26th Annual "BEST" Job Shadow Day for Teachers is a Professional Development Highlight

While MDUSD students enjoyed their day off from school last Monday, 30 Career Technical Education teachers and Work Based Learning Coordinators from the District took on the roles of students as they visited 12 local industry professionals to learn more about the jobs they are preparing their students to  tackle in the future. During the 26th Annual BEST (Business and Education Shadowing for Tomorrow) Day, the teachers got a chance to see how professionals who work in companies, organizations or public agencies do their work, ask questions, and get insights into what employers are looking for when they interview candidates, including MDUSD graduates.

The teachers educate MDUSD students in career pathways such as health patient care, hospitality, photography and digital arts, education, engineering, construction, transportation/auto tech, computer technology and sciences. Teachers toured facilities including MDUSD Transportation, Concord Police Department, Gurnick Academy, Pacific States Aviation, Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 342, Contra Costa County Health Department's Digital Media, Parkside Joyful Kids Academy, Sutter Health's Hospice Program, CalTrans, Concord's Community Development Department and OhReilly Productions.

After the job shadowing, teachers heard from Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark about the importance of their work with students, from two Diablo Valley College administrators who encouraged them to help get the word out about opportunities to earn college credit and certificates while still in high school, and from HR Executive Director Kim Vaiana, who spoke about job opportunities for District students after they graduate, including both certificated (teaching positions) and classified positions, such as instructional assistants, and clerical, food services, maintenance and operations, and transportation workers. She encouraged teachers to point students to the District's HR website to see the variety of jobs available and said that MDUSD graduates get a bonus in some positions. 

Healthcare patient pathway teacher Dr. David Pintado and Work Based Learning Coordinator Demetra Hufford learned about the many jobs available in providing Hospice Care at Home or in special facilities, including nurses, counselors, and people who provide services such as music and art to patients, as well as administrators and volunteers. Pintado said he plans to add information on hospice to his courses to better inform students about options related to caring for patients who are nearing their end of life. 

Teachers also collaborated in professional development activities after the presentations. "The goal is for educators to learn what industry is looking for in future employees and discuss how we can bring that to our classroom," said Heather Fontanilla, Director of College and Career Readiness. Dr. Clark praised the District’s career pathways teachers for their passion. "You are connecting with students in ways that you just can't connect with them in a regular classroom," he said.