Walking through Career Options

Summer School Informational ProgramWalker Elementary School

Lynsey MoatsSummer 2011

LIBM 6371

The Basics of the Program

o My program consisted of the implementation of a one day informational program during Walker’s first week of summer school.

o The theme of the first week was “Community & Careers.”

o After collaborating with a teacher at Walker, I decided to invite community members to come into the school to present information about their careers.

The Basics of the Program

o I invited five community speakers including a banker, a police officer, a fireman, a dental assistant, and a Springdale Public Library representative.

o Each community speaker was asked to prepare a fifteen minute presentation based upon the following questions.

1. Introduction (name, family, hobbies, etc)2. Where do you work?3. What post-secondary training or schooling have you completed? 4. Do you plan to continue your education?5. How has that training/schooling assisted you in your career?6. What work related activities do you do on a regular/daily basis?7. What do you like the most about your job?8. What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

A Core Belief of Walker Elementary

“We believe students, faculty, staff, families, and community members are partners. They should all feel welcome and have a personal responsibility in the educational success and

culture of our school” (Walker, 2011).

Walker Elementary. (2011). Core Beliefs. Retrieved June 17, 2011 from http://walker.springdaleschools.org/

Goals of the Program

o Provide students with new experiences and resources by bringing in community speakers to present information about their careers.

o Request community speakers to distribute promotional items to the students.

o Allow students to participate in book drawings.

Logistics of the Program

o The program began in the LMC with a brief introduction of the program. oPresenters were stationed in five different classrooms, and the students rotated to the different rooms.

o As a concluding activity, all students returned to the LMC to participate in book drawings and complete evaluation forms.

o The total program lasted about two hours.

Logistics of the Program

Since the students traveled from classroom to classroom, I provided

each student with a yellow treat bag to use to carry the items they

received from each presenter.

Logistics of the Program

The Loan Officer: Mr. Jose Hernandez

Hernandez described various careers within the

field of banking. Hernandez said that the most

challenging aspect of his job is telling customers “no” when they do not qualify for a loan. He also discussed

the benefits of saving money.

The Banker: Mr. Jose Hernandez

Hernandez distributed a document that listed all the career options in banking, a multi-colored pen, and a

banking activity book to the students.

The Firemen:Station Six

In addition to discussing their daily duties and the importance of education within their field, the

firemen talked about the importance of working together and fire safety tips.

The Firemen:Station Six

The firemen from Station Six brought stickers to

distribute to the students.

The Police Officers: Mr. Brian Treat & Mr. Tommy

WootenTreat and Wooten

described the various responsibilities of police

officers. They also encouraged students to get involved and stay involved

with school activities. Based on the evaluations

at the end, the police officers were one of the

students’ favorite aspects of the program.

The Police Officers: Mr. Brian Treat & Mr. Tommy

Wooten

The police officers brought stickers to

distribute to the students.

The Dental Assistant: Ms. Brittany Eaton

In addition to discussing her career and education, Eaton drew a diagram to illustrate how a root canal is

performed.

The Dental Assistant: Ms. Brittany Eaton

Eaton also researched and shared intriguing dental facts. For instance, did you know that:

o George Washington’s dentures were made from walrus, hippopotamus, cows teeth and elephant tusks.o Some cheeses have been found to protect teeth from decay.o Each person’s set of teeth is unique—much like their fingerprints. Even identical twins have different teeth.

B. Eaton, personal communication, June 29, 2011.

The Dental Assistant: Ms. Brittany Eaton

Eaton distributed a color coded diagram of all the teeth and a toothbrush

that already had toothpaste in the bristles to

each student. The students were very impressed with the

toothbrush!

The Springdale Public Library:

Ms. Ashley Jackson

Ms. Jackson discussed activities and resources that are available to students at the SPL and showed the students

how to access the catalog.

The Springdale Public Library:

Ms. Ashley Jackson

After Jackson demonstrated how the students could utilize the catalog, she also showed them how to access online games through the library’s website. She even played a few of the games with the students to peek their interest.

The Springdale Public Library:

Ms. Ashley JacksonTrudy Hill, Children’s Librarian at SPL, donated bookmarks and pencils for

Jackson to distribute during the program. I created the brochure shown about library activities specifically

designed for students in grades 1st—6th and only included the events that

are still available this summer.

Book DonationsBarnes and Noble Springdale Walmart

Book Donations

Mrs. Isabell, a teacher at Walker Elementary, also donated a few books for the drawings so that students would have

a wider selection. After the drawings, I returned all additional books to Mrs. Isabell.

Book Drawings

To ensure that a child from each grade level won

a book, I created four different drawings. I

wrote the different grade level teachers’ names on each cup and then placed

students’ names in the respective cups. At the

end, I combined all names into one container and did two additional drawings.

Book Drawings

To increase student engagement, I had various students draw names from the cups. The teachers helped the

students select a book at an appropriate reading level.

Book Drawings

A total of six students went home with a new book.

EvaluationsAt the end of the program, I requested the community

speakers, teachers, and students to complete evaluations. Below are a few comments from the forms.

o “I wish the program was longer.” –Multiple Studentso “The thing I liked the best about the program was the

prizes.” –Multiple Studentso “The best aspect of the program was the variety of careers

represented.” –Teacher o “Everything was very thought out! Great job!” –Teacher

o “The best aspect of the program was keeping the students moving through the different groups.” –Teacher

o “This was a great experience!” –Community Speakerj

o “Had a great time, would do it again!” –Community Speaker