P-TECH program is a significant launch, adding BOSS Academy to the curriculum for all 350 students. BETF also has awarded more than 100-thousand dollars in scholarships since 2015.
BOSS Academy promotes embracing Big dreams, pushing oneself Outside the comfort zone, developing a Strategy for success, and learning to Stick to the plan through perseverance and hard work. P-TECH students earn a high school diploma, have the potential to graduate with an industry-recognized associate degree, and gain relevant work experience in a growing field.
The program launched with the Be the Boss of Your Dream presentation delivered by BETF founder and CEO Wayne Winsley. P-Tech assistant principal Beth Furnari said, “Today was nothing short of inspiring. I’m excited to see how this program will evolve from our students to our students.”
P-Tech principal, Dr. Victor Black, adding “I don’t want this to be a one-off here at P-Tech, I would like BOSS Academy to become part of our school culture.” Dr. Black first became familiar with Brave Enough To Fail and it’s powerful impact on students in 2012, while principal of Harding High School in Bridgeport.
The BOSS Academy program is being conducted during advisory period throughout the school year. Classes are facilitated by students, who were hand-picked and trained in the BOSS Academy curriculum over the summer, on how to be facilitators and mentors.
The launch was made possible, in part, due to sponsorship by the Norwalk Kiwanis Club; president Marie Sacco commenting, “We are extremely proud to play a part in making this great program happen for students in our Norwalk community.” Students at the launch each received a hardcover copy of the book, “Where are you going?,” which serves as the BOSS Academy textbook, and an ongoing source of motivation and inspiration.
Brave Enough To Fail hopes to expand its BOSS Academy program using an interactive digital platform, to reach schools and youth organizations nationwide. Currently, BETF has a waitlist of 40 schools and organizations requesting the program and in need of sponsorship or funding.
All three hundred fifty P-Tech students attending the presentation received a free gift. A beautiful, hardcover copy of our signature Inspirational photo book, “Where are you going?” which serves as the BOSS Academy Textbook and as an ongoing source of motivation and inspiration.
About P-Tech
In a P-TECH school, students earn a high school diploma, have the potential to graduate with an industry-recognized associate degree, and gain relevant work experience in a growing field. P-TECH is a global education model offering students worldwide the opportunity to develop skills and competencies that will translate directly to competitive careers. The P-TECH network includes more than 150,000 students, teachers, parents, mentors, and advocates in 23 countries around the globe — and it’s growing! More info: https://ptech.norwalkps.org/about
About Brave Enough To Fail and BOSS Academy
“Failure is not an option…. It’s required.” Founder and CEO Wayne Winsley created Brave Enough To Fail and BOSS Academy to help students with situational challenges to create their own success. Everyone has setbacks or failures, learning how to use them to create success in life is an important life skill. BETF is non-profit organization, using donations and sponsorships to provide programs at no cost to students and schools.
Brave Enough To Fail inspires and motivates High School and College students to reach out for success by understanding and implementing options available to them. BETF encourages students to achieve their real dreams through courage and persistence, while working with key attributes essential for success in any field of endeavor: commitment, resilience, self-discipline, focus, ambition.
Winsley is a proud US Navy veteran, author, schoolteacher of history and current events, motivational speaker, and former radio talk show host and news anchor.
Will you help us to reach the next level?
We are currently raising funds to create an interactive digital platform to provide BOSS Academy to schools and youth organizations nationwide. Just imagine the impact that your support will make!
Please click the link below and make a donation of any size today!
Brave Enough to Fail 