“We felt having English be a part of the career tech programs and co-teaching with the lab teachers was going to get our students to have more success in literacy and emphasize the real world skills that they’re learning in the program,” Steffanni said.
Harris is in charge of co-teaching four labs composed of computer and design students, welding students, engineering students, and automotive tech students.
Steffanni co-teaches five labs composed of auto body students, carpentry students, electrical trade students, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning students , and natural resources students.
Steffanni said the support found in the embedded English program depends on the partnership with the career tech lab instructor in each field.
Harris and Steffanni seek to incorporate literacy skills into each student’s future vocation by stressing speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
“Some students come with a sixth grade reading level or below and by the time they leave they are college and career ready and are getting college credit along with this, and they have scholarship opportunities for post-secondary options if they wanted,” Harris said.
Recently, State Treasurer Josh Mandel’s representative, Frank Kohstall, presented the Ohio Strong award to Harris and Steffanni.
The Ohio Strong program was created by Mandel to bring recognition to men and women in the manufacturing and skilled trades.
SCCTC Superintendent Rick Smith nominated the embedded English program for the Ohio Strong award.
“It is innovative, and shows how academic and career tech staff can work together for students in workforce development programs,” Smith said in a statement.
Harris and Steffanni said they are honored to receive this award and are hopeful of the future of the embedded English program at SCCTC.
“I just see us becoming more of a team and partnership,” Steffanni said. “We are building those community relationships and getting their input and providing students that can fill those job openings.”
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