Thompson School District Launches New Workforce Program
The Thompson School District announced a new program last month that is set to ignite an entrepreneurial mindset in students in kindergarten through 8th grade. This program is called Thompson Tomorrows Today and was designed to help better prepare students for real-world professions.
"Tuned In to NoCo" spoke with Thompson School District Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, Tracy Stegall, who says the goal of this program help support our youth.
"What we are doing is building this idea of an entrepreneurial mindset and a connection to the workforce, not just in High School but in our K-8 students. When students are in elementary and middle school they are thinking about what they are going to be when they grow up...So, we are thinking about how we can support each student in the Thompson School District to envision each one of their tomorrows because there are so many possibilities for them."
Stegall says an entrepreneurial mindset is a combination of problem-solving and purposeful learning and the way the program provides this, is by getting the businesses of Larimer County involved.
"We are always looking at education to see how we can provide opportunities to students that are rooted in the real world. Something we are super excited about is our use of a platform called Xello. That's a computer-based platform that Larimer County has partnered with all of the school districts to use...and businesses within Larimer County can load into Xello different internships, externships, and actual jobs. Xello is also a platform where students load in their aptitude. So, they take an inventory, and then they're able to look at what they are good at and what careers are out there for them — so it becomes seamless."
As they work alongside local businesses, Stegall says they are able to teach students valuable skills that are essential in the real world.
"We want to make sure that we are offering students the knowledge they need...these are actual skills that businesses are saying are required and that relevance is key."
For more information about the program click here.
To listen to the full interview, check out the link below.