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By Jeanna Baxter White

Word Master Media Group

Knowledge is a powerful tool, especially in education.

This month, seven teachers from Davie County Schools took on the role of students and learned about local businesses. Their goal was to understand the skills employers need, so they can better prepare students for careers and support the growth of local businesses.

Over four days, these teachers visited Davidson-Davie Community College, Dunlop Aircraft Tyres,  Fuller Welding & Fabricators, Hayward Pool (manufacturing and distribution centers), Pro Refrigeration, REEB, Trailers of the East Coast, and the Davie County Sheriff’s Office,  911 Center, and Emergency Medical Services.

The partnership between the schools, the Davie County Economic Development Commission (DCEDC), and local businesses aims to introduce students to a range of careers and technological needs in the community. Through these summer externships focused on Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), teachers reconnect with industry practices and technologies, as well as the essential soft skills needed for success.

Carolyn McManamy, director of Davie CONNECT, praised the initiative.

“The summer externship is a significant collaborative effort. It allows educators to see firsthand the relevance of the curriculum they teach and how it applies in real-world settings. This is crucial because the more our teachers understand, the better they can inform students about educational and career opportunities.

“The relationships built with our business community through these externships are invaluable. We aim to have our businesses and schools work closely with our students so they better grasp the connection between education and careers,” McManamy said.

This workforce development initiative began in 2014, funded by a $50,000 grant from the Mebane Charitable Foundation as part of DCEDC’s five-year economic growth strategy, “Together We Are Davie.” Seeing its value, DCEDC continued to support the program.

DCEDC President Terry Bralley said: “Each summer, teachers learn from industry leaders about available job opportunities and the educational requirements for each role. This has significantly increased awareness and built relationships between local industries and our educators, students, and families. The program equips teachers to guide students toward promising career paths while also fostering a potential local workforce.”

This year’s externship participants included Davie High teachers: Matthew Barker, a STEM English teacher ; Amber Brandon, a STEM science teacher; Will Miner, a CTE teacher; Kerstin Steinhour, a CTE teacher; and Will Marrs, a CTE teacher at DCHS.

Program organizers McManamy, Alyse Wooldridge, the career development coordinator at Davie High; and David Koontz, the new director of CTE and federal programs for Davie County Schools, were also present.

Participants shared a common goal: to help students succeed in school and in their careers and lives.

Wooldridge looks forward to the Teacher Externship every year.

“It is a great way for our teachers to learn about local opportunities to take back to their classrooms. It is always exciting to see what is taking place with our community partners and see the excitement when our teachers learn about these opportunities. Each year I learn something new that allows me to share with our students and help businesses in our community.

“We made some changes to the Externship this year and added some of our emergency services to tours in addition to the traditional industry tours,” Wooldridge said. “There are many career opportunities in emergency services, but learning about how each entity works gave our educators a new level of appreciation for their dedication to our community.”

Steinhour was eager to learn about the types of businesses in Davie County so she could better talk with students about job opportunities. She especially enjoyed learning about the departments of the sheriff’s office and how the 911 dispatch, EMS center, and sheriff’s department work together. “I feel this experience will help me let students know about all of the different opportunities that are available to them.”

Barker was happy to participate in his second full externship experience because he learns something new about industry and the county he works in every time.

“Before the externship, I never knew how many industries were in Davie County and how much this county manufactures. I also didn’t realize how many job opportunities were available to students, even those coming right out of high school.

“Because of this experience, I can direct students to potential employment opportunities. I also have had it reinforced that the baseline standards we have for students on attendance and presence of mind are not just the result of schools and teachers being nitpicky. Employers have cell phone policies. Employers have attendance policies. These aren’t being enforced because teachers are being mean; they are the reality of the working world,” he said.

Barker hopes to bring in some of the employers to talk with students in STEAMinars during the school year.

“At multiple destinations during this externship, I have run into parents of students I have taught. It has been so cool to engage with them in such a different context and see the lives they lead and how that has influenced their children.”

“REEB and SPB brands believe that being part of the Davie County community is important,” said Chelsea Favre, human resources generalist. “Inviting teachers into our facility allows us to showcase what we do, what we have to offer, and the types of skills we are looking for in our future employees,”

Production Manager Michael Fletcher added: “We are always looking for employees with a good work ethic. We can train them for the job.”

The company regularly visits the CTE classes to showcase the types of jobs they have available right out of high school.

“We are always excited to help Davie County’s youth. They are our future,” said Bill Junker, owner of Trailers of the East Coast. “We are always looking for technicians with HVAC, carpentry, mechanical, and welding skills, and nothing would please us more than to hire local young people and start them on their careers right here at home in Davie County.”

Koontz expressed his gratitude to the organizations for welcoming the externs.

“I was a part of the first group of teachers who participated in the externships when it began in 2014. “During that experience, I quickly learned more about the industries that were located here in Davie County, but more importantly, what types of jobs and skills these companies were looking for. Now that I serve as director of Career and Technical Education, it is crucial to continue building this program so we can continue to meet the employment needs of our industry and business partners in our community.”

He hopes more businesses will participate.

“I deeply appreciate these business partners for taking the time to showcase their facilities and provide tours, presentations, and general overviews of their work environments,” Koontz said. “Their staff did an incredible job, and we are very thankful for their hospitality. The externship visits are always exciting for our teachers, and our school district would love for any business or industry partners interested in participating next summer to contact us. We have multiple events throughout the school year to increase career awareness for our students, and I encourage businesses to reach out about participating in those as well.”