BY KERRY MARSH
Enquirer Contributor
More than 20 years have passed since Joan Jostworth, a math teacher at Williamsburg High School, was a sales representative in the bustling business world.
In that time, she admits, she has lost some feel for occupations outside the classroom.
"We're so insulated in the school setting," she said. "If we could help students see that businesses require the types of problem-solving skills we are teaching, maybe we could be more effective."
With that thought in mind, nearly 200 teachers are visiting businesses throughout the Tristate in Ohio School-to-Work's first four-county summer job shadowing program, focusing on the skills and traits that employers are looking for in job applicants. Ohio School-to-Work, a community-based coalition supporting schools in their effort to prepare students for careers, funds the shadowing program with a state grant.
"The program gives us a chance to measure our values as educators with the business community's values," said Jim Sallee, middle school principal in the Clermont Northeastern district. "It has confirmed in me that the values we are teaching are right on target." Starting last week and continuing through Friday, teachers of all disciplines are spending time in businesses like the Cincinnati Zoo, Cinergy, Star Bank, Sun Chemical, the Gymnastics Training Center in Franklin and the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.
Ms. Jostworth, Mr. Sallee and three others toured Drake Center Inc., a long-term care facility, on Thursday. "Nursing is a team effort. Get them to understand that it isn't instant gratification," urged case manager Bonnie Barnard. Barb Beaudoin, a human resource generalist for Drake, said the program increases communication and solves problems that employers deal with.
"Attendance is a big issue," she said. "It is something so basic, but teachers can impress on students that going to school will help you in your future just because you get up and go every day."
Participants in the program receive a $375 stipend and graduate credit for an economics class at the University of Cincinnati.
For more information call Ohio Region Five School-to-Work office at 948-4427.
