{"id":205,"date":"2009-12-31T17:38:25","date_gmt":"2009-12-31T17:38:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/plato-apa.futurenode.com\/?page_id=205"},"modified":"2025-04-01T14:16:41","modified_gmt":"2025-04-01T21:16:41","slug":"pre-college-philosophy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/plato-philosophy.org\/pre-college-philosophy\/","title":{"rendered":"Starting A Philosophy Program"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"751\" height=\"191\" src=\"https:\/\/www.plato-philosophy.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/top.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3818\" srcset=\"https:\/\/plato-philosophy.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/top.png 751w, https:\/\/plato-philosophy.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/top-600x153.png 600w, https:\/\/plato-philosophy.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/top-300x76.png 300w, https:\/\/plato-philosophy.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/top-750x191.png 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 751px) 100vw, 751px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-heading\" id=\"getting-started\">Getting Started<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">PLATO\u2019s core mission is to ensure access to philosophy programs for all students of any age. We provide support and resources for philosophy programs across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">If you are considering starting a philosophy program, below are some questions to consider.<\/p>\n\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t#slider-and-text .slider-flex {\n\t\tdisplay: flex;\n\t\talign-items: center;\n\t\tposition: relative;\t\n\t\tcolumn-gap: 80px;\n\t}\n\t#slider-and-text .slides {\n\t\twidth: 50%;\t\n\t}\n\t#slider-and-text .slide {\n\t\twidth: 100%;\n\t\theight: 0;\n\t\tpadding-bottom: 60%;\t\n\t\tbackground-color: white;\n\t}\t\n\t#slider-and-text h4 { font-size: 28px; color: var(--deep-sea); margin-bottom: 20px; }\n\t#slider-and-text .text {\n\t\twidth: 50%;\t\n\t}\n\t#slider-and-text .text .optional-logo {\n\t\twidth: 300px;\n\t\tmax-width: 100%;\n\t\tmix-blend-mode: multiply;\t\n\t\tmargin: -50px 0 0 -20px;\n\t}\n\t#slider-and-text .text .optional-logo img { mix-blend-mode:multiply;}\n\t#slider-and-text .owl-nav, #slider-and-text .owl-dots { display: none; }\n\t#slider-and-text {\n\t\tpadding: 50px 0 50px;\n\t\tposition: relative;\t\n\t\tmargin: 50px 0 50px;\n\t}\n\t#slider-and-text .owl-carousel .owl-stage-outer { box-shadow: 0 0 30px var(--deep-sea); }\n\t@media screen and (max-width: 1200px) {\n\t\t.slider-flex {\n\t\t\tdisplay: block !important;\n\t\t}\n\t\t#slider-and-text .slides {\n\t\t\twidth: 800px;\n\t\t\tmax-width: 100%;\n\t\t\tmargin: 0 auto 50px;\t\t\n\t\t}\n\t\t#slider-and-text .text {\n\t\t\twidth: 100%;\t\t\n\t\t}\n\t}\n\t@media screen and (max-width: 768px) {\n\t\n\t}\n<\/style>\n<section id=\"slider-and-text\">\n\t<div class=\"slider-flex\">\n\t\t<div class=\"slides owl-carousel\"><div class=\"slide\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/plato-philosophy.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/mark-516279_1920.jpg); background-size: cover; background-position: center center; background-repeat:no-repeat;\"><\/div><div class=\"slide\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/plato-philosophy.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/pexels-tima-miroshnichenko-5685770.jpg); background-size: cover; background-position: center center; background-repeat:no-repeat;\"><\/div><div class=\"slide\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/plato-philosophy.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/teamwork-2499638_1920.jpg); background-size: cover; background-position: center center; background-repeat:no-repeat;\"><\/div><\/div>\t\t<div class=\"text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4>What organizational structure will work best?<\/h4>\n\t\t\t<p><p>Philosophy programs can take a variety of forms.&nbsp; If you work at a college or university, you could create a&nbsp;program hosted by your institution with help from your department or the office of community engagement, for example. If you work in a private or public school, you might offer a class, summer camp, or after-school program.<\/p>\n<p>Or perhaps forming a nonprofit organization would work best for you. Starting a nonprofit organization offers several advantages, including independence and the ability to apply for grants and to solicit and accept tax-deductible donations. However, you must put together a board of directors, apply to the federal government for tax-exempt status, follow federal and state legal requirements for nonprofit organizations, and operate without the institutional support a college or university can offer.<\/p>\n<p>If you have connections to or are affiliated with a local university of college, creating a program hosted there allows you to tap into your institution&rsquo;s resources. However, university funding is often unreliable, and your work will be governed by the institution&rsquo;s policies and rules. Your program will also be eligible for grants and private donations (gifts to universities and colleges are generally tax-deductible), though there might be restrictions on your ability to apply for various grants.<\/p><\/p>\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<script>\njQuery(document).ready(function ($) {\n\t$('.slides').owlCarousel({\n\t\t\tloop:true,\n\t\t\tautoplay:true,\n\t\t\tautoplayTimeout: 4000,\n\t\t\tautoplayHoverPause:true,\n\t    \tmargin:0,\n\t    \tnav:true,\n\t    \tslideBy:1,\n\t    \tresponsive:{\n\t        0:{\n\t            items:1\t\t\n\t        }\t        \n\t    \t}\t  \n\t  });\t\n});\n<\/script>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t#fw-bg-content {\n\t\twidth: 1200px;\n\t\tmargin: 0 auto 120px;\n\t\tmax-width: 100%;\t\n\t\tposition: relative;\n\t\tpadding: 50px 0 50px;\n\t\tmargin: 0px auto 150px;\n\t}\n\t#fw-bg-content .fw-bg {\n\t\tposition: absolute;\n\t\ttop: 0;\n\t\tleft: 50%;\n\t\twidth: 100vw;\n\t\theight: 100%;\n\t\ttransform: translate(-50%,0);\n\t\tz-index: 0;\t\n\t}\n\t#fw-bg-content .fw-bg-content-box {\n\t\tposition: relative;\t\n\t}\n\t#fw-bg-content .content-box {\n\t\twidth: 100%;\n\t\ttext-align: center;\t\n\t}\n\t#fw-bg-content .fw-bg-flex {\n\t\tdisplay: flex;\n\t\talign-items: center;\t\n\t}\n\t#fw-bg-content .fw-bg-image {\n\t\twidth: 30%;\n\t\tmargin: 0 auto 0 0;\t\n\t}\n\t#fw-bg-content .fw-bg-flex .content-box {\n\t\twidth: 65%;\t\n\t\ttext-align: left;\n\t}\n\t#fw-bg-content .fw-block-title {\n\t\tcolor: white;\n\t\tfont-size: 50px;\n\t\tfont-family: 'Roboto';\n\t\tmargin-bottom: 20px;\t\n\t}\n\t#fw-bg-content .fw-block-lede {\n\t\tfont-size: 30px;\n\t\tcolor: white;\n\t\tmargin-bottom: 10px;\t\n\t}\n\t#fw-bg-content .fw-block-highlighter {\n\t\tcolor: var(--indian-yellow);\n\t\tbackground: none;\n\t\tpadding: 10px 20px;\t\n\t\tfont-size: 24px;\n\t\tfont-weight: bold;\n\t\twidth: max-content;\n\t\tmax-width: 100%;\n\t\tmargin: 0 auto;\n\t}\n\t.fw-bg-bottom-border {\n\t\tposition: absolute;\n\t\tbottom: -119px;\n\t\tleft: 50%;\n\t\twidth: 100vw;\n\t\theight: 120px;\n\t\ttransform: translate(-50%,0);\t\n\t}\n\t.fw-bg-bottom-border svg {\n\t\twidth: 100%;\n\t\theight: 100%;\t\n\t}\n\t.scroll-down {\n\t\tposition: absolute;\n\t\tbottom: -50px;\t\n\t\tleft: 50%;\n\t\ttransform: translate(-50%,0);\n\t}\n\t.scroll-down p {\n\t\tcolor: white;\n\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\twidth: 100%;\t\n\t\tfont-size: 14px;\n\t\tmargin-bottom: 5px;\n\t}\n\t.scroll-down i {\n\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\tposition: relative;\n\t\tanimation: 1.5s scrollDown linear infinite;\n\t\tdisplay: block;\t\n\t\tcolor: white;\n\t\tfont-size: 22px;\n\t}\n\t@keyframes scrollDown {\n\t\t0% {\n\t\t\ttop: 0px;\n\t\t\topacity: 1;\n\t\t}\n\t\t100% {\n\t\t\ttop: 50px;\n\t\t\topacity: 0;\t\t\n\t\t}\n\t}\n\t.fw-block-cta { width: max-content; margin: 0 auto; }\n\t.fw-block-cta button {\n\t\tbackground: var(--steel-blue);\n\t\tcolor: white;\t\n\t}\n\t.fw-block-cta button:hover {\n\t\tbackground: white;\n\t\tcolor: var(--deep-sea);\t\n\t}\n\t@media screen and (max-width: 1200px) {\n\t\n\t}\n\t@media screen and (max-width: 1024px) {\n\t\t#fw-bg-content .fw-block-lede {\n\tfont-size: 18px;\n\tcolor: white;\n\tmargin-bottom: 10px;\n}\n\t#fw-bg-content .fw-block-title {\n\tcolor: white;\n\tfont-size: 36px;\n\tfont-family: 'Roboto';\n\tmargin-bottom: 20px;\n}\n\t}\n\t@media screen and (max-width: 768px) {\n\t\t#fw-bg-content {\n\tpadding: 20px 0 0px;\n}\t\n\t}\n<\/style>\n<section id=\"fw-bg-content\">\n\t<div class=\"fw-bg\" style=\"background-color: var(--deep-sea);\"><\/div>\n\t<div class=\"fw-bg-content-box\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"content-box\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"fw-block-title\">Do you want to work with elementary or secondary school students?<\/div>\t\t\t<div class=\"fw-block-lede\">If you are new to teaching philosophy to younger students, you may find working with high school students an easier transition. However, it is often easier to gain access to elementary schools.<\/div>\t\t\t<div class=\"fw-block-highlighter\">Click the READ MORE box below for information  on different kinds of phllosophy programs for elementary, middle and high schools.<\/div>\t\t\t<div class=\"fw-block-cta\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.plato-philosophy.org\/starting-philosophy-programs-in-schools\/\"><button>READ MORE<\/button><\/a><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"fw-bg-bottom-border\">\n\t\t<svg  data-name=\"Layer 1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 1200 120\" preserveAspectRatio=\"none\" ><path  d=\"M1200 0L0 0 598.97 114.72 1200 0z\" class=\"shape-fill\" fill=\"var(--deep-sea)\" fill-opacity=\"1\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.plato-philosophy.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/pexels-fauxels-3182796-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15566\" srcset=\"https:\/\/plato-philosophy.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/pexels-fauxels-3182796-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/plato-philosophy.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/pexels-fauxels-3182796-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/plato-philosophy.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/pexels-fauxels-3182796-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/plato-philosophy.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/pexels-fauxels-3182796.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\" id=\"who-should-be-involved-in-designing-a-philosophy-program\">Who should be involved in designing a philosophy program?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\" id=\"stakeholders-include\">Stakeholders include:<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t#text-grid {\n\t\tpadding: 50px 0;\t\n\t}\n\t.text-grid {\n\t\tdisplay: grid;\n\t\tgrid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr 1fr;\n\t\tcolumn-gap: 50px;\n\t\trow-gap: 50px;\t\n\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t}\n@media screen and (max-width: 1200px) {\n\t.text-grid {\n\t\tdisplay: grid;\n\t\tgrid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;\n\t\tcolumn-gap: 30px;\n\t\trow-gap: 30px;\t\n\t}\t\t\n}\n\n@media screen and (max-width: 900px) {\n\t.text-grid {\n\t\tgrid-template-columns: 1fr;\t\n\t}\n}\n<\/style>\n<section id=\"text-grid\">\n\t<div class=\"text-grid\"><div class=\"grid-text\"><div class=\"text-grid-title\"><h6>Colleages and other institutional staff<\/h6><\/div><hr><div class=\"text-grid-content\"><p>Potential Roles: Board of Directors\/Advisors, program staff, networking to establish partnerships<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"grid-text\"><div class=\"text-grid-title\"><h6>Undergraduate and graduate students<\/h6><\/div><hr><div class=\"text-grid-content\"><p>Potential Roles: Program staff, philosophy teachers or assistants<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"grid-text\"><div class=\"text-grid-title\"><h6>Teachers and Educators<\/h6><\/div><hr><div class=\"text-grid-content\"><p>Potential Roles: Partners, helping to create curricula,&nbsp;networking to establish partnerships<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"grid-text\"><div class=\"text-grid-title\"><h6>Parents and Community Volunteers<\/h6><\/div><hr><div class=\"text-grid-content\"><p>Potential Roles: Board of Directors\/Advisors, program staff, networking to establish partnerships<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"grid-text\"><div class=\"text-grid-title\"><h6>Key members of your institution\u2019s leadership and administration<\/h6><\/div><hr><div class=\"text-grid-content\"><p>Potential Roles: Board of Directors\/Advisors, program staff, networking to establish partnerships<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"grid-text\"><div class=\"text-grid-title\"><h6>The administration and leadership of your partner school(s) or organization(s)<\/h6><\/div><hr><div class=\"text-grid-content\"><p>Potential Roles: Partners, networking to establish partnerships<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t#program-steps {\n\t\tpadding: 50px 0;\t\n\t}\n\t.step-box {\n\t\tmargin: 10px 0;\n\t\tpadding: 20px;\n\t\tborder: 5px solid var(--steel-blue);\t\n\t}\n\t.step-box:hover {\n\t\tbox-shadow: 0 0 20px var(--deep-sea);\t\n\t}\n\t.step-title-image .step-img { width: 750px; max-width: 100%; }\n\t\n\t.step-title-image:hover {\n\t\tcursor: pointer;\t\n\t}\n\t.step-instructions { color: grey; font-size: 16px; }\n<\/style>\n<section id=\"program-steps\">\n\t<div class=\"step-instructions\">Click on any step below to expand the text.<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"step-box\">\n\t\t<div class=\"step-title-image\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"step-title\"><h3>Create a Program Structure<\/h3><\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"step-img\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.plato-philosophy.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/steps.png\" width=\"100%\"><\/div>\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"step-content hide\"><hr \/>\n<div><strong>Forming a Board<\/strong><\/div>\n<div id=\"two-column\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.plato-philosophy.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/important-icon.png\" width=\"75\" \/>\n<p>A board of director of advisors serves as a key support network as you design, plan, implement, and evaluate all stages of a program.<\/p>\n<p>Board members can help you navigate instructional structures, find and write grants, network to help you find and develop partnerships, and help brainstorm solutions when challenges arise.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.plato-philosophy.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/tip-icon.png\" width=\"75\" \/>Aim to have 6-10 people on your initial board, with each person offering a unique set of skills to support your program.<\/p>\n<p>The board should include key members of your institution, people who will be involved in day-to-day operations, and a K-12 teacher or two.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Drafting a Mission Statement<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.plato-philosophy.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/important-icon.png\" width=\"75\" \/>A mission statement should be a succinct and powerful statement of the core reason your organization or program exists. Involve your board members and program staff in thinking about the reasons you are creating a philosophy program for young people.<\/p>\n<p>A strong mission statement communicates the &ldquo;why&rdquo; and is a single, specific, and memorable sentence. Who are you serving, what are you doing, and why? The mission statement should resonate with everyone involved in and supportive of your organization.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>What your goals?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"two-column\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.plato-philosophy.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/tip-icon.png\" width=\"75\" \/><\/p>\n<p>When you set goals, consider the population you wish to serve and your desired outcomes.&nbsp; Setting goals will help you structure the program and inform the partnerships you wish to pursue.<\/p>\n<p>Establish modest goals at first.&nbsp; Focus on your strengths and those of your board members.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\t\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"step-box\">\n\t\t<div class=\"step-title-image\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"step-title\"><h3>Identify Program Staff<\/h3><\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"step-img\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.plato-philosophy.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/steps345.png\" width=\"100%\"><\/div>\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"step-content hide\"><hr \/>\n<h3><strong>Who will organize and run your program?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Identify an executive or program director.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.plato-philosophy.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/important-icon.png\" width=\"75\" \/>The Executive Director or Program Director oversees the program&rsquo;s day-to-day operations .<\/p>\n<div class=\"clear\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<p><strong>Consider:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.plato-philosophy.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/tip-icon.png\" width=\"75\" \/>You can compensate the people in these positions by offering a salary, course relief, academic credit, or service hours.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Think about the program&rsquo;s sustainability when hiring.&nbsp; Are those you are considering hiring able to make long-term commitments to the organization?<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"clear\"><strong>Who will teach in your programs?<\/strong><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.plato-philosophy.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/tip-icon.png\" width=\"75\" \/><\/p>\n<div>The success of your philosophy program relies heavily on the strength of your staff and faculty.<\/div>\n<div>&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div>University and college-hosted philosophy programs for young people often rely on graduate students to teach philosophy.&nbsp; &nbsp;Nonprofit philosophy programs often rely on current staff or committed community volunteers.&nbsp; Every instructor for your program should have adequate training and supervision to serve in this role.<\/div>\n<div>&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div>&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div><strong>Training is a vital element of a successful philosophy program.<\/strong><\/div>\n<div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.plato-philosophy.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/important-icon.png\" width=\"75\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Learning how to philosophize with young students can take time, but we promise you that it is a rewarding experience! It often helps to read literature on different teaching approaches (see the many resources on this site) and to train with people who have experience leading philosophy classes with young people.<\/p>\n<div class=\"clear\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"three-column\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.plato-philosophy.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/tip-icon.png\" width=\"75\" \/>Arrange a site or classroom visit (once you have identified your partners).<\/p>\n<div class=\"clear\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<p>Here are some key tips:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Keep your teaching interesting and hands-on<\/li>\n<li>Class-management strategies for your age group are super helpful!<\/li>\n<li>Don&rsquo;t underestimate children&rsquo;s ability to philosophize<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\t\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"step-box\">\n\t\t<div class=\"step-title-image\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"step-title\"><h3>Publicity and Outreach<\/h3><\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"step-img\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.plato-philosophy.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/steps67.png\" width=\"100%\"><\/div>\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"step-content hide\"><hr \/>\n<div id=\"two-column\"><strong>How will you publicize and legitimize your program?<\/strong><\/div>\n<div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.plato-philosophy.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/important-icon.png\" width=\"75\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Websites are an easy way to advertise your program and can be very helpful when networking to find partners. Social media is also an accessible means of reaching many people and making your program more visible.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Include the following items:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Mission Statement<\/li>\n<li>Benefits of doing philosophy with students (see our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.plato-philosophy.org\/why-philosophy\/\">&ldquo;Why Philosophy?&rdquo; page<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>Program offerings (list of activities, events, classes, etc)<\/li>\n<li>Staff (if a website: list names with pictures and short bios)<\/li>\n<li>Contact information<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.plato-philosophy.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/tip-icon.png\" width=\"75\" \/>If you are part of a college or university, your program website should be hosted on your institution&rsquo;s website to maximize the appearance of legitimacy.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.plato-philosophy.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/tip-icon.png\" width=\"75\" \/>Colleges and universities often have designated staff for web page management. See if they can create one for your program!<\/p>\n<div class=\"clear\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"two-column\"><strong>What schools and organizations will your program serve?<\/strong>\n<p>Since a philosophy program does little good without people to serve, this step is crucial. It can often be difficult to get your foot in the door at a school or local organization.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.plato-philosophy.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/important-icon.png\" width=\"75\" \/>Use your mission statement and programming goals and offerings to help you decide to what schools and organizations to reach out.<\/p>\n<p>Often the best way to make progress with a local school or organization is to leverage your personal contacts.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.plato-philosophy.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/important-icon.png\" width=\"75\" \/>The key here is to develop a relationship with a teacher or teachers. Approaching schools through school district administrative leaders has the potential to result in teachers perceiving your program as being forced upon them. However, an administrator might be able to suggest teachers who would be interested in having philosophy in their classrooms.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Remember that teachers are overwhelmed by the growing demands on them. The appeal of a philosophy class run by someone other than the teacher is that the teacher does not have to develop a new skill and set of lesson plans but can observe his or her students in a new discipline with an outside person.<\/p>\n<p>If you don&rsquo;t know any teachers, you might start by offering to volunteer in a local school, by tutoring or helping in classrooms in other ways. This is a great way to get to know teachers and students.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.plato-philosophy.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/important-icon.png\" width=\"75\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Once you have cultivated a relationship with a teacher and are ready to suggest introducing philosophy in the classroom, a successful strategy is to offer to lead a demonstration class. This might be a 45-minute philosophy session with young students facilitated by you, with the teacher and other interested adults invited to observe.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.plato-philosophy.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/tip-icon.png\" width=\"75\" \/>If you are just starting to do this work, you should consider volunteering your time. It is a great way to gain experience. If the organizational structure you have chosen makes this feasible, you might consider writing a grant to pay for a year of classes in a particular school or schools.<\/p>\n<p>More and more districts have local community funding sources organized for the purpose of paying for enrichment programs in the public schools. These organizations can be a wonderful source for philosophy programs.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>How can you sustain and develop your philosophy program?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Now that you have implemented your program, it is time to think about sustaining and developing it. This is where your board comes in: hold a meeting to review what you&rsquo;ve accomplished and to embark on strategic planning. You will want to discuss expanding existing programs, finding new partners, and identifying additional funding revenues such as individual and corporate donors, grants, and sponsorships.<\/p>\n<p>We wish you all the best in this wonderful new endeavor!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\t\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<script>\njQuery(document).ready(function ($) {\n\t$('.step-title-image').on('click tap',function (e) {\n\t\te.stopImmediatePropagation();\n\t\te.preventDefault();\n\t\t$(this).parent().children('.step-content').toggleClass('hide');\n\t});\n});\n<\/script>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse has-text-align-center\"><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\" id=\"good-luck-and-have-fun\">GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN!<\/h2>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Getting Started PLATO\u2019s core mission is to ensure access to philosophy programs for all students of any age. We provide support and resources for philosophy programs across the country. If you are considering starting a philosophy program, below are some questions to consider. Who should be involved in designing a philosophy program? Stakeholders include: GOOD <a href=\"https:\/\/plato-philosophy.org\/pre-college-philosophy\/\" class=\"more-link\">&#8230;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Starting A Philosophy Program<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12000,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-205","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Starting A Philosophy Program<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Interested in information on starting a philosophy program? 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