Learning Matters: Alex Theatre event to feature film, panel discussion

Next Thursday evening at the Alex Theatre, the Glendale Educational Foundation will screen the Sundance film, “Most Likely to Succeed” in hopes of inspiring interest and discussion about the future of education in our community.

The film features students at High Tech High School in San Diego and focuses on the benefits of project-based learning in classrooms that differ from the traditional, teacher-led classrooms most of us remember.

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Through informational displays before the film and a panel discussion after, the event will also showcase evidence of Glendale Unified School District’s own high-tech, project-based programs and give the audience a chance to meet the district’s new superintendent, Winfred Roberson.

Judging by conversations I’ve had with local residents and some of the emails I get, the event will provide much needed information to a community that could benefit from a better understanding of what’s happening inside and outside local classrooms.

An email I received recently from longtime La Crescenta resident and Hoover graduate George Klump is a case in point. Responding to a column I wrote about the need for teachers (Glendale News-Press, March 18), he cited some of the challenges currently facing teachers, including the emphasis on college-for-all and the disappearance of classes like the metal shop his classmate at Hoover so enjoyed.

Reflecting that his friend went on to a career in engineering, Klump believes many students would benefit from such hands-on learning.

I agree. But as I wrote to Klump, shop class is not dead. It’s true such classes went missing for many years, but with funding from state and federal grants and the support of business representatives who understand the need for work-based learning, shop classes and other career-technical education, or CTE, classes are on the upswing.

With the help of the Brand Boulevard of Cars, for instance, Toll Middle School recently started a class in small engines, and Hoover has developed advanced automotive classes that incorporate the technology embedded in today’s cars.

These classes, like the advanced manufacturing courses offered at Clark Magnet High School and the digital arts and media classes at several schools, are designed to link both to college degrees and short-term, industry-recognized certificates.

Unlike many of the old-style vocational-education classes that split students into “college bound” and “non-college bound” tracks, current CTE classes are meant to benefit all students, from the academically proficient to those who are struggling. The message is that all students need to experience working collaboratively while using their academic skills to solve real problems.

In a global economy with increased competition for entry-level jobs, all students should plan on pursuing post-secondary education, and schools shouldn’t underestimate any student’s potential for academic success.

But students also need information about other options, like apprenticeships and technical certificates. Four-year degrees aren’t the only college option.

Outside of class, schools are trying to develop more opportunities such as internships and job shadowing. In this area of work-based learning, Glendale Unified is just getting started, but there are some local companies with more than a decade of experience hosting student interns.

Both the Allen Lund Co. in La Cañada and Bob Smith Toyota in La Crescenta have been long-term partners in providing work opportunities to the students of Verbum Dei High School, a Catholic boys school in South Central Los Angeles. Verbum Dei sends all its students to work one day a week in participating companies, most of the students staying with one employer for four years.

The Allen Lund Co., a family-run truck brokerage firm with a nationwide network of offices, has also participated for many years in the La Cañada Chamber of Commerce summer intern program for students from La Cañada High School.

Eddie and Kenny Lund spoke with me about some of the reasons the company continues its relationship with schools. It starts with wanting to give back to the community, they said, but they see the positive effect their employment of students has on company morale. They’ve watched employees become more motivated as they teach their job skills to students.

“It takes you out of just your business,” Eddie Lund said, adding that it helps with hiring and retaining employees.

“Millennials want to work for a company that’s engaged,” he said.

They also appreciate the technical skills some of the students bring to their jobs and their willingness to take on longer-term projects for which regular employees may not have time.

Glendale Unified could learn a lot from Verbum Dei and the relationships it has developed with companies like Allen Lund.

In a future column I’ll say more about their corporate partnership program and the role of Montrose resident Jeff Bonino Britsch in developing it.

But for now, I’ll urge readers to get a ticket to the Alex Theater next Thursday. Join the conversation about the future of education. Student tickets are free.

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JOYLENE WAGNER is a past member of the Glendale Unified School Board. Email her at jkate4400@aol.com.