Education is big business in Dickson County and there are several successful programs as proof. While this by itself is reason to celebrate, widespread community involvement makes this story momentous.
Empowerment is the key. Business people, citizens, and educators realize that by joining forces, they can provide Dickson County youth with the tools necessary to compete in the 21st century workplace.
What is one of the driving forces behind this unification? Education Edge Dickson County – an ongoing program of the Dickson County Chamber of Commerce. “It all began with our state of Tennessee implementing the federal School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994,” says Dana Ramsey, Education Edge’s coordinator.
Ramsey explains that once the state made the commitment, partnerships had to be established between schools and businesses before Dickson County received funding.
“At first, Dickson County Education Edge Partnership was funded through our state’s share of the federal grant with the idea that the Dickson County Chamber of Commerce would take over,” Ramsey says. And take over it did. Today, Education Edge Dickson County has a series of programs pairing business and education which are not only flourishing, but are giving local communities something to cheer about.
“What’s wonderful about our programs is that students are seeing for themselves that what they are learning in school is relevant to their futures, businesses are getting better-prepared employees, and educators receive community support for their programs,” Ramsey proudly states.
While both the elementary and middle school levels have their own age-appropriate business activities, the high schools have a few head-turning programs being highlighted this year. One such program is Reality Check, a learning activity designed to give students a chance to experience real-life financial responsibilities. Reality Check is part of Education Edge partnership with The University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service and 4-H.
According to Ramsey, ninth-graders are given a hypothetical identity and a family – including an occupation based on level of education. Then it becomes the student’s responsibility to make purchases and pay bills for one month in “Realville, USA. Realville is a makeshift town, namely 10 booths, designed to take care of the students’ needs.
“This program is taught quarterly at Dickson County Creek and Creek Wood High Schools. Character Counts! is another wonderful venture for ninth-grade students. The program centers around six pillars: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. The Character Counts! logo, six pillars, is in businesses and offices throughout the county. Students not only participate in activities emphasizing these pillars, but also are involved in spreading the word as a countywide reminder. The Character Counts! philosophy is endorsed by the Dickson County School in a partnership with Education Edge, the Dickson County 4-H, the county chamber of commerce, and local governments, businesses, etc.
UT Agriculture Extension Service Director Janet C. Cluck speaks enthusiastically about yet another partnership with The Dickson Chamber of Commerce that is enhancing young lives – Youth Leadership Dickson County. What is novel about this program is that it targets student leaders in a cross section of high school juniors and seniors.
Cluck says, “Peer pressure is powerful and we choose to focus on the positive influence leaders have on their peers.” Cluck explains that program participants spend half a school year attending events and participating in activities focusing on environmental education, law, government, and community service. “This program began in 1997, and it is modeled after Leadership Dickson County, where business people learn about different aspects of their community.”
Program objectives, according to Cluck, include developing an understanding and appreciation of the Dickson County community, enhancing students’ ability to function as a member of a diverse group, appreciating diverse individuals, and developing self-awareness of their leadership style and potential.
Cluck calls the program a success reporting approximately 40 student participants each year, 20 students per term. “We have evidence of students who have completed the program returning and assuming leadership roles and government roles on their college campuses,” Cluck says. She says that her program, along with the other student-business partnership programs in the county, is definitely making a difference.
“Being a facilitator has been fun and rewarding because the leaders in our county have really embraced this program. But this one and all of the others take the support and collaboration of a lot of different groups. It’s all-inclusive,” Cluck says. “This community effort teaches the students that they don’t have to wait until they’re 25 to get involved in their community.”
This story was originally published in Images of Dickson County.