Heather Jarrett

I learned our school is well on its way to providing the key pieces to students for WBL programs.  Our students currently learn employability skills that will have a positive affect on their futures in WBL placements.

I learned there are many examples and tools available however none are from our state which is a bit sad.  But the cycle of Learning about Work then Learning Through Work and then Learning At Work is the way I will think about offering WBL to all of my students going forward.  This is a clean and simple way to approach the process.

Within this section I have learned of the variety of options available to students to help them explore and experience future careers.  From the initial exploration to the availability of specific trades WBL placements students have many options.  By working with all of the stakeholders every student can have a positive experience with WBL in their schooling with us.

It will be vital to make sure the WBL site is able to work with students in a positive manner and feels able to mentor youth.  Being very clear of expectations and providing support may go a long way in developing long term partners who feel confident in their roles.

I appreciate the stress of employability skills throughout the WBL experience.  The use of a student self evaluation that is compared to the employers evaluation speaks directly to my personal philosophy of students being assessed.  Developing this assessment with the employer stakeholders would be my first step.

Being mindful of all of the roles a WBL coordinator has will help ensure that our program is a success.  While I feel comfortable with data and collection of data points I am not as strong in the realm of PR. This will be an area for me to focus on.

Being mindful of all of the stakeholders needed to develop a well thought out WBL program is vital to success.  Thinking through wat a good elevator speech to garner support would be my next step.  

After reflection the most important piece is to be intentional about WBL planning and ensuring that all parties are equally equipped to provide the student with the best experience possible.  I intend to use future resources to ensure all parties are all on the same page and documentation and support are in place to assist in a positive experience for my students.