What's The Beanstalk Project All About?
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The Beanstalk Project is all about helping students build their own paths to meaningful careers. More than that, we’re on a mission to reform education!
Everyone knows that too many students are disengaged (that's obvious), but we also see huge numbers of students who are hardworking but misguided. Too many people are on the wrong path for them. For both the disengaged and the misguided, the problem is the same: People have become disconnected from their own talents, goals, and desires; they have lost their sense of agency. The Beanstalk Project helps students regain their sense of agency, build their skills, and put themselves on a path to success that's meaningful for them! |
There's a lot we could tell you. If you don't want to read, just watch the videos, and you'll get the idea!
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How Can We Help?In a (kind of long) single sentence, here's our approach to making a difference:
We create unforgettable experiences by partnering with inspiring role models who deliver surprisingly engaging presentations that are impactful for participants and rewarding for organizers. We do:
Fun facts:
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Our 5 Promises To YouInspiring Role Models We work with facilitators and partner organizations who embody authenticity, generosity, and wisdom. Unforgettable Experiences We create events that are engaging, interactive, and rewarding for participants and organizers alike. Belief in Students We trust that everyone cares about something and wants to be successful in their own way. Simple to Organize We know educators are busy, so we make things easy to organize and ensure everyone looks good. Affordable for Education We understand that budgets are limited, and we find creative ways to make our programs accessible. |
Meet The Team!
We are a team of performers, edutainers, entrepreneurs, and generally inspiring people.
But, we all have a few things in common:
1. We care deeply about education and helping students.
2. We have all found our own unique paths to meaningful careers.
Beyond that, we're rather unique folks. Go ahead and read about us, watch the video, or better yet, get in touch!
But, we all have a few things in common:
1. We care deeply about education and helping students.
2. We have all found our own unique paths to meaningful careers.
Beyond that, we're rather unique folks. Go ahead and read about us, watch the video, or better yet, get in touch!
Joel Hilchey FOunder & Director Joel teaches at McMaster University, and he speaks and writes about leadership, success, and creating a better world. A true renaissance man, he is a juggler, barbershop quartet singer, occasional yogi, and father of 3 kids - two of whom were born on the same day. 
Andrew Giordano Facilitator Andrew is a professionally trained circus artist. He fast-tracked a university degree to go join the circus. In fact, he used performance to conquer an anxiety disorder. He is the founder of the Youth Circus Project and has performed for audiences around the world. 
Jenna Goodhand Facilitator Jenna is known for her creative and out-of-the-box business and community initiatives. For the past decade she has been focused on coaching and consulting entrepreneurs and small businesses, while also training and presenting at public and corporate events. She hosts a local TV show, runs a community centre out of an old farmhouse, and will probably own a pet pig one day. 
Amy Tepperman FACILITATOR Amy is a former dancer and digital animator turned education entrepreneur, TEDx speaker and founder of Moving EDGEucation When she’s not immersed in all things education you can still catch Amy at the latest Pixar movie or dancing in her living room like nobody’s watching! |
Brandon Love Senior Facilitator Brandon is a magician, speaker, and coach, and he helps people learn to achieve the impossible. He's also a certified teacher, hypnotist, and member of the world-famous Magic Castle. He wrote a book about creativity with Joel, and is a fan of corny jokes. 
Anto Chan Facilitator Anto is a performance artist, producer and mentor. His life’s work is to inspire underrepresented BIPOC to share their unique experiences through comedy, poetry & storytelling. He is currently working on a kid’s joke book and loves skateboarding! 
Chelsea Duckworth Executive Assitant Chelsea comes from a big family and has earned the title of the ‘cool aunt’. She is an athlete that dabbles in all sports… the latest being golf! Just like her hobbies, Chelsea has her hands in everything at The Beanstalk Project - helping the team wherever she is needed most! 
Rob Kiss DIGITAL MEDIA SPECIALIST Rob is a photographer with an eye for great moments and an ear for terrible puns. When he's not behind the camera shooting the Beanstalk Team, he’s either juggling camera lenses or juggling time on the ship with his friends… the friend-ship, see what I mean? |
Melanie Miles Business manager Melanie has a passion for helping people and seeing youth succeed! She has an entre-preneurial spirit, having run her own children's theatre company for 13+ years! With her film background, she brings a wealth of experience & skill to media production & is always seeing how she can help fabulous educators. 
Calder Hutchinson Facilitator Calder spends most of his time teaching math and chess, and occasionally writing spooky tales. He used to mess around with DNA, but found the microbes and fish he was working with to be poor conversationalists. He is currently editing an anthology about ham sandwiches. 
Luis Serrano Facilitator Luis is a life coach, facilitator & motivational speaker. He is obsessed with maximizing human potential through the power of play! He has studied positive psychology, practiced & performed improv for over 8 years & facilitated hundreds of public and corporate workshops. 
Janice DeSilva-Pearcey Business Development for Joel Hilchey Speaking Janice is the "mature" (read: older!) member of the team! After having spent 30 years working for hotels & welcoming change leadership speakers such as Joel to conferences & events - she now gets to be on the other side of the coin & plans for Joel to go to these same conferences & events!! An avid dog lover, Janice has rescue "puppies" DJ & Abbie, and can be found most mornings watching the sunrise over Lake Ontario! |
Imagine a world where every student was building their own path...
Too many students think they can't. We think that's a problem.
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The Beanstalk Project PhilosophyThe problem with most leadership development programs is that they only work for about 20% of students.
Too many students can't see the application for the skills they're learning, and without an application, they just don't retain it. Unfortunately, too much of school is focused on "getting to the next thing" or being useful at some distant point in time - "in the real world" - as if students' present lives aren't real! Sure - some students will be engaged no matter what, but the feelings of irrelevance are especially high amongst the other 80% - the ones who often need it most! We've run hundreds of programs, and we've seen even the most disengaged student turn into a star contributor. How? The secret is in helping people buy in. By using project-based learning, the skill-development is immediately valuable. By connecting ideas with stuff the students care about, they connect with intrinsic motivation. By making the workshops interactive and relevant, students can't help but be engaged. Here's what we believe:
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