Always learning

This issue takes a look at several aspects of education, from business-higher education partnerships to teacher internships.

Contributing writer Kylie Blanchard covers industry-higher education collaborations for her article, “Teaming Up to Train Today’s Workeforce.” Pick an industry and chances are there is a company in the area working with educators to provide students with industry-specific training. Kylie’s article provides a great snapshot of the diverse array of partnerships being forged in this way.

In “Teaching teachers,” we highlight a program developed in Fargo-Moorhead to provide K-12 teachers with a firsthand look at the engineering design process, the cornerstone of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) learning. The program wouldn’t be possible without participating businesses, which provide financial support and a considerable amount of time training the teachers. Considering the hectic summer schedule of most engineers, it would be understandable if they passed on the extra work. But instead, companies I spoke with said it was worth the effort and they would do it again because they understand the value of providing real-life examples for teachers to share with the next generation of workers.

Finally, we’re happy to share the story of a teacher-turned-entrepreneur. After working as a teacher for nearly two decades, Ellen Jacobson made a career change and opened North Dakota’s first Sylvan Learning Center 18 years ago. Becoming a business owner with no prior experience has been challenging at times, but she is the first to say it’s nothing compared to the hard work of being a teacher. As we approach a new school year, that sentiment is a great reminder to thank the many teachers working tirelessly to shape our future business leaders.

MIKE JACOBS,Publisher

RONA JOHNSON, Executive Editor

KRIS BEVILL, Editor

BETH BOHLMAN, Circulation Manager

KRIS WOLFF, Layout Design, Ad Design

Sales Director: JOHN FETSCH

701.212.1026 jfetsch@prairiebizmag.com

Sales:

BRAD BOYD - western ND/western SD 800.641.0683 bboyd@prairiebizmag.com

SHELLY LARSON - eastern ND/western MN 701.866.3628 slarson@prairiebizmag.com

Editor: KRIS BEVILL 701.306.8561 kbevill@prairiebizmag.com

Editorial Advisors:

Dwaine Chapel, Executive Director, Research Park at South Dakota State University; Bruce Gjovig, Director, Center for Innovation; Lisa Gulland-Nelson, Vice President, Marketing and P.R., Greater Fargo Moorhead EDC; Tonya Joe (T.J.) Hansen, Assistant Professor of Economics, Minnesota State University Moorhead; Dusty Johnson, Chief of Staff for South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard’s office; Brekka Kramer, General Manager of Odney; Matthew Mohr, President/CEO, Dacotah Paper Company; Nancy Straw, President, West Central Initiative

Prairie Business magazine is published monthly by the Grand Forks Herald and Forum Communications Company with offices at 375 2nd Avenue North, Grand Forks, ND 58203. Qualifying subscriptions are available free of charge. Back issue quantities are limited and subject to availability ($2/copy prepaid). The opinions of writers featured in Prairie Business are their own. Unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, artwork are encouraged but will not be returned without a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Subscriptions Free subscriptions are available online to qualified requestors at www.prairiebizmag.com

Address corrections

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Beth Bohlman: bbohlman@prairiebizmag.com

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