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About Us |
Many authors are responsible for the creation of this Top 20 program. Throughout our lives, countless people young and old have shared their experiences, wisdom, and life lessons with us. Because of this our lives have been greatly enriched. The quality of our relationships, our education, and our work have all been enhanced by what these “authors” have shared with us. They have enabled us to have a great ride through life.
Besides trying to live the concepts presented
in this Top 20 program ourselves, we have taught this material to students
at Cretin-Derham Hall High
School in St. Paul, Minnesota, in a course called Thinking, Learning
and Communicating.
The course has come to be known as TLC. The enthusiastic
response of our students to this material has encouraged us to "spread
the word."
The sole purpose of this training is to help people develop that potential. The development of these ideas, the TLC course and this program has involved the professional and personal journeys of five people.
Origins of Top 20
Michael Cole’s work with Emotional Intelligence began two decades ago. After a less-than-stellar academic career, Michael found himself floundering in the hair-styling business. His life changed dramatically when he met Joe Francis, who mentored Michael in the Emotional Intelligence field. He and his wife Mary developed some of these ideas through their highly successful business, Salon Development Corporation.
The Coles first met Tom Cody when their two children attended Cretin-Derham Hall High School. In 1996, the Coles approached the school administrators with hopes that their Emotional Intelligence ideas could be implemented at the high school level. At that time, Tom, a math teacher at CDH since 1980, was developing “Jump Start,” a pilot summer program for orienting incoming freshmen. The Coles’ material was a perfect fit with Cody’s practical study skills course. When the course outgrew the two-week summer program, it was introduced into the mainstream curriculum at CDH in 2000-2001 as a 12-week class called Thinking, Learning and Communicating.
Meanwhile, Tom and Paul Bernabei had previously crossed paths as girls’ basketball coaches. Paul had been developing related concepts in his work as an educator and consultant. His work blended perfectly with that of the Coles and Tom. He joined the TLC team during its inaugural year.
In 2001, Willow Sweeney, a CDH social studies teacher, joined the team. She and Tom teach the classes on a daily basis. Paul and the Coles serve as guest lecturers and program developers.
The course is currently in its fifth year and has been taught to over 1000 students. In addition, several parent and teacher training sessions have also been presented. TLC curriculum is currently being introduced into several other Twin Cities area schools, corporations and organizations.
About the Authors
Paul Bernabei directs Noble Ventures, an effort to assist schools, businesses, churches, and organizations in developing their potential. He has been an educator in Twin Cities schools for 30 years, has conducted hundreds of retreats for youth and adults, and directs Share-a-Life, a program that provides housing and support for pregnant women in crisis. A graduate of St. John’s University and the University of St. Thomas, Paul and his wife Paula, a kindergarten teacher, have four daughters and live in St. Paul.
Tom Cody has committed his professional life to education, serving as a grade school and high school math teacher since 1974. He has been instrumental in developing innovative curriculum programs at Cretin-Derham Hall High School. He has coached several athletic teams and has been a newspaper columnist for over 20 years. A graduate of Colorado State University, Tom and his wife Judy, a fifth grade teacher, have three sons.
Michael Cole has been a seminar educator for 30 years. For 20 years he has been founder and president of Salon Development Corporation, an international company specializing in business training. He is a world-renowned recipient of numerous awards for his contribution in helping thousands of professionals transform their lives.
Mary Cole is the co-founder and vice-president of Salon Development Corporation. For the last twenty years she has developed materials, programs and products provided by her company. She facilitates training sessions with Michael, her husband and business partner. The Coles have two children and reside in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Willow Sweeney, a graduate of the University of St. Thomas, teaches classes in world cultures and social justice at Cretin-Derham Hall. Her specialized focus in TLC is on communication and relationship topics. Her exceptional ability to build instant rapport with people has helped make Top 20 training relevant to their lives. Originally from Madison, Wisconsin, Willow now resides in Minneapolis.
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