PLPGH Overview

While schools are exploring many new strategies, personalized learning is gaining traction as an integral part of a broader K-12 transformation. Educators are increasingly recognizing the urgency to change, but it is difficult for individual schools to unilaterally tackle the complex systemic change needed to move to a more student-centered and personalized model – one that’s better aligned with the rapidly shifting demands of today’s workforce.

Recognizing the need for better and deeper collaboration, progressive leaders in Southwestern Pennsylvania have joined forces to create the Pittsburgh Personalized Learning Network (PLPGH). The team includes six members of the prestigious Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools and a range of pioneering educators from across the region. PLPGH is also a partner with Remake Learning — a nationally recognized network of nearly 500 schools and organizations in SWPA that have embraced the future of teaching and learning.

Overview

The Professional Barber Institute (PBI) is a school where certified barber teachers instruct students for the 1250 hours of practical and theory training needed to take the Pennsylvania State Board Exam to obtain a barber license. The mission of the Professional Barber Institute (PBI) is to provide affordable and accessible barber and entrepreneurial training to under-served residents in Pittsburgh’s East End community. Students are also paired with mentors who are experienced barbers and barber shop owners. PBI offers haircuts and other barber services to the general public performed by PBI students under the supervision of a licensed barber teacher, at a reasonable cost. This teaching environment mimics that of a real barber shop, allowing students to practice barbering with greater confidence. The 1250 hours of practical and theory training is covered in a 10 month program.

After completion of the required nine month program of study, PBI requires an additional month of training designed to prepare students for the Pennsylvania barber licensing exam by providing a thorough review of the program material, and instruction in test preparation and test taking strategies. Students who have passed the licensing exam will be provided with resume and portfolio preparation assistance, as well as help with all aspects of their job search. With their barber licenses, our graduates will be able to obtain living wage employment and/or open their own barbershops. A comprehensive database is being utilized to track and measure the outcomes and successes of PBI students.

Student Assistance Needed

In order to assist our students with completing the barbering program, we are looking for agencies and organizations to sponsor a portion of their tuition costs, barbering supplies and textbooks.

Location

Professional Barber Institute is located at 8862 Frankstown Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15235 and is easily accessible by the 77S/L Port Authority Bus. PBI is adjacent to the Homewood area and minutes away from East Hills, Penn Hills and Wilkinsburg.

Hours of Operation

PBI operates Monday thru Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Hours will soon increase to include evening and weekend classes as well.

Contacting PBI Staff

• Visit our website at www.professionalbarberinstitute.com. Click the CONTACT tab and click on the “contact us” link. Complete the brief online form.
• Contact us by email us at pbipgh@gmail.com  or nenaansari@gmail.com  
• Contact us by phone at (412) 723-2253 or  call Nena Ansari at (412) 961-2991

Stairways to Success is an out of school learning program which provides equitable resources and access that will lead to student’s ability to make attainable matriculation from high-school to post-secondary education opportunities for underrepresented youth.

Stairways to Success will provide the following services to better prepare students in making the best informed decision about their future:

• Academic Advising
• College Tours
• Community Service
• Comprehensive financial plan related to education options
• Monitoring academic success with family and students
• Mentoring |Leadership
• Networking Events |Guest Speakers
• Post-Secondary education opportunities (college /trade)
• Possible Scholarship opportunities

PGH in 360: Youth Perspectives is a program in which local youth produce 360-degree videos that tell their stories and provide their views on their neighborhoods and the city of Pittsburgh. Through this impactful and innovative medium, adults in positions of power get to walk for a while in the shoes of local young people and hear voices that are rarely included in discussions of civic life, growth, and change in Pittsburgh.

Youth in the program will acquire the technical proficiency to create finished products in the new medium of 360 video. These foundational skills can be applied in marketing, training, and other business purposes as 360 video is increasingly adopted in a range of industries. The project thus contributes to the ability of young people in Pittsburgh to participate in the new tech economy. They will also gain confidence in self-expression through telling their stories in 360 and through speaking publicly about their videos. Local officials, corporations, educational institutions, and others in positions of power will gain insight into the experiences and views of youth in the city and will therefore be better able to address the needs of young people and to facilitate their participation in civic life and the local economy as they enter adulthood.

The program will be implemented in the summer of 2018 through partnerships with community organizations based in neighborhoods around the city, with teams of 3-5 youth participating at each site. Through a series of workshops held at each location, students are coached on the basics of shooting videos with the Samsung Gear 360 camera and are taught simple editing techniques, including adding titles and transitions. They will also learn how 360 video requires a different approach to storytelling than traditional video. The community partners will keep the cameras, and the first cohort of young videographers will be able to teach others to use them for future projects. The project thus helps build the capacity of local organizations.

Of the 650,000 ex-offenders released from prison in the U.S. this year, two-thirds will find themselves back behind bars within three years. The rest will face unemployment rates 30% higher than the general public. Revival Chili believes in second chances. With our food truck and restaurant, Revival Chili provides employees with job training, personal mentoring, and hands-on experience. By teaching them skills in entrepreneurship, employees are given the tools necessary to go on to start their own businesses.

Revival Chili’s primary goal is to teach employees to become leaders that can go on to create or lead sustainable businesses. The business will provide first-hand experience managing a business, positively interacting with consumers, and the ins and outs of purchasing. Revival Chili hopes to change the negative connotations associated with ex-convicts and build a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem, while staying environmentally conscientious with every business decision.