A Note from Dr. Marci Dowdy

Hello, School Counselors:

As the 2017-2018 academic years begins to wind down, I want to thank all of you being involved in a successful first year for the Career Pathways program. I’m really excited about the upcoming year! I wanted to share some updates from the many successes over the last few months and please be reminded that I am available to serve as a resource for your school.

-Dr. Marci Dowdy

CONGRATS to Springfield Public Schools on Receiving Pathways Grant!

Congratulations to Springfield Public Schools in collaboration with Springfield Chamber of Commerce for receiving a $14,000 Pathways for Teachers Externship grant.  The Teacher Externship program will connect area educators to business and industry by providing educators the opportunity to spend three days shadowing/interacting with one or two businesses in the following career pathways: Manufacturing and Engineering, Medicine and Health Care, and Information and Technology Solutions.  Educators will use this experience to integrate and connect their learning regarding workplace/employability skills with current classroom curriculum/instruction.  Springfield Public Schools will facilitate the grant and teams of educators from the following school districts will participate during summer, 2018:  Ozark, Bolivar, Reeds Spring, Monett, Logan-Rogersville, and Springfield. Dr. Marci Dowdy, Career Pathways Consultant from the Agency for Teaching, Leading, & Learning at Missouri State will provide technical support and guidance as needed.

Non-Traditional 7th Grade Career Exploration Events

We have had a very successful first year of events for “7th Graders Go to Work” that involved about 600 students from Southwest Missouri! These events are intended to bring awareness regarding Missouri Connections to 7th grade students to learn about a career path and to expose students to non-traditional careers based on their gender. The desired goal is for students to continue  to explore career options as well as to learn about education requirements and the necessary skills associated with a career pathway. Next year we hope to involve more students and businesses!

Missouri Connections

One goal for Missouri Connections is to assist schools in broadening the use of Missouri Connections by helping educators become better informed on how they can use this tool to expand student learning by incorporating career exploration and research within their content area. Missouri Connections is a career planning program available to all Missouri citizens. Funded by Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, this program supports the career development efforts of schools, community organizations, and adult job seeker programs. Missouri Connections helps individuals learn about their talents, skills and interests and make the connection between planning for continued education in the work world. Our agency provides training and support for all Missouri districts and educators. We plan to implement more MO Connections and ICAP training around Southwest Missouri next school year.

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