A Delaware school wants 'YOU' to share your local business with students: Education roundup

Honors for students, meet honors for teachers.

Delaware FFA students and teams brought home national awards last month, and in case you missed it, The First State has a new Teacher of the Year from Middletown High School.

Another Delaware school, Georgetown Middle, is also looking to tap into local talent — from businesses, to tradespeople alike — to help bridge the gap between classrooms and real-life career opportunities for students.

In this weekly roundup, we'll catch you up on some education updates.

[Did we miss another good education story? Tell me about it: kepowers@gannett.com.]

This Georgetown school is calling for businesses to connect with students

Inspire students while they're young. That's the idea.

George Schwendtner is one of four teachers leading Career and Technical Education classes at Georgetown Middle School. His team is looking to give students "a chance to experience real-world science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics" before they get to high school.

And they want help.

"We are asking if YOU would like to provide an authentic experience for the students at Georgetown Middle School," Schwendtner penned in a recent open letter aimed at employers. His team hopes to invite local companies, businesses and tradesmen right into the classroom.

Such businesses would plan a visit to present to classes, allowing students "the opportunity to discover, learn and network with your industry or career over a 45-minute class period," he said.

"We are working to fill the gap between classroom and careers."

By high school, most students will pick a career pathway. Before they get there, Schwendtner pointed to courses with a wide range:

• Flight and space (Introduction to physics related to motion and flight, automotive, Newton’s laws)

• Medical Detectives (All medical fields)

• Science of technology (Applied chemistry, food production, health, natural resources, manufacturing)

• Design and modeling (Construction, fabrication, architecture, drafting, digital design)

• Exploring agriculture (Environmental, wildlife biologist, veterinary, conservation, horticulture)

• Exploring business (Software development, finance, exploring careers: skills, education/training, job applications)

Schwendtner hopes local businesses and companies will start to reach out. He also promised social media shoutouts to celebrate the time and effort.

Want to connect with Georgetown Middle School CTE?

Who: George Schwendtner

Contact: George.schwendtner@irsd.k12.de.us, (302) 856-1900

Delaware students bring home national awards in agricultural competition

Delaware FFA members from across the First State snagged national awards last month.

"The Big E" is an annual event in Springfield, Massachusetts, bringing students and teams together from across the country to compete in career and leadership development events, alongside an Agriscience Fair. Delaware's FFA, as DDOE explains it, is a career and technical student organization for any students pursuing careers in agriculture, food, natural resources and related fields.

And students cleaned up.

Eleven different chapters were in attendance — Appoquinimink, Delmar, Lake Forest, Middletown, Odessa, Redding Middle, Smyrna, Smyrna Middle, Sussex Central, William Penn, Woodbridge — and multiple students earned their way to top-five placings.

Cole Murphy, of Lake Forest FFA, was selected as the Eastern Regional Star Farmer. Smyrna FFA's Faith Hewes was selected as the Eastern Regional Star in Agriscience, and Roarie Glen-Russum, also from Smyrna, was selected as a finalist for the Eastern Regional Star in Agricultural Placement.

In the Agriscience Fair, Sanaa McDonald of William Penn FFA earned the top prize, the Delaware Department of Education shared Oct. 13.

Head online for a full list of Delaware winners.

Smyrna: Delaware district to review rule blocking students with lunch debt from dance amid pushback

ICYMI: Delaware has a new teacher of the year

Late last Wednesday, Gov. John Carney announced the 2024 Delaware Teacher of the Year. And the statewide honor headed to Appoquinimink's Cory Hafer.

"Holy water buffaloes," Hafer said from the podium, shocked to smiles as he began to thank those who touched his 11-year career as an educator. He works in Middletown High School, teaching engineering and science.

The honor follows a rigorous process of nominations, detailed portfolio submissions, classroom observations, a panel of judges delivering consideration and more.

Hafer will now become the state's nominee in the national program, while also receiving a $5,000 grant for students and a personal grant of $3,000. The winner also received several gifts from sponsors, past winners, advocates, commemorative plates from the Division of Motor Vehicles and access to a full doctorate program from University of Delaware and Wilmington University.

Meet this Appoquinimink educator: Delaware picks its 2024 Teacher of the Year

He told the Education Department he will use his position to advocate for the importance of building student connections and maintaining restorative practices.

"Our ultimate goal should be to have sufficient connections with our students, that they feel comfortable being themselves and confident asking for support," he said in a press release after the event. "Without these connections, other learning strategies and efforts to develop strong lessons will not meet the needs of all learners.”

Some 20 educators were honored that evening, nominated from districts and Delaware's charter network.

Got a story? Kelly Powers covers race, culture and equity for Delaware Online and USA TODAY Network Northeast, with a focus on education. Contact her at kepowers@gannett.com or (231) 622-2191, and follow her on Twitter @kpowers01.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Georgetown Middle calls on local companies to connect with students