Career Planning That Keeps You Moving Forward
Acknowledgement
"Learning is an ongoing process. All students are capable of learning when their individual learning styles are honored. Dedicated and talented teachers should work together to maximize student achievement by meeting their individual learning needs."
 |
The above is a direct quote from Dr. Carole B. Ricotta, an educator with more than 40 years of experience teaching students from elementary school to college. Dr. Ricotta has been an inspiration to me from the first day I was introduced to her in 2002 by her son, Frank Ricotta. In 1999, Frank and I served for a short time on the Board of Directors of the Colorado Institute for Technology Transfer and Implementation (CITTI) where we joined other professionals engaged by providing technology-centered enterprises with access to capital and business information |
In 2002, two years after the famed collapse of "DOTCOM, I redirected my attention towards social entrepreneurial endeavors. Among these endeavors was the development of alternative education programs that could be deployed nationwide in partnership with local nonprofits already engaged in youth development. Early in the structuring of the business, I concluded that a number of business relationships would be necessary if we were to be successful. Some of these relationships included technology providers (assessment tools and online curriculum), collaborative partnerships with various local non-profit organizations, and experienced educators. Ultimately, Dr. Ricotta became our master educator and the soul of the efforts going forward.
In 2003/2004 school year, in partnership with the Urban League of the Pikes Peak Region (ULPPR), Dr. Ricotta and I successfully developed and deployed a state approved supplemental education services (SES) program known as the Ricotta Opportunity Center (ROC) in Colorado Springs Colorado. This program was based on the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2002. The ROC Center ran for three consecutive years in both Denver and Colorado Springs.
We didn't make any money during this period. In fact, we spent a great deal in time, money, and other resources. Our greatest reward was the gratification of helping kids who were in great need of assistance. THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT!
It was during this time that Dr. Ricotta made the statement at the top of this page, which has become the basis of my understanding about academic growth development. I owe much to Dr. Ricotta because she set the standard for the work I have been doing every since. I will always attempt to live up to her integrity and unselfish commitment to helping America's youth improve academically.
 |
Getting the ROC Center launched was no easy task. Before our program was accepted for use by local schools, we had to invest countless hours and other resources demonstrating the effectiveness of the program. Dr. Ricotta gave of her time and talents working direct with the kids of Colorado Springs, D-11, John Adams Elementary School, our first pilot school. None of us were ever compensated for this effort! Ultimately, we were rewarded by the measurable improvement in the academic outcomes of many of the students enrolled in our program. |
It was during this time that Dr. Ricotta made the statement at the top of this page, which has become the basis of my understanding about academic growth development. I owe much to Dr. Ricotta because she set the standard for the work I have been doing every since. I will always attempt to live up to her integrity and unselfish commitment to helping America's youth improve academically.
Indeed, learning is an ongoing process.
All learning takes time and a commitment to self-improvement.
Thank you Dr. Carole B. Ricotta
Samuel C. Harrell
