News

KidsTek offered computer classess during the Aurora Youth 4 Success program this past summer at Overland High School in conjunction with the Aurora Youth Collaborative (AYC). 

The Aurora Youth Collaborative (AYC) was founded by a group of concerned citizens in Aurora, Colorado that saw the need to create a future “Hope Center” for Aurora that encompasses the resources needed for youth to recreate, study, network, socialize, access computers, develop work force ready skills, health sources, and receive assistance with judicial matters.

Planning is already underway to repeat this program again during the summer of 2010.

To learn more information about Youth 4 Success go to www.RMRPI.org

Steve Kessler, KidsTek's most veteran instructor, has been mentioned in a book, "The Business of Changing Lives" by Allan Wells.

The author "describes the unusual business model that enabled [his company] to create the backbone of the Internet-- the same business model he and similar visionaries have used to help low-income youth find high-tech jobs and give inner-city achievers powerful opportunities."

In the book, Steve is noted for both his work at KidsTek, and for his own company, Denver DataMan.

Read Steve's blog post about the book here.

And see the book listed on Amazon.com here.

Congratulations, Steve!

Andrew Bissland, KidsTek Program Director, has announced the program locations for the new school year.

KidsTek has begun its fall classes at these Aurora schools:

• Vaughn Elementary School
• Fletcher Elementary School
• North Middle School
• South Middle School
• East Middle School
• West Middle School
• Central High School

And, at these Denver Schools:

• Stedman Elementary School
• Pioneer Charter School
• Cole Arts and Science Academy
• Manual High School

As of January, KidsTek will be adding four more school sites in Denver!

 
The KidsTek summer class at Overland High School is in its second week.  During the first week of the class, students were treated to guest speakers from College in Colorado and The Colorado School of Mines.  This week, students are focusing on online job-hunting skills and are crafting professional resumes with Microsoft Word.  Next week (the final week of class) students will conduct mock interview sessions with professionals from the business community, and those students with a complete attendance record will be going home with a free refurbished computer at the end of the course.
 
The students had a number of positive comments about their visit from Jahi Simbai, the Director of Graduate Admissions for the Colorado School of Mines:
 
"You inspired me to go to college and continue my education after high school."

• 9th Grade Student

"It’s a good thing you told us about how serious it is to stay focused and keep your target in mind as a goal."

• 10th Grade Student

"Many people doubt my ability and capability of doing things because of my work ethic, but when you told [me] that I actually have a chance even though I messed my freshman year horribly I actually got some of my self esteem back and I was intrigued by the fact that colleges like [to see] improvement."

• 11th Grade Student

"The lesson you gave informed many students that were thinking of continuing their education after high school.  Sharing your own experiences about your schooling was very useful for the students, for those who do plan on going to a university know what to expect."

• 12th Grade Student