Do you have a child that wants to be the next home makeover TV star on just likes designing and organizing your home?
SD 83’s Careers Department and the Interior Designers of Canada (IDC) are pleased to host a virtual townhall where district students can learn more about the industry. The one hour virtual event will take place on Friday, May 12th at 9:30AM. There will be a minimum of two panelist talking about their journey in the industry, the educational requirements needed for such a career and will also share other stories about the highs and lows of being an interior designer or architect. This SD83 hosted event will also be shown in other BC Interior school districts as far north as Prince George to as far south as Osoyoos.
If your child is interested in being a part of this event, they can go to the career coordinator at their local high school to pick up a permission form or have their classroom teacher register for the event. If you have any further questions about the event, don’t hesitate to reach out to George Richard at grichard@sd83.bc.ca or you can text or phone 778-824-1188.
The Grade 12 AL Fortune student has just finished her second course in the Certified Education Assistant Program at Salmon Arm’s Okanagan College. Haak has completed three months into the 11-month program. When asked about what motivated her to consider this program, she knew working with children was a big factor. “I spent two years at Gardom Lake Bible Camp as a counsellor. I really liked helping kids and hanging out with kids so I figured this might as well be a career for me if I like it this much,” said Haak.
Soon-to-be 18 year old Grade 12 ALF Cheyanne Haak just outside of her classroom ready to do her final presentation in her CEA Curriculum course in the Certified Education Assistant Program at Salmon Arm’s Okanagan College.
Haak has had two one-day visits to schools so far. She visited a secondary school but her face lit up when talking about her elementary experience. “Oh, it was so much fun! I loved the teachers there and I learned so much.” Haak also appreciates how direct and practical the learning at the College has been so far. “I love how it is directed to my interest. It’s focuses on the kids and what I will actually be doing in a classroom….I like the child development learning.”
But the course has not been all sunshine and unicorns. Haak has dealt with the challenges so far but she realizes there is one key difference between doing work at the college compared to being in a high school classroom. “This is the due date and if you don’t make the due date you are done…(giggle/makes a chopping motion with her hand) Deadlines are way more strict.”
Haak presents to her peers and OC Instructor Patty Thomason (left) her learning plan. Her student is a 14-year-old female who lives with FAS/ADHD and functions at a grade three level for math. Today’s lesson is to understand fractions. Her solution? Go baking! Can you spot the fractions in the icing?(below)
Haak says she “100%” would recommend the dual credit program to anyone that wishes to pursue a career in education. “I feel I have a kick start to my career. I start early, graduate in December, so save money and time in the long run and right after December I will have a job.
Haak’s advice to anyone thinking about a dual credit option, just do it! “You will save time and money in the long run and the school district has your back to support you.”
Haak’s intention is to work as a CEA for at least the first half of 2024 as a substitute. Ultimately, Haak wishes to be a classroom teacher but she will pursue that degree over the next few years and continue to work as a CEA in the district when not in school.
If you wish more details about the SD83/OC CEA Dual Credit Program or any other academic dual credit program in SD83, don’t hesitate to reach out to the career coordinator at your neighbourhood school or contact George Richard at grichard@sd83.bc.ca or text or phone 778-824-1188.
SD83 and Okanagan College’s popular dual credit program will take place again for another year at the College’s Salmon Arm campus.
OC’s Continuing Studies Program Coordinator Lenne Clare confirms Tech Expert Josh Meike will return for a 2nd year to instruct the Gateway to Tech Program. The program will run on Monday and Wednesday nights starting in mid-September until mid-February 2024. Gateway to Tech is a free course open to SD83 Grade 10-12 students interested in honing their tech skills in fields such as digital networks, cyber security and coding. Students taking the course not only get a workplace certificate from the college but also receive four credits towards high school graduation.
Last year, the district had to make cuts as only 20 students are allowed in the program each year. Okanagan College will be sponsoring an information session via zoom on Wednesday, May 10th from 7-8PM. For more information, feel free to talk with any high school site-base career coordinator or you can reach out to George Richard at grichard@sd83.bc.ca or you can phone or text 778-824-1188.
SD 83 Grades 10-12 students have an opportunity to learn more about careers in mining and exploration through a series of events starting next week and ending in June.
MineralsEd, in conjunction with SD 83, will host a virtual panel of young mineral industry experts sharing their stories of how they got into the industry, education and training they received and what their job involves, among other topics. The panels range from geologist and environmental scientists to drillers and trades people and other careers in between. The session is open to any Grade 10-12 students interested in careers involving the earth, technology, working with their hands and/or being outside!
Interested students can register through the career coordinator/counsellor at their school. The virtual session will be broadcast on Wednesday, April 19th between 9:30-11AM at your neighbourhood high school.
As for the other phases of this series, they will take place in May and early June where SD 83 students will tour an active mine, visit a natural resource sciences faculty and trades centre at a university and actually work at a real exploration site gathering soil and water samples, identifying vegetation and other hands-on learning.
If you have any questions connected to this event or the series, please contact George Richard at 778-824-1188, email grichard@sd83.bc.ca or please reach out to your high school’s Career Coordinator/Counsellor.
The Council of Forest Industries and Salmon Arm’s Canoe Forest Products are teaming up to host a number of school district students interested in careers in the Forest Industry on Thursday May 11th.
24 students from SAS Sullivan, SAS-Jackson, Eagle River Secondary, Educational Outreach and Salmon Arm Storefront will have a chance to check out of the community’s largest private-sector employer. The students will be able to observe the day-to-day operations of the plywood plant and meet mill operators, tradespeople and managers to learn about their careers and how they got into the position they are in.
This is believed to be one of the first times in recent memory with the Council of Forest Industries working with a southern interior school district to host such an event. If you are interested in the event, please make sure the student picks up a parent consent form from the site-based career coordinator at SAS-Jackson, SAS-Sullivan or Eagle River Secondary. If you wish more details about the event, please get hold of George Richard via text or phone at 778-824-1188 or email grichard@sd83.bc.ca.
SD83 Career Programs 