PRIMARY SCHOOL
Exploring the World of Work at Chartiers Valley Primary School
How early career exploration and inclusive teaching are helping young students discover their strengths.
At Chartiers Valley Primary School, the concept of“ career readiness” looks a little different than one might expect. There are no résumés, interviews, or aptitude tests. Instead, there are picture books, play-based lessons, and thoughtful conversations about who we are and how we fit into the world around us.
Through the World of Work- Pittsburgh curriculum, now fully implemented in Grades K-2, Chartiers Valley’ s youngest learners are beginning to discover that everyone has unique strengths and interests that can connect to future careers and to others who share similar passions.
The goal isn’ t for students to choose a profession, it’ s to begin a lifelong journey of self-discovery and connection. By the time they leave the Primary School, students will have been introduced to 18 different careers that highlight a variety of strengths, skills, and possibilities for the future.
“ We want our students to start asking,‘ What am I good at? What do I enjoy? How can I use those strengths to help others?’” said Assistant Principal Dr. Hannah Fell.“ It’ s not about narrowing their options; it’ s about opening their minds to new possibilities and helping them see how their interests can connect them to others.”
An Inclusive Collaboration The program took on new depth last school year when Dr. Fell and Kindergarten Life Skills Support Teacher, Randi Watson, saw a meaningful opportunity. The life skills curriculum, they realized, shared many of the same goals as World of Work: building independence, fostering communication, and helping students understand their place in the community.
So, the two educators collaborated to adapt lessons and RIASEC Parties, celebratory, hands-on learning events tied to the six RIASEC personality types, so that all students could learn together.
“ We want every student to have a place in these conversations,” explained Ms. Watson,“ because each one of them have skills that are of value to our community. It’ s about making sure that no matter a child’ s abilities or needs, they see themselves reflected in the learning.”
The result is a more inclusive and engaging approach that celebrates diversity, self-awareness, and shared learning experiences across classrooms.
The RIASEC Framework: Understanding Ourselves
At the heart of the World of Work model is the RIASEC framework, developed by psychologist John Holland, who believed that when people understand their personality type, they can find careers that align with their natural strengths and working styles.
RIASEC stands for six interest areas: Realistic( doers), Investigative( thinkers), Artistic( creators), Social
( helpers), Enterprising( persuaders), and Conventional( organizers). For young learners, these categories become a playful way to recognize the many different ways people contribute to the world.
“ At this age, we focus on the idea that everyone has strengths,” said Dr. Fell.“ Some kids love solving problems, others like helping or building or creating. We want them to see that all of those things matter.”
Coffee with Cops: Learning About Law Enforcement
In October, the kindergarten classes explored the law enforcement career cluster, an experience that blended classroom learning with real-world connection.
On October 1, several kindergarten classrooms hosted a“ Coffee with Cops” event, inviting local police officers to join students during their World of Work learning stations. Officers spoke with students about their roles in the community, answered questions, and showed them the tools and vehicles they use to keep people safe. The event gave children a firsthand look at how teamwork, communication, and service play vital roles in law enforcement. The students also had an opportunity to show their gratitude to the officers by serving them coffee and giving them handmade cards.
“ The kids were fascinated,” said Ms. Watson.“ They got to see what it means to help others, to work as a team, and to take care of their community.”
The month concluded with a RIASEC Party on October 29, where students were visited by School Resource Officer Dan Elway, practiced calling 911, and reflected on what it means to be brave and responsible. The event tied together key ideas from both the law enforcement unit and the RIASEC framework, reinforcing the connection between personal strengths and community service.
Building Foundations for the Future
At Chartiers Valley, the World of Work curriculum isn’ t about future job titles, it’ s about building confidence, curiosity, and compassion. By connecting learning to life, students begin to see how their classroom experiences shape who they are and how they can contribute to the world.
“ It’ s really about belonging,” said Dr. Fell.“ We want our students to recognize their gifts, appreciate each other’ s strengths, and see that they all have a role to play.”
As the program grows, so does its impact. With inclusive collaboration and intentional career exploration, Chartiers Valley Primary School is helping its youngest learners take their first steps toward understanding that the“ world of work” isn’ t just about jobs, it’ s about people, purpose, and possibility. hartiers Valley
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