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CONTACTS: Laurie Mazzotta at SCESD (lauriem@mail.scesd.k12.or.us)
Phone: (541) 269-4535
SCESD Web site: http://www.scesd.k12.or.us/Bill Lansing, Menasha Corporation President
Phone: (541) 756-1193
BACKGROUND: Community partnerships are
essential to the career learning component of the Educational Act for the 21st
Century (Oregon Schools Initiative). With Menasha Corporation, a timber company in North
Bend, the South Coast ESD has created "Relevancy In Education," a professional
development program in its fourth year for K-14 teachers. It’s spearheaded by Menasha
president, William A. Lansing and has been recognized by the Department of Education for
its innovation.
WHAT THEY DO: This project gives
educators three opportunities (below) for work-based learning experiences, ranging from
two days to eight weeks. Business symposiums, workplace visits and on-site internships are
among the opportunities teachers use to develop classroom curriculum.
Gettin’ Down To Business: A free
two-day symposium in February sponsored by Menasha Corp. with involvement by the ESD, Bay
Area Hospital, Globe Travel, Fletcher Enterprises, Western Bank, Coos Bay School District,
North Bend School District, Southwestern Oregon Community college and Port Orford School
District. Teachers get hands-on experience in customer service, financial services, and
human resource management through interactive sessions. On the last day, local employers
join teachers in developing career learning activities.
Workplace Applications Project: This
June, teachers get paid, five-day work-based learning experiences. Bay Area Hospital and
North Bend Medical Center head this effort with help from the ESD, Menasha, Western Bank,
Marshfield High School, CE2 and North Bend School District. A project-based session
prepares teachers for workplace visits. Teacher teams conduct interviews at the site to
learn the latest workplace trends and challenges. The final activity is a teacher
"report-out" of newly developed curriculum projects at a dinner with
participating employers.
Teacher Internship Project: This summer,
Weyerhaeuser will head a project to provide 3-6 weeks of paid work-site learning for
teachers. Involved are Southwestern Oregon Community College, the ESD, Coos Bay and North
Bend School Districts and Menasha Corp. Teachers get practical, hands-o experiences in the
business community and take back relevant curriculum to their students. Ultimately,
employers gain because they’ve contributed to the "employability" of the
future workforce.
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