The application deadline for participating in Future Ready Leaders (FRL) is just a little more than a week away and the program’s kickoff is already slated for mid-November.
FRL brings together teams of students and educators to work as colleagues identifying ways to expand their schools’ capacity for providing future readiness opportunities. Through the collaboration, students develop leadership skills and educators gain students’ insights on how their schools can improve post-secondary preparation.
“When we piloted FRL last year, the team projects illuminated the role students can play in advancing the tremendous work schools already have done to meet state standards around Career Education and Work,” said Consortium Program Director Jenn Sethman, who serves on the team that organizes FRL.
“We all know that students learn and grow best when given an opportunity to apply their skills and knowledge to something that is real and meaningful to them,” she added, noting that’s why FRL has proven so engaging to them.
Educators interested in participating should email Sethman no later than Monday, October 10. A kickoff where teams can meet and share ideas is planned for Nov. 16, at the Consortium.
As part of the program, educators have the opportunity to participate in Professional Development workshops aligned with state standards. Last year’s workshops focused on:
- Individualized student plans
- Work-based learning/School-business partnerships, and
- Instructional approaches to support career exploration and student employability skills.
Students also receive training throughout the year to develop confidence, leadership capabilities, and employability skills.
In addition to the kickoff meeting, all teams will again come together in the winter to share progress on their projects and learn across districts. In the spring, teams will reconvene to showcase their work.
In addition to district meetings, the Consortium will provide individual support and resources to teams in the form of on-site and virtual meetings.
