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Our Philosophy
Summary
The success of Pathways to College is built on a simple premise: that a small number of capable students and committed instructional leaders can:
* Change children’s lives
* Develop better teachers
* Positively impact entire communities
Pathways provides a safe place to be smart, where caring teachers help interested and motivated students of color develop the skills and habits of mind that research indicates are critical to academic and career success. Working as a team in our School-Based Scholars Program, over time, Scholars and teachers help raise the aspirations and expectations of their peers throughout the school and community.
Pathways to LearningPathways to Leadership
Pathways to College
Pathways to Learning
The Pathways to College approach to learning is based on establishing a family-type setting of teachers and learners where students have exciting opportunities to experience, explore and quietly reflect, thereby developing and practicing the habits of life-long learners.
The Curriculum Outline that guides our teachers includes such items as: learning and research; asking thoughtful questions; big-picture thinking; exploring careers and the culture of the workplace; and becoming a citizen of the world – ideas that encourage curiosity, problem-solving and personal initiative.
Class sessions revolve around sharing and developing ideas through class discussion and teamwork, and building critical thinking, speaking and writing skills. Guest speakers and trips to college campuses are important components.
Pathways to College
Pathways to Leadership
We ask and expect our Scholars to become “courageous leaders” – in school, at home and in their communities.
Courageous Leadership
We work at preparing them to do so by providing experiences that not only help them to succeed in high school and college, but also help them encourage real change in their worlds. They learn to analyze, to think critically, to develop plans and set goals. They learn critical thinking, speaking, writing and real-world problem-solving skills; they develop self-confidence and a sense of purpose.
Their successes provide opportunities for these students and their teacher-coaches to raise the aspirations and expectations of their peers. Combined with their success in college, our Scholars can begin to positively impact the culture of the entire school. Together, the team of teachers and students become primary agents for changing the school atmosphere to one in which more and more students see the potential inherent in pursuing a college education. In Pathways high schools, slowly but steadily, it becomes “cool” to be smart.”
Pathways to College
Pathways to Teacher Development
From a pool initially identified by students, we hire up to four of the most effective teachers in each participating school. These teachers provide coaching support, targeting the critical life skills and intellectual habits of mind that research tells us are essential to prepare for and succeed, academically and personally in college and beyond.
Our program includes a strong professional development component for the Pathways teachers, most of whom find the Pathways approach new and all of whom find it exciting. Ongoing professional development activities encourage and enthuse our teachers, who utilize methodologies, materials, ideas and successes not only in their daily teaching assignments, but also share them with their colleagues. Our goals for teachers include developing teamwork, motivation and mentoring skills; actively encouraging and rewarding creativity and innovation, and creating a setting in which all members of the Pathways to College family – Scholars and teachers alike — are listened to and treated with respect and consideration.
"This Professional Development is fantastic! A wealth of knowledge, passion and enthusiasm exists in this phenomenal organization."
- Gary
Pathways to College
Coaching
Pathways to College teachers employ intensive individual and group encouraging/coaching activities to assure the Scholars’ success in several key areas, for:
Personal Development
Personal development, to increase students' interest and participation as school leaders. They help students to identify and seek leadership positions; to establish eligibility and apply for honors, awards and scholarships, and to engage with their peers to inspire and encourage academic excellence.
Commitment to Success
College access and persistence to graduation, including college exploration, selection, application, entrance and completion. Students are coached to explore career opportunities, to seek access to role models, to be good mentees and to serve as mentors to others, and to reach for competitive college admission when seeking their “personal best college.”
Critical Skills
Skills critical to academic and career success, such as studying, goal setting and achievement; strategic thinking, writing, speaking and presentation skills; learning and research; and becoming well informed and aware “citizens of the world.”