In a bid to fuse the realms of education and industry, Columbus City Schools (CCS) Superintendent/CEO Dr. Angela Chapman recently sat down with a panel of local entrepreneurs and civic leaders during the Columbus Chamber of Commerce Inclusion Series. Here, conversations circled around bolstering connections that would help sculpt the workforce of tomorrow and ignite economic growth within the region. "We need to talk about the ways we support our students and provide them with experiences I did not have when I was in school," Chapman said in a CCS news release.
The panel, featuring Chapman, Ellen Lee of Dreams on Horseback, Scott Messer from the City of Columbus Building and Zoning Services, and Robert Weiler Sr. of The Robert Weiler Co., laid emphasis on preparing students for a future where technological evolution and shifting expectations were the norms. Chapman pinpointed why forging close ties with the business sector is critical, mentioning the heightened engagement and purpose students exhibit when exposed to real-world scenarios. In a statement obtained by CCS, she shared an insight, "Students involved in work-based learning come back from the job or internship with a new attitude to succeed." She noted the positive shifts in attendance, social-emotional capabilities, and graduation rates — evidence of a bridge successfully built between the classroom and the marketplace.
These panel discussions didn't just revolve around academic endeavors; they also delved into the real, tactile world of career-technical education (CTE). Chapman and Messer shed light on a partnership between CCS and the City's Department of Building and Zoning Services, alongside Habitat for Humanity MidOhio, which provided students from Fort Hayes Career Center the opportunity to construct a home near their school campus. Messer, speaking on the collaboration, told CCS, "Our partnership with Fort Hayes and Columbus City Schools has energized me." The program enables students to earn both academic and industry credentials, and hands-on experience with skilled professionals before they even toss their graduation caps in the air.
Social-emotional learning (SEL) also stole some of the limelight during the panel discussion, with participants highlighting how SEL-rich environments are instrumental for building key skills in confidence, communication, and teamwork among students. Chapman underlined her aspiration for CCS graduates: not only to leave with a diploma but also a resume packed with career-connected learning experiences. "I want them to have resumes showing they are ready for the workforce and have industry credentials that are recognized in their fields of interest," Chapman asserted in the CCS announcement.
As the conference neared its end, Ellen Lee from Dreams on Horseback beseeched local businesses to witness the prowess of CCS students firsthand in their classrooms. Lee highlighted the tenacity students display when presented with genuine opportunities and championed the role of such partnerships in upending misconceptions about public education. The call to action ended with a unison appeal to businesses to open their doors to the younger generation, welcoming them into the professional fold through internships, job shadowing, and mentorship programs. In times when budget restrictions loom over schools, such interactions could lay the groundwork for a robust, well-prepared workforce. Participation in the Inclusion Series underscores CCS' dedication to enriching partnerships that bolster student success and, by extension, the strength and future of Columbus itself.
