Our Story
Three elementary schools in Rockford, Illinois were on the verge of being closed for poor performance.
Saul Serna, a business and life coach, had created a children’s coaching program based on 12 life lessons to help children “JUST BEE” the best they could be by implementing these 12 values presented in the program.
After meeting the superintendent, school principal and second grade teachers, they decided to implement the program with second graders at Jackson Elementary School in 2005 - 2006. The program was a success and two years later the school's academic results had improved drastically, and the school was off the closure list.
Four years later, our program was going strong, and we knew we were transforming the school, one student, one teacher, and one family at a time.
JUST BEE PROGRAM
Part 1
JUST BEE PROGRAM
Part 2
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Due to their good achievements and the transformation we were witnessing, we decided to improve the physical condition of the two second-grade classrooms and the school corridors. Together with a group of volunteers, we worked on an Extreme Transformation of the classrooms, and we gave them beautiful spaces that inspired teaching and learning, with vibrant colors, order and much needed love.
The program was working very well, and the 5th grade students were now the mentors of the new 2nd grade students. They got together once a week to mentor and lead by example, and we knew we were creating an environment of respect and appreciation for each student, teacher and the school; bulling was reduced drastically, almost eliminated and the academic results continued to improve.
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We continue coaching our program in other schools in Chicago, San Antonio, New York and Miami in the United States, villages in Nicaragua, schools in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and the Albergue infantil de Bogotá in Colombia, in both English and Spanish.
We have also taken the program to Kenya, where we not only implemented the program, in English, Spanish and Swahili, but assisted with the construction of the school, provide food for the students, water and the integral development of the community. In 2024 we had 8 classrooms, and we finish building the first Massai centric library, kindergartner classroom and provide internet to the community.
HOW IS THE PROGRAM TAUGHT?
The program's symbol is the hexagon, as it represents the strongest and most flexible structure in nature. Through 12 lessons, we strengthen character and build flexibility to embrace diversity.
