Help us Start Apprentice Academy
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My Story
Hi. My name is Barry Ross and I am the founder and principal of Apprentice Academy of North Carolina. I have been a special education teacher, a high school assistant principal and an alternative school principal. I am also a retired United States Army officer in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Service to my country includes two combat deployments to Iraq. My first deployment occurred during the first democratic elections held in Iraq. I was responsible for ensuring that the Ninewah Provincial Council located in Mosul, Iraq were properly trained to lead their people. I did this in coordination with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). During my second deployment, I was the Economics team Chief for the 10th Mountain Division headquartered in Baghdad, Iraq. I was responsible for coordinating job creation and housing construction for Iraqi civilians in the provinces south of Baghdad.
Apprentice Academy Origins
The idea for Apprentice Academy is a direct result of needs that were uncovered during my time as a principal. During a career day presentation at my school, one of our invited guests was an electrician who owned a large, local electrical contracting business. He planted the seed in the minds of my students for taking up the skilled trades and the life time earnings they could expect. he went on to describe the career path for electricans including the apprenticeship.
For me, it was like the blinding flash of the obvious. This was the major component to my school that was missing-a vocational pathway for students who are capable of going on to college but are looking for another path. Providing students with the skills they need for high paying jobs, in high demand fields , using thier minds and their hands was the education they would value. Like adults, if students value something, they'll put the required effort in to make it happen.
Look we're on the news!
http://www.fox46charlotte.com/good-day/233703879-video#/.WJXvjXifK8Y.facebook
The need is real!
The need for this school is real. We lose more skilled tradesmen and high tech manufacturing employees to retirement than we are able to replace. News reports such as this one are clear indicators of this need:
http://unioncountyweekly.com/education/2016/07/community-helping-to-bridge-the-skilled-workers-gap/
Our open the doors budget
Every dollar donated will go towards the initial opening the doors start up budget for our first class of 45 students in grades 8-10:
Wages for 1 principal, 2 teachers and 2 teacher assistants:
$60,000
Operational Expenses for rent, utilities, internet access, office supplies, instructional software, computers, equipment and furniture :
$60,000
Grand Total:
$120,000
Hi. My name is Barry Ross and I am the founder and principal of Apprentice Academy of North Carolina. I have been a special education teacher, a high school assistant principal and an alternative school principal. I am also a retired United States Army officer in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Service to my country includes two combat deployments to Iraq. My first deployment occurred during the first democratic elections held in Iraq. I was responsible for ensuring that the Ninewah Provincial Council located in Mosul, Iraq were properly trained to lead their people. I did this in coordination with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). During my second deployment, I was the Economics team Chief for the 10th Mountain Division headquartered in Baghdad, Iraq. I was responsible for coordinating job creation and housing construction for Iraqi civilians in the provinces south of Baghdad.
Apprentice Academy Origins
The idea for Apprentice Academy is a direct result of needs that were uncovered during my time as a principal. During a career day presentation at my school, one of our invited guests was an electrician who owned a large, local electrical contracting business. He planted the seed in the minds of my students for taking up the skilled trades and the life time earnings they could expect. he went on to describe the career path for electricans including the apprenticeship.
For me, it was like the blinding flash of the obvious. This was the major component to my school that was missing-a vocational pathway for students who are capable of going on to college but are looking for another path. Providing students with the skills they need for high paying jobs, in high demand fields , using thier minds and their hands was the education they would value. Like adults, if students value something, they'll put the required effort in to make it happen.
Look we're on the news!
http://www.fox46charlotte.com/good-day/233703879-video#/.WJXvjXifK8Y.facebook
The need is real!
The need for this school is real. We lose more skilled tradesmen and high tech manufacturing employees to retirement than we are able to replace. News reports such as this one are clear indicators of this need:
http://unioncountyweekly.com/education/2016/07/community-helping-to-bridge-the-skilled-workers-gap/
Our open the doors budget
Every dollar donated will go towards the initial opening the doors start up budget for our first class of 45 students in grades 8-10:
Wages for 1 principal, 2 teachers and 2 teacher assistants:
$60,000
Operational Expenses for rent, utilities, internet access, office supplies, instructional software, computers, equipment and furniture :
$60,000
Grand Total:
$120,000
Organizer
Barry Ross
Organizer
Waxhaw, NC