I Want Athena’s Path in MY School!

Athena’s Path is a unique middle school program that teaches girls how to conquer the middle school drama so students and teachers can spend more time focusing on academics.

Here’s how to get this curriculum implemented in YOUR school:

Generate interest and support

Parents and teachers who support Athena’s Path are the best advocates to get the curriculum into your school. Introduce the program to parents, teachers, counselors and your principal and show them how your girls - and the school community as a whole – will benefit.

A great way to introduce Athena’s Path is to arrange a speaking forum for Michelle Icard, the director and creator of the program.  She is an informative and entertaining speaker who usually creates lots of support after her presentations.  You may also write articles for your PTA newsletter or local newspaper. We can help with ideas and drafts for both.

Secure the Necessary Approvals

The school leadership must be on board with the program. Start first with your principal. Using information from our web site, explain the program and its benefits. Your principal can help if you also need approval of the curriculum from your local school district.

Fitting the Curriculum Into the School Day

School days are busy! Your principal can determine the best time and way to offer the curriculum, based on the school’s schedule, schedules of the teachers who will teach the curriculum and the students who will take the course.  

Athena’s Path is offered during the school day, as an elective or a required course.  The curriculum is flexible (approximately 20 - 35 hours) and can be taught in one week or throughout the year. Here are just some ways schools schedule our program:

• Every day for a 45 minute class period, for 6-9 weeks
• Every other day for a 45 minute class period, for 9-18 weeks
• All year long during morning advisory period
• Once a month for two hours a day during lunch combined with elective time
• During health class for a semester
• After exams during “down time”
  

Choose Your Teachers

The curriculum is taught by your own teachers and counselors who know your students and their issues. With the purchase of the curriculum, Athena's Path offers fun, hands-on training and one CEU credit to up to three teachers or counselors in the school.  Teachers love to teach this curriculum because we make it easy and fun and they get to bond with their students in ways they don't during regular classes.

Choose your teachers carefully – they make a huge difference in the success of the program! Look for teachers who are:

• good listeners
• open minded
• funny
• empathetic and inclusive
• seen as having that certain “cool factor” with kids
• strong enough to hold kids accountable for learning tools

Ideally, you would have one teacher for no more than 15 students.

Secure Funding

See our pricing sheet for details about the cost of the curriculum and what is included in the program fee.

Here are a few ways to fund Athena's Path:

• look for curriculum money in your school or district budget
• ask the PTA. They may use money currently in their budget or take tax deductible donations to fund the program.
• Solicit local businesses in your community to sponsor the program.
• Seek grants from local and national companies that support activities that address character education, self-esteem, leadership development, community building, bullying, peer pressure, and decision-making.

We appreciate your support and effort. We are happy to assist at any point. Please let us know how we can help. Feel free to use any of the information on our web sites.

You’re now set to start Athena’s Path! And, don’t forget about the boys. Check out our companion curriculum, Hero’s Pursuit, at www.herospursuit.com.

We hope your school will see what other principals have seen in their schools:

“ I really saw a need for this type of program.  Middle School can be a very difficult time for adolescents, especially girls.  If we can provide the social support, it will no doubt help academically.  I had also heard great things about the program from my colleagues.  Once I had the opportunity the meet Michelle and hear her passion and commitment, I was sold.  The response from our parent has been tremendous!  Our PTA was sold immediately and chose to fully fund the program.  We originally decided to just offer the program for 6th and 7th grade students.  But, the demand was so great that we added it to the 8th grade schedule.  I truly believe that this program will have a huge impact on our campus.”

Will Leach, principal, Alexander Graham Middle School
Charlotte, NC

“Athena’s Path has made a tremendous positive influence on the girls at our school. Not only are they building leadership capacity, they are enhancing their social skills, emotional intelligence and self esteem – all skills that will have a strong influence on raising student achievement. I am confident these girls will be better prepared to be more productive as adults. Athena’s Path has been one of the best things that we have ever incorporated into our school.”

Denise Watts, principal, Mint Hill Middle School
Charlotte, NC

Mission | Founder | Team Bios | School Programs Camps | FAQ | Letters | Quotes Athena Girls | Contact Us | Make a Donation sitemap | copyright© 2007 Athena's Path