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Connect
Employability Skills
STEP 2
Connect Employability Skills to Existing Initiatives
In this step, teachers help students connect employability skills to established school initiatives. Most schools have an acronym they use to brand their school. These acronyms are part of a school's Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support (PBIS) initiative or from their motto, or creed. Aligning these established acronyms with employability skills serves as a reminder for students and teachers of employability skills. Students will connect the ways they can demonstrate employability skills when they see their school's acronyms throughout the school.
What To Do
Teachers match employability skills to the current school (PBIS), Motto, or Creed.
How To Do it
Teachers use the worksheet to write down their school PBIS, motto, or creed in the left-hand column and match it to employability schools from the chart below.
The examples below show how teachers connected their school's initiative to employability skills.
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See the worksheet for a blank template to help with this step.
Example #1
Using the School Creed
Teachers at ABC High School connected their school creed to employability skills for embedding in the classroom. "Listen and Follow Directions" is an example of a Communication Skill, one of their identified employability skills. When students see the letter L they make the connections to listening and following directions as a communication skill. Same for the remaining letters of the acronym.
Leader Rules
L - Listen and Follow Directions
E - Engage in Learning
A - Accept Correction
D - Do your Best
E - Eliminate Excuses
R - Respect yourself and others
Employability Skill
L - Communication Skills
E - Personal Skills
A - Personal Skills
D - Personal Skills (Positivity)
E - Critical Thinker
R - Collaborator
Example #2
Using the school PBIS or school motto
Teachers at XYZ high school aligned employability skills to their PBIS system. "P" for Positive is an example of a Personal Skill and one of their identified employability skills. When students see the letter "P" they can connect "Positive" as an example of a personal skill. Same for the remaining letters of the acronym.
PBIS
P - Positive
R - Respect
I - Integrity
D - Dedication
E - Excellence
Employability Skill
P - Personal Skills
R - Communicator
I - Personal Skill
D - Personal Skill
E - Personal Skill
Use the chart below to match your school's PBIS, creed, or motto to an Employability Skill
Which critical thinking skill matches your school motto, creed, or PBIS?
Critical Thinking
Creative Thinking - Student thinks outside the box
Independent Thinking - Student develops own ideas or processes
Problem solver - Student uses a combination of new skills and previous skills to solve problems
Rational Thinker - Student weighs risk versus reward in making decisions
Which communication skill matches your school motto, creed, or PBIS initiative?
Communication
Verbal Communication - Student engage in discussions, presentations, or impromptu conversations
Written Communication - Student uses communication standards or norms when writing
Active Listener - Student makes eye contact with the presenter - Sits appropriately while listening
Collaborative Communication- Student communicates ideas, results, or work progress with the group
Which stewardship skill matches your school motto, creed, or PBIS ?
Stewardship
Time - Student uses his/her time wisely
Resources - Student uses classroom equipment appropriately
Money - Student demonstrates an awareness of financial responsibility
Mental Health - Student appropriately maintains his/her mental health
Which technology skill matches your school motto, creed, or PBIS ?
Technology
Cell Phone - Student properly uses a cell phone in the classroom
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Video Media - Student properly uses video media in the classroom
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Social Media - Student demonstrates responsible use of social media as it pertains to the classroom
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Digital Citizenship - Student respectfully and safely engages in digital environments
Which personal skill matches your school motto, creed, or PBIS ?
Personal Skills
Initiative - The student is a self-starter and shows internal motivation
Integrity - Student demonstrates honesty in all aspects of the classroom
Positivity - Student demonstrates a positive attitude toward class projects and others in the classroom
Responsibility - Student takes responsibility for classwork and his/her own actions
Which collaboration skill matches your school motto, creed, or PBIS ?
Collaboration Skills
Team Lead - Student can lead a team to accomplish classroom goals
Team Member - The student can be an effective team member
Respect Others - Student demonstrates the ability to listen to others' ideas and have an open mind
Digital Collaborator - Student engages in projects with other students in a digital platform
