Mitchell, Shoals, Orleans offer diverse pathways, work-based learning
Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
MITCHELL – Apryl Kidd, director of the Collaboration of Shoals, Mitchell and Orleans Schools, was named the Career Development Professional of the Year at the 2023 Work-Based Learning IMPACT Summit featuring the 17th annual IMPACT Awards Feb. 21 in Indianapolis.
Kidd said she was honored to receive the award, which reflects the work of a network of educators and industry partners.
“I work with great people, students and leaders that help me achieve the results,” Kidd said.
COSMOS is transforming education for high school students through pathways of shared courses, career exploration and work-based learning in the three rural school districts. What began in the 2018-19 school year with funding from Regional Opportunity Initiatives and a Ready Schools implementation grant, now offers about 16 pathways at the three schools.
“Sitting here now, it’s sometimes hard for me to believe where we are and what we’ve provided. In 2018, three superintendents came together and said the words ‘teacher share.’ But what does that look like?”
Kidd coordinated the effort as the school systems navigated the details of aligning daily bell-to-bell schedules and faculty resources. This year there are six shared classes between Mitchell, Orleans and Shoals.
The result is growing attention across the state and beyond. Mitchell Community Schools is the first Education State Earn & Learn (SEAL) in Indiana, and COSMOS is working on it becoming the first registered Education Apprenticeship in the nation.
Kidd was nominated for the IMPACT award by Emily Menkedick, ROI education specialist.
Menkedick wrote that Kidd prioritizes high-quality programming for students that benefit their futures while helping strengthen the talent pipeline for local employers. She also strives to understand current and future needs of the employer and to help employers learn about high school pathways that naturally align with their work.
“Apryl’s true strength is that she wholeheartedly believes that all students are deserving of engaging experiences that position them to be successful at whatever career path they choose. Her leadership and collaboration open doors for students and lowers barriers for employers, making work-based learning and internship opportunities a reality for many across the COSMOS,” wrote her nominator.
Menkedick also noted Kidd’s persistence in solving problems and focus as “stand-out qualities.” “She is able to think through deeply engrained barriers to find ways forward,” wrote Menkedick. “In the beginning of the collaboration all three COSMOS districts were on different school calendars and different bell schedules, making time and coordination of shared courses and work-based learning experiences difficult. Over time, with increasing student opportunity at the center of every conversation, the districts now have aligned schedules and students engaged in career experiences and work-based learning throughout the school day.”
COSMOS isn’t just for high schoolers. Career exploration begins in elementary and middle school; Kidd established Manufacturing Week as an opportunity for eighth-grade students to explore manufacturing careers.
Creating new pathways
In the spring of 2022, efforts began to establish Hospitality & Tourism and Advanced Manufacturing pathways with partners from higher education and industry.
Partnerships have been formed with the French Lick Resort, Orange County Convention and Visitors Bureau, OCEDP, Lost River Market & Deli, Ivy Tech Community College and Purdue Extension to create a robust work-based learning continuum for students exploring the Hospitality and Tourism pathway.
COSMOS received a $235,255 3E grant that will support the expansion of similar programs of study and create an aligned PK-12 career pathway continuum.
Biotech is another new pathway as it relates to workforce needs in life sciences.
Kidd said as pathways are created, students are made aware of options if they want to pursue the pathway in college.
As COSMOS continues to expand opportunities, Kidd said it’s a testament to the strength of the collaboration that all three schools now have different superintendents and high school principals from when COSMOS began, yet the program remains strong.
She said the superintendents – Brent Comer at Mitchell Community Schools, Jimmy Ellis at Orleans Community Schools and Kindra Hovis at Shoals Community Schools – are fully invested in COSMOS.
Kidd said one question she is frequently asked is how students 14 or 15 years old are of an age to choose a life-long career.
“That’s not necessarily what we’re doing. It’s an opportunity for them to try something. By allowing pathways, students can try something on and see if it’s for them. As a collaboration, that’s just as powerful as students who earn dual credits for college in the high school space,” she said.
About the IMPACT Summit
A sold-out crowd of 350 gathered at the Work-Based Learning IMPACT Summit.
Presented by Work and Learn Indiana, The 10 IMPACT Award winners were selected from over 150 nominations.
“This year’s event highlighted the remarkable opportunities created when students and employers come together,” said Todd Hurst, executive director of the Institute for Workforce Excellence. “Work-based learning is pivotal in helping the next generation of Hoosier workers excel and it was a pleasure to showcase the fruits of these efforts.”
The awards ceremony was the culmination of a day conference focused on work-based learning, with Gerry Dick of Inside INdiana Business as the event emcee, panel discussions facilitated by Indiana Commissioner of Higher Education Chris Lowery and a morning keynote by Indiana Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner.
For more information about the Work and Learn Indiana program, visit www.workandlearnindiana.com or call (317) 264-6852.