Teachers gain insight into industry needs – Davie County Enterprise Record

By Jeanna Baxter White

Word Master Media Group

Knowledge is a powerful tool, especially in education.

This month, seven Davie County Schools teachers took on the role of students and learned about local businesses. Their goal was to understand the skills employers need so they can better prepare students for the workforce and support the growth of local businesses.

Over four days, these teachers visited Davidson-Davie Community College, Dunlop Aircraft Tires, Fuller Welding & Fabricators, Hayward Pool (manufacturing and distribution centers), Pro Refrigeration, REEB, Trailers of the East Coast and the Davie County Sheriff's Office, 911 center and emergency services.

The partnership between the schools, the Davie County Economic Development Commission (DCEDC), and local businesses aims to expose students to a range of careers and technology needs in the community. Through these summer internships focused on Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), teachers re-expose themselves to industry practices and technologies and gain the essential soft skills needed for success.

Carolyn McManamy, director of Davie CONNECT, praised the initiative.

“The summer internship is a significant community effort. It allows teachers to see firsthand the relevance of the curriculum they teach and its applicability in the real world. This is critical because the more our teachers understand, the better they can inform students about educational and career opportunities.

“The relationships built with our business community through these internships are invaluable. Our goal is for our companies and schools to work closely with our students to help them better understand the connection between education and careers,” said McManamy.

This workforce development initiative began in 2014 and was funded by a $50,000 grant from the Mebane Charitable Foundation. It is part of DCEDC's five-year economic growth strategy, “Together We Are Davie.” DCEDC recognized the value of the program and has continued to support it.

DCEDC President Terry Bralley said, “Each summer, teachers learn from industry leaders about available job opportunities and the training requirements for each position. This has significantly increased awareness and built relationships between local industry and our educators, students and families. The program empowers teachers to guide students toward promising career paths while also nurturing a potential local workforce.”

This year's internship participants included Davie High teachers: Matthew Barker, a STEM English teacher; Amber Brandon, a STEM science teacher; Will Miner, a CTE teacher; Kerstin Steinhour, a CTE teacher; and Will Marrs, a CTE teacher at DCHS.

Program organizers McManamy, Alyse Wooldridge, Davie High's career development coordinator, and David Koontz, Davie County Schools' new director of CTE and federal programs, were also in attendance.

The participants had a common goal: to help students succeed in school, career and life.

Wooldridge looks forward to the teaching internship every year.

“This is a great way for our teachers to learn about local opportunities they can bring into their classroom. It's always exciting to see what's happening with our community partners and to see the excitement when our teachers learn about these opportunities. Every year I learn something new that I can share with our students and help businesses in our community.”

“We made some changes to the externship this year, incorporating some of our emergency services into the tours in addition to the traditional branch tours,” Wooldridge said. “There are many career opportunities in emergency services, but learning about how each unit operates has given our instructors a new appreciation for their commitment to our community.”

Steinhour was keen to learn more about the types of businesses in Davie County so she could better talk to students about employment opportunities. She especially enjoyed learning about the sheriff's office divisions and how the emergency dispatch center, rescue center and sheriff's department work together. “I believe this experience will help me educate students on all the different opportunities available to them.”

Barker was happy to participate in his second full internship because each time he learns something new about the industry and the county he works in.

“Before my internship, I didn't know how many industries there are in Davie County and how much manufacturing takes place in this county. I also didn't realize how many job opportunities there are for students, even those who have just graduated from high school.

“This experience allows me to point students to potential employment opportunities. It also made me realize time and time again that the basic standards we have for students in terms of attendance and presence of mind are not just the result of petty school and teacher mentality. Employers have cell phone policies. Employers have attendance policies. These are not enforced because teachers are mean; they are the reality of the working world,” he said.

Barker hopes to encourage some of the employers to speak to students at STEAMinars during the school year.

“At several locations during this internship, I met parents of students I taught. It was so cool to interact with them in such a different context and see what their lives are like and how that has affected their children.”

“The REEB and SPB brands believe it is important to be part of the Davie County community,” said Chelsea Favre, human resources generalist. “By inviting teachers to our facility, we can showcase what we do, what we have to offer and the skills we are looking for in our future employees,”

Production manager Michael Fletcher added: “We are always looking for people with a good work ethic. We can train them for the job.”

The company regularly visits CTE classes to showcase the types of jobs they offer right out of high school.

“We are always happy to help the youth of Davie County. They are our future,” said Bill Junker, owner of Trailers of the East Coast. “We are always looking for technicians with skills in HVAC, carpentry, mechanics and welding, and nothing would make us happier than to hire local young people and start their careers here with us in Davie County.”

Koontz thanked the organizations for welcoming the external participants.

“I was among the first group of teachers to participate in the internships when they began in 2014. “During this experience, I quickly learned more about the industries that were located here in Davie County, but more importantly, what types of jobs and skills these companies were seeking. Now that I serve as the Director of Career and Technical Education, it is critical to continue to grow this program so that we can continue to meet the employment needs of our industry and business partners in our community.”

He hopes that even more companies will get involved.

“I am very grateful to these business partners for taking the time to showcase their facilities and provide tours, presentations and general overviews of their work environments,” said Koontz. “Their staff did an incredible job and we are very grateful for their hospitality. The internships are always exciting for our teachers and our school district would love for any business or industry partners interested in participating next summer to reach out to us. We host several events throughout the school year to increase career awareness among our students and I encourage companies to reach out to participate as well.”