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Believe and Achieve
 The theme for 2015-2016, "Believe and Achieve" has been at the core of what guides us at Pathways since the first school opened its doors. Our credo begins with the words, "We believe our students can...." That credo drives our individualized education and therapy sessions, as well as the array of programs, workshops, internships, field trips, and projects that enhance the students' experience at Pathways. Belief is a two-way street: our teachers, therapists, and staff believe their students can learn, and the students begin to believe in themselves. After sometimes years of failure before coming to Pathways, students discover that they truly can overcome obstacles and succeed. Confidence grows, and that enables the students to try new things and new ways of seeing themselves, building a foundation that encourages learning, independence, and leadership.
It doesn't happen overnight, or without effort. Consistent, patient teaching, with lessons tailored to each student's needs is essential. Also key is the daily, positive therapeutic environment. Additionally, the schools are enriched by innovative programs that round out the students' experience. These include academic supports like KP Scholars; transition programs that help students with work- and job-readiness; career counseling and assistance finding post-secondary education; the Young Entrepreneurship Program, HoopEd, arts-integrated residencies, therapeutic horseback riding, and more. We hope that you will enjoy reading about these and following the stories of our students as they "believe and achieve" this year and beyond.
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Thandor Miller speaks at All-Staff Day
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Thandor Miller speaking to Pathways staff
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Pathways staff gathers before school begins each year for a day of inspiration and training. This year the day's keynote speaker and workshop leader was Thandor Miller, Director of Training and Youth Development Practice at DC Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation. His title says little about what he truly is: one of the most insightful, provocative, honest, experienced, wise, and effective voices in guiding those who want to teach, mentor, and simply reach young people who struggle (for whatever reason) with huge emotional and behavioral challenges. Labeled "at risk", "urban", "EBD", "delinquent" "underprivileged", these are the students who find their way to Pathways door.
Miller's approach is to look beyond and behind the student's posture, attitude, words (or silence), to listen to and seek to understand what for many teachers and social workers is a very different culture, language, and world from their own. What Miller shares with Pathways staff is a passion for working with these often discounted and misunderstood young people, and his words struck deep chords throughout the day.
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