TECH YEAH CONFERENCE’s Post

When I started using outdoor and experiential education as my primary approach to teaching high school I immediately saw the changes in my students' faces, their body language, and how they navigated and interacted with the world. I could see and sense in their interactions with the world the shift in what we now call 'mindset'. Back in the day, people would ask me how I knew that what I was doing with these teens would be effective, long-lasting, and have an impact. In short, they asked, "What is the evidence?" Back then, my stock response was to say "Ask me in 10 years, then we will know how they are doing and how we did." Here are two personal stories that demonstrate the power of outdoor education to change lives. Last week, I saw a post (linked below) about OBCA staff member Roger Lopez and the critical role he plays as a lead instructor for Outward Bound California. His life journey is inspirational and out on course he is a role model for his students. It is not a coincidence that Roger is an alum of Get Out and Learn (getoutandlearn.org), a high school experiential and outdoor education program in the SFUSD. His experiences in that program offered him the chance to go on Outward Bound, which turned the outdoors into a lifetime career and put him on the pathway toward becoming an outstanding OBCA staff member. Similarly, Belynda Ray is an alum of GOAPe, a predecessor program to GOAL. Her success in that program led her to become an OBCA Pinnacles scholar and a life-changing experience in the wilderness. Today, decades later, Roger and Belynda continue to pay it forward to the next generation. The partnership between OBCA and community organizations give youth like Belynda and Roger the opportunity to go on life-changing experiences with Outward Bound California. None of this is possible without the scholarships OBCA offers. IT IS individual donations that make what seems financially impossible, possible. Yes, it was a previous generation of generous donors like you who changed Roger and Belynda's lives. Tomorrow (May 8th), we rappel to support the next generation of Rogers and Belyndas. Please join us with your financial support. It's worth it. https://lnkd.in/gMVc-mTU Roger's Journey with OBCA https://lnkd.in/gT34Rb9V

🌟 40 Years of Challenging Narratives, Expanding Possibilities: Join In4All's Celebration! 🌟 For four decades, In4All has been rewriting the story of what's possible for Oregon's youth. Now, it's time to amplify our impact! Imagine an Oregon where industry and education share the responsibility and benefits for engaging students who experience barriers rooted in issues of race, class, gender, disability, sexual orientation, and other historically marginalizing factors in creating a future of limitless possibilities. In4All is building that community. Will you join us? 🗓️ October 17, 2024 🕒 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM 📍 Tektronix Campus, Building 38, Beaverton, OR Three ways to make a difference: 1️⃣ Attend Our 40th Birthday Bash! Network with industry leaders and educators, and meet our new Executive Director Allie Cooper! Experience firsthand how we're fostering partnerships between business and education to boost student engagement. 🎟️ RSVP: [https://lnkd.in/gdVze_NE] 2️⃃ Bid in Our Silent Auction Your bids fund classroom activities and real-world work experiences that expand students' vision of their future. 🏷️ Start bidding: https://lnkd.in/gcszsPjJ 3️⃣ Make a Donation Help us continue challenging limiting beliefs and showing students that school is for them. 💰 Donate: [https://lnkd.in/gqQdJqnh] Every action you take helps create a world where all students can craft their own narratives about their futures. Together, we can show them that success is within reach. Will you help us write the next chapter of what’s possible for Oregon's youth?

I promise I'll post about my actual job (we have a new video to share about Mainframe mod and GenAI!) but as summer winds to a close I wanted to share a charity opportunity related to Golf: https://lnkd.in/g2i6mqfG Ultimately this is about helping kids lead healthier lives and is related to the amazing work that Jack and Barbara Nicklaus have done across the world to help kids heal and thrive with their Play Yellow initiative. My Wife Ashley and her colleague Kelli are going to play 72 holes of golf in one day and they are going to make it rain birdies. If you have a bit of a gambling mindset, you can make a donation based on the number of birdies they're going to make. You can also make an up-front donation. Note that this is focused on Colorado - ask your local pro if something is happening near you! Why is this on LinkedIn? Two reasons - first - this is really the only social media I do. I do so little I don't know if this actually counts as social media. Second - having married a professional golfer I've learned a lot about golf that has surprised me. Watching Ashley and her friends and colleagues navigate a male-dominated world (5% of PGA professionals are women. 5%!) is in many ways a clearer lens to the same challenges we see in technology. The backlash we've seen in some pockets of the world against fostering inclusion - one person's opinion here - ignores the reality that a diversity of thought and opinion makes teams better. Here's a golf example - when you're taking a golf lesson, you are incredibly vulnerable and it can be intimidating - no single approach works for everyone. Finding a coach that resonates with you (and this can be especially hard for women coming to the game, or children wanting to learn) is critical to your experience. There is not a long line to draw between this phenomenon and what we see in technology as leaders, mentors and peers. Also, golf is fundamentally a game of integrity - I've seen remarkable examples of leadership and integrity on the course (look up "Sahith Theegala penalty" for an unbelievable example recently) and again it reminds me of all the things we try to do as leaders and professionals in business. I've always liked the phrase "integrity is what happens when no one is looking" and if golf can help me and others to model that, there's more to the game than I thought. Let me close by saying - for those in the Northern Hemisphere - enjoy the last gasps of summer, whatever brings you outside to do so!

If you're unfamiliar with the Community Schools Model, which puts communities at the heart of education and schooling, or the work of Communities In Schools, the organization I work with which has been a beacon, a model and an active advocate of these ideals for decades, then start with this article. Now is the best time to educate ourselves about the benefits of this educational model so that we can advocate for policies and budgets that support this model of schooling during the current GA session and beyond! Reach out if you have questions! I love to share about the work we do! https://lnkd.in/eW8ukiJt

Little Free Library in Wasco: made by the community, for the community By: Sam Hoyle Posted at 5:18 PM, Jul 24, 2024, www.turnto23.com City of Wasco, California. 23ABC (KERO-TV) — Devin Lowe, a recent Wasco High School grad, is chasing his Eagle Scout honors. As part of the process, he opted to do his service project by constructing a Little Free Library for the public to use. 23ABC caught up with Lowe in front of his newly minted Little Free Library and noted he bounced around a few ideas before choosing to construct the library. Lowe said his goal was to provide access to #literature in his community, where library hours are limited and other factors could prohibit someone from visiting the library. Margret Aldrich, Director of Communications for the LFL #Nonprofit, said the bulk of #California's nearly 8,000 #library boxes can be found in metropolitan settings, and she said the group always finds it exciting to see one pop up in a rural community. According to the Nonprofit's website, prior to Lowe constructing his, there's only one Little Free Library in Wasco. Ian Anderson, MPA, Executive Director for the KERN LITERACY COUNCIL applauded the effort by Lowe to increase access to books, saying something like this project reduces the barrier to entry for people all around the area. full story: https://lnkd.in/gmtJ_yB3 #KernLiteracyCouncil empowers Kern County with #AdultLiteracy, #FamilyLiteracy, #ESLClasses, and #WorkplaceLiteracy. Support us by #Volunteering, #Donating, and #Advocating. Visit kernliteracy.org for more info.

🎓 #Education nonprofits are vital in filling gaps in the system and helping pave the way for schools, educators, and students to achieve lasting success. Find out how grantmakers can amplify their impact by including #SkillsBasedVolunteering and other #CapacityBuilding approaches in their strategies to strengthen education nonprofits: https://hubs.la/Q02LlH3M0. Together, we create a brighter future for the next generation! 🌟 AppleTree Institute for Education Innovation, JerseySTEM, More Than Bootstraps #philanthropy

If you're looking for a good cause to support for Amplify Austin today, please consider donating to the United Way of Greater Austin! One of the pivotal goals of their work is their focus on high-quality early care and education. The first five years of every person’s life are foundational. Studies show that a child’s experiences during those early years literally build the architecture of their brain. Every $1 invested in early childhood education results in a $7 return-on-investment that benefits: - Local families, whose focus and trust lies in their children receiving high-quality care and support while they are working, - Our local economy, because it thrives with the talents of parents in the workforce, and  - Our community, because children are tomorrow’s workforce and leaders. Supporting early childhood education strengthens our region into one where everyone can thrive. Donate now and make that vision a reality. https://lnkd.in/gZGmXfnv

Believe it or not, summer is right around the corner - what do your kids have planned? There's no shortage of enriching activities in and around Dubuque, and we are excited to kick off a campaign this week highlighting what summer learning looks like (hint: it's not just classrooms anymore!). After all, summer programs aren't just fun - they are great ways for kids to continue their learning while school is out. Check out the guide at dbqfoundation.org/summer #dubuque #dubuqueiowa #dubuqueia #iowa #summerlearning #summerenrichment #earlychildhood #earlylearning #readingproficiency #everychildreads #nonprofits #philanthropy #communityfoundation #communityfoundations

Consider donating to this wonderful non-profit organization that puts on the incredible "Summer YESS" Program! Bethany and I had the privilege of being invited last year to observe the program in action, and we witnessed firsthand the profound impact the kids, volunteers, and staff made on each other. The Summer YESS (Youth Education Summer Socialization) program offers opportunities that no other program can, creating a truly unique experience for everyone involved. Through the collaboration between AbilityPoint, Wichita’s USD 259, The Wichita Department of Park and Recreation, and Sedgwick County, YESS provides education, recreation, and socialization in a community setting. There is no other program like YESS in the nation, offering students, families, and the community a chance to develop friendships, build self-esteem, gain independence, and experience personal growth. Why Summer School? Special Education teachers spend approximately 85% of the fall quarter re-teaching what was lost over the summer. In YESS, students can continue in an educational setting, maintaining what they learned while developing new social skills. The students are challenged through fun educational activities relating to a weekly theme, providing a common goal for all the classes and creating an exciting learning environment. These themes unleash the students’ and teachers’ creativity, and the results are always exhilarating. Let’s support this amazing program and make a difference in the lives of these incredible students. Your donation can help keep the magic of YESS alive, ensuring that more kids can benefit from the exceptional opportunities it offers. Together, we can create a brighter future! Trade donations can be made through the link below. https://lnkd.in/ggSmh4sB #SummerYESSProgram #AbilityPoint #DonateNow #TradebankMember

Is your nonprofit helping Denver students prepare for postsecondary education? Your organization may qualify to partner with Prosperity Denver Fund to support your efforts in helping Denver students pursue education after high school. Learn how your organization could receive up to 75% reimbursement for scholarships AND support services for your students: https://buff.ly/3EvxuA9 #denvernonprofit #coloradononprofit #nonprofitresources #philanthropy #denvernonprofit #scholarships #scholarshipfund #highereducation #highereducationleadership #ProsperityInEducation #EducationMatters #AffordableEducationDenver #ScholarshipsForSuccessDenver