Educator – Press Start

For Educators

If you’re a teacher, education worker, guidance counsellor, or social worker aged 18+ and employed in the Ontario education system, you’re in the right place. This is for those who have 2–5 students in mind who may be interested in learning how to turn an idea into a business or project that supports youth mental health in their school or community.

The Educators Role in the Press Start CoLab Program

The educators’ responsibilities regarding the program include:

Pre-Application

Gathering a team of 2-5 students who are interested in applying for the program as a group

Meeting with students to talk about what they think the needs are in their school or community around one of the three focus areas. (Ideas do not need to be fully thought through before application. Part of the program goal is to work together to figure this out.)

Facilitating the student group in completing their online application. (Applications open on September 8, 2026 and close on October 6, 2026.)

During the Program

If your group is selected to participate in the CoLab High School Program, your responsibilities will include:

Distributing and explaining the tools and resources that we will provide to you for the student participants. (We will provide you with all tools and resources before the program begins.)

Along with program mentors, helping to answer any questions that participants (students) have about their projects.

Ensuring participants attend virtual Co-Creation Sessions and Challenge Session. (Groups sometimes attend together or separately online, depending on schedules and other factors.)

What’s the Time Commitment?

We know that educators are very busy and time is limited. The time commitment is around 1-2 hours per week for 7 weeks. The program curriculum is tailored for high school students and takes into consideration their busy schedules and extra-curricular activities.

Our mentors and speakers are highly sensitive and encouraging (Most of our mentors started out as program participants). Our aim is to always create a safe, inclusive and welcoming space for learning.