Students at Bowdoin College are benefiting from an innovative, student-led program aimed at taking the mystery out of career planning. Each winter break, sophomores return to school three days early for a job training "bootcamp" to learn interviewing and resume writing skills, attend lectures on various careers and how to network with school alumni. Kristin Brennan - executive director of Career Exploration and Development at Bowdoin College - said the bootcamp helps students get the experience many employers want today s job candidates to have, before they graduate. .
A shortage of teachers has reached a crisis level in some of the 500 school districts serving more than 1.7 million K-12 students in Pennsylvania. Aspiring educators and advocacy groups are awaiting the state Senate vote on House Bill 141, which would create a statewide "Grow Your Own" teacher preparation program. Jermaine Bailey, the first graduate of the Grow Your Own program in York, has worked as a paraprofessional in the York City School District, earning his degree and teaching certificate. .
Restorative practices have gained a foothold in Pennsylvania schools as districts look for ways to reduce suspensions and improve their school climate. Craig Adamson, president of the model programs for the International Institute for Restorative Practices, said his organization works with more than 60 school districts, along with at-risk youths through the juvenile justice and child welfare systems in eastern Pennsylvania. He explained restorative practices are used as an alternative to suspension, and their peer-mediated small groups give students an opportunity to talk, ask questions and air grievances. .
The following is a guest post from Andrea Berry, Head of Business Development at Theta. In the glimmering world of Hollywood, the convergence of technological…