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Our Story
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Our Mission & Values
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"It is the supreme art of inspired teaching that awakens the joy of learning." -Albert Einstein

Our Story:

Active Minds™ started in 2002 as a series of poetry classes in a church basement in Denver. Before long, it grew to include other courses focusing on contemporary global issues, historical themes, and other matters of importance. The original audience was primarily senior citizens, but over time Active Minds™ has grown to serve adults of all ages through programming at book stores, libraries, and corporations. Today Active Minds™ provides programming to over 200 organizations and has over 30 highly qualified instructors on staff.

Our Founders:

John Henderson – John is a master teacher with 20+ years of teaching experience. He received his undergraduate degree in History and Geography from the University of California at Berkeley and his masters degree in Teaching from the University of Chicago.

Zane Robertson - Zane is an entrepreneur and a former teacher. He is a frequent speaker on lifelong learning and senior education and is a former board member of the Denver Coalition for Seniors and the Denver Commission on Aging where he served as the Chair of its Education Committee. He received his undergraduate degree in Economics from Carleton College in Minnesota and his masters degree in Business from Stanford University.

John and Zane formed Active Minds™ out of a deeply felt belief that lifelong learning is central to a life well lived. We are inspired by members of our own families who embodied this spirit and dedicate this work to them.

Our Mission & Values:

Our mission is to expand lives and minds by providing outstanding educational programs.

Our values are:
• Life-long learning
• Strong communities
• Objectivity
• Honoring elders
• Having fun

Our Media Coverage:

• CBS Denver "Aging Independently" show: October 19, 2012
• Washington Park Profile, December, 2011
• Blog Talk Radio Show Interview, July 22, 2010
• KWGN Denver Channel 2 Everyday Show: May 5, 2010
• Examiner.com, February 10, 2010
• Vail Daily, August, 2009
• Golden Transcript, March, 2008
• Life on Capitol Hill, January, 2008
• KMGH TV Denver Channel 7 News: October 11, 2007
• FORA TV: Class on Prospects for Peace in Ireland, June 12, 2007
• Colorado Public Radio: Colorado Matters, February 28, 2007
• Vail Daily, August, 2006
• Vail Daily, July, 2006
• Denver Post Article February 7, 2006
• KEZW Colorado Today, October, 2005 [Audio file copyright © 2006 STS Media Productions: www.ThoseWhoServed.net]
• Seniors Marketplace News, July, 2005

Our Feedback:

The most clear teaching experience I have ever had. Please sign me up for more classes. -Diana Groves

If I had known about Active Minds being here, I would have moved in sooner than I did. -Betty Boyd, Resident of Heritage Club of Denver

Thank you for detailing the facts objectively without political bias. Through the several lectures we have attended, we have learned to trust your factual, informative, non-partisan presentation. We really appreciate it! -Peg Brady

The instructor is one of the most learned and vivid lecturers I have ever heard. His lecture was a gem, and the question period was most illuminating. -Professor Diana Wilson

I want to schedule another presentation with you! Our library patrons and staff have been thoroughly impressed and pleased with your presentations in the past and we would like to start out next year with another Active Minds presentation. Thanks! -Anthony LaCombe, Senior Librarian, Bemis Public Library (Littleton)

Each lecture is very thorough with regard to the historical underpinnings of the current situations. This emphasis on context is helpful in sorting out daily news articles and television reports. You have increased my knowledge and enabled me to be more analytical about new information in these areas. -Roberta Klein

Your lecture series has much improved my quality of life. It’s been very thought provoking. Today’s lecture was excellent and no exception. -Patti Heil

We just had a couple move in who cited the Active Minds program as a key part of their decision to move here. When they saw the flier on the wall, they said, ‘Oh, you have Active Minds here! That’s wonderful! We love them.’ -Troy Dunning, Activity Director, Christian Living Clermont Park

This was my first experience with Active Minds and I am extremely impressed! It was one of the most informational, articulate, and professional lectures I have ever heard. Kudos to you! I will be returning frequently. -Maria Helgesen

This is what Denver has been missing! Thank you! I enjoyed the intellectual stimulation so often not available in our jobs and daily lives! -Jeanie Kroon

Many, many thanks for providing an outstanding program for Douglas County Libraries. The feedback from patrons was overwhelmingly positive. I truly enjoyed working with you and hope to do so again soon. -Elizabeth Kelsen-Huber, District Program Coordinator, Douglas County Libraries

We got a move-in from our very first Active Minds event. Sandy attended a program on Venezuela and at that time had no thoughts of assisted living. Two weeks later, however, she realized that caring for her husband was getting overwhelming and she called us. She moved him in the next month. She never would have known about us if it hadn’t been for the Active Minds event she attended here. We love the Active Minds programs and it is helping us connect with our future residents! --Michelle Newitt, Marketing Director, MorningStar Senior Living at Applewood

Copyright © 2004-2013 Active Minds™. All rights reserved.

"Invaluable perspective condensing hours of reading and research into a vibrant, deeply informative hour. We desperately need to be learning and understanding just this kind of information about the issues of our time, placed in historical and philosophical context."

“The instructor is one of the most learned and vivid lecturers I have ever heard. His lecture was a gem, and the question period was most illuminating.”

“I particularly like the different points of view presented. The discussions are in depth, much more so than we get from reading the newspaper. I am thrilled you are here to make us think!”

"A wealth of information explained and articulated in a very intuitive, down-to-earth style."

Our Story:

Our Founders:

Our Mission & Values:

Our Media Coverage:

Our Partners:

Our Feedback: