Building Career Skills in Classrooms Across Kentucky
An inside look into successful programs happening in Kentucky schools
Schools across Kentucky are implementing programs that allow students to understand their unique leadership traits and how they have the ability to contribute to the overall success of their classroom, school, and community. These schools are fostering next generation who are not only prepared academically, but are prepared with the durable skills to that will allow them to excel beyond the classroom.
Dixie Magnet Elementary School
Dixie Magnet Elementary School in Lexington, Kentucky, is paving the way for students to become empowered learners by introducing them to various careers at an early age. Dixie Elementary hosts a Career and Arts Day, where professionals from diverse industries offer students valuable insights into career opportunities within their communities. This event helps students develop durable skills such as critical thinking, effective communication, and creative contribution by engaging with professionals and understanding the real-world applications of their learning. The involvement of community professionals not only provides mentorship but also fosters a sense of community involvement among students.
“This special annual event engages our young learners in exploring a diverse array of career fields, allowing them to ask questions and even practice some of the skills our community members use in their daily work,” said Cynthia Bruno, Principal of Dixie Magnet Elementary School. “By experiencing these different professions firsthand, our students can spark new interests and dreams for their futures. We are grateful to all the professionals who joined us to inspire the next generation to be a positive force in our changing world.”
Longbranch Elementary School
Longbranch Elementary School in Union, Kentucky, fosters empowered learners, guiding students toward realizing their fullest potential. Students across all grades are encouraged to apply for various in-school roles such as hallway safety monitors, teacher aides, cafeteria helpers, and front office assistants. These roles help students develop durable skills like leadership, responsibility, and collaboration. By contributing to a positive school community, students are also prepared for future community involvement and become empowered to take on leadership roles within their communities.
Furthermore, each student in every classroom assumes a leadership role, leveraging their unique talents and insights to address classroom challenges and contribute to a thriving learning environment. These diverse responsibilities not only equip students to become leaders but also instill in them the importance of being productive collaborators, critical thinkers, and effective communicators, which are essential traits for success as we look to cultivate the next generation of talent. Leader in Me helps students create and achieve goals related to their education and development as leaders, which will translate as durable skills from the classroom and into the workforce.
Stephanie Stambaugh, Principal of Longbranch Elementary, emphasizes, “At Longbranch Elementary, we believe leadership is communicating the worth and potential of people so clearly that they are inspired to see it in themselves. We are committed to lead, learn, and positively impact our community.”
Principal Stambaugh explained how the Leader In Me program helped a student at their school who was having behavior difficulties in the classroom. This resulted in the student having to leave the classroom for regulatory breaks so that they would not distract the other students. This student was later given the opportunity to ride the special education bus. This bus transported several non-verbal students and other students with disabilities.
“In no time, this student started helping out on the bus, helping get students with their needs while on the bus and helping the young kindergarteners get to their class.”
Stambaugh credits this to the Leader in Me program. “The Leader in Me program gave this student the confidence to step up and become a leader in a place where he saw a need for one.”
Not only did this student’s actions impact the students on the special education bus, but it also impacted the student's behavior in the classroom. His behavioral incidents happened less and less throughout the year as he continued to build his confidence as a leader.
By empowering students to take ownership of their growth and development from an early age, Longbranch Elementary plays a pivotal role in shaping the future leaders of Kentucky's workforce. Through this holistic approach to education, students not only excel academically but also emerge as confident, capable leaders poised to make meaningful contributions as engaged citizens in their communities and beyond.
Fleming County High School
Fleming County High School's Enterprising Education program equips students for future success by integrating Career and Technical Education (CTE) standards with small business principles, providing a practical education tailored to today's workforce needs. Through this innovative approach, students engage in real-world projects as productive collaborators, offering goods and services to the community and reinvesting the proceeds back into the program for further resources.
Students are given the opportunity as empowered learners to specialize in a learning pathway that aligns with their interests. Fleming County has several pathways that students can participate, which include the Panther Bistro (student-run restaurant), the school store the Paw-Mart, Panther Bank, Panther Plants & Petals, Panther Custom Designs and Signs (welding and powder coating), Automotive, and Ruff Cuts (Dog Grooming). Extracurriculars offered at the school have also inspired student-run businesses in partnership with the school.
Fleming County High School student Laney Pease participated in Future Farmers of America, where she pursued floriculture as her supervised agriculture experience (SAE) project. This inspired her to open Sweet Pease Berries & Bouquets, specializing in flower arrangements, berries, and homemade crafts. Laney’s business venture honed her skills in business management, marketing, and customer service. By providing locally sourced products, Laney’s business supports the community and demonstrates how practical education can lead to entrepreneurial success and community engagement.
Laney also won a $5,000 “Shark Tank” style grant from the Kentucky FFA Association for her SAE in 2022. She used the grant to purchase a trailer to make Sweet Pease mobile, and she extended her business offerings in the winter months by working with flower wholesalers and offering craft items, like wreaths.
“Before starting high school, I knew I had to have an SAE for FFA. My mom, who is the plant science teacher, helped me come up with the idea of a cut flower garden. I began that first summer with simple $10 arrangements that I delivered during COVID, when many people were unable to leave their homes. That first summer I was surprised by the amount of support I received, and after that first cut flower season, I was approached to provide flowers for a wedding. The hard work from that first summer has opened new opportunities and has given me my ultimate passion for event florals and weddings,” Pease said.
Fleming County’s Enterprising Education program bridges the gap between education and employment. Students graduate with industry-relevant skills and experience, becoming productive collaborators for the local workforce. Students who complete this program graduate with a number of certifications including OSHA 30-hour which is required for any construction job they might pursue. As these students are coming out of high school, they already are better equipped to make important decisions on their career paths based on these experiences and have the relevant skills that will accelerate their success in the workforce.