Navajo Youth Project: Teaching BrainWise and Technology at Window Rock High

Posted On: May 21, 2026

Technology leaders and software engineers identify communication as the strongest predictor of software project success. Studies show that communication breakdowns—not coding errors—cause most IT project failures, reworked cycles, and misaligned expectations.

Senior engineers agree communication is the most important survival skill in tech because it requires using multiple cognitive processes at once: clarifying goals, analyzing tradeoffs, coordinating with teammates, and preventing misunderstandings. BrainWise instructors already know that communication works only when individuals can regulate emotions, separate facts from opinions, identify choices, set goals, take another’s perspective, and build shared understanding. The basic skills taught by BrainWise.

The importance of connecting Executive Functions with coding and IT was recognized by Linc Kroeger, founder of Knight Moves—a social‑benefit organization bringing tech jobs to reservations and rural communities. He approached BrainWise to supply critical thinking and communication training to his programs, leading to a collaboration between the two organizations.

Denver Mile High Rotary, in partnership with several local Rotary clubs, including the Rotary Club of Limavady, Ireland, received a Rotary Global Grant to fund teaching the Knight Moves program to Navajo youth attending Arizona’s Window Rock High School.

Using a model refined over 25 years of BrainWise– Rotary collaborations, the 10 Wise Ways will be a critical component of activities that help students, mentors, and community partners work together to serve others.

Read more about the ongoing collaboration that is exploring further reinforcement opportunities being explored that include introducing service projects to Window Rock High School in partnership with Young Rotary clubs at https://conta.cc/4ncHCTT

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