Our Story
Who We Are
The Creative Education Institute (CEI) was founded in 1992 as a 501(c)(3) by Chairman John Kusik and President Carole Richards. Since CEI’s inception, all funds raised have gone directly to the projects it has decided to support.
The mission of the Creative Education Institute is to effect change through improved literacy.
Through Carole’s success with her for-profit tutoring company, North Coast Education Services (NCES), she sought to provide education services to low-income children and adults in the Greater Cleveland area. NCES provides office space, phones, equipment, office supplies, and support staff to CEI at no cost.
A Rousing Success
Richards Learning Systems®
Literacy "Game-Changer" Video Project
Teacher Training Programs
Academic Fun & Fitness Camp
A to Z Welfare to Work Program
Richards Learning Systems®
Literacy "Game-Changer" Video Project
The Creative Education Institute has partnered with CEO Eric Gordon of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District to develop the Richards Learning Systems® (RLS) literacy project. Twenty-seven kindergarten to 2nd grade classrooms will participate in the initial project.
Richards Learning Systems® blends a cost-effective and time-efficient teacher training program with teachable and effective reading program for children. The program is currently in development with the intent to launch in 2017.
Academic Fun & Fitness Camp
CEI developed and operated the Academic Fun & Fitness Camp in Kirtland, OH. The camp served campers ages 6 to 19 with learning disabilities. The camp included morning multi-sensory reading and math skill development. In the afternoon, campers participated in a wide variety of activities to develop social skills — including theatre arts, hands-on science activities, art and music therapy, martial arts, sports and much more.
The unique and well-respected six-week camp was developed in 2000. Parents and school districts recognized the program as a special place where kids could improve skills, have fun, and be “just kids”. Every year through generous financial support, CEI was able to provide partial camp scholarships to qualified campers.
As CEI expanded its development of the Richards Learning Systems® project, it was decided that there was not enough time to effectively run both programs. Therefore, in January 2018, CEI decided to close the doors of the Academic Fun & Fitness Camp after 16 successful summers.
Teacher Training Programs
The Creative Education Institute has successfully trained teachers in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Bedford City School District, and Euclid City School District. In addition, CEI has trained individual teachers from many districts and parochial and private schools.
A research study was conducted by CEI on the effects of basic skills training in nine Cleveland companies. Many workers participated in the interview and assessments process and each company ran multiple classes.
Research studies from Bedford, Euclid, and the Cleveland companies are available upon request.
A to Z Welfare to Work Program
CEI developed and ran the A to Z Welfare to Work Program for four and one-half years, successfully employing 75% of its participants for more than one year. (This is statistically significant because a larger program — with a $12 million budget — employed only 12 people for just six months.)
The A to Z Welfare to Work Program included reading and math skills, life skills, social skills and work experience. Participants were guaranteed jobs at the end of an internship by the company where they interned.
This program was featured in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Best Practices Magazine for welfare reform. One of its foundation funders replicated the program in New England because it was so successful and unique.
