Local business representatives take time out to meet incoming class
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| Dr. Barbara Nagler answers students' questions. |
Their professions are diverse: One is CEO of a graphic design firm, another is principal economic developer for an international energy company. But the business representatives on hand Sept. 7 at Tech Valley High School all have something in common: an understanding of the need to teach 21st century skills in the classrooms of the Tech Valley Region.
That is why they took an hour out of a busy day to greet the incoming freshmen class of Tech Valley High School, discuss what they and their companies do, and the value of learning those 21st century skills while still in school.
"Everywhere in the response to a storm, teamwork is critical," said Linda Hill, principal economic developer for National Grid, tying the recent flooding into her discussion and the work her company does.
"Working together is vital to the success of a project, a company," added Lauren Payne, CEO of Spiral Design Studio.
Joining Hill and Payne in the orientation meeting with the freshmen was Mark Eagan of the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Barbara Nagler, retired district superintendent of Capital Region BOCES, Nick Abdo of XOS, and Carmen Mannella of the Wadsworth Center.
The students broke into teams and asked questions of the executives, such as what role they play on teams in their businesses, whether teamwork is important in their companies, what projects are assigned to teams to complete, and what skills they believe students must have to be successful outside of the school.
The business-education connection that TVHS has fostered in its four-year existence is key to TVHS being able to teach 21st century skills through project based learning. Business leaders are a near daily presence in the school, whether it be at the school or in hosting students at their businesses as the students undertake a project.
Through these partnerships, the lessons taught at TVHS are constantly updated to remain relevant to the students; students receive unique opportunities to visit and experiment in laboratories and workplaces; and benefit from access to leaders from all levels of society.
