WWW.GREENE.K12.GA.US GREENE COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM BRIDGING EDUCATION AND INDUSTRY FOR TOMORROW’S WORKFORCE
GREENE COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM BRIDGING EDUCATION AND INDUSTRY FOR TOMORROW’S WORKFORCE AT A GLANCE GREENE COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM WHAT: A forward-thinking public school district focused on preparing students for college, careers, and life through innovation and partnerships WHERE: Greene County, Georgia WEBSITE: www.greene.k12.ga.us 1 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 01
Providing modern education with hands-on learning, industry partnerships, and a focus on student success beyond graduation. Greene County School System in Georgia is at the forefront of reshaping how education prepares young minds for the future. By prioritizing the needs of its students and embracing forward-thinking strategies, the district is forging a unique path in public education. At the heart of its mission is the idea that education is not merely about crossing the finish line of graduation but equipping students to thrive in their next steps— whether on a college campus, a technical program, or 2 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 01
the workforce. Principal John Ellenberg of Greene County High School, who also leads the Greene College and Career Academy, lays out the district’s vision clearly and purposefully. “We want to prepare students for either postsecondary pursuits in academia, or if they decide to go into the workforce, they’re well-prepared for a vocation,” he explains. The district’s emphasis is twofold: rigorous academic pathways for collegebound students, such as dual enrollment and Advanced Placement courses, and robust vocational training for those entering technical fields. “It’s not just about graduation rates,” he says, “but about what students will do with their education after they graduate. What’s their career mindset? What are their goals and aspirations to support themselves and their families?” Ellenberg highlights the district’s holistic approach to education, which values the whole child rather than academics in isolation. Greene County understands that students arrive at school with diverse life experiences and challenges, necessitating a multifaceted learning approach. “We incorporate social-emotional learning as part of the focus,” he shares. This program helps students navigate the pressures of their daily lives, including the often overwhelming influence of social media. “Some of the information they’re exposed to is beneficial, some of it is not,” Ellenberg notes. “We teach them how to balance that and stay focused on their goals.” GREENE COLLEGE AND CAREER ACADEMY Education goes beyond textbooks and exams for high school juniors and seniors in Greene County— it’s a launchpad to meaningful careers. The Greene College and Career Academy, helmed by Ellenberg, provides students with career-oriented pathways that blend academic rigor with practical, handson training. These programs connect students to real-world opportunities through partnerships with local businesses, ensuring they graduate with a diploma and skills immediately marketable in today’s economy. “One of the things you have to do is partner with your local businesses,” Ellenberg explains. The Academy collaborates with industries to create pathways that prepare students for careers or higher education while gaining invaluable work-based learning experience. Take healthcare, for example. “We offer certified nursing assistant (CNA) certifications through our healthcare science program. Students complete clinical hours at local facilities, like St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital, which we partner with,” he says. These clinicals, essential for certification, allow students to experience the medical field firsthand—whether in hospitals, nursing homes, or other healthcare settings. Another pathway, welding, addresses a critical 3 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 01 GREENE COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM
labor shortage in a field Ellenberg calls “high skill, high wage.” Welding students can earn technical certificates through a partnership with Athens Technical College while still in high school. “We hire industry professionals, certify them as adjunct professors through Athens Tech, and they teach both high school and college courses simultaneously,” Ellenberg explains. Partnerships with local employers like Boiler and Steam Performance provide a direct pipeline to jobs upon graduation. “They know our graduates are ready to step into roles like entry-level welders because we’ve given them the training and experience to succeed.” GREENE COUNTY’S SCHOOL-BASED ENTERPRISES On entrepreneurship, Greene County School System isn’t just teaching students; it’s giving them realworld business experience. Through school-based enterprises integrated into career pathways, students learn to create, manage, and market products and services, all while generating revenue for their programs. Ellenberg explains this innovative approach as a way to reduce reliance on traditional fundraisers while fostering practical skills. “Rather than selling candy bars or hosting car washes, our students are running actual businesses. They’re engaged in entrepreneurship and learning how to operate professionally while still in high school.” Students manufacture custom T-shirts for local businesses and organizations in the marketing pathway. Ellenberg details how the process mirrors industry standards. “Our students design or modify artwork, send it to a transparency maker, and print the T-shirts themselves using an industrial T-shirt press in our lab,” he says. They visit Atlanta’s apparel market each year to select materials, reinforcing decision-making and procurement skills. Meanwhile, the agriculture mechanics students applied their craftsmanship to build Adirondack chairs and picnic tables sold to the public. These projects fund their programs and teach product development and customer interaction. A hallmark of these enterprises is their entrepreneurial structure. Students use Square payment systems to accept credit cards for sales and track revenue and expenses through school-managed accounts. “They’re learning accounting, budgeting, and financial management alongside their technical skills,” Ellenberg notes. Career Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) such as SkillsUSA oversee these enterprises, tying leadership development to hands-on learning. “We’ve shifted the focus to providing value,” Ellenberg says. “Our students are creating products and services people actually want and learning to think like entrepreneurs in the process.” Tackling Staffing Challenges While Modernizing Learning Spaces 4 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 01
GEORGIA ALLIANCE OF COMMUNITY HOSPITALS NAMES ST. MARY’S GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL AS “SMALL HOSPITAL OF THE YEAR” FOR 2024 The Georgia Alliance of Community Hospital, representing not-for-profit hospitals and healthcare systems in Georgia, has named St. Mary’s Health Care System’s Good Samaritan Hospital in Greensboro, Georgia, as “Small Hospital of the Year” for 2024 at the Alliance’s 41st Annual Conference. “Good Samaritan’s mission from the beginning has been to bring modern, effective healthcare including specialist physicians into their community so patients can receive top-notch healthcare in their community near their families and friends,” said Monty Veazey, President and CEO of the Alliance.“Prior to Good Samaritan’s opening in the new facility, nearly 70 percent of Greene County residents traveled outside the county for medical care. Since the opening of the new facility, emergency department visits have grown more than sixty percent, reflecting the area’s rising population and Good Samaritan’s role as the hometown healthcare facility of choice.” “Good Samaritan has consistently worked to expand their service offerings for patients, including recent purchases of an MRI and a 640-slice CT scanner, and developing their telehealth program in conjunction with St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens, offering specialty consultations like neurology and nephrology,” said Veazey. “For their commitment to bringing healthcare previously found only in larger cities, and their progress in upgrading their main facility, their service lines, and the health options for their growing community, I am pleased to present the 2024 Small Hospital of the Year award to St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital,” said Veazey. ABOUT ST. MARY’S GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital is a 25-bed critical access hospital serving the greater Greene County area. Located on Lake Oconee Parkway, Good Samaritan Hospital is a Joint Commission accredited, not-for-profit Catholic hospital guided by the Mission of Trinity Health and St. Mary’s to be a compassionate and transforming healing presence in the community. Good Samaritan Hospital provides emergency care, inpatient care, surgical services, swing beds, cutting-edge rural medicine technologies and numerous outpatient services. www.stmarys-health.org Stonish Pierce, second from left, President/CEO of Trinity Health Georgia, and Todd Braswell, second from right, Associate Chief Nursing Officer, St. Mary’s Health Care System, accept a plaque honoring St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital as Georgia’s 2024 Small Hospital of the Year, from Danny Smith, left, of TD Bank, title sponsor of the GACH Annual Conference, and Monty Veazey, right, President and CEO of GACH.
Ellenberg acknowledges that finding and retaining qualified teachers remains one of the district’s greatest challenges. The competition with private industry is particularly tough for fields like mathematics, where candidates often have lucrative alternatives outside of education. “You have to find people who have a passion for teaching,” he says. To make the profession attractive, Greene County leverages Georgia’s Teacher Retirement System (TRS). “The pension is a powerful recruitment tool,” Ellenberg notes. “If they ever change it, it would be a major blow to teacher recruitment in our state.” The district also strives to create an environment where teachers can focus on instruction without distractions.This includes enforcing policies to limit the use of cell phones and other electronic devices during school hours.“Students are bombarded with media, so we’ve had to set boundaries,” Ellenberg explains.Teachers use apps like Kahoot to integrate technology into lessons, but students aren’t allowed to use phones outside of instructional purposes. “If they violate the policy, we call the parents. After a few trips to the school to pick up their kids’ phones, parents tend to cooperate,” he adds with a smile. At the same time, Greene County is transforming its infrastructure to align with the demands of modern education and ensure safety, efficiency, and adaptability. Ellenberg describes how every decision about facilities focuses on creating an environment where students can thrive academically 7 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 01 GREENE COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM VOLUME 4, ISSUE 01
and professionally. “You need enough space for students to spread out, use their Chromebooks, and have access to charging stations,” he explains. “But you also have to look at security—entry points, secure vestibules, and how to protect students while keeping the school functional.” INNOVATION IN AGRICULTURE EDUCATION One of the district’s most exciting projects is a new agriculture center and greenhouse designed to teach students modern, sustainable farming techniques. Inspired by facilities in Hartwell and Elberton, Ellenberg and his team took the concept further, incorporating energy efficiency and advanced agricultural practices. “We’re adding solar power and a rainwater reclamation system for irrigation,” Ellenberg says. “This isn’t just a greenhouse—it’s a compact, efficient model of urban and suburban farming.” The center will feature an aquaculture lab where students grow tomatoes using fish waste as fertilizer in a closed-loop system. “The fish feed the plants, the plants clean the water, and both are harvested,” Ellenberg explains. The goal is to demonstrate sustainable farming practices that maximize resources. “We want students to understand the entire food cycle,” Ellenberg says. With a 20-acre plot of land, the program can teach everything from vegetable and fruit production to livestock management and sustainable food systems. Students 8 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 01
will learn where their food comes from and how to grow, harvest, and process it in safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly ways. Ellenberg envisions the program growing over the next few years.“Eventually, we’ll have the capability to teach students about raising animals for meat products, harvesting them, and managing the entire process,” he says. “We’re not just teaching students how to grow vegetables in a greenhouse,” Ellenberg adds. “We’re equipping them with the knowledge and skills to work in advanced agricultural fields and understand how food systems work from start to finish.” THE HUMAN ELEMENT OF EDUCATION At its core, education is about transformation for the student and the educator. For Ellenberg, the most rewarding moments come from watching students discover their potential and take pride in their achievements.“It’s the joy on their faces when they figure something out,” he says. Whether it’s a healthcare student confidently taking a patient’s blood pressure during clinicals, an audiovisual technology student perfecting an edited clip, or an automotive student finally grasping the mechanics of a brake caliper, these moments resonate deeply. “It’s a million little things,” Ellenberg reflects.“But it all comes back to watching students realize,‘I know how to do this, and I’m good at it.’” Meanwhile, Ellenberg believes that education doesn’t end at graduation. “If you don’t embrace lifelong learning, you’re making the biggest mistake of your life,” he asserts. “You always have to be willing to learn something new, to experience something different, and to explore.” It’s a philosophy he works to instill in every student who passes through Greene County schools.“We teach them that they’re always students,” Ellenberg explains. “Even as adults, they need to stay curious, ask questions, and seek new knowledge. That’s how you stay engaged in life and make the most of every opportunity.” Ellenberg has more advice for those exiting into the workforce. “Be present,” he says. “Really listen to people, talk to them, and interact in a way that shows you care.” He sees value in simplicity and focus in a world filled with distractions. “You have to be conscious of the moments you have to make an impression,” Ellenberg adds. “And always strive to be a good servant and a good leader for what is right.” This philosophy extends beyond professional advice—it’s a life lesson and a reminder that even in pursuing innovation and progress, the most meaningful achievements often come from human connection and purpose. STRENGTHENING CONNECTIONS BETWEEN SCHOOLS AND INDUSTRY Looking ahead, Ellenberg’s focus is squarely on 9 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 01 GREENE COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM
PREFERRED VENDOR/PARTNER n Good Samaritan Hospital www.stmarys-health.org St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital is a 25bed critical access hospital in Greensboro, GA, offering services like general surgery and 24/7 emergency care. Our board-certified physicians provide specialty services locally, with seamless access to advanced care at St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens when needed. preparing students for meaningful careers through hands-on experiences and stronger ties with the business community. Over the next 18 months, he plans to expand work-based learning opportunities that connect students with local industries. “By the time they’re juniors, I want students spending part of their day at school and part of it working in the field,” he explains. To make these experiences successful, Ellenberg is committed to ensuring students train with equipment and supplies that reflect real-world industry standards. “We want lab experiences to mimic what’s happening in the workplace,” he says. This means partnering with local businesses to address equipment and resource needs. Ellenberg encourages companies to reach out to schools and ask how they can contribute. “If you’re in welding, ask the school if they need electrodes. If you’re in construction, think beyond laborers—ask if there’s a student in the business and technology pathway who could be your future office manager.” Ellenberg emphasizes that these collaborations benefit students and businesses. By engaging with schools early, companies can shape the skills of future employees and even establish internship pipelines that extend through college and into full-time roles. “Businesses need to get plugged in now,” he stresses. “The more involved you are now, the better prepared students will be to meet your needs when they graduate.” With his eyes on these objectives, Ellenberg is working to ensure Greene County students have access to opportunities that prepare them for success—and that local businesses see the schools as vital partners in their growth and sustainability. 10 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 01
WWW.GREENE.K12.GA.US WWW.BUSINESSVIEWMAGAZINE.COM AS FEATURED IN Greene County School System
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