Hey there, I'm Mitzi
Director of Top Flight Academy, a Pre-Employment Transition (Pre-ETS) camp, located in multiple cities throughout Texas.
Top Flight Academy is open to individuals (males and females) between the ages of 14-22, currently attending public, private, or post-secondary education/training and who have a diagnosed disability. Each Academy runs for two weeks, Monday through Friday, 9:00AM to 5:00PM. The Academy engages campers (we call them Cadets) in opportunities to thrive through hands-on, experiential learning to:
- Develop critical self-advocacy and self-determination skills
- Build extensive work-readiness skills
- Explore a variety of career opportunities Experience job shadowing, guest speakers, and on-the-job work placements
- Participate in post-secondary counseling
- Gain valuable transportation training, where available.
Each Academy is customized to meet individual Cadet learning needs. Trainer to Cadet ratio is 1 to 6, so your Cadet is always in the best hands and learning environment. Top-Flight Academy is the premier, Texas, Pre-ETS experience. Your Cadet certainly will not want to miss this memorable experience
Speerhead Beyond (and our Top Flight Academy) is dedicated to ensuring uniquely-abled individuals find their individual voice, discover their full potential, and move outside their comfort zone to gain necessary skills to, well, land their future dream job!
Spread your wings and fly.
Want a sneak peek into a day in the life of a cadet? Check out this former cadet's
“Jon's Daily Travel Log”
(We won’t tell.)
Monday
I was a little nervous coming into my first day at the Flight Academy. Right off the bat, I made a couple of new friends. The people here even gave us all a bunch of cool stuff when we walked in. They told me it was my carry-on bag. Very cool.
Wednesday
I’m having so much fun, meeting new people! Today, I’ve learned how to open up to others about my disability. I already feel so confident. My instructors are really cool! They’re very patient with me!
Thursday
Today I learned what it’s like to have a boss and how to communicate with them. I can’t wait to have a boss of my own one day. My mom laughed and said, “I might not always feel that way.” Not sure what she meant, but I’m still excited.
Tuesday
I didn’t need my new lunch bag today after all. We all got to go on a bus ride for lunch at the new diner. One of the former Speerhead Beyond Top Flight Academy Cadets actually works there, and I got to meet her today. She was so happy with her job.
Wednesday
Today I got another chance to spend time at an actual job site. We went on a quick tour and met lots of interesting people. It seemed like a fun place to work. I hope I find someplace like that to work when I graduate.
Friday
The two weeks have flown by. I never thought learning could be so much fun. I can’t wait to put my new skills to work. Look out world. Here I come!
Select one our fun-filled, Top Flight Academy Locations to start generating serious work readiness skills and building your resume!
Can you tell me a bit more about the 5 required, Pre-ETS, Core Modules?
(We like to call them “Instruments for Success”)
Instruments for Success
During your two-week escapade, you’ll visit the following areas:
- Self-Advocacy – Before getting directions to where you want to go, it is important to have a firm grasp of where and who you are. Also, you’ll need to know how to communicate once you arrive.
- Work Readiness Training – You will encounter many new people, places, and things along the way. Being able to adapt to them all is mission critical.
- Job Exploration Counseling – The journey is just as important as the destination. On your expedition, you will be developing new interests, skills, and abilities that will translate into a smooth landing.
- Counseling on Post-Secondary Education – Any capable pilot knows there are many possible routes and to keep their options open. A brief layover to continue your education may be just what you need.
- Work-Based Learning Experiences – There is nothing more exhilarating than hitting the ground running. If conditions are favorable, you may choose to parachute directly into a work environment and learn by doing.
Did you know? Each Cadet is allotted, by TWC, 30 hours of Pre-ETS instruction per module per calendar year?
If you absolutely love Top Flight Academy, you can continue on your travels in the Fall, completing more of your annual Pre-ETS hours. Exciting, right? You can also see what others are saying!
See What Others Are Saying
Don’t forget your Carry-on Bag!
Upon check in, you’ll receive the following fundamental tools for your use as we journey through the 5 required modules, or “Instruments for Success.”
Flight Gear
Your Passport
For In-flight Meals
Flight Plan
We Answered Your Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Top Flight Academy?
What’s the cost?
I want to attend, but Top Flight Academy isn’t offered in my area?
How do I get to and from Top Flight each day?
Still have questions or concerns?
We look forward to meeting you in Top Flight Academy!
We look forward to meeting you in Top Flight Academy!
Thank you again for stopping by to learn more about how Top Flight Academy can enrich all of your job-related skills for a successful present or future career!
I, alongside our wonderful Camp Counselors, have compiled the latest and greatest, action-packed, scalable pieces of our comprehensive, proprietary curriculum to deliver a 2-week summer experience you will not soon forget!
I trust this is just the beginning of our relationship. I want to hear more about you and how we can work together. I hope you’ll head on over to the Podcasts page or the Success Stories page and tell me what’s on your mind! Also, if we haven’t connected on Facebook yet, let's do that now. You’ll find us on Instagram and Twitter, too!
See you in the Academy!
