Gail Lyons, Board President; Brad Mason, Superintendent; Kerrie Torres, Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services; Mike Trimmell, Principal; Kim Thorsen, Instructional Coach
The Laurel Magnet School Career Exploration Program is a collaborative effort between the school and local business partners. The program connects the classroom to real-world issues and prepares elementary students for college and career. Unlike common partnerships practiced in districts across the country where community partners are asked to provide support through monetary donations, this partnership is unique in that it centers on intellectual capital and classroom career exploration partners that directly impact and inform instruction. Partners work collaboratively over the course of the year by presenting an industry-based problem and then coaching and inspiring students to learn new technology skills that apply to their industry, as well as explore the various ways to apply their in-school learning to the real-world environment. Students participate in project-based learning cycles throughout the school year in collaboration with their business partners to address industry-based challenges.