Promoting Community & Career Connected Learning
Spring 2023 Student Ambassador interns pose with Placement Coordinator Hunter Warsinsky at the BB2C Makerspace.
School relationships are key to BB2C’s mission. Fostering relationships with educators and students and connecting them with businesses and community leaders allows us to inspire career choice and bridge the gap between education and employment. One of the core ways that we do this in Washington county is with Education Liaisons and our Student Ambassadors.
Educator Liaisons are nominated by their school district or by BB2C to act as the liaison between the students, staff, and BB2C to promote Community & Career Connected Learning (CCCL). Thanks to funding from the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation, we were able to add additional Education Liaisons in our school districts this year and continue to expand CCCL to the middle and elementary school students.
Student Ambassadors are students in Washington County public school districts who serve as representatives at events and promote CCCL to their peers and families. The Ambassadors are paid interns who dedicate 30 hours per school year to assist with focus groups, attend events, and support marketing efforts. They work closely with the Education Liaisons and set goals to achieve throughout the year to promote BB2C, engage students and educators, and build the Ambassadors’ skills and career interests.
We launched the program this fall with training for Liaisons & Ambassadors. The time was used to collaborate, review the program, strengthen connections between participants, and model a focus group to gather feedback regarding the awareness of CCCL in the schools. The Ambassadors & Liaisons will continue to work together to facilitate two more focus groups in their home over the course of the year. The first focus group will be co-facilitated by BB2C and the final one will be led by the students and educators.
Community & Career Connected Learning Coordinator Kristi Leonard-Webber said after the training, “The level of articulation and commitment to supporting their peers in their home schools while developing awareness of Community & Career Connected Learning was inspiring!”
“I love working as an ambassador for BB2C because of their dedication to constantly moving forward,” said Marietta High School Senior and BB2C Student Ambassador Amelia Schenkel. “Recently I participated in a mock focus group which is another great example of BB2C looking at new angles to reach students. It was a good experience and will hopefully benefit many students.”
Click here to learn more about Community & Career Connected Learning
Current 2023-2024 Student Ambassadors
Mackenzie Boyd, Belpre City Schools
Jaslyn Casto, Fort Frye Local School District
Haley Travis, Washington County Career Center
Kyla Jarrell, Williamstown Middle/High School
Gracie Jones, Frontier Local School District
Amelia Schenkel, Marietta City School District
Raodat Sarker, Marietta City School District
Payton Tyler, Frontier Local School District
Current 2023-2024 Education Liaisons
Crystal Barnett-Sheaves, Marietta City Schools
Abby Campbell, Fort Frye Local School District
Jamey Erb, Belpre Local School District
Shari Elfline, Washington County Career Center
Tracy Huck, Fort Frye Local School District
Gwen Justice, Williamstown Middle/High School
Jenny Lynch, Warren Local School District
Marlee Miller, Frontier Local School District
Beth Morris, Wolf Creek Local School District
Steve Parlin, Marietta City Schools
Dallas Tucholski, Frontier Local School District
Chris VanNoy, Warren Local School District
Nannette Varnadoe, Wolf Creek Local School District