Ten dedicated educators from nine school districts across Richland County recently participated in an intensive Teacher Tech Bootcamp. This dynamic event, spanning three days, aimed to expose teachers to in-demand careers in technology and provide them with hands-on experiences at leading local businesses.
Behind the Scenes: Business Tours
Teachers visited the following businesses, gaining valuable industry knowledge:
- ES Consulting: Leaders in IT consulting, specializing in managed IT services and cybersecurity.
- Stoneridge: Experts in advanced engineering and electronics solutions.
- DRM Productions: A multimedia powerhouse focusing on video, animation, and web development.
- Schmidt Security Pro: Providers of top-notch security solutions.
- Avita Health Systems: Innovators in healthcare technology.
- 179th Cyberspace Wing: Defenders of our nation’s digital infrastructure.
Academic and Financial Support
Participants will receive graduate-level credits through Ashland University. The Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center (ESC) facilitated the course, while the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development designed the business tours. Funding was a collaborative effort: the Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Office of Workforce Transformation reimbursed a portion of the tuition costs, and the Chamber’s Microsoft TechSpark grant covered the remainder.
Sharing Insights
Next week, teachers will present their newfound knowledge to business leaders and school administrators. These presentations aim to foster stronger connections between education and the workforce, ensuring students are well-prepared for future careers.
Empowering Educators
The summer Bootcamp programs offer educators tailored opportunities to explore workforce development needs in their communities. Amy Wood, Mid-Ohio ESC’s Director of Grants and Special Projects, emphasized, “Teachers are inherently our best career readiness advisors. Teacher Bootcamps are a meaningful way for teachers to enhance their understanding of the current landscape of local and regional career opportunities, and then use that knowledge to better integrate career-connected learning into their classrooms.”
