Pupils at two schools learn about careers
Two local schools invited guest speakers last week to encourage pupils to think outside the box - and the classroom.
Euchee Creek Elementary School held its annual career fair Wednesday, inviting about 50 speakers to the school, from doctors, nurses and firemen to hair stylists and horse trainers.
"Part of our school improvement plan is to broaden our students' perspective of their potential in the world," Principal Wanda Golosky said. "We invited speakers from a variety of careers options to come in and talk about the educational requirements, earning potential and what students need to be doing now to prepare for those careers."
At North Columbia Elementary School, resource teacher Naesha Parks invites guest speakers to the school each month to talk to pupils about careers.
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"I am trying to encourage my students to reach to achieve their highest goals in life," Parks said. "Although my students have disabilities, they can and will be very valuable citizens in our community."
Horse trainer Mark Hutchings shows Euchee Creek Elementary School third-grader Preston Tutt how it feels to sit in a saddle during the school's recent career fair.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
Monthly guests have included Dr. Ann Dorrance and Dr. Lynn Jaffe from the Medical College of Georgia Children's Medical Center and Jay Jefferies, a weatherman from WRDW-TV (Channel 12).
On Wednesday, Dr. Denise Smith of Gracewood State School and Hospital spoke to the children about nutrition and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
"When your parents go to the grocery store, ask them to buy things that are nutritious - yogurt, milk, fresh fruits and vegetables," Smith said. "When you have a plate of food, you want to see all the colors there - red, such as tomatoes, green for green beans or broccoli, orange for carrots and yellow for squash."
Professional horse trainer Mark Hutchings invited pupils to climb aboard the saddles he brought. He also showed them the grooming tools and tack he uses in his profession and how he uses them.
"Do you ever fall off?," asked third-grader Garrett Young.
That's the hard part, Hutchins replied.