SCHOOL DISTRICT

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HELLO MY NAME IS: Jared C.

Preparing for the Future:

Work-Based Learning at Waukee CSD

Our eye is on the future at Waukee Community School District (CSD). With a core value of developing our people, growing our work-based learning program is a priority. While some courses have been around for years, our program leaders constantly evaluate the career fields to identify gaps and opportunities to create possibilities for students.

What Is Worked-Based Learning?

There are several different programs students can get involved with to kick-start their careers while in high school. Seventy percent of last year’s senior class — Northwest and Waukee high schools combined — participated in at least one work-based learning opportunity. Work-based learning aims to help students understand what career paths they do and don’t like. That way they can avoid wasting time and tuition on those discoveries after leaving high school.

APEX Program

Students can engage in work-based learning in several ways, including the APEX (Aspiring Professional Experience) Program. The program’s courses draw on the expertise of community business partners to bring real-world experiences to our classrooms. The program offers dozens of APEX courses, including two stand-outs: Introduction to Education and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT). Students who participate in select courses also earn college credit. Next year, the APEX Program will start a new automotive course in partnership with Stivers Ford Lincoln in Waukee.

Intro To Education

The Intro to Education class charts a course for students to become teachers. Participants complete two practicum experiences — one placement of their choice, the other outside of their preferred area. These classroom exposures give students an advantage over other students in a college-level teaching program. This class also opens the door for students to come back and teach in Waukee once they’ve finished their education. Currently, about a dozen teachers who took Intro to Education are serving as teachers for the district.

Intro to Education students discuss in-classroom teaching experiences.

EMT students learn about the ambulance and CPR.

Emergency Medical Technicians

This class brings the district together with Des Moines Area Community College and the Waukee Fire Department. EMT students experience hours in an emergency room and an ambulance. After the course, the students can take the National Registry Exam to become certified EMTs. Many students who take this course express interest in a medical career.

School-to-Work Internship Program

The school-to-work internship program is another perk for Waukee students. Two district coordinators assist students in finding opportunities across our community to explore careers of their choice through real-world work experience.

Para-to-Educator Program: Teach Waukee

It’s not just students benefiting from the district’s effort to help shape the future. With the support of a state grant, this is the first year for Teach Waukee. This program helps special education associates complete a two-year degree program to become certified teachers. Forty WCSD associates embarked on the Teach Waukee journey this year. The grant pays for their education, which they can complete online and at their own pace.

The Future Looks Bright

Our instructors say the best thing about work-based learning is how excited and energetic students are about their studies. When they see challenges, it doesn’t deter them — it entices them to master the obstacles. The future is bright in Waukee, and we’re excited to watch career dreams become reality.