Submitted by Employees of Career Choices Inc.
Lakewood, WA – The Lakes High School Career Choices program within the Clover Park School District has revolutionized the educational environment by transforming a classroom into a professional workplace. This innovative approach, led by the supervisor Baron Coleman, instills a mindset among students that their classroom is now their workplace.
At Career Choices Inc., every word and action is grounded in the state’s Career & Technical Education 21st Century Employability Skills requirements. Students, now referred to as employees, are held to high expectations.
From the start of the year, supervisor Coleman set clear expectations for both students and parents that this is not just a classroom but a working environment where employees thrive, engage and understand the significance of their roles. For many students, their education is their primary job. Coleman consistently reminds students that this is the only job they have right now, emphasizing the importance of their educational journey. Parents agree and continue to hold their student accountable. They work together to ensure students understand and build skills that are critical to the workplace.
To maintain a professional atmosphere, punctuality is strictly enforced. Unexcused tardiness results in docked participation points. Lack of engagement during activities or guest speaker sessions and inappropriate use of cell phones during instruction, result in a zero for the day and a parent contact. Meeting work deadlines is crucial and failing to do so impacts their grades, reflecting real-world consequences. Every opportunity in this class space becomes a great “teachable” moment and Coleman will often take the time to discuss and elaborate on the importance of comparing the class workspace and actual working space from the actions and opportunities that present themselves with his fellow employees each day.
The success of Career Choices Inc. is evident: absences are down, tardies are at a minimum, students are more engaged, and classroom referrals have significantly decreased. This transformation is achieved by treating students as young adults, taking advantage of teachable moments, and relating lessons to real-world workplace scenarios. Emphasizing soft-skills and holding students accountable has been critical in their development.
Weekly communication with parents and guardians has further enhanced the program’s success. As we move into the second semester, Career Choices Inc. employees will have opportunities to engage with over 25 different careers and industrial trades, both in the classroom and through field trips. Additionally, employees will have the chance this year to earn two national industry certifications, valuable for any students seeking employment post-high school.
We are excited about the opportunities that await the employees of Room P201 and Career Choices Inc. We are confident that students at Lakes High School will rise to any challenge, equipped with the skills to enter the workforce, attend trade schools, or pursue higher education.
You’re Hired!
