Educator in the Workplace

2023 Participants

  1. Johanna Chorba, Scranton School District
  2. Thomas Murray, Scranton School District
  3. Hayley Miller, Scranton School District
  4. Michele Tierney, Abington Heights School District
  5. Emily Hart-Sanko, Abington Heights School District
  6. Laurie Marino, Valley View School District
  7. John Fox, Riverside School District
  8. Richard Hensel, Scranton School District
  9. Karlene Cicco, Scranton School District
  10. Bonnie Baker, Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County
  11. Samantha Masco, Carbondale Area School District
  12. Licia Olivetti, Carbondale Area School District
  13. Summer Kilkus, Western Wayne School District
  14. Dalyana Gillette, Scranton School District
  15. John Ray, Scranton School District
  16. Nanine Gramigna, Scranton School District
  17. Jessica Norris, Scranton School District
  18. Gabrielle Pidgeon, Carbondale Area School District
  19. Amanda O’Brien, Scranton School District
  20. Carrie Wittenbrader, Western Wayne School District
  21. Jessica Capwell , NEIU19
  22. Melinda Arcuri, Marywood University Adult Basic Literacy Education Program
  23. Sandy Morahan , Forest City School District
  24. Teri Erdmann, Forest City School District
  25. Katelyn  Phillips, Lakeland School District
  26. Larry Pegula, Valley View School District
  27. Lori Kelley, Valley View School District
  28. Christina Burak, Valley View School District

Educator in the Workplace seeks to enhance classroom instruction, student learning, and career readiness for the workplace of today and tomorrow by connecting Lackawanna County educators and school board directors with local business and industry leaders.


Bridging the Gap Between Education and Business: A Hybrid Learning Experience

Educator in the Workplace seeks to align and connect business and industry leaders with local school districts, the career and technical center, and the local intermediate unit.

Educators will participate in a minimum of 5 one-day, virtual and in-person learning program. Through the program, teachers, administrators, counselors, and school board directors are provided experiences interacting directly with industry and business leaders to learn about industry trends, needs and opportunities to enhance their classroom instruction, student learning and career readiness.

Program details:

  • Orientation Day: January 31, 2023; 3:00-4:00 PM (Zoom) *
  • State of the Workforce Presentation: February 7, 2023; 3:00-4:30 PM (Zoom) *
  • Trades & Technical Education: February 22, 2023; 9:00 AM-2:00 PM *
  • Manufacturing Sector Tour: February 23, 2023; 9:00 AM-2:00 PM
  • Utilities, Construction & Trades Sector Tour: March 22, 2023; 9:00 AM-2:00 PM
  • Healthcare Sector Tour: March 23, 2023; 9:00 AM-2:00 PM
  • Transportation & Logistics Sector Tour: April 19, 2023; 9:00 AM-2:00 PM
  • Business Services Sector Tour: April 20, 2023; 9:00 AM-2:00 PM
  • Curriculum Writing and Closing Session: May 4, 2023; 9:00 AM-2:00 PM *

*Sessions require mandatory attendance. Program participants are required to attend a minimum of two Sector Tours of their choice. Enrolled participants will receive Act 48 credit hours. 

Sponsored by:


For Educators

Who can apply?

  • Teachers from Kindergarten to 12th grade
  • Counselors
  • Administrators
  • Career and technical education instructors
  • School Board directors

What will I be doing?

  • Participating in and exploring career pathways in local businesses and industries
  • Interacting directly with leaders of the business community, gaining insight on the skills students need to be successful in their future careers
  • Establishing connections to business and industry leaders in Lackawanna County’s leading and emerging industry sectors
  • Learning about local businesses and employment opportunities

Why?

  • Employers are experiencing challenges in recruiting, hiring, and retaining a skilled workforce
  • A skilled workforce is critical to future business growth and ultimately, our region’s well-being
  • Curricula can build job readiness and strengthen the skills that are most crucial to employers
  • With a clear picture of where the jobs of today and tomorrow are, educators can help students make informed decisions on their future career pathway and raise awareness of job opportunities in Lackawanna County
  • By enhancing the collaborative efforts of the business and education communities, educators can enrich their career education instruction and counseling efforts and businesses will gain valuable insight on the local educational landscape

Next steps:

  1. Apply to participate
  2. Complete the 2023 Educator in the Workplace application. Applications can be completed and submitted online by clicking here

Educators play an important role in connecting students of all ages to the world of work. The Chamber’s role is to provide opportunities and resources to strengthen an educator’s ability to guide students in making informed career and education decisions.

If you are an educator interested in learning more about this program, contact Emily Pettinato, Workforce Development Specialist.


For Businesses

Businesses can gain a better understanding of what is being taught in the classroom and gain valuable insight from experienced teachers. Educators can gain a more robust understanding of the technical skills, behaviors and mindsets students need to be successful in today’s professional environment. The Educators in the Workplace experience seeks to ensure K-12 students are being taught the essential knowledge and skills, as well as guidance to prepare them for the workplace of today and tomorrow.

Why?

  • Show educators which skills are vital to your business
  • Market careers that are facing workforce shortages
  • Promote employment opportunities at your organization
  • Achieve positive public relations via community outreach
  • Participate in an experience that will provide wonderful opportunities for learning and collaboration between the education and business communities of Lackawanna County

What will I be doing?

Prior to the program, businesses are asked to identify the opportunities and challenges related to hiring, training, promoting, and retaining workforce.

All business hosts will receive guidance and a variety of resources and materials to develop your experience.

To provide a meaningful experience to the educators, businesses are asked to: 

  • Guide educators through your entire business environment, highlighting the skills that are vital to your business
  • Share knowledge of the structure of the organization as well as the profile of the workplace (employment opportunities, educational background, salary ranges, training needs, ongoing professional development, etc.)
  • Expose educators to careers that are facing critical workforce shortages
  • Discuss skills needed and challenges facing the industry
  • Discuss topics such as the impact of technology, diversity in the workplace, employee benefits and work ethic
  • Assign them a mentor to serve as their liaison to the business
  • Businesses are encouraged to involve educators to all major areas of their business operations

Next steps:

If you are a business interested in learning more, contact Emily Pettinato, Workforce Development Specialist.


Past Industry Partners:

  • Admiral Management Svcs, LLC
  • Allied Services
  • Barry Callebaut
  • Barry Isett & Associates
  • Cintas
  • Commonwealth Health
  • Delta Medix
  • Geisinger
  • General Dynamics
  • Hendrick Manufacturing
  • Highland Associates
  • Honesdale National Bank
  • Jack Williams Tire & Auto
  • Kane Is Able
  • Lockheed Martin
  • McLane Company Inc.
  • Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials
  • mtfbiologics
  • NET Federal Credit Union
  • PA American Water
  • Penn East Federal Credit Union
  • Pompey Automotive Group
  • Process Technologies and Packaging
  • Quandel Construction Group
  • Sandvik Materials Technology
  • Scranton Primary Health Care Center, Inc.
  • Select Tissue
  • St Joseph’s Center
  • UGI Utilities, Inc.
  • Universal Printing

Learn More: