Greetings WOL Friends!
We hope that as the holiday season approaches you, like us, have much to be grateful for. At the World of Learning, we have so many amazing partners and people who we have opportunities to work and collaborate with to enhance experiences for learners.
We are especially excited for you to hear some of the great work that is happening at the Greater Johnstown School District. We invited Mike Dady, the Assistant Superintendent, to talk about our partnership in providing STEM opportunities for their Middle School students. After hearing about the amazing work of one of our Elementary teachers, Stephenie Schroth - we didn’t want to pass up this opportunity to celebrate!
And, we explored so many of the great opportunities that the learners at Johnstown get to experience. Listen in.
This episode highlights the amazing work happening in collaboration with Greater Johnstown Middle School's STEM program and their partnership with the WOL. It is exciting to see how we can fill the gaps created by the shortage of certified teachers at this moment. It is inspiring to hear Mike’s commitment to Greater Johnstown - and it started when he was a student - now, a cabinet-level administrator at Greater Johnstown, his insights and experience are ensuring the best experience for their learners. We are glad that our partnership has helped to fill gaps when they could not find a teacher.
Dr. Stephenie Schroth is also a dedicated and inspiring educator. Her expertise in elementary technology and virtual learning, make her the ideal match for instructing the learners in Scratch programming. It is an honor for us to work with almost 600 students at Greater Johnstown's Middle School to expose them to the creative and engaging ways that coding can inspire and ignite a passion. You can hear Stephenie’s enthusiasm as she talks about the creative freedom fostered by Scratch, sharing heartening anecdotes about students' dedication and enthusiasm for coding.
What do you think about these amazing examples?
One of the highlights of our conversation was the spotlight on Johnstown's initiatives to expose students to diverse career paths, including vocational shops and eighth-grade tours, aiming to bridge the gap between traditional education and real-world skills. They emphasize the importance of STEAM education and its application in everyday life, noting its role in cultivating problem-solving, collaboration, and perseverance.
This episode underscores Johnstown's innovative approach to education and its dedication to preparing students for varied career paths. Despite challenges, the district remains committed to providing holistic learning experiences. Every time I talk to the folks at Johnstown I get excited about how they see the future and work to create experiences for their students. We look forward to continued collaboration.
Key Points:
Collaboration between World of Learning Institute and Johnstown School District in STEM education has provided instruction when they couldn’t find a teacher.
Stephanie's engaging approach to teaching Scratch programming to middle school students gives them the ability to be creative and learn a new skill.
Strategies to address the shortage of certified teachers and pathways for emergency certification are important in the current public school environment.
Johnstown's initiatives to expose students to vocational education and diverse career options is a model program for preparing students for the future.
Emphasis on STEM education's role in fostering problem-solving, collaboration, and life skills is at the forefront of ALL of Great Johnstown’s programs.
Here are a few resources that lift the good work that is happening at Johnstown and how through their comprehensive program students are being prepared for a bright future.
As always, if you can’t find a teacher or would like to expand your offerings let me know. I am glad to have a conversation.
Best,
Pat
Greater Johnstown - Collaboration and Innovation