Scotland County Schools Middle School CTE Celebrates National Career Development Month 2016 During the month of November, in recognition of National Career Development Month, middle school students and staff across the district participated in several exciting events to help raise awareness on the many college and career opportunities that are available. These events included field trips, college and career research, project‐based learning activities, guest speakers, 8th grade Students@Work job shadowing, “Dress for Success” and “College Day” in addition to the NCDA Poster and Poetry Contest. The month began with a kick‐off to the 7th Grade Exploring Business, Marketing, and Entrepreneurship Project‐Based Learning “Business or Bust”. Students at Spring Hill visited downtown businesses in Laurinburg to learn more about the start‐up process when opening a business. Approximately 35, 7th grade students participated in the event and was featured on Carolina and Company LIVE On The Road in Laurinburg during the November 9, 2016 segment at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4b9DuYqdkA&t=359s. Carver Middle’s CTE/STEM students interested in a career in Health Science visited UNC‐ Pembroke’s Nursing Program to learn more about pursuing a career in nursing as well as the admissions requirements. Additionally, students participated in a team building activity and were treated with a tour of the college’s beautiful campus. Approximately 120, 8th grade students enrolled in CTE classes participated in the Students@Work Job Shadowing event. This event allows students an opportunity to explore and conduct extensive research on a career of interest, shadow a career role model to gain a greater understanding of the needs, roles, and expectations of work. Students@Work helps students to begin making the connection between school to college and careers, which leads to better informed decisions during high school. Biotechnology (Jennifer Lawson and Xavier McRae) and Technology (Roosevelt Pridgen) classes enjoyed a presentation from Scotland High School’s Health Science Instructors Elsie Brantley and Kendra Faries, Technology/STEM Monica Whitehead, and Trades & Industrial Instructors, Kevin Goins and Jimothy Locklear. Instructors presented to students some of the hands‐on learning that takes place within their classes while also discussing high school course offerings, careers and
college opportunities. Health Science instructors completed a hands‐on activity with students “Itchy Mice” to learn more about testing new pharmaceutical products on animals. Mrs. Linda Covington’s Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) members participated in a fund raising event with the March of Dimes “Give Them Today” which helps to raise awareness on premature births. Members created posters and cards to pass to their classmates that provided information on premature births and prevention. Students and staff joined in some of the exciting activities including “Dress for Success Day, “College Day”, and “College and Career Readiness Bulletin Board” decorating contest. Congratulations to Ms. Samantha Morgan, 7th Grade ELA Carver teacher and Victoria Henderson, 8th Grade Math Spring Hill Teacher on the winning the best college and career readiness bulletin/board, Mrs. Catherine Gates 6th Grade STEM and Ms. Michelle Williams, 6th Grade Math Spring Hill, homerooms for having the most participation in the “Dress for Success” day and to Ms. Barbara Wheeler’s 8th Grade Homeroom for having the most participation in the “College Day” attire. The capstone for the month concluded with the National Career Development Month Poetry and Poster Contest. Posters and poetry submissions were to celebrate the national theme “The Joy of Working: Positive Approaches to Careers, Work, and Life”. Winners of each contest are as follows: Poetry 1st Place: Kimberlee Carter, 2nd Place: Taylor Waitley, 3rd Place: Joseph Peed and Poster: 1st Place: Samantha Collard, 2nd Place Jade McMillan, 3rd Place: Kelly Oxendine. 1st – 3rd Place winning entries have been submitted to the state NCDA competition. “Exposure to a variety of college and career opportunities is a part of the career development process, which helps to provide middle school students with information that helps in making sound decisions and to become lifelong learners” said Dr. Camille Goins. For more information on the many career development opportunities available to middle school students that help to promote college and career readiness, please contact Dr. Camille Goins at
[email protected]. You may also download a copy of the Career Development brochure at https://goo.gl/0fJoZc.