What is ICAN?
At the core, ICAN is an interactive video curriculum for elementary students that is being launched in classrooms across the Commonwealth of Kentucky. In collaboration with the Kentucky Department of Education and Office of the Lieutenant Governor, ICAN involves a masterclass that helps students learn to set goals, create a plan to reach those goals, overcome obstacles along the way, and ultimately believe in their ability to impact the world in a positive way.
Classrooms that participate in this interactive curriculum earn a certificate with the Governor’s seal recognizing their participation. Every child who completes the curriculum goes home with a copy of the children’s book Kennedy wrote, “I Can” so they can carry the lessons home with them.
ICAN is designed to inspire the hearts and captivate the imaginations of students in a fun accessible way. However, the curriculum goes beyond that. We practically equip students with tutorials on setting measurable and achievable goals, creating plans, taking actionable steps, trouble-shooting the obstacles, and developing the mental fortitude to overcome challenges.
These lessons will reap lifelong benefits for every student participating.
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Our Goal
By the end of the year 2020, our goal is to have ICAN’s interactive masterclass implemented in 739 elementary schools across Kentucky. By the end of 2021, our goal is to have 60,000 copies of my book in the hands of children.
Education is the bedrock of achievement and getting books into the hands of kids is the bedrock of education. As time goes on, the ICAN initiative will only grow and expand to reach students of all ages. ICAN’s slogan is “I can for my community, and I can for me.” It means that if we work hard enough, we can achieve great things in our life, and if we love deep enough, our dreams will be about uplifting the people around us.
The cumulative impact of captivating the hearts of the next generation with stories of service and equipping students with tools of achievement is too large to measure. However, we can be certain ICAN will change the cultural landscape of Kentucky forever. It brings me so much joy to know that something I created is helping others in a meaningful way. Now more than ever our world needs to hear content deeply steeped in hope, optimism, and perseverance.
ICAN is the movement that totes that message.