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.

CORE FOCUS

GROWING A BRAND
An opportunity for the AMBITION students to be part of an innovative, socially relevant consumer brand, with guidance and input from successful entrepreneurs and business leaders.

A priority of the program is to provide the students with the satisfaction and growth that is derived from commitment, hard work and accomplishment. To anchor its entrepreneurial roots, AMBITION launched its own e-commerce component, The Ultimate Tease (TUT). AMBITION's curriculum centers on the brand, providing real-world business experience that empowers the students to rise up to the challenges of discipline, accountability and expectations. Through this work, the students have the opportunity to earn scholarships & brand ambassadorships. Through a multitude of problem-solving endeavors, the AMBITION journey validates that with determination, self-discipline and hard work, they can live a life without limitations.

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 & brand ambassadorships, TUT also awards internships in Marketing & Operations to three to five students each summer, based on successful resume submission, application process and interview(s). Training is similar to that of an educational environment and compensation includes minimum wage, academic credit or a combination thereof.

*A percentage of TUT sales contributes to AMBITION Student Growth & Scholarship Fund

PROJECTS

Each year there are three projects that focus on teamwork, marketing, “the ask” and leadership.

RECOGNIZABLE REACH OUTS
The goal is to develop strategic methods to attract high-profile individuals who will advocate for AMBITION!

The AMBITION students and mentors are tasked with the following:

  • 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


PHILANTHROPIC ENDEAVORS
The goal is to find a charity that the students agree upon 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

MODULES

“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. In conjunction with LifePrep Academy.

“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.

“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.

ANCILLARY 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.

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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