CFES Brilliant Pathways Partnership

What is CFES program?
In other words, pathways will help you identify your college and career goals and give you the tools you need to achieve them.
Six essential skills that the CFES program focuses on:- GOAL SETTING - You have to know what you want in order to take the steps to achieve it.
- TEAMWORK - We achieve more when we work together but doing so effectively takes practice.
- LEADERSHIP - Stepping up enhances college and career prospects and helps lift peers along too.
- AGILITY - Change is constant. The ability to adapt and overcome is crucial.
- PERSERVANCE - Failure and mistakes are inevitable, but they don’t have to be the end of the story.
- NETWORKING - Turning acquaintances into advocates is a force multiplier.



CFES Brillant Pathways - Program Directors
Beth Reyes - [email protected]
Ben Reed - [email protected]

Mr. Reed, a technology teacher at J.W. Leary and Ms. Reyes, a special education teacher at J.W. Leary, were recently recognized by CFES Brillant Pathways as a School of Distinction for their exemplary efforts in helping students become college and career ready! The competitive award acknowledges the development and execution of a highly effective plan for the entire student body to become college and career ready through the CFES 10-Point College and Career Readiness Plan.
Our program directors make in-person and virtual school visits throughout the year to support college and career readiness plans. They strive to deliver virtual programming to students that center on CFES core practices, including e-mentor trainings, Essential Skills TM workshops, and other topics that facilitate pathways to college and career.



Professional Development and Enrichment Opportunities
Partnerships and networking opportunities with 200 colleges/universities and 230 businesses and corporations
- Virtual opportunities where students, educators, and families focus on topics critical to college and career readiness
- Fall planning and training workshop to develop an annual college and career readiness plan
- Late-fall national conference
- Monthly college- and career-readiness (CCR) advisor trainings certified by the University of Vermont and worth 10 professional development hours
- Twice-weekly virtual opportunities focusing on topics critical to educators and schools
- Ongoing exposure to STEM postsecondary and career opportunities Digital Resources
Partnerships and networking opportunities with 200 colleges/universities and 230 businesses and corporations
- Digital curricular resources that build college and career readiness for students
- Access to the CFES career exploration website
- Alumni network that provides role models who serve as mentors and classroom speakers
- Opportunity to become a nationally recognized School of Distinction
- Each North Country school will be partnered with an urban school to provide opportunities for cultural exchange and connection and prepare students to navigate our diverse world
Participating schools are expected to contribute to their success in the following ways:
- Develop a CFES team that works with CFES professionals to reach students, families, and educators
- Identify a minimum of 50 CFES Scholars and ensure they participate in all three CFES practices
- Provide your CFES program director access (in-person or virtually) to all CFES Scholars
- Participate in regional meetings, workshops, and events (in-person or virtually).
- Submit a CFES plan, mid-year assessment, and year-end assessment
- Promote and brand CFES within your school/community
- Establish a partnership with an urban school
North Country Brilliant Pathways gives participating students a range of opportunities to develop the knowledge and mindset needed for college and professional success:
- Learn, understand, and engage in the three Core Practices
- Have a mentor that they meet twice monthly
- Participate in ongoing Essential Skill development
- Visit at least one college campus annually
- Meet and interact with college and career professionals
- Interact with CFES program directors and staff during site visits to your school
Visit the CFES Brilliant Pathways Website or open the documents below to learn more.