Ignite The Mind was founded in February of 2023 by Michelle Blue and Rachel Gates as they saw a need for a program to help support students in all of their various styles and aspects of learning and growing. This includes learners of all ages.
A public school classroom teacher for 19 years, Michelle has taught IB Chemistry, IB Biology, Physics, and Earth Science in high school and middle school. She’s also led tutoring and SAT/ACT school-wide test prep based on the training provided by a nationwide and very popular preparatory program with amazing results.
Seeing that the school system has been drastically changing for years, Michelle no longer felt that students were getting the support they needed. She set out to find a way to address this by building programs that support kids in the areas that each student needs, in the way that they need to learn. Teaming up with her daughter-in-law, Rachel, to improve the learning experience, Ignite the Mind was born.
They now have a great space in Conifer for kids to have fun and be comfortable while learning and offer several courses and test-prep classes along with an amazing summer STEAM camp.
Michelle's extensive knowledge and experience has allowed her to meet kids of all learning types and arrange the material in a way that best fits the individual student. With multiple degrees and teaching experience, not to mention a love of animals, she offers the potential to help her students gain confidence and ability in learning, and hopefully, they have some fun doing it.
Ignite The Mind is changing learning in a way that actually ignites a passion and joy for creative critical thinking.
"We focus on building confidence in all our students while finding their strengths and interests. We have found many fun ways to use kid's passions in their learning process so they feel more excited to expand their knowledge. We strive to be a safe and comfortable place for kids to be able to express where they are struggling and to ask for the help they need. We have had kids come in that have been below standard in their learning and within two months have tested at or exceeding standard level. Their confidence in themselves has grown and they now look for harder questions to challenge themselves." Confidence in learning. What a great approach.
Rachel, who is working on her Psychology degree, along with her role as coordinator, teaches fun and creative summer camp classes like photography, painting, jewelry making, and more, and comes in with many years as a nanny. Her work with elementary students with Homeschool enrichment and Fun Fridays at Platte Canyon contributes to the encouraging and inspiring atmosphere that is Ignite the Mind.
The Ignite the Mind Open House will be on Thursday, November 16, 2023, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm and will include:
- Music
- Food
- Drinks
- Games
- Prizes
Check out their new location and their new space and learn more about their organization and the exceptional courses they offer. Fun for the whole family!
Ignite the Mind is located at 11485 Old Hwy 285 Frontage Rd, Conifer, Colorado (720) 466-0152.
Learn more about Ignite the Mind here.
