Page 12 - TTWIWinter2022-2023

Careers in Motion — Apprenticeships
Page 12 Electronic Edition: www.teachingtodaywi.com

Apprenticeships Soar with School-Based Career Coaches

The Ahnapee Youth Apprenticeship Con- who they are as the result. His within the school to truly make this a part of the
sortium in northeastern Wisconsin is placing a an individual career coach school."
jaw-dropping average of 25 percent of its juniors and then how reframed the Mentoring is central to the position. one
and seniors in Youth Apprenticeship (YA)—a that correlates results for of Janisch's students, a shy girl who lacked
sharp contrast to the 4.5 percent average to various types him, saying confidence, wanted to work with kids. She was
statewide. The consortium includes Luxemburg- of positions. . . the assessment placed at a local daycare, but the student was
Casco (LC), Kewaunee, and the five high schools . You can't have indicated that later terminated. "Since I was able to get all of
in Door County. The secret? School-based career a solid youth he was cre- the feedback from her employer ...she and I sat
coaches. It’s a new role that is reshaping how apprenticeship ative and might down and worked through what the problems
business and education work together to prepare program if you like hands-on were," says Janisch.
students for life after high school. don't have that strong Academic and Career intricate work, but maybe "jewelry designer" "We were able to have her apply to another
The school-based career coach is essentially Planning (ACP) focus in the front.” missed the mark. Subsequently, he decided to try daycare," she says. The student was "incred-
a YA coordinator, who is physically relocated As a result, the scope of school-based welding. ibly successful there. [And the new employer]
from a CESA into a school and is dedicated coaches has grown to include supporting or "Then we really work to partner with paid for all of her courses to become a certified
to working with students on career readiness. coordinating ACP in the schools where they various businesses and the community to provide daycare teacher." The experience went from
According to Jennifer Johnson, Director of the work. For example, when a xello assessment them some of those job shadowing opportunities being just a "low-point" to a "true learning expe-
Consortium, the job involves “working with stu- indicated that LC student Joey Chervenka should or ultimately that capstone experience of a youth rience."
dents to help them identify, first and foremost, go into jewelry design, he was disappointed with apprenticeship or an internship," she adds. The YA placement rate at Kewaunee is 33
Erica Janisch, school-based coach at percent, reports Janisch proudly. "We have a
Student Overcomes Challenges, Wins Top Gold Kewaunee High School, says "We are not only larger percentage of student success rate because
working directly with the students, but we're
we're actually building that rapport with the stu-
also working dents."
Diane Ryberg, Education Consultant and Like other CTSos (DECA, FbLA, FFA, directly with . . Jennifer Johnson is more than enthusias-
FCCLA State Advisor, Career and Technical HoSA, and SkillsUSA), FCCLA is a national . school coun- tic about the new venture. "This is a potential
Education Team, Wisconsin Department of organization that helps students develop selors, with the solution to the workforce shortage that we're
Public Instruction life-long skills such as interpersonal skills, academic and experiencing in the state of Wisconsin as well
All students have challenges, yet how teamwork, and setting and achieving goals. career planning and really helping businesses see that, if we
often do they overcome them to be named best Membership also fosters and develops positive [ACP] commit- partner, we're building this future workforce."
in the nation in something? This story is about leadership skills—planning, problem-solving, tees. We're part Article courtesy of the WI DPI Success
Taylen Kowalski, a senior at Stevens Point and decision-making. FCCLA is for students of all of those Stories
Area Senior High this year, who won Top Gold in FCS education in public and private school organizations
in her career and technical student organization through grade 12 and is the only CTSo with
(CTSo) event at the national conference in San family as its central focus.
Diego last summer, and along with it, a college Taylen says she especially liked FCCLA’s
scholarship. community service projects, including making
While this story is about a hard-working and donating Halloween capes to the local chil-
student, it’s also about caring, supportive, dren’s hospital, selling dirt cups to raise funds, We are here for you,
and inspiring teachers along the way and the and making and donating Christmas wreaths to
CTSos that often have an outsized role in area nursing facilities. and because of you!
developing students’ passion in a career area. She admits sheepishly, “during the pan-
An easily distracted student when she was demic it was easy to hide behind a mask.”
young, Taylen had good teachers. She credits Nevertheless, “I’ve grown in my ability in
her 5th and 6th public speaking and connections in showing
grade teacher, passion to others,” adds Taylen in amazement Schools across the state of
for example, at her increased confidence. Wisconsin all benefit from the
with “making “Competitive events strengthen skills,
a difference” forge friendships, and make a positive differ- participation of readers like you.
in her life by ence in today’s world,” she says. And they by sharing your teaching tips
setting clear made a huge difference to Taylen. and program ideas, you provide a
expectations Last year, she became interested in being
and requir- a teacher and competed in FCCLA’s Teach positive contribution to educational
ing her to be and Train, an individual event that recognizes community in the state.
accountable. Her teacher also demanded that members who demonstrate their ability to
Taylen be more organized, talk less, pay atten- explore and experience the career of teaching Send your ideas, articles, and
tion, exert self-control, and take on challenges. or training. Participants prepare a portfolio of teaching tips to:
With an increasing ability to focus, Taylen the teaching/training career, execute a complete
really enjoyed Family Consumer Science lesson/workshop plan and an oral presenta- andria@teachingtodaywi.com
(FCS) classes. She says the FCS teachers tion, and complete a shadowing experience Phone: 715-360-4875
were inspiring and really mentored her, espe- of a “best practices” educator. Taylen created
cially brett Lesniak, who remains a role model a sequence of three lesson plans in personal
for her. Taylen took many FCS classes. And financial literacy and won at the regional level.
because her sister, who is older by five years, Then, she brought home the Top Gold in
had been an FCCLA member, Taylen “felt Teach and Train from the national competition. Thank you, to all our past, present and
comfortable” with FCCLA and understood the With her history, is it any wonder that she
competitive events. And, says Taylen, her advi- wants to teach FCS at the middle/high school future contributors!
sors’ expectations for her were to assist other levels?
students and look beyond behavior and provide Courtesy of the WI DPI
mentorship.