Dear editor,

I was born and raised in Selma and the Selma area, and I always enjoy returning home to visit with family and friends in the community. Recently, I had such an occasion but this particular visit I was accompanying some colleagues to visit area schools.  I felt compelled to share about our experiences visiting Francis Marion High School, Robert C Hatch High School and Dallas County Career Tech Center.

Auburn University is the Affiliate University for Project Lead The Way (PLTW), the nation’s largest Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) programs. PLTW provides world-class K-12 curriculum and high-quality teacher professional development, to help students develop the skills needed to succeed in the global economy. As the PLTW Affiliate University, Auburn University provides engineering and biomedical science professional development to middle and high school teachers. I and two other PLTW administrators from Auburn University visited three teachers that attended training last summer in Auburn. I am happy to report that they are doing an incredible job preparing their students for careers in health care.

Partnerships between Marion and Hatch High School and Dallas County Career Tech Center with Wallace Community College Selma through their dual enrollment programs is a model program for schools across the state. Students are graduating high school with certifications and experiences that prepare them to enter directly into the workforce and/or to continue their education at post-secondary institutions. If your children are enrolled at these institutions, I encourage you to learn more about their PLTW programs and the great opportunities they provide students. Students are graduating high school with credentials for EKG, PCT, CNA and Phlebotomy and those continuing their education can earn their LPN degree as early as the summer following high school graduation.

I am proud of the great work in my hometown and am encouraged the partnerships forged in education to enhance the overall health of the community.  Kudos to Shelicia Morton-Ford, Eliza Dudley, Dorene Miree, Jerolene Williams and the faculty and staff at WCCS for preparing students for the workforce.

 

Bonnie Wilson

Auburn University