MASA Feature “The teacher training is very rigorous,” Ramos said. “But I know our teachers appreciate it, and that the training brings collaboration with teachers from across the nation. They have Facebook pages, chat groups, and message boards, where they ask about projects and share ideas they are using across the U.S. They really help each other out. The collaboration PLTW provides is the number one thing from a teacher standpoint.” The final piece for Ramos is the tremen-dous community involvement PLTW has provided for the district’s students. “Students are taking what they’re learning, working through hands-on activities, and then applying it to real-world situa-tions, especially when we tie it into the community. Our students have mentors and contacts for when they are looking for a real job out of college or a summer Students are taking what they’re learning, working through hands-on activities, and then applying it to real-world situations, especially when we tie it into the community. Congratulations to Michigan Superintendent of the Year Yvonne Caamal Canul - Your Board of Education 14 MASA LEADER • Spring 2015 internship. It’s not just about curriculum, but making sure students are career ready and getting hands-on experiences.” Aisin Technical Center of America pairs two Plymouth-Canton students with mentors each year, often providing up to five mentors in different engineering fields. Yazaki, a major supplier to auto manu-facturers, is offering two seniors full-time, paid summer internships. Students are also helping U-M Dearborn and Schoolcraft College professors with their research. “I could never thank these companies enough for the experiences they are giving our students,” Ramos said. From EMU’s perspective, students with STEM knowledge, skills, and career experiences are the ones they would like to recruit and will be prepared for the jobs of the 21st century. “Our economy is changing, and employers are demanding students who can think critically, solve problems, and communi-cate,” said EMU PLTW Affiliate Director John Duggar. “We need to do everything we can to prepare students to be successful.” Amy Rauch is Director of School Engagement for Michigan’s Project Lead The Way. For more information, visit www.pltw.org and www. pltwmichigan.org or contact arauch@pltw.org. www.lansingschools.net
MASA Leader - Spring 2015
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