When the bell rings and students gather in their STEM class at El Monte Middle School, you won’t find them sitting: you’ll see cooking, learning CPR, and brushing up on cosmetology.
You can also look around and see sixth-grade teacher Ms. Joanna Green visiting every workstation to guide them.
"Some students are already deciding which career paths they might want to choose or even what they don’t want to do, which is awesome. They get to weed out things they thought they liked."
Joanna Green
STEM Lab Teacher
Each station offers kids the opportunity to learn new skills they can use to build up their confidence when they enter the workforce someday. The school provides real-life tools at every workstation. Students use up-to-date surgery supplies and advanced technology for future career paths.
"It increases student learning all around and I would venture to say it increases their learning in all classes because it teaches them that stamina and that perseverance."
Joanna Green
STEM Lab Teacher
The district said its vision ensures all students graduate, not only with their high school diploma but also with a second credential. This could include college credits, helping to save time and money in higher education, or obtaining an industry-recognized credential, giving students a head start in the workforce.
While the district recognizes students may not choose their career paths in middle school, they can certainly explore various options.
Ms. Green has spent the last eight years helping students get to the next level – but the lessons in her STEM classes hope to be the building blocks for students’ futures.
A big congratulations to Ms. Green at El Monte Middle School. Your hard work has given you the honor of this week’s Educator of the Week.
Information provided by: KSEE 24
Fresno, CA
