by Heidi Hackman & Colleen McNamee, District Career Coordinators, SD 63 | photo by Brandon Heyer –
Where does the time go? We started writing this column two years ago, highlighting how dual credit career programs have allowed students to jumpstart their career or choose an alternative pathway to earn credit towards graduation. There is also another, perhaps more important, bonus: students who might otherwise have stopped attending school have been able to re-engage in the entire learning process.
Noah Harry was in ninth grade when the pandemic hit and school moved to online learning. This was difficult for a lot of students, but even more difficult for students who were not currently motivated in the first place. Noah said he always struggled with English and social studies and that he felt judged by other students. Crowds of students were also stressful for Noah. When he started at Individual Learning Centre (ILC), the teachers discovered that Noah was very strong in math and that he loved to work with his hands. He felt best when his body was moving, not sitting. Unfortunately, he still wasn’t feeling motivated and didn’t attend very often. The teachers suggested he try the Trade Awareness Skills & Knowledge (TASK) program.
Noah commented that he now felt “mentally focused because he wasn’t worried about what the other students thought” and that he “could keep moving and using his hands.” Not surprisingly, Noah’s attendance improved and he now finds himself motivated to graduate. He also said that the program is “fun and challenging, and if you gather your courage and push through the challenge, it feels great.”
Noah’s instructor, Brandon Heyer, noticed the pride that Noah took in his work and his incredible attention to detail. He has never looked back, only forward. From the TASK program he became interested in carpentry and is now in the STAC Carpentry program learning how to build a tiny home. “It has been great to see Noah get re-engaged in school and I have watched his confidence grow,” says Brandon. We are delighted to know that this confidence will carry Noah on to graduation, a goal he had previously never dreamed of.
