HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Staff members at Hutchinson High School had the opportunity to tour local businesses on Monday as part of their professional development training.
Hutchinson High School and the Hutchinson Career & Technical Education Academy (HCTEA) partnered with the Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce to offer tours of 10 local businesses so that staff could get an inside look at industry within the Hutchinson community.
Laci Janzen, Economic Development & Downtown Manager for the Hutch Chamber, welcomed staff members before the tours commenced and encouraged them to learn from their tours so they can share with students the importance of entrepreneurship and local commerce.
Rhyanna Reilly, an ELA teacher at HHS and KSDE Teacher of the Year semi-finalist, toured Takako Industries. “I had no idea what Takako was or what they did, but they provide so much for our community,” Reilly said. “I was impressed with how much they’ve given back to Hutchinson – from donating to our community parks to making connections for United Way. We were all interested in connecting how we can provide support as educators for companies like Takako. We discussed how what we do in the classroom sets up kids for success post-classroom, such as collaboration and reading comprehension skills. It was such a cool experience.”
“Our focus for planning the event is to connect our teachers at HHS and HCTEA with local business and industry,'' Travis Riebel, Director of the HCTEA said. “We hope to strengthen conversations and create partnerships focused on curriculum-taught, work-based learning, and career opportunities available to our students right here in the Hutchinson area.”
USD 308 and the Hutchinson Chamber have partnered on several other industry-based programs such as Signing Day and Career Quest. This partnership has given students in various grade levels the opportunity to explore different careers and trades and create goals for their lives post-graduation from USD 308.
Participating companies were:
· Takako Industries
· Collins Bus Corporation
· ONEOK
· First Team Sports
· Tyson
· Woodwork Manufacturing & Supply
· Luminous Neon
· Superior Boiler
· Dillons
· American Packaging
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