Paul Rosen Goes for the Grade

Grade Learning Partners with Paralympic Gold Medalist to Improve his Literacy

For Immediate Release:
September 22, 2010

TORONTO, ON: Determination and courage define Olympians and Paralympians; the same attributes characterize an adult who, after decades out of the school system, has decided to embark on an educational journey. Paul Rosen – 50, retired three-time Canadian Paralympian, Sledge Hockey Gold Medalist, motivational speaker and recent recipient of the prestigious March of Dimes Rick Hansen Award of Excellence – reads and writes at an elementary level and is on the path to change that. With the help of Grade Learning, Ontario’s largest full-service education provider, Rosen will be taking you along for the ride to improve his literacy. Rosen will be documenting and broadcasting his educational journey through a video blog entitled what’s next at gradelearning.ca, facebook.com/gradelearning, twitter.com/gradelearning and youtube.com/gradelearning.

A September 29th launch event beginning at 4:30 p.m. at 2300 Yonge Street (at Eglinton), Suite #902, in Toronto will celebrate the launch of the blog and introduce the new face of the Grade Learning brand. Rosen will speak about his decision to go back to school and Michael Bateman, President and CEO of Grade Learning, will speak to how Grade Learning will support and challenge Rosen along the way.

“I hope that by admitting to and improving upon my weaknesses, I can inspire others to do the same – athletes and non-athletes alike,” said Rosen.
After a life-altering hockey injury at the age of 15, Rosen’s life has had its share of challenges, most notably the loss of his right leg in 1999. Having graduated from high school based on athletic rather than academic performance, Rosen has reasonable anxiety and fear about his academic journey. “I’ve always been confident on the ice, but the classroom is another story. The staff at Grade Learning has been great at easing my fears and making me feel comfortable,” said Rosen.

“We need to remember that ability and disability do not have to define who we are and what we’re capable of achieving,” said Bateman. “Paul is perhaps the best example of a person who lets nothing stand in his way. We’re looking forward to working with him, overcoming challenges and celebrating successes along the way,” said Bateman.

MEDIA ARE INVITED TO ATTEND, RSVP INFORMATION BELOW

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, 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