234 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 10 “I feel like my longevity, my tenure here in Dade County, aligns with the core values of this board of education,” Ingle shares. Central to these values is the belief that every student, irrespective of their background, possesses the potential to learn and grow. This ethos is encapsulated in the mission of Dade County Schools, which emphasizes the roles of dedicated teachers, community and parent commitment, safe environments, and strong leadership in shaping the future of its students. The district’s focus on early education is evident in its collaboration with state initiatives and its emphasis on inclusive programs. Ingle mentions the partnership with “Babies Can’t Wait,” a program dedicated to children with significant developmental delays. “Once they transition from ‘Babies Can’t Wait,’ we have a program for three and four-year-olds,” he explains. This program, while specialized, underscores the district’s commitment to providing tailored educational experiences for all its students. The Pillar of Dade County Dade County Schools isn’t just an educational institution; it’s the heartbeat of a tightknit community. “It takes a village to raise a child,” Ingle notes, highlighting the school’s central role in the community. Located in a rural setting at the crossroads of Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia, Dade County is a unique blend of local charm and proximity to urban centers like Chattanooga. “We are the pillar of this small community,” Ingle emphasizes, noting the school district’s position as the largest employer in the area. This intertwining of school and community is further exemplified by the number of staff members returning to serve in the district they graduated from after pursuing higher education. “Many of our staff members... see that as giving back to their community,” he adds. The district collaborates closely with local industries, offering high school students diverse Career Technical Agricultural Education (CTE) programs, ranging from health science to welding, tailored to the local job landscape. Their partnership with the Alliance for Dade, the local Chamber of Commerce, culminates in an annual career fair. Here, students engage directly with businesses, fostering invaluable face-to-face interactions. As Ingle notes, these encounters often lead to interviews, internships, or student job opportunities. Laying the STEM Foundation The world of education is rapidly evolving, with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) becoming a focal point for many school districts. Dade County Schools is no exception. While many might assume that STEM initiatives are reserved for higher grade levels, Ingle reveals a different approach. “We started a partnership with NASA HUNCH,” he shares, explaining that this collaboration began at the middle school level and has since expanded upwards to the high school and downwards to the elementary schools. STEM isn’t confined to a specific class period
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