GRADE LEARNING… what’s next.
< < Click here to return to the News Listings page
Brand launch event features new student: Paralympic Sledge Hockey Gold Medalist and Rick Hansen Award of Excellence Recipient, Paul Rosen
For Immediate Release:
September 15, 2010
TORONTO, ON: Change is afoot within Ontario’s largest full-service education provider. Grade Learning (formerly Grade Expectations Learning Centres) has undergone a brand makeover to mark its launch into the Career College, Private Secondary School, ESL and Corporate Training arenas.
A September 29th launch event beginning at 4:30 p.m. at 2300 Yonge Street (at Eglinton), Suite #902, in Toronto will celebrate the transformation and introduce Grade Learning as “what’s next” for Ontarians looking to advance their careers, employability or education.
“After 17 years of developing and delivering specialized training for adults and tutoring for kids, we are thrilled to be expanding into the Career College and Private School realms and broadening our tutoring and training offerings,” said Michael Bateman, President and CEO, Grade Learning. “There are several new additions and exciting developments taking shape and we can’t wait to show them off.”
Paul Rosen, a 50-year old retired three-time Canadian Paralympian and Sledge Hockey Gold Medalist who reads and writes at an elementary level is just one of the new additions to Grade Learning’s student roster and will spend the fall in the classroom rather than on the ice. Paul will kick off the launch event by sharing the story of his struggle with literacy and his journey toward self-improvement. Recently enrolled at Grade Learning, Paul will be documenting and broadcasting his educational journey through a video blog at gradelearning.ca, facebook.com/gradelearning, twitter.com/gradelearning and youtube.com/gradelearning.
In addition to helping launch the Grade Learning brand, Rosen will be celebrating his recent acceptance of the March of Dimes Rick Hansen Award of Excellence. The award is presented to rare individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the cause of persons with physical disabilities. Past recipients include the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, the Honourable David C. Onley (2007) and singer-songwriter, Justin Hines (2009). Rosen is set to receive the award September 24th.
“Even though I will soon be given this amazing honour, I’m constantly looking toward self-improvement and what’s next is the ideal way to describe what I’m going through,” said Rosen. “At 50, I’m looking forward to finally being able to confidently sign autographs, follow teleprompters and enjoy books or the newspaper, and I can’t wait to share this journey with the public and hopefully inspire others to realize their full potential.” Rosen’s educational journey will take him on a customized 6-month path.
“Illiteracy limits one’s life in every way – from ordering the same meals to traveling the same paths. The world becomes bigger with literacy and we’re looking forward to working with Paul, overcoming challenges and celebrating successes with him along the way,” said Bateman.
About Grade Learning:
Grade Learning (formerly Grade Expectations Learning Centres), Canadian owned and operated, has been a leader in individualized adult training and education since 1993. Highly qualified teachers and an individualized curriculum help learners achieve their education and training goals. With campuses across Ontario, Grade Learning has an experienced staff of approximately 250 who possess their Bachelors of Education or who are qualified Microsoft Office Specialist, Career College and TESL instructors.
About Paul Rosen:
Paul Rosen has competed in three Paralympic Games in Salt Lake City, Torino and Vancouver. His Sledge Hockey achievements include: World Championship Gold (2008), Japan Sledge Hockey International Gold (2008), World Sledge Hockey Challenge Gold (2007), Paralympic Gold – Torino (2006), the prestigious Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy, which recognizes hockey’s humanitarians and the March of Dimes Rick Hansen Award of Excellence. Rosen was the oldest rookie in the history of Paralympic Sledge Hockey and finished with a 55-15-1 record, a 1.04 goals against average and 25 shutouts in 72 career games. While playing hockey in 1975, Rosen broke his right leg in 14 places, which led to dozens of surgeries and eventual amputation in 1999. Today, Paul Rosen lives and works in Toronto and travels nationally as a motivational speaker.
Michael Bateman, President and CEO, Grade Learning is available for interviews.
Paul Rosen, Paralympian and Grade Learning student is available for interviews.
For Media Inquiries, high-resolution images or to RSVP:
Katie Hockton, theadlibgroup
T: 416.447.9686/800.467.7531
E: pr@theadlibgroup.com