Bulloch County Schools’ College and Career Academy program is being powered by Gulfstream as local educators participated in the aerospace manufacturer’s Discover the Difference event on Oct. 4.
A group of seven school district guidance counselors, work-based learning coordinators, and administrators participated in an experience designed specifically for area teachers at Gulfstream’s facility in Pooler, Georgia. They toured the manufacturing site and learned more about career opportunities at the company for current students and alumni.
The Bulloch County Schools group that participated in the Gulfstream event included the following educators: Teresa Phillips, assistant superintendent for school improvement; Bethany Gilliam, Career Technical and Agriculture Education Director; Brianna Calamas, district college and career specialist; Kristen Rogers, Statesboro High School Work-Based Learning Coordinator. Renee Rogers and Brent Osborn, work-based learning coordinators at Southeast Brock High School, and Katherine Wellman, counselor at Southeast Brock High School.
The district’s College & Career Academy program offers work-based learning, dual enrollment, 43 career technical and agricultural education career pathways, student technical organizations, career discovery events for grades 5-12, and career assessments for students. Consists of resources and guidance.
During the tour, Gulfstream donated $2,250 in equipment to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)-related classes in Bulloch County Schools. The district plans to use equipment in the middle school that it selects from a list provided.
Partnerships with local and regional businesses and industry benefit the district’s College & Career Academy program. Currently, 285 partners serve as work locations for 340 work-based learning students at Portal High School, Southeast Block High School, and Statesboro High School.
Last school year, Work-Based Learning students worked over 166,301 hours and earned $1,711,263 in wages. Business and industry partners also serve as advisors for the district’s 43 career pathways, providing students with many career exploration experiences in pathway courses.
