Developing Delaware's Future Workforce

PRINCIPAL FOR A DAY CONNECTS EDUCATION AND BUSINESS

BY ALEXIS WILLIAMS

In October 2019, State Chamber President Mike Quaranta visited Christiana High School as part of the Delaware Principal for a Day program that fosters working relationships between business leaders and educators.

“I love the program. Having been a student yourself, being back in a school brings back memories,” reflected Quaranta on his experience at Christiana. “To come back another time as principal for the day, it is a unique experience. It was great to meet students who were as personable and sharp as my tour guides for the day— Brianna Piner and Donivan Drzyzga.”

Delaware Secretary of Education Scholar and Christiana High School class of 2021 graduate, Brianna Piner, was one of Quaranta’s tour guides. Brianna was accepted to many nationally renowned universities, but ultimately decided to attend Johns Hopkins University and major in neuroscience. Brianna’s is just one of many Delaware success stories that showcase the quality and potential of the future workforce for the First State.

Quaranta says students like Piner are a “testament to all the terrific work that Dr. Eunique Lawrence and her staff are doing at Christiana High School. Look at the great opportunities that these students embarked on in August.”

Dr. Eunique Lawrence, principal of Christiana High School, was equally as enthusiastic about the program. “Delaware Principal for a Day was a rewarding and beneficial experience for our school community. Mr. Quaranta joined me for bus duty and was open to exploring the various aspects of a typical school day. Glad he wore comfy shoes, as we most certainly ‘got our steps in.’ Our day began with a rainy carpool line, classroom visits, and guided tours by Brianna Piner and Donivan Drzyzga. Mr. Quaranta concluded his visit by sharing words of wisdom and key points of his personal journey with our students.” Attracting and retaining talent is imperative to the future of Delaware’s workforce. Dr. Lawrence noted that, “on the Christiana Vikings Campus, we continue to discuss ways to retain Delaware’s workforce by connecting our courses to relevant opportunities and work-based learning experiences in our community.” Programs like Delaware Principal for a Day, Superstars in Education, Intern Delaware, and the Delaware Young Professionals Network aim to establish a talent pipeline to connect students with the workforce and showcase the potential Delaware has for them after high school and college.

Quaranta is hopeful for the future success of these, and all, Delaware graduates. “These are terrific kids. When they return from their summers at college, we hope they’ll become active in Intern Delaware. This will connect them to employers in Delaware and provide a great opportunity to gain experience, all while allowing employers put eyes on their potential future workforce.”

Delaware Principal for a Day is a flagship program of The Partnership, Inc., the workforce development affiliate of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce. The program will make its return this October 18-22, 2021. The newly reimagined program will foster workforce development in the style of a Career Day at Delaware high schools, showcasing highdemand jobs and career pathways. Visit www.DSCC.com/depfad to learn more and participate.