Summer Institute Opens Teachers',
Counselors' Eyes About Technical Education
CONTACT: AMANDA BLANTON, 646-1501
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 6/29/2004
(By Lisa Garrett)
PENDLETON --- After teaching and advising students for the
past 39 years at Easley High School, Wilma Shealy thought she
was well acquainted with Tri-County Technical College and its
offerings.
But after completing the College's Summer Institute, an annual
two-week career awareness seminar offered to teachers and counselors,
she says she will return to her geometry classes this fall with
a newfound knowledge of how to advise both college prep and general
education students about their career paths.
"Every teacher should take this course," said Shealy,
who teaches three honors classes and three of geometry tech.
"It opened our eyes. We all agreed -- no one really knew
what is available at Tri-County."
She added, "It has changed our view. It helps us to
get on track with advising both students and parents."
Beth Fort, a Child Development and Food Nutrition teacher
at Easley High, admits to signing up for the course in order
to get the three hours of recertification credit required for
her retirement. "But, I can honestly say I have learned
more here in these two weeks than in any recertification class
I have ever taken. I now know what technical education is all
about."
For the past 18 years, teachers and counselors have been
learning about high-tech careers available to students and the
preparation they need to enter the workforce at an annual Summer
Institute offered by the Partnership for Academic and Career
Education (PACE), based at Tri-County. Twenty-one area teachers
and counselors recently completed this two-week career awareness
course.
The Institute is funded through a Carl D. Perkins Grant awarded
to PACE by the South Carolina Department of Education's Office
of Occupational Education. Since its inception, more than 300
area teachers and counselors have participated in the Institute.
Participants' expenses for tuition, fees and materials are paid
through the Perkins grant.
The Institute is offered for teachers in middle and high
schools, as well as counselors, curriculum coordinators, career
center teachers and postsecondary faculty. The purpose of the
Institute is to promote non-traditional career opportunities
for men and women with a special emphasis on industrial and technical
careers.
This year's Institute included sessions on existing and emerging
careers in technology, the Tech Prep (PREParation for TECHnologies)
program, the S.C. School-to-Work Initiative (co-op, youth apprentice,
shadowing, service learning, internship and mentoring), career
development, learning styles, advanced standing opportunities
and strategies that boost students' self-esteem and motivation.
Participants toured Western Carolina Regional Sewer Authority
in Greenville, Oconee County Tool in Westminster, BMW in Greer
and Palmetto Baptist Medical Center in Easley for first-hand
observation of manufacturing/business operations, and went on
demonstration tours of Tri-County labs.
"I know that when I read about new companies relocating
to this area, I have never thought about how those workers will
need to be trained and how they will get that training,"
said Darcy Crenshaw, a Spanish teacher and advisor at Belton-Honea
Path High School.
"Most of us didn't realize 65 percent of the jobs in
South Carolina require a two-year degree," she said. Data
from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that jobs requiring
an associate degree are projected to grow by 32 percent over
the 2000-2010 period, and an estimated 65% of jobs will require
skilled workers (some formal training or education beyond high
school).
"Tri-County is not just for those who aren't academically
prepared for the four-year colleges," said Fort. "It's
not the easy route. I also wasn't aware of the earning potential
of a technical college graduate. Some graduates start out making
more than $30,000 annually.
Teachers also addressed the public's misconceptions and perception
problems about two-year colleges.
"It is my job to better counsel the students and parents
about opportunities available and to demystify the preconceived
ideas about technical education," said Sonya Cote, a guidance
counselor at Walhalla High School,
Cote believes students and parents should request an evening
or Saturday tour of the campus. "A visit will open your
eyes. Industry knows what Tri-County offers, and teachers know.
But the general public still may not be aware of the quality
of programs offered and competence of the faculty."
"Every time students and parents tour the Career and
Technology Center, they are amazed at what they see," said
Crenshaw. "The stigma of stepping down is gone. I agree
with Sonya. Parents need to tour Tri-County as well. They will
be equally amazed."
Often, the push has been for students to enter four-year colleges
and universities, teachers agreed. "But there are so many
other opportunities open to them. And they can benefit from
the close knit atmosphere of Tri-County. I can think of several
students that I need to advise differently -- students who would
benefit and succeed at Tri-County," said Crenshaw.
"Reading about the different programs in a catalog doesn't
give a true picture," Cote said. "But touring the
labs on campus, and hearing presentations by department heads,
it's obvious that the curricula are comparable to what is in
the four-year programs. Students will know more about Tri-County
and its operations now that I have been here."
"I will address all of my students and tell them to decide
their interest, research their career choices and decide what
training they will need to do that," said Shealy. "The
two-year degree is an option for all, and the door is still wide
open to transfer to a four-year college later."
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Oconee