Embedded Files
When you know your "WHY?" your work has greater purpose -- and the outcome will be elevated. Developing employability skills is a process, and it must be tied to your school or district’s unique context and community. Why are these outcomes the right solution for your community? Why now? What problem will they help to solve?
Listening to your community, their needs, and their hopes can help you shape not only your approach to change, but also how you communicate it to your stakeholders.
Tools to get started
Tools to get started
Conduct empathy interviews with students, teachers, parents, and other stakeholders. Solicit input from a cross-section of your community to better understand their lived experiences.
Use this tool to jump start your empathy work.
Examples
Examples
San Bernadino, CA
San Bernadino, CA
Student in San Bernadino engage with their peers to design an interactive group presentation to demonstrate how key health issues related to factors like the economy, education, access to health and wellness, and safety are affecting the vitality and wellbeing of their communities. This panel both elevates student voice and perspectives and offers authentic ways for students to practice Employability Skills. Check out these videos to learn more.
Randolph Eastern, IN
Randolph Eastern, IN
At Randolph Eastern School Corporation, students in 8th and 11th grade were interviewed to better understand their interests. Using this information, the school forged relationships with local employers and created learning experiences that were relevant to students. In the future, they will pilot ‘Find your Grind’ to collect that data more efficiently.
Deer Lakes, PA
Deer Lakes, PA
Deer Lakes School District interviewed students, teachers, admissions officers from local colleges and universities, and local hiring managers to learn more about the skills, knowledge, and habits today's graduates need to be most successful. They used this feedback to inform their strategic planning. Learn more here.
Resources
Resources
Three-minute clip to inspire thinking about: "When you know your why, your work is followed by greater purpose -- and the outcome will be elevated."
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