PAUSD:

Work experience Education Program

Work Experience Education Program (WEEP) is a program that combines classroom instruction with part-time student employment. Work Experience and Exploratory Experience follow California Department of Education guidelines and cover the following curriculum: career exploration, job/work cycle, labor law, economic awareness/financial literacy, and soft skills. Students develop good work habits, attitudes, self-confidence, job skills, and a portfolio. The operational plan of the WEEP combines an on-the-job component with related classroom instruction designed to maximize the value of on-the-job experiences. Students' success in WEE programs depends on the quality of classroom instruction, effective collaboration between employers and the WEE coordinators, and the degree of involvement by the students and their parents or legal guardians.

Work Experience Teacher: Rachael Kaci

A Paly graduate who became a University of Arizona wildcat only to return to PAUSD as a teacher with almost 20 years of experience in the district as an aide, special education teacher, and now as a CTE teacher. As someone who "learns best by doing," teaching students to develop their soft skills while balancing their academic & work education is empowering for both myself and WEEP students.