Additionally, Boardman Local Schools is building relationships with local companies such as Humtown Manufacturing, connecting students to community partners and opportunities. Neifer recounts, “We’re working through those organizations to see what kind of things we can expand, and what kind of opportunities we can provide for kids. We’re just on the cusp of that, but we do have a plan in place, and we’re starting to put our facilities in the right spot to allow us to further the programming and curriculum that we’ve been talking about.” Providing students with clear pathways that help prepare them for the jobs of the future is top of mind at Boardman, and the district is investing in educators and staff to help facilitate and support innovative new programs.“We’ve got kids in school who are going to be doing jobs that don’t even exist right now,” acknowledges Neifer.“We want to provide them with those solid opportunities and foundations to explore what’s out there. If we wait until high school we’ve waited too long.” Addressing the issue of teacher shortages, Boardman Local has launched initiatives to encourage students to consider careers in education. Beginning next year, the district will offer an Introduction to Education course, allowing students interested in teaching to gain early exposure to the profession. A parallel course, Introduction to Music Education, is also being considered to provide a similar opportunity for students passionate about music instruction.“We want to start to raise our own, and start to support our own profession,” Neifer asserts. Student leadership is further fostered through mentorship opportunities, where programs like Amigo and Amici pair high school language students with elementary schoolers to teach Spanish and Italian. Similarly, journalism and broadcasting students mentor younger peers, producing school newspapers and podcasts across grade levels. “I can’t tell you how many of those that I’ve heard saying, ‘I really like this. I’m thinking, I’m interested in teaching,’” Radinovic conveys. CONTACT US KEEP YOUR FACILITIES CLEAN AND MAINTAINED WITH FAGAN SANITARY SUPPLY! (412) 384-1700 www.fagansupply.com 9 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 04 BOARDMAN LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
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