Learning Level upyour
Topfiveusefulwebsitesforyourrealworldlearningprojects
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Canvaistheperfectwebsiteforallthingsgraphicdesign Whetherit'sasocialmediapost oraninfographic,Canvawillmeetyourneeds Canvahasvariousthemedtemplatesto customizetoyourwork.Evenwithoutasubscription,Canvaoffersmanyfreeresourcesand templates
SeniorPreslieMayusesCanvaforschoolprojectsandnewsletters; “Ireallyenjoyallofthetemplatesthatcanhelpyoucomeupwithideasonyourown.There isalotofroomforcreativefreedomthroughCanva”saidMay
Grammarlyisagreatresourceforallspellinginquiries Theprogramusestechnologyto identifyspellingerrorsandgrammarslip-ups Grammarlyoffershelpfulsuggestionsfor improvingyourwriting.Thesoftwareisavailableasawebsite,app,andbrowserextension. Itistheperfecttooltohelpyoulookaspolishedandprofessionalaspossible
GoogleCalendarisbeneficialforsomanythings Itisagreatwaytomanageyour schedulewhilststayingorganizedandahead.Youcancreateevents,setreminders,and inviteotherstojoinandcollaborate.Itsyncsacrossalldevicesandyoucanaccessitfrom anywhere Ifyouhaveabusylifestyle,itisabeneficialtool
Trelloisaapp/websiteforallthingscollaboration Youcancreateboards,lists,andcardsto helpmanageyourtasksandprojects.Itisavirtualwhiteboardusedtovisuallytrackideas anddeadlines YouarealsoabletotrackprogressthroughTrello Youcanassigntasksand leavecommentsmakingcollaborationsimpleandeasy Itistheperfecttoolforstaying productiveandkeepingtrackofyourteammates.
Adobeoffersavarietyofplatformsthatcatertodifferentcreativeneeds.Oneoftheir popularplatformsisAdobeCreativeCloud,whichincludesapplicationslikePhotoshop, Illustrator,andPremierePro Thesetoolsarewidelyusedbyprofessionalsandenthusiasts infieldssuchasgraphicdesign,photography,videoediting,andmore.Adobealsohas platformslikeAdobeAcrobatforworkingwithPDFfiles,AdobeExperienceCloudfordigital marketingandcustomerexperiencemanagement,andAdobeDocumentCloudfor documentmanagementandcollaboration.Eachplatformprovidespowerfulfeaturesand toolstohelpusersunleashtheircreativityandachievetheirgoals
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Emily Craig teaches English 4 at Raymore-Peculiar HighSchool UnliketraditionalEnglishclasses,students taking English 4 are provided with projects based on theirfutureinterests.
“Students are placed in English 4 classes based on their potential career interests and we then try to matchthemwithaclient/projectthatwillsomehowtie intothatparticularfield,”saidCraig
Before teaching English 4, Craig would often volunteer as an evaluator for Senior DRIVE Night Watching the student presentations is what inspired CraigtobeginteachingEnglish4
“Iwasalwayssoimpressedbytheworkthekidshad completed and loved watching them succeed in their presentations. I wanted to be part of their growth and experiencetheprocesswiththem,”saidCraig.
Craig enjoys working with English 4 students as she enjoys watching her students learn and grow in their own ways She believes that this form of creative teaching allows students to have more impactful experienceswhiletheyarestillinhighschool
“Creative teaching is providing students with new ways of learning that allows for the students to have more meaningful experiences in the classroom,” said Craig.
Craig believes that unlike standard teaching, “creative teaching” presents different opportunities and challenges She has seen projects not meet the student’s expectations, yet she believes that these challengeshavehelpedherstudentslearntoadjustto realworldsituations
“They have experienced failure and frustration, and effectively learned how to adjust and handle that,” saidCraig.
These challenges are also outweighed by the opportunities students have gained from this creative learning
environment. Students have gained confidence in working through challenges and overcoming difficult tasks Craigbelievesthatthestudentshavegainedan array of skills that will benefit them in their future endeavors
“Students are better equipped to communicate with others, students have learned to manage their time and their workload and how to effectively work with peers, they can stand up in front of an audience and speak on the work they have completed and explain the processes they used to solve a problem,” said Craig
Craig believes that a creative teaching environment hasallowedhertobuildamoreauthenticrelationship with her students Craig has been able to watch students work through these projects on their own, andassistandcelebratewiththem,asneeded
Craigencouragesotherteacherstotakeoncreative teaching as she believes that it can be a great opportunity for students She believes that allowing students to take control of their own learning allows formanypositiveoutcomes
“The student engagement alone is worth the work it takes to coordinate the projects. Students are in chargeoftheirownlearningandnogrouporprojectis thesame,”saidCraig
Craigbelievesthatcreativeteachinghasallowedher students many opportunities which are not available in traditional learning. Craig thinks that her students willbeleavinghighschoolwithvaluableskillsthatwill helptheminanyaspectoftheirfuture
“My students are leaving my classroom with more real world experience than they had when they first walked in…These skills will help students no matter whattheirnextstepsinlifeare,”saidCraig
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Photo credit Flickr
Over the past decade, real-world learning has reshaped traditional education norms These initiatives have started to enrich the learning experience for students worldwide. Within the last 10 years, students have slowly grown dissatisfied with their regular classroom experience. That disconnection has created the spurring movement of real-world learning. Experts have started to emphasize the importance of hands-on experiences that prepare students for the complexities of college or the modern world. This shift in learning came when people started realizing that traditional classroom instruction often failed to equip students with the skills to thrive and connect in their future jobs and life
Throughout the decade, technology has helped launch realworld learning from a simple vision to a real program for students from all learning levels and backgrounds With the increase of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), students have the opportunity to explore different environments and possibilities while still in a learning environment From virtual field trips to interactive science labs, these tools helped to revolutionize the way students applied their knowledge in a practical setting
At the same time, the rise of online learning helped break down geographical barriers nationally Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) emerged as a popular option for students seeking to expand their knowledge while living in areas that don’t have opportunities for in-person learning. These platforms provide resources from video lectures to interactive quizzes. Programs like MOOCs empower students to pursue their lifelong learning goals.
The integration of real-world learning experiences into the curriculum became increasingly prevalent by introducing experiences like internships, service learning initiatives, and Market Value Asset requirements to allow students to gain hands-on experience in a professional setting, while also fostering collaboration with industry experts and community organizations These learning opportunities not only enhance student’s skill development but also cultivate a deep understanding of real-world challenges
Towards the end of the decade, there became a growing emphasis on the importance of interdisciplinary learning and cross-cultural integration Collaborative projects and global exchange programs encouraged students to engage with different perspectives and collaborate, preparing them to navigate the interconnected world
Looking back on the past decade, it is clear that real-world learning has emerged as a powerful force for educational innovation and societal advancement. By embracing experimental learning, leveraging technology, and promoting collaboration, educators have created a path towards a more dynamic and inclusive approach to education.
Photo credit IzabellaMartin
Photo credit IzabellaMartin
Photo credit IzabellaMartin
Totally Totally Trending Trending
Real world learning has taken a leap into many teenagers' lives. Real-world learning is hands-on education with practical experiences. Rather than regular school learning, Real World learning is beneficial for the long run and teaches students so many beneficial real world skills they can use everyday.
Project based learning; project based learning is an approach that involves students going through the design thinking process. This includes empathy, define, ideate, prototype and testing. These stages promote critical thinking, collaboration and endless creativity and innovation to solve real world problems.
Internships and apprenticeships; many programs provide students with opportunities to work in professional settings involving their work interest. These usually occur in trades. By working alongside professionals, students get handson experience and advance quickly benefiting them for the future. Internships provide opportunities for students who may have never thought they would get at their age.
Real world learning is all about taking education beyond the classroom and into the real world. It's about applying what you learn in school to practical situations and gaining valuable skills and experiences. Whether it's through internships, field trips, or hands-on projects, real world learning allows you to see the direct impact of your knowledge and develop a deeper understanding of the subject matter. It helps you develop problem-solving skills, critical thinking abilities, and adaptability, which are all essential in growth.
SHINING GEMS
A student project sparking change at Amethyst Place
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AndrewSmithsonandhisgroupof11-12gradestudentshave been involved in a real world learning experience working with AmethystPlace Thestudentshavebeenhelpingthenon-profit organization create activities for the kids living at Amethyst Placeinordertoinvolvethemintheircommunity.
Smithsonwantedtotakeonthisprojectashehashadagood experience with Amethyst Place in the past. Smithson has watchedthisexperienceimpacthisstudentsinavaluableway.
“Not only did the students have the opportunity to do some good research into before/after school programs in Kansas City, but they've gotten into some of the details of event planning--thinking about time, venue, cost, attendance, etc,” Smithsonsaid
Studentshavenotonlydevelopedprofessionalskills,buthave also been able to grow their personal networks according to Smithson.
This experience has also given the students a way to build more personal connections with Smithson. He recounts a time near the beginning of their project where the students were nervous about talking on the phone Smithson demonstrated the first call, which the students used to then script the followingphonecalls
“It was kind of a funny experience, and we definitely bonded overit,”Smithsonsaid
The Students working on this project are being given an opportunitythatSmithsonbelievestheeducationsystemoften doesnotprovide.
“These projects bring an authenticity to school that we ' ve beenlackingforalongtime,”Smithsonsaid
He believes that more teachers could adapt this form of teaching,as“experienceisthebestteacher”
According to Smithson, these experiences have given the students and teachers alike many challenges. However, Smithson finds that all of the difficulties--including scheduling, transportationandadvertising--aretheheartoftheproject.
“Every good and authentic project will include unforeseen difficulties,butit'simportanttorememberthatthosedifficulties are the entire point of doing the project in the first place,” Smithsonsaid
Although this project is ongoing, Smithson prides his students in the organization skills that they have used throughout this process.Smithsonhasseenhisstudentsgoaboveandbeyond in creating a spreadsheet to track all of the information they haveandareplanningongathering.
“They took this step on their own, and I was really impressed withtheirinitiative,”Smithsonsaid
By the end of this project, Smithson’s students will have createdanactivityfairforthechildrenofAmethystPlace They will also provide these kids with multiple after school and summeractivitiesthatwerenotpreviouslyavailable
Photo credit PreslieMay
ast year, 99% of STA dents earned a Market alue Asset, and 60% earned 2 or more
DDESIGNEDBY:
IZABELLAMARTIN
your high school campus to spend half y to focus on your future career. That is STA do STA at the Missouri Innovation areer-focused academy designed to hool juniors and seniors for tomorrow’s demandworkforce
Lee’sSummitSchoolDistrictwhichoffers to students from 16 school districts (40 intheKCMetroareaontheMissouriside. d are: Computer Science, Engineering, Digital Media, Finance and FinTech, ational Studies, Hospitality, Tourism & nagement as well as Environmental dattheParadiseParkCampus. or Emily Hobbs discusses the academic
arning and hands-on activities are cultureofSTA Becauseourcoursesmeet day,itiseasiertogivestudentstimeand plied deep learning that takes place in
oro is a perfect example. In the Finance se, he learned how to use technology to make sound business decisions He ng and economics concepts, had the ollege credit, and earned his Microsoft ation.Asasenior,heworkedasanintern chef at Worlds of Fun analyze inventory ummer season. Santoro used his skills in the management staff visualize the data ctions about inventory needs Hobbs udentsarepulledtoenrollinSTA; awn to STA because they not only feel a gbuttheyalsolaunchtheircareers.”said
plore career paths and get ready to dive ent, work with other students from area arelike-minded,andwanttoapplywhat with real-world projects or in industry orkplaces recognize the students in STA ors to open for these hands-on learning
Photo credit EmilyHobbs
don’tstopPLEASE theMUSIC
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On Sunday, March 17, the fine arts departments of Liberty North High School and Liberty High School performed at the Kauffman Center, a concert hall deemed one of the best in the U.S. by publications including AFAR Magazine. Both the musicians and directors felt confident the performance would run smoothly as they believed the preparation was going well Liberty North Orchestra Director Alysse Trusty said;
“I was thrilled to perform with the Liberty North High School’s orchestras at the Kauffman Performing Arts. What a great experience to take students and perform on an international stage! I had been really impressed with the level in which our musicians have balanced the literature load In the midst of Kauffman preparations, we had different literature for our Winter Concert, Large Group Festival, and our Spring Finale Concert. It was a lot of music to juggle and have prepared, and our musicians did it effortlessly,” said Trusty
Liberty High School double bassist Kate Biesemeyer was also optimistic about the concert, especially as she had dreamt of performing at the Kauffman Center.
“I’ve always been inspired and moved by the performances I have watched there and I couldn’t wait to perform there It was a dream come true All of our directors had been really excited about about the concert as well,” said Biesemeyer.
Performing at the Kauffman Center was seen as an honor not only at Liberty High School but also at Liberty North Though Preston Elliott, a violist from Liberty North, had previous experience performing at the concert hall, he still felt proud and nervous about the opportunity.
“I think it was a pretty cool experience that not many high school musicians will get to have It is one of the biggest stages in the world, so I was kind of intimidated but I also felt ready,” said Elliott.
For both the directors and musicians, the concert was described as nothing short of magical, a fun time, and uniting Those involved felt positive about the performance and walked away with memories that will forever be important to them. Liberty North percussionist Miranda McArtor touches on her experiences,
“The best part was toward the end of a piece where I have a huge timpani part Mr Fuller and I locked eyes and it was just the moment I will remember this performance for the rest of my life,” said McArtor
PLATFORM SHOES: The platform shoe is capable of increasing your height when other shoes fail to do so (perfectforashortgirl) Ifyouwearaplatformshoewith the right kind of accessories, you'll look modern and unique. Platformsareagoodmatchforwidelegpants, boyfriendjeansorshortskirts.
PSTATEMENT
JEWLERY: Youcan makeyour personalityknown throughjewelry. Youmaybe perceivedasmore advancedand refinedwhenit comestoclassic andtimelessitems. Youcanbeseen asfunand inventiveifyou wanttoblend differentjewelry stylesintoone.
DRESS PANTS, SHIRTS, & SHOES: These are some of the most professional of an outfit one can wear (unless you wear a tuxedo) Pair up your slacks and button-up with a nice watch andacleanpairofleathershoesornicetennis shoes
CHEC
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Professional outfits are IN here’s a look at some of our favoritesandhowtostylethem
LIGHT WASH DENIM: This denim wash is a nice alternative to white in the summer (and it's typically pretty comfortable because it's prewashed andsoft) Andinthewinter, it looks great with knitted sweatersthatareinneutral colors and some cute Chelsea style boots We also love of pairing light denim with dark leather for asofterlook
STATEMENTSHIRT: Statementshirtsaremore thanclothing;they'rean expressionofidentity You canfeelconfidentand inspireotherswhenyou wearashirtwithapowerful message Whenstyling statementshirts,useshoes toyouradvantage Pairyour statementshirtwithapairof tightjeansandsomeankle bootstoaddmoretexture andappealtoyourlook
HAIRBOW: Hair bows add a chic, feminine touch to any outfit, and they'reespeciallyfestivepairedwithplaidandvelvetdressesduring theholidays
The new learning trend: Teacher Academy’s
MASTERINGTHE ABC’S
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IZABELLAMARTIN
As the end of the school year approaches, many high school students think they need to know the exact thing they want to do, and the best way to learn what you want to do is by testing your skillsintherealworld.Anewspike has been discovered on the realworld learning radar, and that is, TeacherAcademy
TeacherAcademyprogramsare a version of real-world learning where students spend 2 days out of the week learning how to be a teacher,thingslike lessonplans,conflictmanagement,etc thentheygototheirassignedschools andworkasateacher’sassistant ProgramManager,CarmaRicheyspeakson thebenefitsofaprogramlikeTeacherAcademy
“I think the best thing about it is the hands-on experience because they get to see what being a teacher looks like. They do the meetings, they do the professional development, data, lesson-planning, all of the things that you wouldn’t see as a student, so they get to see ‘is this something that I want to do’”saidRichey
Students interested in a career in any form of education now have a playgroundtoroamfreeandtrulyexperiencethelifeofateacher!!
Photo credit IzabellaMartin
Photo credit IzabellaMartin
Photo credit IzabellaMartin
Addison,thelife learner
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Addison Long is a junior at Ray-Pec High School and a first year student at The LEAD Center’s Teacher Academy program Long joined the program due to her long-term interest in becoming a teacher
“I can remember ever since 3rd grade I have always loved the idea of becoming a teacher,” said Long.
The purpose of the Teacher Academy is to give students the opportunity to be hands-on in a real classroom where they work with younger students This provides students like Long to gather real-world experience while still in high school.
“When involved in Teacher Academy you go into a classroom and are the teacher This provides a lot of real world learning opportunities,” said Long Being able to work with students has helped Long better envision the world of teaching by placing her directly in the classroom.
“It has taught me what comes with being a teacher and how to really impact a student's education,” said Long
Since joining the Teacher’s Academy program, Long has seen herself improve in many ways, including gaining more confidence and feeling more prepared to go into the teaching world
“I used to lack confidence and real world learning has helped me be more confident in my skills. This has better prepared me for my future teaching career,” said Long.
While Real World Learning has already improved significantly in the last decade, Long believes that making it more accessible can help provide students with a more exciting and enriching environment.
“I believe if we allow students to take over their education experience they will improve on their skills and they will be better prepared for real life,” said Long.
When asked what type of students are best fit for real-world learning, Long responded with students who are hard working and are looking for education that expands beyond the classroom
“I think a hard working and dedicated student who is looking for a more hands-on experience,” said Long.
For the right student such as Long, real-world learning is able to provide students with the confidence and real world skills needed to help them succeed in their future careers
“I feel like Teacher Academy was an amazing opportunity and that I would have regretted not applying” said Long.
Photo credit CarmaRichey
Photo credit CarmaRichey
Photo credit CarmaRichey
SPORTING SUCCESS
Utilizingsportsskillsandrealworldlearning
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When you think of sports you probably think of players like Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady, Kobe Bryant, Alex Morgan, etc. But have you ever thought about the connections that sports have in the field of real-world learning
There are many ties between innovation and innings, from leadership to health, sports can benefit a student in many unexpected ways.
The first skill ‘up to bat’ is, teamwork and collaboration: sports teach the value of teamwork, collaboration, and effective communication, essential skills in many realworld settings, including workplaces and community projects
Junior Gavin Cowan has been a football player since his freshman year of high school. Cowan discusses how he feels his sports team made an impact on his future:
“I learned what it means to be part of a team and how to stay committed to a team which I think helped me get a feel for how it is in a professional setting,” said Cowan
Now going for the ‘three-pointer’ in real-world learning skills is, time management and discipline: balancing sports commitments with academics requires good time management and discipline. These skills are similar to managing responsibilities and deadlines in your professional and personal life
The next ‘special teamwork’ skills acquired in sports are leadership and responsibility: being part of a sports team often involves leadership roles, decision-making, and taking responsibility for one ' s actions These experiences translate into developing leadership skills and accountability in real-world situations.
“Being on the football team has helped me develop leadership and communication skills I learned how to calmly but effectively lead my team to victory” said Cowan.
Last, but most certainly not least is the influence of a healthy lifestyle which many would say is the real MVP when it comes to the benefit of sports Participation in sports promotes a healthy lifestyle, including physical fitness, mental well-being, and stress management A healthy body and mind contribute to better learning and performance in various real-world endeavors
Overall, whether or not you think of some of your favorite players when you see the word, sports offer a holistic learning experience that goes beyond physical activity, providing valuable lessons and skills related to real-world challenges and future opportunities.
Photo credit TristaHouchen
Photo credit TristaHouchen
How to Stop Procrastination
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Procrastination is a favorite vice amongst most students, and the tendency to delay tasks despite knowing you will suffer later on has been researched through many pieces of literature and academics for much longer than this current generation has been alive It is easy to manage your time in your favor, prioritizing things you could be doing rather than what you should be doing.
This can show itself through a lack of impulse control, academic anxiety, and so much more It also does not apply to just work and school, it can apply to your daily routine whether that is pushing off working out or even emotional unavailability in various situations where you push off confrontation due to anxious habits Though reaping the short-term benefits of procrastination feels great at the time, it can turn into a habit.
When thinking about something that needs to be done, there is always the intention to get it done It’s important to pair intention with action to have a successful outcome with the task. A common phrase is to “live with intention”, which applies to all life areas Living to do better in friendships, school, a relationship, home life, really, all of the above. While that phrase can be a good tool for many different situations, it doesn’t outline the importance of action when it comes to procrastination
Intention to do something only means so much, and a big part of combatting procrastination is to figure out what intention and action look like for you, how they are different, and how you can make this pairing of the two work There are so many methods to combat procrastination and enhance productivity, these methods can be broken down into many different tips
When it comes to work that you are putting off because there is so much of it, it can relate directly to an emotional blockage toward the work, you could be overwhelmed or intimidated by the amount of work that needs to be done. Breaking apart the project into smaller increments and taking the work one step at a time can make it much less stressful and lead to more quality work being done as you return to it.
A good way to combat this type of procrastination is placing higher stakes or personal goals on the assignment at hand to increase your desire to complete it For example, if you finish this assignment, you can treat yourself to some ice cream, creating a win-win situation because you’ve finished your work and got ice cream The reward system can look different for everyone, and the stakes you place on finishing something can be to whatever magnitude you wish
Another way to get back into a productive mood is to change your environment by either going to the library, a coffee shop, or even going outside to find a spot to sit and raise efficiency By changing your environment from your home or bedroom to a place where others are studying, you ' re leaving your comfort and surrounding yourself with others who are productive. If leaving your comfort does not work for you, going outside for five minutes and taking a break away from work and any other devices can be a good brain refresher to get you back into a motivated state.
In some cases, procrastination becomes a bigger mental challenge than anything, and in those cases, it could be best to seek professional help or talk to someone who might be able to help you realize what is stopping you from doing tasks
Productive Pastimes
WRITTENANDDESIGNEDBY: STELLASPRAGG
Reading
Explore books or articles on topics you are studying or interested in. Reading can help you grow as a thinker and learner in a professional setting and a personal setting.
Networking
Build relationships and connect with like-minded people in your industry, school, workplace, or community.
Personaldevelopment
Set goals, work on your time management, or practice mindfulness and meditation to initiate personal growth.
Learning a new skill
Whether it’s a language, musical instrument, coding, or any other skill, learning something new can be both enjoyable and productive.
Creative hobbies
Try your hand at painting, writing, crafting, or photography to express yourself creative
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High school can be a busy four years for students, consisting of schedules filled with activities such as extracurriculars, athletics, jobs, and homework. 86% of surveyed high school students in the Kansas City metro area have foundthemselvesfeelingpressuretobesuccessfulresulting in an uptick in being involved both within and outside of school. Liberty North senior Maia Gaddis touches on her pressurepoints,
“I think I feel a lot of self-based pressure instead of peerbased pressure to be successful I expect myself to be able to improve and perform to the best of my ability all of the time. I’m pretty involved, too. I play club volleyball, I’m the Editor-In-Chief of the newspaper, in National Honor Society, etc, so that has put a lot of stress on me because I want to bemoreinvolved,”saidGaddis.
Staley High School senior Miles Boyce has also felt selfpressureasheleadsabusyhighschoolcareerandhashigh aspirations for himself in college Boyce is part of National Honors Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, school and community youth orchestra, cross country, and track and field.
“I feel quite pressured to be successful, especially academically.Ihavesurroundedmyselfwithfriendswhoare academically disciplined and strive to do well in school, so I try my hardest to stay up with them. My goal past high school is to attend the University of Oklahoma and major in meteorology.Ifeellike
thisgoalisattainable,despiteitbeingdifficult.Ibelievethat anything you want to chase in college will be difficult to attain,butwillbeworthitintheend,”Boycesaid.
When high school life and college plans may prove overwhelming, living in the moment is a commonly utilized strategy that can be helpful because it reduces the number of tasks requiring attention. Liberty High School sophomore Michael Fang has learned many tactics for stress management,
“Whenever I tend to stress about my future, I cope by focusingfirstonthepresent.Insteadofworryingaboutwhat my life will be like in many years, I focus on a passage I’m workingoninmymusicoranupcomingtestthatweek,”said Fang.
Liberty North junior Addison Tesar takes a different approachtostressmanagementthathelpsputhermindat ease when getting overwhelmed; focusing on her future careergoalsandhowthatwillbringhersuccess “Iwanttobeamuseumcurator Ifoundthatthatcareerwill make me happy but there is also success in it I thought I wanted to be an artist but there isn’t a lot of money or training for that, so this is more middle of the road for me,” Tesarsaid.
Whether you are a middle school student, high school student, a meteorologist, or a doctor, stress will always find you.Thebestwaytohandleyourstressistofaceitheadon, andmakeattainablegoals.
Professional Behavior Professional Behavior and Mannerisms and
Mannerisms
Whether a company is reaching out for an intervieworameetingisnecessarytolaunchanew project, it can be beneficial to know professional behaviorandmannerismsinordertoleaveagood impression on the employer or staff Knowing how toactcandistinguishyouasagreatcandidatefor the job and strengthen your reputation and authorityduringmeetings
“It shows your future employer that you have good character and can help build relationships with your employer These types of behaviors can also help you show your employer that you have integrityandarethoughtfultoothers.Ifsomeoneis disrespectful during an interview, the employer might not want to hire you If you are smacking gumorlookingatyourphoneduringaninterview,it might show that you don’t want the job During meetings, people may think you aren’t interested if youactthesamewayandmightnotthinkofyouas a great employer,” Shawnee Mission North’s Real WorldLearningCounselorBrittSherersaid
Based on research from the UK Mental Health Foundation, when anxiety levels are high, individuals can experience increased levels of agitation which can lead to closed-off body languageorbeingunabletorelax.Whenpresented, these traits can come across as disrespectful or apathetictotheemployerorstaff
“Somekeybehaviorsforaninterviewormeeting would be to make good eye contact when someone is talking to you and when someone else is speaking. You also want to seem engaged in the conversation and meeting. I think it's important to also put your phone away as it can be distracting, so keep it away during meetings and interviews,”
Sherersaid
IllumaAdvisor’sSeniorAdvisorofFormularyand Operations Gina Hofstetter explains how managing emotions, especially bold or pessimistic reactions, anhelpfosterapositiveandwelcoming
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environment while participating in a meeting or interviewingforajob
“It’s really easy when working in big groups to get frustrated I think instead of trying to be super obvious about being frustrated, you can just use yourwordstoexpressitprofessionally.Forexample, I’m on a project right now where we’re just getting started and learning about each other I want to know more about what is going on, I don’t feel like information is being shared in a timely manner It wouldbeeasyformetosay‘Hurryupandgiveme the information’ but that doesn’t make me or other people look good. I can share in a professional manner ‘when you guys are ready to share information, we’re ready for what you want to give us,’”Hofstettersaid
Thispreparationdoesnothavetostartwhenthe interview or meeting does It can be beneficial to prepare before meeting with an employer or staff. North Kansas City High School AVID Tutor Dara Evans points out how before interviewing, researching the company is necessary as it can convey the appearance of being knowledgeable and prepared for questions about the company But,beingwell-prepareddoesnotalwaysmeanthe student feels emotionally ready for the meeting or interview. Hofstetter highlights how confidence and honesty are key, but that it is acceptable to feign confidence
“Fakeituntilyoumakeit It’seasytobenervous or feel like you don’t know what you’re doing We’re all doing the best we can. Going into it wanting to appear confident and like you know what you’re doing goes a long way in making other people feel that about you Also, be honest If you’re trying to askaquestionandyouflubitorlosetrackofwhere you are, say ‘Sorry guys, let me try that again’ Just being human and being real, I think people appreciatethat,too.Itremindsusthatthisisareal person and to meet them where they are,” Hofstettersaid
Campus CampusCreations Creations
LearnallaboutLiberty NorthHigh-school’s studentbusinessfestival!
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AtLibertyNorthHighSchool,studentsheldaBusiness Festivalthatbroughttogethermanystudentsruntheir ownbusinesses Studentrunbusinessesareoneofthe many examples of how students are experiencing real-worldlearningintheirschools
Each year, students are making a difference in their schools through real-world learning. Milo Graves, a senior at Liberty North was one of the students who had a booth at the Business Festival. Graves is in a Digital Media Management class at Liberty North Graves talks about the great opportunities it has broughthimandallthepeoplehehastalkedtosince havingaboothatthefestival.
“People will come up to my booth and we start up a conversationandit’sbeenneatgettingtoknowsome people I wouldn’t have talked to otherwise,” Graves said
The Student Business Festival at Liberty North has sparked conversations and has brought people together.TheBusinessFestivalisawonderfulexample of real-world learning going on in schools today. Students were given the opportunity to have a booth atthefestivalandshowcasetheirownbusiness
Graves was just one of the many students that took advantage of this RWL opportunity By getting out thereandhavingaboothatthefestivalstudentswere able to engage and talk to people like real business professionals.
This is the goal of Real World Learning, to get students involved in learning like the real world, to treatstudentsasiftherewererealprofessionalsinthe world. To give students those opportunities to learn how to connect with people and grow as an individual.
Real-world learning has impacted students in different ways, the Liberty North Student Business Festival was just one of the examples Student run activities are very common among real-world learningexperiences.Studentsarecontinuingtoshow how real-world learning is the new way of learning andhowRWLtakesstudentstoanentirelynewlevelof education
Photo credit MiloGraves
aving aving aving marts marts marts
DESIGNEDBY:EMMABISBY
Unlocking the Secrets to Saving the Big Bucks
Therearemanywaystomanageandsaveyourmoney Itisviabletotryandfollowtheseasyou neverknowwhatkindofsituationyoumightneedtosetmoneyasidefor Hereareafewthingsyou candotohelpprepareforthosesuddensituations!
Startbytrackingyourincomeandexpenses.Determineyourregularexpensesandincome throughalist Setsoftspendinglimitsandtrytosticktothem Trytopreventgoingoverthat softlimit 1
Identifyareaswhereyoucanreducespending Determineifyoureallyneedtheitemorifit isawant Trykeepingtrackofallofyoursubscriptionstomakesureyouaren’tspending extraonunwantedapps/websites Alsotakeitastepfurtheranddetermineifyouhavethe fundstosetasideextramoneyfortheitem Prioritizeneedsoverwants
Establishshorttermandlongtermsavingsgoals.Whetheritsforaspecialpurchaseorfuture plans,savingregularlywillhelpyoubuildafinancialcushionforyourself.Considertryingthe 50/30/20budgetrule Youshouldspendupto50%ofyourafter-taxincomeon needs/obligationsthatyoumusthaveormustdo Theremaininghalfshouldbesplitbetween savings(20%)andeverythingelsethatyoumightwant(30%)
Considertryingtotakeonsmallfreelancejobs Thesemayincludebabysitting,outsidework oroddjobs.Thesetypicallypaywellandaresimple.
SYNCING SCHEDULES
WRITTEN BY:ADDISONREYNOLDS DESIGNEDBY:EMMABISBYANDIZABELLAMARTIN
PRIORITIZING
Determine your priorities and allocate the time accordingly.
Try to set aside time to make a schedule and include school, work and other commitments such as sports, clubs and homework time Try to stick to these times as much as possible to prevent any stress
COMMUNICATION
Learn how to appropriately manage your time.
Keep open lines of communication across all fronts Plan ahead and make sure that you are leaving enough notice for your job regarding school functions and other important activities Another huge part of communication is advocating for yourself and your needs Do not be afraid to speak up if needed
TIME MANAGEMENT
Learn how to appropriately manage your time.
Use apps such as calendars or reminder apps to keep track of deadlines, assignments and work shifts. Try to break tasks down into smaller manageable chunks to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Strategies for harmonizing your studies and work life
Take care of yourself. Remember to prioritize mental health above all. Never hesitate to get the support you need Talk to teachers, counselors, parents and anybody else trusted near you and keep them updated on your mental health They will often have valuable advice for you to follow. Part of growing up is being able to manage all of these There are so many more tips and pieces of advice to offer Remember you are never alone and you will often find others can relate to what you are working through.
UPCOMING Careers
WRITTENANDDESIGNEDBY: IZABELLAMARTIN
HEALTHCARE
Healthcareworkersareconsidered‘essential’fromsurgeonstonursepractitioners, studentswithapassionforhealthorsciencewillalwayshaveacareerwithin healthcare Healthcareisoneofthemostgrowingcareerfields Ina2022report,the BureauofLaborStatistics(BLS)statesthatthemedianannualwageforhealthcare professionalsinMay2021was$75,040andthatnumbercontinuestogrow
CYBERSECURITY
Withcyberattacksontherisemanycompaniesarelookingforindividuals withaninterestincybersecurity. Inthisjobyouwillcontinuallyinnovate, research,andtest newwaystopreventhackersfromobtainingimportant data TheBLSprojectscybersecurityjobswillgrowby32%from2022to2032
FINANCIALMANAGER
Afinancialmanagerperformsmarketanddataanalysistoaidbusinessmanagers onprofit-maximizingideas Thefinancialgrowthofacompanywillbeinyourhands IfyouareastudentwholovesorganizingdataorhasanAinyourfinance/math class,thisjobmightbethepathforyou.TheBLSstatestheaveragesalaryis $156,100peryearwhichequatesoutto$75perhour.
ELECTRICIAN
Electriciansinstall,repair,andmaintainelectricalpower,communications,and lightinginhomes/businesses.Electriciansandothertradesopenupthe opportunityforstudentsfrommanydifferentbackgroundsandeducationlevels, theopportunitytogrowwithintheircareers.AccordingtoBLSthesecareerswill growin6%changerate(fasterthanaverage)from2022-2032
HeatingupSuccess ThejourneyofimplementingHVACprograms
WRITTENBY:JACKSONMALLORYANDIZABELLAMARTINDESIGNEDBY:EMMABISBY
In the hot summertime or the cold wintertime you probably find yourself turning on your heating and air conditioning system, but did you know that high school students are learning how to fix and control those HVAC systems? Realworld learning high schools like The LEAD Center are now implementing these new HVAC programs to teach students the skills and importance of HVAC Ray-Pec HVAC teacher Nicolas Gentry discusses the benefits he sees from the implementation of HVAC training at an early age;
“These programs give students an opportunity to explore different career opportunities, gain basic employment skills, and potentially place in a career if they choose to ” said Gentry
These programs become like part-time jobs for the students enrolled Students will go to their program and complete tasks just like an HVAC technician would in the real world Hands-on learning programs, like the HVAC one at Ray-Pec, put a professional feeling in place for students Treating students like they are professionals will turn students into mature professionals Abram Lewis, the director of the Ray-Pec LEAD Center discusses his thought process regarding the decision to add an HVAC program to his learning center;
“The district did a study on career opportunities and where there were gaps, where there were needs, and HVAC was one of them,” said Lewis
HVAC programs are benign brought into schools to make a difference in the community and trade students' lives
More students can get involved in the field of HVAC Gentry touches on this idea of a change in students' lives due to hands-on learning programs;
“If used to their potential, these programs will prepare students to be able to enter the workforce right away instead of having to seek training after graduation,” said Gentry
HVAC is an important career field, technicians maintain and maximize the efficiency of your air conditioning system,
“HVAC is so important because these systems control temperature, humidity, and air quality It affects your health, comfort, and even productivity in the work environment,” said Gentry
The introduction of real-world learning programs, like an HVAC training program, has a profound and positive impact on students Not only does it equip them with practical skills and knowledge directly applicable to their future careers, but it also fosters a deeper understanding of the subject matter through hands-on experiences By engaging in real-world projects and challenges, students can develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills, all of which are essential for success in the workforce The confidence gained from mastering technical skills in a real-world setting empowers students to pursue their career goals with enthusiasm Real-world learning programs like the HVAC training initiative not only prepare students for the demands of the industry but also inspire a sense of accomplishment and readiness for their professional journey ahead
From
to
WRITTEN BY:PARKERMENDEL DESIGNEDBY:IZABELLAMARTIN
Aquaponicsisasustainable farmingmethodthatcombines aquaculturewithhydroponics,and thatisexactlywhatKearneyHigh SchoolStudentsSkyJonesand AlexisRobertsonareworkingonwith theKearneySparkAcademy(an after-schoolcenterforMiddleand Elementaryschoolstudentsinthe Kearneyschooldistrict)
JonesandRobertsonweretasked withthechallengetobuilda hydroponicssystemtoteach studentsaboutdifferenttypesof agricultureinaClientConnected Projectfortheirbotanyclass But whatisahydroponicssysteminthe firstplace?Hereitfirsthandfrom Jones, “Sothehydroponicsystem,we havetwopiecesofwood,justtwo byfours,andtheninthereisalittle tube,andthewatergetspumped upanddownthroughtheplants untilit'sbackinthere,andthenit getsrefilledwithplantnutrients.” saidJones
RobertsonandJones’groupdidn’t havetobuildtheirhydroponics systemoutsideoftheirclasses curriculum,infact,theyusedalotof whattheylearnedinbotanyclass whiledesigningtheirproject, Robertsonstated
“Whileresearchingahydroponic system,wefoundthatcertain plantscan'tgrowinthere Soitwas kindofcoolbecauseweweregoing alongwithdifferentrootsystems, certainroots,andcertainplants thatcan'tbeusedinthehydroponic system Sowekindofgottogowith whatwewerelearninginclassand putittowardsouractualoverall project”saidRobertson
Onerequirementtheclienthadfor JonesandRobertson’sgroupwas tobuildouttheentirehydroponics systeminacomputerprogramso theycouldgivefeedbackontheir designbeforebuildingitinreallife
youhadtopayforit.…weused basicshapes,soImadecylinders outofit,curvedthem,madethem hollow,andputallthecorrect dimensionsintheretoreallybringit tolife.”saidJones.
NotonlyaretheseKearneyHigh Schoolstudentslearningabout plantsand3Dmodeling,butthey arealsogettingvaluablework experiencefromcommunicating withtheirclients Robertsonsaid,‘ “Thisprojecthashelpedmealot withfuturejobsbecauseitwasnice beingabletotalktopeoplelikean adultandnothavingthemtalkto melikeI'machild“ saidRobertson Finally,JonesandRobertson’s grouphadtopresenttheirdesignto theirclients,theKearneySpark Academy.Robertsonshared, “Wedidpracticepitchesinclass withourstudentsandpeersandour teacherandeveryonekindof
wrotedownlittlehintsthatcould helpusinourfinalprojects Sowe tweakedourpresentationandhow wetalkedandthenourclients cametotheschoolandwehavea meetingroomandwewenttothe roomandpitchedourprojectwith them”saidRobertson
ThisClientConnectedProjectwas oneofmanyforstudentsofBotany andBiologyteacher,Mrs.Lafrenz.
“Mystudentsareworkingwithtwo nonprofitorganizations Oneisa localchurchandthenoneisan afterschoolprogramforstudents calledtheSparkAcademy Each clienthasaboutthreegroupsof fourstudents,andthosegroups weregivenideasfromtheirclients”. saidLafrenz
STUDENT AMBASSADORS MADE: ACECOFIELD
PAGEWRITTENANDDESIGNEDBY: IZABELLAMARTIN
Student Ambassadors is a program that the growth of client-connected projects with that don’t currently offer those opportunitie Ambassadors use their program to sp influence of real-world learning.
The Student Ambassadors program gives chance to get extra experience in CC speaking, and real-world learning experience Student Ambassador and Shawnee Miss senior Aeydan (Ace) Cofield discusses the b being in the Student Ambassadors program,
“I would say my experiences from Ambassador are simply unique, most Ambassadors had a network of people or work with at their school/district, it was representing my school and my community that has worked in my favor,” said Cofield
Many students like Cofield search for oppo real-world learning
Student Ambassadors also provide environment for students to have new ex and successes while in a structured space.
“Every day we take chances and people tak on us, this time I wanted to take a chance and do something that was out of my comf lot of us are good speakers, good athletes, a good people, but I wanted to be in an en where I could improve on small things, polis and learn something new every day,” said Co
Photo credit AceCofield
Real Influencers Learning World
Alex Peters and Rohan Mahimker
If you were in elementary school between the years of 2011-present day, you probably played the fun math game, Prodigy. CEO’s Alex Peters and Rohan Mahimker, created Prodigy while in their senior year of college at the University of Waterloo If you ask me, that sounds like real-world learningatwork!!
ndy Kopp
KoppistheCEOandco-founderofTeachForAll,aglobalnetworkofindependentnonprofit ations working to expand educational opportunity in their own countries. Wendy is the of A Chance to Make History: What Works and What Doesn’t in Providing an Excellent onforAll(2011),OneDay,AllChildren:TheUnlikelyTriumphofTeachForAmericaandWhatI LearnedAlongtheWay(2000)
hn and Hank Green
reenbrothersareknownformanyaccomplishmentsintheeducationalworld JohnGreenis uthor of books like “The Fault in Our Stars,” and Hank is the author of “An Absolutely rkableThing.”Intermsofeducationalcontent,thebrotherscreatedCrashCourse,aYouTube thatcombinesfunanimationsandjokeswithinformativelectures.
Melissa Taylor
Melissa Taylor is an educational blogger & writer She created the social media account and website, Imagination Soup Where teachers, students, and families can find children’s books and educational content You can find Melissa on Instagram (@imaginationsoup) to see her educationalmaterialsandtips.
Sue Mylde
SueMyldeisaneducator,speaker,andanadvocateforreal-worldlearning KnownforherTedTalk ‘The Forgotten Power of Hands-On Learning’ Sue uses her platform to encourage other educators to influence innovation within their classrooms to help benefit students and their constantly evolvingskillsets
Photo credit DemijahBaskett
Editor's Note
I am so happy to be writing this note for a third and last time I am so proud of my staff for helping me develop the first official Spring Issue of POV
This magazine shares the stories of students who are stepping out of the bounds that tie them to a regular classroom experience. Students who use fish poop to grow plants to our favorite professional outfits This issue of POV is made to represent everything that real-world learning is connected to A special thank you goes out to my entire staff, which have all been pulled from various Kansas City School Districts, Stefani Russ, Rachel Thomas, Sarah Renfrow and Angee Simmons I couldn’t make this magazine happen without all of you!!
After P.O.V. Issue 3 ill b di h i i of Missouri to continue my career in commu and I hope you enjoyed our voices!!
REALWORLD LEARNING
KAUFFMAN FOUNDATION
