Teachers Tour Businesses to Help Align Coursework

From restaurants and cybersecurity to horse farms and the airport, more than 300 of our high school teachers this week got a boots-on-the-ground look at over 20 local businesses and what they need in tomorrow’s workforce. “We’ve been showing our students all the opportunities – now let’s align our teachers and industry,” said Alexandra McConnell, the work-based learning coordinator for Fayette County Public Schools, who coordinated efforts with the Kentucky Chamber Foundation.

The chamber’s “Educator’s Guide to Industry program,” which served as a school-based professional learning event for FCPS, also gave teachers a chance to tell company leaders how our schools prepare students for life after graduation. “It’s a way for businesses to see the amazing work our teachers are doing,” McConnell said, “and a great way for our schools to create community partnerships.”

After the Monday morning tours, the educators reconvened at their respective schools to debrief and talk about next steps. Tates Creek High School also hosted a business panel fielding questions like “How do you advertise and recruit?” and “What does a good day at work look like?”

A group from Southside Technical Center toured several areas of Baptist Health Lexington, including the biomedical technicians’ workspace and the helipad on the roof. They gleaned useful tips on what hospitals are looking for in new employees and how to best set up our students to fill in-demand jobs. “Transferable skills aren’t limited to a category but are all these different functions of these partners,” said Acting Principal Meghan Wood. “It’s a joint effort at developing the workforce.”

Meanwhile, a contingent from Frederick Douglass High School started the day in the eSports Lounge at the University of Kentucky. Smart Campus lead Erik Jarvis showed teachers around The Cornerstone, a campus building on the edge of the city’s budding innovation district, and spoke of dropping breadcrumbs for students to follow. For instance, the video gaming industry needs Fine Arts as much as IT professionals to not only design the games but also create the music, choreograph the moves, and provide translations. “I hope the teachers connect the foundation they’re providing to real, valuable work in the industry,” Jarvis said. “I know students are getting a good education in Fayette County Public Schools. Now we need to connect it to their passions.”

Participating Schools:

• Eastside Technical Center
• Frederick Douglass High School
• Lafayette High School
• Locust Trace AgriScience Center
• Opportunity Middle College
• Southside Technical Center
• Tates Creek High School

Participating Businesses:

• Baptist Health Lexington
• Berea College
• Blue Grass Airport
• Camp Bow Wow
• CHI Saint Joseph Health
• Complet3D
• Eastern Kentucky University
• Gray
• Grimes Restaurants
• Keeneland
• Kindeva Drug Delivery
• Klausing Group
• Lexington Legends
• Sol Fitness
• Space Tango
• Triyam
• Valvoline Global Operations
• University of Kentucky
• UK HealthCare
• WinStar Farm
• Wrigley Media