Teachers in the World of Work

Developing business focused learning units and collaborations that enrich the Career Academy experience and create successful students and viable employees.

Our aim:

What were expectations before visits to business partners?

“I have been in education for 20 years. I went to gather an understanding of the business world and how the Career Academy and businesses could work together for the benefit of our staff and students- the future workforce.”

Sites visited.

• Lockheed Martin• Byrne Dairy/ Ultra-Dairy• Gutchess Lumber• Clear Channel Communication• Babbit Bearings• Laboratory Alliance of Central

New York• National Grid

What was the biggest Ah-Ha from visits?

Businesses are not looking for “content knowledge.” They are looking for 21st Century Skills and the “SOFT SKILLS” that influence attitudes…

Business partners seek employees with many attributes…

Teamwork FlexibilityGoal

OrientationInnovationTime

Management

HonestyAttention to

Detail

Independent thinking

Writing Skills

Proper Grammar

Acceptance of Diversity

Problem-solving and Trouble-shooting skills

Word Processing Punctuality

Negotiation and compromise

Organization

Presentation Skills

Database and Spreadsheet Management

PerseveranceEmpathyInitiative

Desired Attributes

How can the Career Academy foster these skills?

Desired Attribute: The Soft SkillsLeadership and

Lifeskills Crew (LLC)The goal of LLC is for students to see self-value and to carry over their LLC experiences to school, to their career path and to everyday life through the application of leadership and service.

What skills are being used by these students?

Lockheed Martin engineers at a leadership training.

What do you think they walked away from this experience with?

Service to Others

“Operation Southern Comfort”- Collaboration with Construction Trades experts and the Home Depot.

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Desired Attribute: Communication Skills

Career Portfolio / Preparation

Developed Small Business Entrepreneurial Proposal.

Contacted local businesses: wrote business letters and used professional telephone skills.

Developed resumes and participated in mock interviews.

All students will read the book 10 Things Employers Want You to Learn in College.

Presentations and Public Speaking

Election Unit with Clear Channel Communication and the Syracuse Post-Standard

More Presentations and Public Speaking

The Great American Smoke-out interview with WAER

Twisted movie trailer judged by the author, Laurie Halse Anderson

School Award Banquet

Seniors have planned an event for 300-plus people.

Students worked with Wegman’s and other businesses.

More we have done

Implemented a weekly Career-Ready Dress day.Career Clothing Closet seniors solicited donations for, and operate the “Closet” to provide business-ready dress for students.

Desired Attribute: Productivity and Responsibility

How do we get it?

Providing relevance is key to engaging students.

To best benefit our students, your future workforce, our collective aim is to provide students an opportunity for real-life application of skills.

Utilize Expert Business Partners

Experts in the classroom (or in the field) are powerful tools for teachers.

The Business Partners present a vast pool of experts to bring true working knowledge and workplace relevance to Career Academy students.

Laboratory Alliance of CNY

Through the CTE Program for laboratory technicians students work authentically in the field and in the classroom. Lab tech students have worked with the staff from Lab Alliance. Lab tech student dressed

for Career-ready Dress day.

Partnering with Lockheed Martin•Student intern, Kiki, was recruited for her math and people skills.•Soft Skills were emphasized with a job coach.•Composting project interfaced with school recycling program.•Other collaborations are being developed.

Meaningful, relevant and it reinforces Science Standards.

What will be the outcome?

Collaboration on relevant projects between the Career Academy, the business community and CTE will

empower students to develop as valued, equal, responsible

members of society.

How do we get this…

…to become this?

For the benefit of all.