Greater Reading Chamber Commerce Quarterly Spring 2017 - 35

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industry partners through the Inside Berks Business Partnership.
These visits have helped them gain a more in-depth understanding
of what our students require for successful careers in the workplace.

Advisory Council

Senior Josh Palyan's internship at Mishock Physical Therapy
provided him with practical experiences on how physical therapists
help patients.
their interpersonal and communication skills - crucial in today's
world of work. Here is what three Twin Valley seniors have to say
about their internship experience.

We gathered partners from across industry sectors to help advise
and provide feedback on our programs. This 50-member advisory
council meets twice a year and includes representatives from many
stakeholder groups, including students, parents, teachers and administrators, as well as board members, area businesses, colleges, career
technical centers, and other community business leaders. We value
the council's input on the various areas of college and career readiness.

Evaluating for Career Success

Evaluating student success is an important component of all
programs. Twin Valley School District measures students' success
* Summer Kehl did a full year internship with Wm. F. Hammell through an achievement profile, which monitors their progress
Nurseries and earned three high school credits. Her primary job throughout high school. The profile examines students' performance
was learning about the various aspects of the nursery business, on various state and local assessments, as well as their involvement in
including payroll and coordinating job flow, in addition to orga- internships, dual enrollment, and capstone courses. A solid profile
nizing and processing orders. Summer felt that being President gives us a way to ensure our students are not only learning, but
of the Future Farmers of America and taking courses in math gaining the experiences necessary for a successful future.
and political science helped her with her internship. In addition,
Any business interested in hosting student interns should please
working with customers on the job sharpened her communication
contact Angela Morgan or Gwen Warner at 610-286-8600.
skills and made the job fun.
* Sarah Border interned at the District Courthouse with Judge Glass
and at the Robeson Township Building. This half-year internship
earned her one high school credit. During her time with Judge
Glass, Sarah sat in on hearings and arraignments and had extensive
discussions with the judge about the law. Her time at Robeson
Township Building included learning about the local tax system
and police reports. Sarah said that the experience confirmed
her choice about majoring in criminology at the University of
Maryland and someday working for the FBI.

Let our family

SECURE

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* Josh Palyan's one-semester internship with Mishock Physical
Therapy earned him one school credit. He also worked with the
physical education teacher at Twin Valley Elementary Center
and gained another perspective on how physical movement is
beneficial to good health. During his time at Mishock, Josh's
interactions with the physical therapy patients reinforced his
passion for helping people. He developed better people skills
through his internship and plans on studying physical therapy
when he goes to college.

Administration and Teacher Training
Training our administrators and teachers is also an important part
of the framework of the pathways model. By visiting local businesses,
administrators learn about a company's employment needs, including
necessary skills for the job, as well as required people skills. During our
visit to the Reading Area Community College Schmidt Technology
and Training Center, we learned about future job trends, what jobs
are currently available and how students can earn associate degrees
in skill-oriented careers. Our middle and high school teachers have
been doing one-week summer internships with local business and

The area's leading residential & commercial security services company.

Visit our
website!

610.372.8872 * SAHinc.com

50 South Museum Rd., Reading, PA 19607

http://www.GreaterReadingChamber.org http://www.SAHinc.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Greater Reading Chamber Commerce Quarterly Spring 2017