Denison, Texas -- The Denison Development Alliance, Center for Workplace Learning, Denison Independent School District, Texoma Tech Prep, and Workforce Texoma recently sent teachers to work.  Four teachers spent a week at four different local industries, learning what it would take to be a successful employee. 

Loretta Rhoden, DDA Business Administrator, said the DDA Board of Directors budgets to pay up to seven teachers and miscellaneous program costs.  Texoma Tech Prep budgets to pay up to five teachers.  The Center for Workplace Learning and Workforce Texoma provided technical assistance and guidance during the ten days.  Bob Rhoden, Business Services Manager for Workforce Texoma, said their interest is in the link between industry and education, helping teachers to be able to answer the famous question, “When will I ever use this?”

The ten day program, consisting of five days in the industries, carries a $1,000 stipend, but there’s a catch:  It was the teachers’ turn to do homework.  To receive their stipend, the teachers had to submit a plan showing how they will incorporate what they learned on the job into what they teach in the class room.

KTEN, Reedrill, SignWarehouse and TrailBlazer Health Enterprises participated in the BET program by hosting one teacher each.  “By hosting a teacher for the week, teachers and industries got a better understanding between business and education which will ultimately benefit students who want to enter the local workforce,” said Loretta Rhoden.  Kwikset (Black & Decker), Next Media (KMKT, KLAKE, KMAD), RadioVision, and Texoma Healthcare Systems participated by providing tours for the teachers.  During the tours industries provided a history of their company and the employee expectations for their company.

Jennifer Kelly, BCIS teacher at Denison High, helps out the HR Dept. at SignWarehouse by setting up interviews with potential employees.

Jennifer Kelly, Business Computer Information Systems (BCIS) teacher at Denison High School said of her time at SignWarehouse, “I had never been in a warehouse before.  They let me do everything.  It was a great experience, and I loved it.” 

Mel Erwin, Life Skill teacher at B. McDaniel, takes a moment to pause for the camera with KTEN anchorman Ed Myrick. Mel got to go out on location with many of the KTEN reporters.

Mel Erwin, Life Skills teacher at B. McDaniel Middle School spent a week at KTEN, and learned “there’s a lot of responsibility in being on the news”.  Erwin was also surprised to find “the reporters actually have to carry and set up their own cameras.” 

Jim Russell, a Science teacher at B. McDaniel, plugs in to one of the many calls received at TrailBlazer.

Jim Russell, a sixth grade science teacher at B. McDaniel Middle School said he had a long list of necessary skills by the time he finished his week at TrailBlazer, and noted, “They have to deal with changes on a daily basis; those people deal with a lot of change.”

Laura Broseh, Resource English teacher a B. McDaniel, shows her welding skills she learned at Reedrill. Laura was nicknamed “Flash” by the Reedrill employees.

Laura Broseh, a Resource English teacher at Denison High School was placed at Reedrill, and found out how little she actually knew about their operation.  ”I had no idea what they were doing out there.  I learned something about the industry from everyone I talked to.  They blew me away!”

Bob Rhoden said of the project: “One of the most interesting things the teachers discover each year is just how big an impact our local companies and workers have.  Companies like Sign Warehouse and Reedrill for example are shipping products all over the country and around the world.”

After the teachers concluded their work experience, they were asked to list some skills students could be taught to make them better prepared for the workplace. The teachers named more than thirty skills and then divided them into general categories including academic skills, interpersonal skills, soft skills and work ethic.  Some of the skills included attendance, written and verbal communication, critical thinking skills, basic math, accountability, attention to detail, resourcefulness, and time management.

The teacher luncheon was on the last day of the program. Teachers were recognized by State Representative Larry Phillips and Mayor Bill Lindsay for completion of the program. (from left to right) State Representative Larry Phillips, Laura Broseh, Mel Erwin, Jennifer Kelley, Mayor Bill Lindsay, Loretta Rhoden, Bob Rhoden (Jim Russell not pictured)

At the end of the program, each teacher said they felt it was a very valuable experience, and would recommend it to their colleagues.  The teachers who were involved this year agreed to serve on a committee to design and implement the program next year, and will participate in a presentation to the Denison ISD Board of Trustees.