The world is full of exciting jobs – you just need to know where to look. Churchville-Chili Middle School seventh-graders in teacher Amanda Lydon’s Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) classes got a fun introduction to career discovery recently, via a virtual trip to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Lydon arranged for students to participate in an interactive distance-learning workshop focused on jobs in the NFL.
As part of FACS curriculum and state standards for seventh grade, students took interest surveys and personality tests and then researched careers that interested them. The video conference, hosted by the Hall of Fame’s educational specialist, allowed students to see and be seen, and to ask questions. It included a tour of the facility and interviews with many of the behind-the-scenes professionals who help to run an NFL team. Using the Buffalo Bills as an example, the list of off-the-field careers runs the gamut – from accountants and social media experts to graphic designers, culinary arts professionals, logistics coordinators and physical therapists.
“Almost every student could relate their desired future career path to a career on the list,” said Lydon. “This was an amazing tie-in activity to open their minds a little more and truly see that job opportunities are all around them. Even in places we never imagined they might be.”
“Students absolutely loved it!” she said. “They liked the interaction. They are still talking about it in class even the week after, relating things that were discussed to their own future goals and dreams. I want them to understand that they can do anything if they put their mind and heart into making it happen.”
Churchville-Chili teachers at all grade levels are incorporating more distance learning into their instruction. It allows students to access renowned subject experts and peers from around the world. As Lydon points out, “Bringing students experiences beyond the classroom walls and textbook learning will help them to understand that there is so much out there in our world!”
The Pro Football Hall of Fame offers a number of award-winning video conferences for students at https://www.profootballhof.com/connect/video-conferencing/.
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