Curriculum

 

CLASSROOM METHODOLOGY

POWER-NOT-PITY
How to show up!

Students learn the art of speaking up and how to advocate for themselves. Our Power-Not-Pity methodology reframes challenges as sources of power, utilizing confidence and competence to capture attention and establish credibility.

YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT ME
An innovative leadership program that unites brave and powerful voices!

The students and mentors take time to learn about each other in small group settings through deep and meaningful conversation. By fostering the critical skills of confidence, vulnerability and solution-driven thinking, “YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT ME" encourages young people to claim their challenges with Power-Not-Pity. The high point is when the students begin to discover similarities, rather than differences.

DIRTY WORDS
Cussing is a privilege reserved for those who embody the spirit of Power-Not-Pity!

Our ironic approach seeks to rebalance the status quo by rewarding proper grammar at least as often as society chastises cursing. While a bleep censor is typically reserved to disguise profanity, in AMBITION it is used to cover up improper grammar. This is not a hall pass to spew dirty words, but a technique that acknowledges a skillful command of the English language as a critical key to success.

BOREDOM SHOTS
Get that look off your face!

We are all too often unaware of how we come across and what our facial expressions and body language say about us, but a picture is worth a thousand words. This approach is a fun and interactive way to make that point. On any given day, one might walk into an AMBITION classroom to discover their picture projected on a wall, in an instance where they appeared bored or disengaged. There is no mistaking that look, once we see it on our own face. No one knows who might be behind the camera each week — mentors and teachers are not exempt!

ACCOUNTABILITY
Give your word, keep your word!

Teaching the importance of one’s word is paramount. Standing up in front of the classroom and making a promise to the camera makes it real. Periodically, the students and mentors face the camera and make a promise to work on something they struggle with. The footage then serves as a measure for improvement.

WAKE UP CALL
Get your blood flowing and put a smile on your face!

A few minutes of stretching, jumping and laughter connects the room and shifts the mind. A little exercise is a great way to bring energy to the room. Led by an experienced fitness coach, each class begins with mind/body activities, ranging from exercise to meditation.

CURRICULAR FOCUS

GROWING A BRAND
To anchor its entrepreneurial spirit, AMBITION launched a branded merchandise line available through its e-commerce platform. A priority of the program is to provide the students with the satisfaction and growth that is derived from commitment, hard work and accomplishment. The e-commerce curriculum provides real-world business experience, empowering students to rise up to the challenges of discipline, accountability and expectations.

The students and mentors are tasked with the following:

  • The growth of a legitimate business, while working alongside industry experts

  • Brand, consumer and market research

  • Operations and marketing

  • Understanding a cause & commerce business model*

  • Analyzing a consumer brand’s core finances

  • Product development and brand expansion

  • Strategy and construction of a commercial marketing campaign

In addition to scholarships and brand ambassadorships, AMBITION is developing a Marketing & Operations internship program for students. Placement is based on a successful résumé submission, application process, and interview(s). Training mirrors an educational environment, and compensation may include minimum wage, academic credit, or a combination of both.

*Proceeds from merchandise sales fund AMBITION programming, activities and scholarships

MODULES

RECOGNIZABLE REACH OUTS
Students and mentors develop strategic methods to attract high-profile individuals who will advocate for AMBITION:

  • Choose prominent Business Leaders, Athletes, Musicians, Actors, Scientists, etc. who will bring attention and value to the brand

  • Research to learn everything possible about them and why they should meet /support the students of AMBITION

  • Create an enticing pitch that makes it clear why they were chosen and what will be gained from the experience — the objective is to leave them feeling as though they will be missing out if they don’t engage the students of AMBITION

  • Strategize and construct a marketing campaign that will elicit public support of the program

REAL WORLD
Engagement, Interaction, Financial Literacy!

Students are taught critical thinking, time mangement and foundational habits that will serve as the bedrock of their success as they venture into the world. Mastering these skill sets has proven to serve as a constructive predecessor to exploring financial literacy. From budgeting, to compound interest, to investing, the importance of making sound financial choices is presented in a witty and intriguing manner. The education and understanding of financial literacy is a game-changer for our youth.

UNCLE KEN
Advice from a successful venture capitalist on building an entrepreneurial mind & financial abundance and other wisdom from his “Dream Toolbox!”

Real-life, interactive storytelling from a successful entrepreneur offers a birds-eye view into big business. Likened to a modern day “Mr. Rogers,” this style successfully engages the students. Captivating stories of accomplishments, failures and lessons in business from a successful entrepreneur shed light on the world of business.

CAREER CONNECTIONS
From Networking to Internships to Interviewing!

Mentors and special guests share valuable information, insights and connections with the students, helping them understand the inner-workings of the corporate world.

PHILANTHROPIC ENDEAVORS
Students find a charity to support and champion. This process makes them leaders, giving a hand-up instead of receiving one and ultimately boosting their self-confidence.

The AMBITION students & mentors are tasked with the following:

  • Determine what cause is important and why

  • Research to find a charity that supports that vision

  • Learn everything possible about the cause and the specific charity

  • Strategize and construct a way to show support

SCHOLARSHIP CHALLENGE
The goal is to obtain college scholarships!

The AMBITION students & mentors are tasked with the following:

  • Research potential scholarships

  • Organize submission requirements

  • Create applicable materials

FUTURE BOUND
Life after high school!

College, Career and Life Planning. From application to orientation, students receive the professional guidance and resources necessary to maximize their college and/or future opportunities. In conjunction with LifePrep Academy & Educate California.

SIGNATURE PROGRAMS

Segments revolving around dialogue are the backbone of AMBITION and allow us to take what we do in the classroom to the community. The goal is to continuously grow the AMBITION Clubs and for the segments to become widespread movements! The AMBITION Clubs currently focus on the Movements below.

AMBITION ODYSSEY
From Inspiration to Insight: Words as the Portal to Your Path

AMBITION Odyssey is a 90-day journey that helps participants uncover their ideal career path by tuning into everyday moments of inspiration. Each time they feel joy, curiosity, or excitement, they jot down a word or two in a notepad, staying present while revealing meaningful patterns. At the end, anonymous observers analyze the entries and offer insight into possible career directions based solely on the participant’s own words. Simple. Reflective. Powerful.

YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT ME
A modern day, Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover, “YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT ME” unites brave and powerful voices to inspire deep and meaningful conversation. A reminder that what you see is NOT necessarily what you get, “YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT ME” is an uncensored call-to-action that uses a power-not-pity, unapologetic, solution-driven approach to give voice to our challenges, secrets and successes. A pre-emptive strike in a world of distorted First Impressions, Fake News, Racial Profiling and Social Media. #YDKAM
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THE DIALOGUE
Developed to ignite fair and insightful conversation about socially relevant topics, THE DIALOGUE is real dialogue for youth, by youth from ethnically, demographically and socio-economically diverse backgrounds. #LetsStartAConversation
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THERE’S ALWAYS A ME TOO
The founding insight was straightforward yet profound — for each ‘bad’ or otherwise overwhelming experience that one has, there is always someone else who can say, “Me Too, I had a similar experience and here’s how I overcame it.” “THERE’S ALWAYS A ME TOO”, was intended as an affirmation of power, a tool for growth instead of a barrier to resolution. For clarity’s sake, “YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT ME” has absorbed the mission of AMBITION’s “Me Too.”#PowerNotPity
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