June 2002 Edition

Young people may be enjoying the lazy days of summer but SFT continues its work at full throttle. In this issue we describe the Teamsters efforts to connect youth with the wide variety of career choices in high wage, high growth industries. We also share information on where the hot jobs are this summer. There are also local and state resources you might want to learn more about. If you have any suggestions for future editions, please email Sharlene Mentor at SMentor@teamster.org. If you missed last month's edition, please go to May 2002 Edition.

IBT Education Staff

What's in This Edition

Member Notices

Conferences & Meetings Nationwide

Resources to Build Your Own Education Curriculum

~ Job Trends for the 21st Century

~ Mentoring Partnerships

Articles of Interest

~ New Report From Teachers College Finds Encouraging Outcome for STW Efforts

~ A Drive For Child Safety

~ Experts Ponder September 11 Effect on School Violence

~ Mentoring Benefits

Get Connected: Web Site Links

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Member Notices

Teamsters Attend California School-to-Career Convention

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters sent two representatives to staff its Skills For Tomorrow exhibit at the Seventh Annual California School-to-Career Summer Academy and Convention on June 16-18, 2002 in Palm Desert, California. There were 1,200 education, business, labor, parent, and community leaders at the convention. For the full press release visit http://www.teamster.org/02news/nr_020607_1.htm.

High School Students Learn Collective Bargaining at George Meany Center

On May 10, 2002, the George Meany Center for Labor Studies in Silver Spring, Maryland held its first Collective Bargaining Institute for Montgomery and Prince George's Counties high school students. The Institute is part of the Collective Bargaining Education Project developed by the California Federation of Teachers Labor in the Schools Committee. Along with other members of the labor community and representatives from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, Teamsters Education Department Coordinators Amy Ferguson and James Beeharilal assisted as collective bargaining coaches for the Institute. For the full story visit http://edu.teamster.org/EdNews/020610.htm.

Des Moines Teamsters Local Union 147 Partners with Elementary

Once again, Des Moines Teamsters met with students for Oak Park Elementary's Annual Career Fair. Events like this one offer Teamsters a fantastic opportunity to share knowledge and expertise about Teamsters careers with the next generation.

2002 marks the third consecutive year International Trustee and Teamsters Local Union No. 147 President, Ron McClain participated in this event. Two members joined him: Polk County Sheriff Dave Lincoln and Yellow Freight driver Dave Compton. They were equipped with a squad car, Yellow Freight truck and an abundance of knowledge and expertise. Teamsters made a difference as they talked to students about making wise career decisions.

According to McClain, students "not only enjoyed the presentation [but] gained an awareness about unions. They got a positive view of what the union means to them and to their communities. They got the opportunity to identify with various union careers that will be open to them in years to come."

McClain says, "The Teamsters Education Department does a tremendous job of developing age-appropriate materials which enable us as Teamster leaders and members to communicate with youth of all ages."

Sharlene Mentor of the Education Department agrees, "Local Union No. 147 takes a hands-on approach with these young people. They planted the seed that good union jobs exist. When students enter the workforce they will make better career choices and choose union."

In recognition of their tireless efforts in reaching out to America's youth, Teamsters Local Union No. 147 received the Skills For Tomorrow award.

"The Teamsters are committed to building a better tomorrow for our members, their children and young people everywhere," said James P. Hoffa, Teamsters General President.

Participation in this event is just the latest example of the Teamster's commitment to School-to-Career programs. Through the Teamsters Skills For Tomorrow project, Teamster leaders and members reach out to young people to teach them about good jobs, exciting careers and the role unions play in making sure a worker's rights are protected.

Teamsters in San Jose Go Back to School

Apollo High School in San Jose, California held their annual Career Fair in May. Among the invited presenters was Bob Blanchet, Business Agent for Teamsters Local Union No. 287.

Blanchet spoke to 80 students about good union jobs, wages, benefits, and the importance of labor unions. He also spoke about the broad range of career options available to young people. He showed them a videotape presentation produced by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters entitled, "A Young Person's Guide to Union Careers" and later conducted a "Question & Answer" session.

Teamsters Local Union No. 287's exhibit showcased union jobs and industries. Teamster leaders like Blanchet were on hand to talk one-on-one with the students and provide some career materials.

Students were invited to attend the July Summer Barbecue/General Membership meeting at the Local Union hall so that they could meet the members. Teamsters Local Union 287 is currently working on arranging tours/field trips for students to visit various worksites such as Central Concrete, UPS and Airborne Express.

"The Teamsters are committed to building a better tomorrow for our members, their children and young people everywhere," said James P. Hoffa Teamsters General President." It is with this in mind that the International Brotherhood of Teamsters developed the Skills For Tomorrow project.

Participation in this event is another example of the Teamsters' commitment to School-to-Career programs. Through the Teamsters Skills For Tomorrow project, Teamsters leaders and members reach out to young people to teach them about good jobs, exciting careers and the role unions play in making sure a worker's rights are protected.

Conferences and Meetings Nationwide

2002 Mini-Course and Conference: Grammar and Meaning

July 10, 2002
Fishkill, New York

The Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar is offering a minicourse for teachers at elementary, middle, high school, and college levels who would like to learn how to integrate grammar instruction with reading, writing, speaking, and understanding other languages. The conference welcomes papers on a wide variety of topics: What do we mean by standard English? How do we teach about dialect to a diverse population? http://www.ateg.org/conferences/announce2002.htm

National Centers for Career and Technical Education

July 21, 2002
Atlanta Georgia

Georgia Career Technical Education Annual Conference Presentation by James R. Stone III National Research Center for Career and Technical Education http://www.nccte.org/resources/calendar

Generation Next 2002

August 19-20, 2002
Atlantic City Convention Center
New Jersey

Generation Next is an annual statewide conference in New Jersey for individuals and institutions involved in vocational-technical and adult education. The conference is intended for all persons involved in all aspects of career preparation, workforce development and adult literacy. This year's program will feature a broad range of topics to address New Jersey's continuing commitment to provide opportunities to support new and future entrants to the workforce. For more information visit http://www.state.nj.us/education/gennext02.

Committee For Education Funding Annual Legislative Conference & Awards Banquet

September 17, 2002
Washington, D.C.

The Committee for Education Funding (CEF) comprises over 100 organizations dedicated to the goal of achieving adequate federal financial support for our nation's schools and students at all levels. CEF is a voluntary, nonprofit, and nonpartisan coalition. CEF's members include educational associations, institutions, agencies, and organizations whose interests range from preschool to postgraduate education in both public and private systems. Visit http://www.cef.org/events.

Improving America's Schools (IAS)

November 13-15, 2002
Reno, Nevada

December 17-19, 2002
San Antonio, Texas

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education each conference represents an ideal opportunity for members of the community, including businesses, to learn more about the Department's programs and priorities and explore ideas to better promote equity and excellence in schools. Visit http://www.ncbe.gwu.edu/iasconferences.

Resources to Building Your Own Education Curriculum

Career Resources

Do you know a teen or college student looking for a job or debating which career path to choose? Here are some resources for tips to help you get going on your search.

The Best Jobs for the 21st Century (Ronald & Caryl Rae Krannich, Ph.Ds)
This book identifies what's happening in the work world of the new talent-driven economy. Forecasts 33 major employment trends and identifies nearly 100 of the fastest growing jobs in several career fields.

50 Cutting Edge Jobs (Ferguson Publishing Co.)
Careers where the future is now! A new wave of jobs is emerging as we enter the new millennium. This book catches only the tip of the wave but it gives you a glimpse into new trends emerging in the American workplace.

Careers Without College (Cambridge Educational Video 4/2/02)
Wonderful videotape depicting a high school guidance counselor's realization that a growing number of students are non-college bound causing the guidance counselor to advise students on other skills and career preparation. Wonderful role-play dealing with a very serious issue that is a reality today. For More Information Contact Cambridge Education at 800/468-4227, P.O. Box 931, Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852-931

The Job Hunters Bible (1)
The Net Guide, a carefully-selected collection of information and resources to guide you in doing part of your job-hunt on the Internet. http://www.jobhuntersbible.com

IBT Education Department's Videotape Lending Library
The IBT Education Department maintains a videotape lending library with a host of titles related to unions, workplace rights, union industries, global economy and career development. For more information, call Sharlene Mentor at (202) 624-8117.

Mentoring Partnerships

The Mentoring Partnership of New York
The Mentoring Partnership of New York, a signature partner of the nonprofit National Mentoring Partnership, Inc., brings together key community leaders and various government resources to expand mentoring opportunities and to serve as a resource for mentors and mentoring initiatives. Individuals or business interested in becoming mentors can request the Partnership's "Guide to Mentoring Programs in New York City," a directory that will help them find appropriate mentoring opportunities. For more information call: 212/953-0945

The New York City Mentoring Program
The New York City Mentoring Program is a school-structured approach to the traditional mentoring relationship between adults and young people. The program is designed to broaden the horizons of high school students and help them navigate a variety of educational, social and vocational situations. This program is coordinated from the Office of Corporate Partnerships of the Board of Education of the City of New York. For more information call: 718/935-4379

Articles of Interest

New York Citywide School-to-Work Alliance

New Report from Teachers Colleges for School to Work Efforts School-to-Work: Making a Difference in Education, a new report by Katherine L. Hughes, Thomas R. Bailey and Melinda J. Mechur of the Institute on Education and the Economy at Teachers College, Columbia University summarizes research on the effectiveness of school-to-work strategy.

The stated goal of the School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994 was to "facilitate the education and career preparation of young people during their formative secondary school years." This study examines the early effects on youth, teachers, and employers of school-to-work components. The results are encouraging.

The Act has stimulated thousands of thriving school-business partnerships throughout the country aimed at fulfilling the goals of the legislation. The research indicates that participants in School-to-Work: o Maintain good grades and take difficult courses o Stay in school, complete their diploma and are prepared for college o Are able to define their career interests and goals for the future o Have better labor market outcomes than do other high school graduates o View work as a way to learn new things and prepare for the future o Show increased interest in school and understand why school is important

The research also indicates that teachers believe in School-to-Work and gain from their participation in it. Employer participation in school-to-work partnerships and in work-based learning is widespread. Employers speak well of their student interns and see real benefits to their firms from participation. The full report is available on line at http://www.tc.columbia.edu/iee

Washington Post

A Drive For Child Safety Child safety is a concern of Teamster families and STW project partners everywhere. This article highlights events in the DC metropolitan area that promote DNA sampling kits. The kits, which are endorsed by John Walsh, host of Fox TV's "America's Most Wanted" program, are largely sold to car dealerships seeking to perform community service or raise their profile among consumers. The kits are better than the fingerprinting system because sometimes fingerprints are not legible. With the DNA samples, a child can be traced with as little evidence as an eyelash or pacifier. The Teamsters Union is an advocate of child safety and has produced child safety kits to hand out at career fairs and class presentations. For more information: http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A48556-2002Apr1?language=printe

Education Week

Experts Ponder September 11 Effect on School Violence A different kind of violence took center stage in the United States. The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 coincided almost precisely with the start of the 2001-02 school year, and some experts speculate those events and their aftershocks may have something to do with the absence of large-scale violence in American Schools.

"Where there is a national mobilization, it often suppresses personal troubles and draws people together," said James Garbarino, a Cornell University professor who specializes in youth violence. For more information: http://www.edweek.org/ew/ew_printstory.cfm?slug=41shoot.h21

Washington Times

Mentoring Benefits (Testimonial) This article takes a look at the Mentor/Mentee relationship of 14 year-old Lamont Guillory who lives in Southeast Washington, D.C. and the special relationship he has shared with his Mentor Kwesi Rollins for the past five years. Lamont and Kwesi were hooked-up through the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the National Capital Area based in Lanham, Maryland.

Lamont is being raised by a single mother and considers Kwesi a father, someone he can turn to for advice about how to use brains instead of violence. For more information: http://www.washtimes.com/entertainment/20020617-22482041.htm.

Get Connected: Web Site Links

The following links should be helpful in accessing what is going on with school-to-work, funds dissemination, lesson plans and learning activities from programs that have been proven to work.

New York Citywide School-To-Work Alliance
This website features information about STW initiatives in New York City, plus links to other STW websites. http://www.stwalliance.org

New York State Education Department
This site is sponsored by the division of the New York State Education Department that is responsible for STW, Vocation Education, Tech Prep, and related areas http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/workforce

Sharing Success.org
This site represents the New York State Education Department's system for identifying and disseminating successful educational programs and practices. It contains hundreds of lesson plans and learning activities. http://www.sharingsuccess.org

National Centers for Career and Technical Education
This site features a wide range of information on CTE efforts across the country, including free electronic newsletters, downloadable reports, moderated list-serves, professional development programs, E-mail lists that keep subscribers in the loop on current CTE issues, research, and funding developments, and more. http://www.nccte.org

California School-to-Careers Clearinghouse
The California School-to-Career (STC) InterAgency Partners, in an effort to increase communications among the many STC partners, awarded the California School-to-Career Resource Clearinghouse project to the State Center Consortium for the 2000-2002 period. One of the primary goals of this website is to provide all interested persons access to resources supporting the School-to-Career (STC) initiative. http://www.stc-clearinghouse.com

End of Issue

To find out more about the Teamsters Union--a vital part of your community in the U.S. and Canada--and our School-to-Work network, visit http://edu.teamster.org/edu.asp and http://www.ibtstw.org.

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