Concrete opportunities with Unilever are bringing out the best in CHS students , according to CHS teacher and instructional coach Cory Concus . Teens recognize that the wages and growth opportunities offered by manufacturers could provide a good living . Knowing the steps needed to get there spurs them to work hard . The best candidates for the program at this point aren ’ t the high achievers planning on college , or the lowest achievers who lack academic skills needed to qualify for the program . The kids being reached are “ the very best of the middle ,” a tough group to target , said Mr . Concus .
“ You see an upping of expectations for kids in that middle range , that group that was falling by the wayside ,” Mr . Concus said . “ When a lot of these kids graduate , there ’ s not a lot of hope for them going forward . They want a future just like you want a future for them . When they succeed , people start to really believe in the kids again .”
Mr . Concus ’ s hope : Other industries adopt this model . Students benefit from attainable , rewarding goals , and employers benefit from hiring trained , proven workers . And in the long run , West Tennessee develops a highskilled workforce drawing more employers to the area .
“ I hope other industries see this and think that it ’ s a good , repeatable idea . This kind of thing works ,” Mr . Concus said .
Fighting poverty , rebuilding the middle class – all in a day ’ s work at Covington High .
Covington High School : Strategies for Students
1 . INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO PREPARING STUDENTS BOTH FOR COLLEGE AND THE WORKFORCE
2 . PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL INDUSTRY AND HIGHER EDUCATION TO OFFER OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIGH-PAYING JOBS AFTER GRADUATION
3 . ARRAY OF CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION COURSES FOR COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS
4 . RAISING EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENTS ACROSS THE BOARD TO HELP TRANSFORM THE COMMUNITY
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