PIE Programs Offered in the Community

The Director's NOTE

Welcome! The Greater Hazleton Partners in Education is pleased to share our “Community Report” with you introducing the many exciting initiatives happening in your community. Driven by strategic planning and dedicated leaders, PIE has focused on specific initiatives that help students realize the importance of career planning and workplace readiness. PIE has enabled area teachers to learn about the area's leading companies and acquaint students with appropriate academic, technical and employability skills needed to be successful in the 21st century workplace. With over 30 members working together, I encourage you to join PIE and help strengthen the Greater Hazleton Area with talented graduates with a vision destined for success.
Edward S. Lyba Ed.D
Executive Director
Download a copy of the "Community Report."

Programs

• "Video Streaming Tours" -PIE has created more than 23 "Video Streaming Tours" highlighting career opportunities that exist at businesses and industries located in Greater Hazleton. The tours provide students the opportunity to learn about the academic, technical and employability skills needed to be successful in the workplace. PIE offers students the opportunity to assist in producing and narrating these professional video streaming tours.
  
  
• Career Awareness Day -Partners in Education has developed programs such as Career Awareness Day that reach out to middle and high school students to help them prepare for life after graduation. Each year approximately 2000 middle school students from three member school districts study career pathways, research careers and "virtually tour" area companies via PIE's innovative website (www.partnersined.org)tolearnaboutcareerstheyareinterestedin.This 3-week activity culminates in a visit to the students in their classrooms by nearly 60 business members who give presentations about their companies and answer any questions the students may have. The students then complete a resume and fill out a mock application as if they were applying for ajob with one of the companies. This valuable information is then passed on to the Guidance Staff for future reference.
  
  
• Project SAGE -Project SAGE, which stands for "Securing A Greener Environment," is a research project allowing students to study new materials being developed by PIE partner and plastics manufacturer Bemis, Hazleton. The students, who are in the 7^th andand 8^th gifted classes, have worked closely with the Research Department at Bemis to learn how math, science and technology play such an important role in product research, design and marketing. The students become vitally aware ofthe delicate balance of manufacturing products with minimal environmental impact.
  
  
• Attendance Matters Incentive Program -Perfect attendance is an attribute that businesses value when hiring employees. Partners in Education supports that value in its work with area schools by acknowledging students' efforts in maintaining perfect attendance as an important trait in preparing for jobs oftomoITow. Partners in Education is recognizing area students who demonstrate perfect attendance by providing them with the opportunity to win (non-cash) prizes. Since the 2008-2009 school year, PIE has received nearly $9,000 from area businesses in support of perfect attendance and area students in grades 9 through 12 have been the recipient of the prizes.



• Teacher Internship Program -Each year PIE offers area educators an opportunity to participate in a paid 6-week Summer Teacher Internship Program. The work experience introduces the intern to the daily operations of business. The intern also develops ways to incorporate what they have learned into the classroom.



• Job Shadowing -In an effort to assist students in career decision-making, PIE offers students in grades 10 through 12 an opportunity to shadow area business partners. After the job shadowing is completed students fill out a Career Shadowing Feedback Form and are invited to attend one of PIE's regularly scheduled Advisory Meetings to make a presentation about their experience.



• Summer Career Linking Academies -PIE offers summer Career Linking Academies to students regarding high profile occupations. Summer programs include Electronics Technology, Logistics & Transportation, and Careers in Healthcare. In addition, PIE works with its postsecondary partners in developing dual enrollment programs for career and technical students to make the transition from high school to the college classroom.
  
• TV Panel Discussion -Each year PIE hosts a TV Panel Discussion titled "PIE In Your Face." The panel consists of a business/industry partner, an educational partner and a student representative. The panel discusses the video streaming tour and its effect on the economy and career decision-making.
  
  
• Teacher Development Programs -PIE offers area teachers several services for professional development and classroom activity:

1. Teacher Tours in Industry
2. Summer internship employment with business and industry partners
3. Share industry equipment and technology
4. Participate in integrated projects
5. Student mentoring
6. Student Tours in Industry
7. Student apprenticeships
8. Guest Speaker in the classroom

• Other Video Programs -PIE has worked with its partners to produce career-related videos for students on such hot topics as "Careers in Electronics" and "Exploring Careers in Healthcare."
  
• Economic Development -PIE maintains a positive working relationship with the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce and the Hazleton CAN DO Economic Development Group to provide potential businesses, who are considering locating to the area, information on what PIE can provide regarding a capable workforce.



PIE's Essential Partners

• Students, Teachers, School Administrators and Parents


"Through Partners in Education, I was able to job shadow two professionals in the career that I am interested in, which is law. I spent a day with both a judge and an attorney, not only learning what they do, but also which law schools they think I should consider and which courses to study."


- Holly Schoch, Senior at Hazleton Area High School

"A teacher from our school district interned with a local company through Partners in Education, and one ofthe most valuable lessons he learned was the importance ofbasic communication in the workplace. He applied this to the classroom to raise his students' communications skills. That's the benefit that Partners in Education provides; it brings real-life examples into the classroom so students understand how important some skills are to being successful."


-Frank Victor, Superintendent, Weatherly Area School District
• Business and Industry

Leaders of local business and industry join PIE and take an active role. They can help shape future curriculum decisions, as well as communicate their needs to students, teachers and parents.


"Through Partners in Education, we recently held an in-service program for area guidance counselors. We informed them about the many non-traditional careers in healthcare, such asfinance, accounting and marketing. Now students will have a better understanding ofwhat career opportunities -other than doctors and nurses -exist in a hospital setting."
-Lorrie Deffley, Manager of Employment & Workforce Investment,
GreaterHazleton Health Alliance
"One program in particular that I enjoy being involved in is Job Shadowing. As a professional, it allows me to introduce students to careers in electronics that they might never have thought of And, in many cases, I can be a mentor to students who are interested in careers in this field, which is very fulfilling."


- George F. Hayden, Vice President of Operations, George J. Hayden,
Inc. Electric and Communications


" PIE is teaming with the Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance (NEPA) and the NE-PA Industrial Education Partnership to spearhead a new program that will provide students with the early education necessary to qualify for careers in a growing industry in Northeastern Pennsylvania: electronics technicians. We are lookingfor a business/education partnership to help us promote this important career choice, and PIE was already in existence with a mission that meets our goals. It's the ideal working relationship for NEPA Alliance and Partners in Education."
- James A. Cummings, President,
Penns Northeast


PIE's Executive Director
PIE's Executive Director, Edward S. Lyba Ed.D, has had extensive administrative experience in career and technical education as well as basic education. Dr. Lyba maintains a positive working relationship with superintendents as well as area administrative directors in career and technical education. In addition, Dr. Lyba has had extensive experience in researching and developing formal business/education partnerships, locally as well as across the nation, utilizing the model developed by the Utility Business Education Coalition.



Wall Street West Initiative
Partners in Education has maintained a rich tradition in developing practices with its education and business partners in the Greater Hazleton area. The ongoing working relationship PIE has maintained with the Lehigh Valley Business/Education Partnership, the Berks County Partnership, along with the Lehigh Valley WIB, has led to the successful venture entitled "NEPA Business/Education Workforce Partnership." This exciting venture will enable PIE to demonstrate its skills in successfully addressing the initiatives set forth in the Wall Street West Grant within the nine county area.