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Klamath Community College, county high schools show off healthcare-related programs in Meet Your Future Employees Tour

By Career and Technical Education, College and Career (CC4A) / STEAM, News

The schools in Klamath County were able to show off their healthcare-related programs Wednesday, Feb. 14, during the Meet Your Future Employees Tour.

Chaperoned by the Southern Oregon Education Service District (SOESD), the Meet Your Future Employees Tour is coined as a reverse industry tour in which instead of bringing students to industry, industry comes to the schools providing professionals with an opportunity to see first- hand how the next generation is preparing for the workforce.

ā€œItā€™s beneficial for industry to see what is going on (in their local schools),ā€ SOESD Project Facilitator Amy Lukens said. ā€œItā€™s a way to create, or form, stronger ties between the two and foster greater connections for future career learning opportunities.ā€

Representatives from Sky Lakes Medical Center, Cascades East, Klamath Open Door, Oregon Tech, Leaps and Bounds, the Klamath County Economic Development Association (KCEDA) and Klamath County Fire District 1 spent an entire day with SOESD touring Klamath Community Collegeā€™s and Mazama and Henley high Schoolā€™s health sciences programs, specifically their Career and Technical Education (CTE) curriculums.

Through the implementation of CTE, students of Henley and Mazama are able to have a competitive kick-start to their future employability through a dynamic blend of theory and hands-on experience with a multitude of careers, including those in the medical field. Students can obtain professional certifications for First Aid, CPR and even an Oregon State Board of Nursing Certified Nursing Assistant credential all before graduation. Students also can earn up to 15 college credits accepted at KCC and Oregon Tech.

ā€œAs a school system (the Klamath County School District) the last two to three years weā€™ve been pivoting to the community and thinking that schools need to change. For years (the rhetoric has been) college, college, college; hereā€™s your options,ā€ Henley instructional coach Adam Randall said. ā€œThere are a far greater number of pathways to get from high school to work. Weā€™re trying to get out of the academic business and get into the competitive advantage business.ā€

Schools in Klamath County are embracing the passion and curiosity that students have by offering an opportunity to explore and acquire technical skills and professional practices alongside the mandated robust academic knowledge.

In the Health Sciences CTE, studies focus on five career pathways: biotechnology research and development, diagnostic services, health informatics, support services and therapeutic services.

A student can take sports medicine one year and earn their CPR/AED certifications, and then the following year take advanced sports medicine to become a certified personal trainer.

Randall shared a story of a senior who will graduate this year from Henley and is a ā€œvaledictorian-typeā€ student. Through that studentā€™s participation in CTE, she had experiences at Sky Lakes Medical Center where she met a doctor who advised if the student has an interest in emergency medicine, they should start as a paramedic-EMT or firefighter to see if emergency medicine is the route they want to take before investing in secondary education.

ā€œHow many years ago and how many people wouldā€™ve told a valedictorian not to go to college? CTE is changing the narrative of whatā€™s acceptable and possible for students,ā€ Randall said.

Mazama assistant principal Sergio Cisneros said the drive to establish these successful pathways came both from his faculty and students.

ā€œWhen students have an opportunity to work with their hands, apply real-world practices and rub elbows with professionals, their outcomes are improved dramatically,ā€ Cisneros said. ā€œWe want to make sure that any class or program that a student takes is maximizing their time.

Whether they are taking a class here or in conjunction with KCC or Oregon Tech, itā€™s going to lead them to an employment opportunity.ā€

Currently, Mazama High School is planning to convert a few of its older classrooms to further expand its health science program with a vision to replicate what is found on college campuses like KCC.

No slouch either, KCCā€™s health and sciences programs offer many different degrees and certifications including recently added sports medicine and surgical technician programs. KCCā€™s nursing program boosts a 100% passing rate of students whoā€™ve taken the Oregon State Board of Nursing exam.

ā€œWe have a great team and program here at KCC,ā€ nursing instructor Lindsey Mosley said. Students at KCC can take advantage of some of the medical industryā€™s latest training tools like ADAM-X for medical scenarios and treatment training. ADAM-X is a reproduction of the skeletal and anatomical structure of a human. It has distinctive and unique human characteristics and features such as realistic skin, and pupillary (eye dilations) responses and can be filled with mock blood. KCC also has a genetic analyzer.

Professor of Biology at KCC Eleazar Guitierrez said that talks are ongoing with the Klamath Falls Police Department to use the genetic analyzer and have students help analyze cold case DNA samples.

ā€œDespite the fact that we are a humble community college, we have research grade instrumentation,ā€ Gutierrez said.

The latest piece of medical equipment housed at KCC for instructional and student use is the Anatomage Table, a machine that uses advanced 3D anatomy visualization for anatomy and

physiology education. Students can run through various medical scenarios either fabricated or based on real patient events as if the patient or cadaver was right before them on the operating table. The anatomy is presented on a fully interactive life-size touch screen and allows for exploration and learning exactly as if they were performed on a fresh cadaver.

ā€œThe idea is that when we have a graduate and they land at a clinic or research environment, they can say more than that theyā€™ve heard about it or read about it,ā€ Gutierrez said. ā€œThatā€™s somebody who is hirable, someone with real-world experience.ā€

Educators werenā€™t the only ones who were raving about the advantages and impacts of CTE. Students too shared their excitement about the programā€™s offerings.

Hannah Giacomelli, a sophomore at Mazama High School said that her involvement in CTE has been one of her best experiences in school and that she has many opportunities to do ā€œso many different thingsā€ in the health field.

ā€œ(CTE) helps me learn about careers that I maybe will want to do in the future and will help me get into colleges or any other opportunity,ā€ she said. ā€œItā€™s a great way to get opportunities to do anything.ā€

To learn more about what CTE programs the high schools are offering, contact the district office at (541) 883-4700 (city schools) and (541) 883-5000 (county schools).

KCC Welding Instructor Kai Connects with Students

By College and Career (CC4A) / STEAM, News, School Improvement Services, School-Wide Improvement

Kai Graduated from Henley High School in 2022 and always thought she would become a doctor or a veterinarian. The COVID Pandemic hit and Kaiā€™s desires to move across the country and study medicine were replaced by wanting to do something closer to home. Kai headed to Klamath Community College and took a YouScience career Aptitude and Interest test to help her plan her next steps. The results of her aptitude and interests test encouraged Kai to pursue careers in machining, welding, engineering, and mechanics. This didnā€™t surprise her as she grew up in a mechanically inclined family working on cars. Kai chose to take an entry-level welding class believing that welding was a skill that would always be needed and allow her to make a good living. The beginning was hard, Kai had never welded before. Slowly, but surely, welding started to make sense and it became more fun as her skills progressed. Kai was employed by the welding program as part of her Associateā€™s Degree work experience. A welding instructor opening came up and Kai was offered a job as a KCC instructor. ā€œThe beginning students are my favorite,ā€ said Ranson. ā€œSeeing a new student who has no skills and is full of frustration progress week by week and grow into a competent welder is my favorite thing about being an instructor. Watching the happiness and joy on their faces as they improve makes me enjoy my job.ā€ Ransonā€™s connection with her beginner students runs deep and she gets emotional when they move on to the next class in the sequence, ā€œIt’s bittersweet when they learn the skills they need to move on, I miss them a lot.ā€

ā€œTeaching is hard, it’s a delicate balance between showing the students what to do and using the correct words to help them understand new concepts,ā€ Ranson added. ā€œSometimes I have to come up with a different way to explain the same concept to different students and that can be challenging.ā€ Kai currently teaches Welding 101, stick welding, TIG welding, and wire feed welding at KCC. What does the future hold for her? ā€œI would like to explore other career paths that allow me to travel out of Klamath. I can always come home and I can always fall back on Welding. Skills are cool, skills are needed, and skills pay! Iā€™m excited to see so much attention being paid to the skilled trades right nowā€ On being asked about being a female in the trades and a female welding instructor Kai said, ā€œGirls have a place in the trades. I was motivated to show myself I could excel. I wanted to outwork everyone and I came to the welding shop from 8am to 4pm every day to develop my skills. Everyone can do what I did and I encourage you all to tryā€.

Strategic Plan Update

By Homepage, News

SOESD is pleased to provide this Strategic Plan Mid-year Report that highlights our work in the various strategic drivers:

  • Equity
  • District and Community Partnerships
  • Collaboration and Information Sharing
  • Programs and Services
  • Educator Workforce Development
  • Data Tracking

Highlights of the strategic plan implementation that have already been accomplished include:

  • Engaged in a thoughtful organizational redesign of Special Education Services as part of the new Student Services department
  • Expanded the Student Behavioral Health and Wellness program
  • Expanded services to help districts with crisis management, including Cybersecurity and a new Flight Response Team
  • Expanded the Career and Technical Education (CTE) program
  • Provided newly designed New Teacher Training model and expanded Mentoring with a tiered support model offering a continuum of services for as little and as much support as desired
  • Added new Teachers and Educational Assistants to expand the STEPS Plus Program, increasing access and services for students
  • Expanded Data systems support by preparing the launch of:
    • Student Connect information platform regarding students served and services provided
    • Online LSP Portal with regularly updated financial allocation, service selection, and balance reports
    • Seventh Edition of the Oregon Project for preschool children who are blind or visually impaired (The OR Project)

Plan Development

The strategic plan development began in September 2022 by conducting a survey of ESDs across Oregon regarding the processes and facilitators used for strategic and equity planning. After compiling a list from ESDs, OAESD, COSA, and other sources of potential strategic planning facilitators, a consultant was selected through an interview process.

A comprehensive plan was then developed for seeking input from constituents:

  • SOESD board, administrative team, and employees
  • Component districtsā€™ superintendents, business, curriculum, human resources, information technology, special education directors, and school improvement administrators
  • Families of students attending SOESD Special Education classrooms
  • Families of students attending SOESD Migrant Education and Indian Education programs
  • Focus surveys sent by component districts to their staff and families.

Prior to launching surveys and a variety of facilitated in-person and online feedback sessions, SOESDā€™s cabinet met with the cabinets of component districts to gather feedback that informed the planning. Based on initial input from these meetings, focus surveys were developed and administered by component districts to their staff and families regarding three core areas: Career Technical Education (CTE), Southern Oregon Regional Educator Network (SOREN), and Special Education. Formal surveys, meetings, and facilitated input sessions were conducted based on questions that emerged around the themes of equity, customer and employee experiences, programs and services, and workforce development.

Launching the Strategic Plan

With the strategic drivers in place SOESD immediately began working on a number of projects and programs over last summer and during the first half of this past year.

ā€œThis school year we will focus on implementing strategic priorities, with improved and re-aligned services, while continuing to strengthen our successful programs and initiatives,ā€œ remarked SOESD Superintendent Scott Beveridge when launching the plan with staff at the fall SOESD agency-wide in-service.Ā  ā€œI am excited to work alongside our staff, school districts and other partners to serve and support the children, students, families, and educators across our region.ā€

Click the button below for the complete update in the SOESD Strategic Plan Mid-year Report.

Click here to view the SOESD Strategic Plan Mid-Year Report

Oregon Regional Teacher of the Year Nominations are Now Open

By News, School Improvement Services, School-Wide Improvement

The Oregon Department of Education, in partnership with the Oregon Lottery, is pleased to announce the continuation of Oregon Regional Teacher of the Year to honor exemplary educators in every region of the state!

  • Nominations are open statewide through February 21, 2024
  • Oregon Education Service Districts will select a winner from their region
  • Regional Teachers of the Year will be honored across the state in May 2024!
  • One of the Regional Teachers of the Year will be named the 2025 Oregon Teacher of the Year in September 2024!

Regional Teachers of the Year will receive a cash prize of $1000 and will be celebrated across the state.Ā  The 2025 Oregon Teacher of the Year will receive a $10,000 cash prize (with a matching $5,000 going to their school!) and serve as a spokesperson and representative for all Oregon teachers.

Anyone can nominate a teacher! All Oregonians are encouraged to nominate their favorite teacher today at: oregonteacheroftheyear.org

DEAR DATAā€LIKES TO PARTY!

By College and Career (CC4A) / STEAM

STEM TEACHERS! SCIENCE TEACHERS! MATH TEACHERS!

Data literacy is critically important in STEM careers, but K-12 students can be intimidated by data in its many forms. Come play with data, and learn a fun activity and process that asks students to interpret scientific images, graphs,figures, or data tables, and reimagine them as abstract art.

View the Flyer

CTE construction students work alongside Knife River

By College and Career (CC4A) / STEAM, News, School Improvement Services, School-Wide Improvement

Over 100 Bonanza CTE construction students worked alongside Knife River at Bonanza High school to finish concrete and run a pump truck as they built their very own new gym. These students have partaken in Youscience Brain Games to learn about aptitudes and interests. Geer Up Funds this year are helping these students to get exposure to a variety of different hands on exploration experiences so they can discover their passion! Oregon Community Foundation has provided funds through the STEM Hub to help connect students at Bonanza with Youscience results to the Pre-apprenticeship Program at KCC. What an amazing opportunity for the students at Bonanza to get to explore the construction trades while also building their very own gym!

STEAM Shared Impact Report

By College and Career (CC4A) / STEAM, News, School Improvement Services, School-Wide Improvement

The aim of our evaluation was to see what kind of quality of impact the Southern Oregon STEAM Hub is having on the educators and partners. To understand this, we explored two broad evaluation questions.

  1. What kind and quality of impact are we having on educators and partners?
  2. What aspects of our program are causing this impact?

Read the full report.

 

Forbes Article mentions our SOREN Partner Jay Schroder

By News, School Improvement Services, School-Wide Improvement

Rethinking The Value Of One Of Americaā€™s Greatest Untapped Resources: Teachers


Very few people will deny that the job of a teacher is tough. But how tough is itā€”really?

Itā€™s so tough that teachers are nowĀ the most burned-outĀ employees in America.

Itā€™s so challenging thatĀ fewer than 1 in 5 Americans would encourage a young person to become a K-12 teacher

And itā€™s so hard thatĀ teacher vacancies are up 51%Ā over last year.

Though I work with educators almost every day and witness many teachersā€™ front-line struggles, I know what I see is just the tip of the iceberg. ā€œWe are caught in a negative feedback loop in which the stress of the jobĀ worsens the teacher shortage,ā€ says Jay Schroder, educator and author ofĀ Teach From Your Best Self. ā€œThis in turn increases the strain on the system, accelerating burnout and inducing more teachers to leave.ā€

Read the full article.

 

 

Director of the Oregon Department of Education visits Southern Oregon

By News, School Improvement Services, School-Wide Improvement

On Monday, October 30, Dr. Charlene Williams, Director of the Oregon Department of Education visited Southern Oregon to attend the SOESD/ODE Integrated Programs Regional Planning session. While in the area, Dr. Williams visited Phoenix Elementary School (in the Phoenix Talent School District) and Table Rock Elementary School (in the Eagle Point School District). While in the schools, Dr. Williams spent time observing math, music and reading instruction. She also read to a kindergarten class and a kindergarten transitions class. Dr. Mark Angle-Hobson, Director of School Improvement Services, helped facilitate the site visits.

Photos by Dean MacInnis and video by Joe Zavala.

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