Celebrating the Employer-Intern Academies

Mount Tabor

Carver

On Aug. 26, county high schools and the businesses working with them were recognized at the Employer-Intern Academy Celebration.

The event, which was held at East Forsyth High, recognized employers who hosted academy students in an internship. Academy students are required to complete an internship between their junior and senior year for a minimum of 120 hours. Selected student interns spoke about the value of the internship experience and the personal and professional skills they gained in the real world setting.

Teachers participating in the academies are:

Scott Armstrong, Academy Coordinator, Mount Tabor

Dewayne Tillman, Academy Coordinator, Carver

Leslie Martin & Elizabeth Byrd, West Forsyth Academy of Finance

Jennifer Schurman, Academy Coordinator, East Forsyth High (Model Academy Recipient 2016)

Terry Howerton, Biotechnology Coordinator; Kevin Hamilton, Pre-Engineering Coordinator; Monika Vasili, SciVis Academic Coordinator, Atkins Academic & Technology High School.

Career academies provide students with an opportunity to focus their studies in career-technical education as well as the core academics of English and Social Studies. Career academies are two- to four-year programs held at the above schools as well as Walkertown High School, which offers Academy of Public Service (Fire Fighting Academy). Two additional academies are planned – one in Information Technology at Carver and one in Health Sciences at North Forsyth High.

High school students benefit from the partnership with businesses that also support the academies through providing guest speakers for classrooms, participating in mock interviews and providing worksite tours.  Some academies offer industry recognized credentials to students. National Academy Foundation students can also earn NAFTrack certification by completing post-assessments, internship evaluations and culminating projects. West Forsyth High School Academy of Finance had five seniors earn NAFTrack which gives them an advantage in the hiring process.

In July, several of the academies won awards at the National Academy Foundation conference.

The Mount Tabor High School Academy of Sports Marketing & Hospitality Management was recognized for its Year of Planning program.

Carver High School Academy of Hospitality and Tourism and East Forsyth High School Academy of Finance received Model Status.

East Forsyth High School Academy of Finance was second runner up in the country for the Sandy Weill Award. The award recognizes the National Academy Foundation (NAF) academy exhibiting the highest standards for public-private partnerships for the benefit of students.

Businesses interested in participating in the Employee-Intern program are invited to get in touch with Vicky Wheeler, the school system’s School-to-Career Coordinator. She may be reached at vpwheeler@wsfcs.k12.nc.us or (336) 727-2210 ext. 51523