E-mail contact
Kia Ling Chang
kchang@boston.k12.ma.us

Teresa Feeney
t.feeney@comcast.net

Valerie Wong
vwong434@yahoo.com

Teacher Bio
Kia Ling Chang teaches science and technology to bilingual students at Charlestown High School, a School to Career school. Her ever-expanding computer curriculum currently includes C++, web design and Cisco Networking. In addition, she works with Liberty Mutual Group in an annual computer programming competition that challenges students to demonstrate skills learned throughout the year. For the past three years, Kia Ling has received the Schott Gender Equity Grant and has developed a project aimed at encouraging Chinese girls to pursue opportunities in the field of computer technology.

Teresa Feeney is School to Career Coordinator at Charlestown High School. She oversees the Upper School pathway classes and supports teachers. Working closely with bilingual, ESL, SPED, and regular education teachers, Teresa is liaison to school partners Liberty Mutual Group and the Boston Private Industry Council (PIC). She directs activities in the College and Career Center and has successfully written grants for school-to-work initiatives. As a veteran teacher skilled in business and computers, she brings a repertoire of real world experience to students and colleagues.

Valerie Wong teaches ESL at Charlestown High School. As a BPS Lead Teacher, she welcomes and mentors newcomers to the profession. Currently, she is developing several ESL curriculum guides that incorporate technology. Her goal is to prepare students for college and successful careers. She believes a strong commitment to technology plus academic excellence is the way to go.

Subject Areas
Technology, English as a Second Language (ESL), Science

Grade Levels
9 - 12

Students
Bilingual/ESL high schoolers mentor Bilingual/ESL middle schoolers.

Subject Areas
Math, Technology, English Language Arts

Grade Levels
Grade 5 - 8 students tutor younger students

Students
Inclusive

 

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Step Into the Real World ~ Careers & Service Learning

Authenticity

Key Question How can Service Learning help students with college and career goals?

Overview Do high school students really know what they want to do for the rest of their lives? Do they really understand what choices are available? This project recognizes that new immigrants need student-to-student guidance on college and career choices long before high school graduation. School partners, Liberty Mutual Group and the Boston Private Industry Council (PIC), provide opportunities for on-the-job observation and training. Students help organize career fairs and share insights with their grade nine peers. They research colleges on the Internet, visit workplaces, and reflect on how serving the community leads to promising careers. When they display their computer slide shows and exhibits at the culminating learning festival, presenters and career buddies feel confident that they will be ready to Step Into the Real World.

Active Exploration + Applied Learning + Adult Connections
Classroom Activities
Community Activities
Career Activities
• Use career center resources (literature, computers, periodicals, catalogs) to research college & career options.
• Complete & interpret career interest inventory surveys.
• Collaborate on career day fair planning & activities.
• Create individual résumés & cover letters.
•
Form teams & rehearse mock interviews.
• Prepare fact sheets on service & internship opportunities.
•
Develop action plans for learning festival presentations.
•
Use technology to produce computer slide shows & brochures on job related information.
•
Create presentation boards, for learning festival exhibits.
• Graph & post survey results on career center bulletin board.
• Advertise career day fair throughout school community.
• Visit middle school & schedule regular meetings with career buddies.
• Perform mock interviews for career buddies.
• Brainstorm ways to individually serve the community.
• Reflect & report & on individual service experiences.
• Distribute fact sheets at learning festival.
• Present computer slide shows (see samples: banking, desktop publishing, & pharmacy) at learning festival.
• Answer career buddies' questions at learning festival & give guidance based on personal experience.
• Greet & introduce 30 visiting professionals in a Career Day "Speakers Forum."
• Participate in two Liberty Mutual workshops on résumé writing & interview techniques.
• Work with retired human resources professional on career choices.
• Contact personnel from Boston PIC to discuss career pathways.
• Visit industry sites, museums, agencies, hospitals & community centers.
• Experience work based, on-the-job training.
• Report & reflect on site visits & on-the-job training.
• Include information & reflections in learning festival presentations.


Academic Rigor
Learning Standards English Language Arts
• Use technology to obtain, use and present information effectively.
• Understand and use the writing process effectively.
• Make effective presentations.
• Collaborate on projects that apply learning to educate others.
• Obtain information from a variety of sources.
• Engage in and facilitate group discussions.

School to Career Competencies
• Develop Communication and Literacy Skills.
• Organize and Analyze Information.
• Complete Entire Activities.
• Use Technology.
• Take Responsibility for Career and Life Choices.

Assessment

Based on teacher/team decisions on final products (brochures, flyers, slide shows, etc.), on-going peer evaluation of this material simulates work place reality. Teachers also evaluate and grade student contributions and participation in school-based career day fair and learning festival. Student and teachers review résumés and cover letters until final drafts are produced. Each team rehearses presentations before the entire class and receives constructive criticism. All participants evaluate written feedback from career day fair and learning festival visitors.

Software or Materials Used For documents and computer slide shows: Microsoft Office. For literature on college and career preparation see list.

Teacher Developed Materials Action Plans, Literature on Career and College Preparation, Web Sites for Step Into the Real World

Student Developed Materials Career Interest Inventory Survey, Research Paper on Careers, Résumés, Cover Letters, Brochures, Presentation Board, Fact Sheet, Computer Slide Show: Business, Desktop Publishing, Pharmacy, Learning Festival Documentation, Reflections

Web Sites Web Sites for Step Into the Real World

Final Words When high school students realize how to pursue career dreams, they can communicate valuable information to younger peers. As their knowledge and experience increase, these role models become increasingly self-confident. At the learning festival, middle schoolers were fascinated by the presentations. They asked pertinent questions and had fun answering the high schoolers' oral quizzes.

Teacher Tip Networking is important when looking for internships and service opportunities. We are fortunate to have great partners who show how students and teachers can make "the workplace a learning place."

 

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