(781) 516-8511
info@athenak12.com
About AthenaK12
WHAT BROUGHT US HERE
We believe a focus on Adult Learning benefits Student Learning
That’s why we focus on the adults - so they can fill their needs, and in doing so, better focus on their students. We want adults to model the same mindset and enthusiasm for learning that we wish for students. When adults are willing to take risks, make mistakes, and be lifelong learners, they create a school and classroom environment where students can do the same.
When teachers become learners, they become better teachers. Our goal is to create learning experiences where there is safety, belonging, self-efficacy, autonomy, meaning and joy, to ensure you can experiment, reflect, experience growth and be inspired to be a better leader and teacher.
We believe a focus on Adult Learning benefits Student Learning
That’s why we focus on the adults - so they can fill their needs, and in doing so, better focus on their students. We want adults to model the same mindset and enthusiasm for learning that we wish for students. When adults are willing to take risks, make mistakes, and be lifelong learners, they create a school and classroom environment where students can do the same.
When teachers become learners, they become better teachers. Our goal is to create learning experiences where there is safety, belonging, self-efficacy, autonomy, meaning and joy, to ensure you can experiment, reflect, experience growth and be inspired to be a better leader and teacher.
Adults seek out those who can help them, including teachers, mentors, or peers.
Adults use their life experience
to facilitate learning.
Adults have a high sense of self-direction and motivation and are goal-oriented.
Adults will be engaged, present, and ready to learn when the material is of immediate relevance.
Adults want to choose how they learn and are open to varied ways of learning.
Adults take the initiative to understand what they need to learn.
Our programs and services:
Are aligned with state, district, school, and educator goals or priorities.
Are designed using data relevant to the identified goals, objectives, and audience.
Are assessed to ensure that it is meeting the goals and objectives.
Promote collaboration and sharing of ideas to achieve targeted goals and objectives.
Advance educators’ ability to apply learnings to their particular content and context.
Model good pedagogical practice and apply adult learning theory to engage educators.
Make use of relevant resources to ensure goals and objectives are met.
Are facilitated by a professional who is knowledgeable about the identified objectives.
Ensure sessions connect and build upon each other for a coherent and useful learning experience.
We draw from Adult
Learning Principles:
We adhere to MA DESE
High Quality PD Standards:
Adults have a high sense of self-direction and motivation and are goal-oriented.
Adults seek out those who can help them, including teachers, mentors, or peers.
We draw from Adult
Learning Principles:
Adults use their life experience
to facilitate learning.
Adults will be engaged, present, and ready to learn when the material is of immediate relevance.
Adults want to choose how they learn and are open to varied ways of learning.
Adults take the initiative to understand what they need to learn.
Our programs and services:
Are aligned with state, district, school, and educator goals or priorities.
Are designed using data relevant to the identified goals, objectives, and audience.
Are assessed to ensure that it is meeting the goals and objectives.
Promote collaboration and sharing of ideas to achieve targeted goals and objectives.
Advance educators’ ability to apply learnings to their particular content and context.
Model good pedagogical practice and apply adult learning theory to engage educators.
Make use of relevant resources to ensure goals and objectives are met.
Are facilitated by a professional who is knowledgeable about the identified objectives.
Ensure sessions connect and build upon each other for a coherent and useful learning experience.
We adhere to MA DESE
High Quality PD Standards:
What’s in a Name?
- We took our inspiration from Athena, the Roman goddess of wisdom and warfare. As the guardian of the welfare of kings, Athena was well known for mentoring heroes and thus became the goddess of good counsel, of prudent restraint and practical insight, as well as strategic warfare. Athena was also a patron of the arts and crafts, mathematics, civilization, strength, strategy, and skill. The owl often depicted with Athena is recognized widely - especially in education - as a symbol of wisdom.
- We channel Athena’s Strength and Strategic Thinking - Through AthenaK12, we aspire to develop courage, inspiration and wisdom in preK-12 educators. Educators face new challenges at all stages of their career... new initiatives, technologies, student and community profiles, curriculum, grade level assignments, and so on… and must develop the enthusiasm, curiosity, confidence and wisdom to tackle those challenges successfully. Often those challenges center around the fight for equity and access, and require educators to channel their inner warrior.
- We value the idea that wisdom grows with intention and attention. It takes investment, willingness, reflection, curiosity and good old fashioned commitment. We have been growing our wisdom in professional development for the last 30+ years. Our training partners are vetted for their expertise, experience, sage advice and ability to cultivate growth in others. Our work with educators is defined by that critical balance of insight and judgement, good sense tempered and refined by experience, training, and maturity.
What’s in a Name?
- We took our inspiration from Athena, the Roman goddess of wisdom and warfare. As the guardian of the welfare of kings, Athena was well known for mentoring heroes and thus became the goddess of good counsel, of prudent restraint and practical insight, as well as strategic warfare. Athena was also a patron of the arts and crafts, mathematics, civilization, strength, strategy, and skill. The owl often depicted with Athena is recognized widely - especially in education - as a symbol of wisdom.
- We channel Athena’s Strength and Strategic Thinking - Through AthenaK12, we aspire to develop courage, inspiration and wisdom in preK-12 educators. Educators face new challenges at all stages of their career... new initiatives, technologies, student and community profiles, curriculum, grade level assignments, and so on… and must develop the enthusiasm, curiosity, confidence and wisdom to tackle those challenges successfully. Often those challenges center around the fight for equity and access, and require educators to channel their inner warrior.
- We value the idea that wisdom grows with intention and attention. It takes investment, willingness, reflection, curiosity and good old fashioned commitment. We have been growing our wisdom in professional development for the last 30+ years. Our training partners are vetted for their expertise, experience, sage advice and ability to cultivate growth in others. Our work with educators is defined by that critical balance of insight and judgement, good sense tempered and refined by experience, training, and maturity.
They’re Mission Driven
Traits of Female Owned Businesses that thrive:
They’re Optimistic
They Invest in Relationships
A female owned business
We seek to employ feminine leadership traits, which means we:
- Lean in to competence, drawing on expertise, track record, intelligence, curiosity, empathy, integrity, and coachability. We will use our tenacity and self-awareness to develop such competence and improve performance.
- Motivate and inspire through transforming attitudes and beliefs, and aligning people with meaning and purpose.
- Put our people ahead of ourselves in order to foster their well being and unlock their potential.
- Empathize - for humans crave validation, appreciation, and empathy.
- Toss the egos so we can elevate others - and turn to others for help when needed. We understand and appreciate the benefits of collaboration.
- Champion humility, otherwise it will be very hard for anyone to acknowledge their mistakes, learn from experience, take into account other people’s perspectives, and be willing to change and get better.
Adapted from Harvard Business Review: 7 Leadership Lessons Men Can Learn from Women by Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic and Cindy Gallop, April 01, 2020.
They’re Mission Driven
Traits of Female Owned Businesses that thrive:
They’re Optimistic
They Invest in Relationships
A female owned business
We seek to employ feminine leadership traits, which means we:
- Lean in to competence, drawing on expertise, track record, intelligence, curiosity, empathy, integrity, and coachability. We will use our tenacity and self-awareness to develop such competence and improve performance.
- Motivate and inspire through transforming attitudes and beliefs, and aligning people with meaning and purpose.
- Put our people ahead of ourselves in order to foster their well being and unlock their potential.
- Empathize - for humans crave validation, appreciation, and empathy.
- Toss the egos so we can elevate others - and turn to others for help when needed. We understand and appreciate the benefits of collaboration.
- Champion humility, otherwise it will be very hard for anyone to acknowledge their mistakes, learn from experience, take into account other people’s perspectives, and be willing to change and get better.
Adapted from Harvard Business Review: 7 Leadership Lessons Men Can Learn from Women by Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic and Cindy Gallop, April 01, 2020.
