Tuesday Tours Buzz
What are Teachers Saying About Tuesday Tours?
"Overall, this experience has helped solidify and give hard evidence to students, helping define a rationale for whay they are learning what they learn, and why it is so important to their successful futures in our ever changing world." Marianne Bauer - Lincoln IB World Middle School
"In an effort to relate to my students what has been acquired in the Tuesday Tours program, I can now emphasize with confidence the importance of not only learning the STEM skills (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), but also to let students that there is a niche for every student that can be filled with the "soft skills" that are not so mainstream. Joe Allen - Poudre School District
"I will use much of what I;ve seen on these tours to stress the fact that working is not only about making a living but making a life." Laura Pool - Thompson School District
"Students often ask about the opportunities and practices that are required for employment in the community. Now I am able to make a correlation between what I thought and what actually has been presented to me." Patricia Jaynes - Colorado Springs District 11
"Since I firmly believe that effective classroom teaching requires a knowledgeable teacher and an updated, relevant curriculum, I have looked for ways to stay on top of changes in the workplace and the pre-requisite skills required for success in business and computer careers. The BETR project is one of the more valuable projects I have participated in to stay current as a teacher." Scott LoBosco - Colorado Springs District 20
"I will ensure that students leave my classroom with the knowledge of the value of integrity and that the future of America depends upon their actions." Kimberly P. LoBosco Monument Charter Academy
"I plan on using the information garnered from the Tuesday Tours as a part of my daily interactions with students. It’s good for students to know what to expect and also what will be expected of them by a future employer." Anthony Elliott - Thompson Valley Schools - Counselor
"When I think back on my Tuesday Tours I think about how much fun and educational it was to interact with employers that have been successful in our community. It also was obvious that employers want a higher educated talent pool than ever and our students need to know that employers are selecting from a talent pool that has more than a high school education." Charles Zander - Math - St. Vrain School District
"These business tours have provided a variety of insights that will be useful in the classroom and in running my high school’s Marketing Work Experience program... As a result, I’m adding new communication enhancing lessons including creative writing and fiction reading to my classroom. I believe my students will be better prepared for the world that awaits them if they’re able to express themselves effectively. It was a great program! " Don Murray - Business and Marketing - Thompson Valley Schools
"I found this experience to be very worthwhile, especially because many of my students go immediately into the workforce and need to know their options. I actually have referred many students to Columbine Health Systems because they have a C.N.A course and provide educational reimbursement to their employees. All of the businesses were extremely knowledgeable and excited to host us. I hope that more general education teachers take advantage of this program in the future, so they can integrate their learning into the classroom." Anya Dowey-Blank - Counselor - Thompson Valley Schools
"Students tell me all the time that high school math is something they will never use again. This is pure myth to the employers who see practical applications every day for geometry and physics knowledge." Christy Grant - Counselor - Colorado Springs District 20
"This class was great! It is so nice to get out in the business world and bring back excellent information for my students." Cheryl Allbrandt - Canon City Schools
"Everything we do in my class, from working as teams to completing work on a deadline can be used as talking points of what I learned from these tours." Gardner Blake Miller - Colorado Springs D11
"This course provided me a crucial learning environment for myself as a school admistrator." Lonnie Brungardt - Principal - Buffalo 4E4J
"The Tuesday Tours have provided me... the ability to make a correlation between what I thought and what was actually ... presented to me. I have been able to include lesson plans that include job application forms and sample success resumes that meet the requirements" of business. Patricia Jaynes - CSSD 11
"I think participating in Tuesday Tours provided good communication between businesses and educators. It made me realize how important my job really is to the future of this country. What I teach in the classroom is not in isolation of what's out there in the world of work. But rather what educators do impacts the future of its citizens to help this country prosper and be successful in the 21st century." Jeanne Callahan - Elementary Teacher - Colorado Springs D11
My wife and I just found out about the BETR project. It is a terrific idea! I have been hoping for something like this for many years. Thank you for making it available. Scott LoBosco - Business Education - Colorado Springs D20
"When I signed up for the Tuesday Tours Class, I was looking at it as an easy and inexpensive way to obtain graduate credit for recertification of my teaching license. I was pleasantly surprised at what an enriching and educational experience it turned out to be. As a Kindergarten teacher, I didn't feel that I had much impact on the careers of these five and six year olds, but I do feel that I came away with many ideas that I can use in my classroom." Mary Anderson- Kindergarten Teacher- Elbert School District 200
"I am so pleased that I took this opportunity to get out into my community and learn about how others are making a living. Although I work with elementary age children, I feel like I can plant some seeds of possibility for their futures." Jennifer Steele -Colorado Springs D11
"During the years I've taught second grade, the metric system of measurement was a part of our curriculum, but I thought no one in our area used the metric system. But I found out differently through these tours." Karen Brubaker - Elementary Teacher
"...we heard the emphasis needed on Math and Technology and especially the need for the workforce to be able to communicate well written and orally with both the public and co-workers. It was informative and gave many new leads for my job in planning Job Explorations for students. Thanks again for organizing this it is a great resource for the school districts." Linda Drummond - Lewis Palmer High School
"All the (tour guides) and support staff at each business I toured were very helpful and knowledgable. As I have worked in the schools this year, I have expressed my concerns to students about work ethics and what people in this area are generally looking for in employable youth. I have tried to convince them their work ethics start now, not in four years. " Tom Brubaker - Otero RE1
"I wasn't quite sure what the class would be like or what I would get out of it, but I have been pleasantly surprised by this class.... This class was very meaningful and enjoyable and I am very glad I took the Tuesday Tours." Don Lee Anderson -Elbert High School
"Our tour guides discussed the qualities they look for in an employee are hard to find in this present generation. Math skills in fractions and decimals are needed... Computer skills are necessary.." Janet Roggero - East Otero School District
"Thank you very much for organizing this effort. I really enjoyed my tour yesterday. I learned a great deal about a local company as well as the expectations of the generation we are preparing for the workforce. ...I hope that these tours continue as they are highly beneficial to the educators as well as the businesses. Thanks again for all your hard work!" Rebecca Morlan - La Junta High School
"I am so excited to be a part of this class! Thank you for this opportunity." Kim Crom - Colorado Springs D11
"The "Tuesday Tours" really opend my eyes to the Colorado Springs business community and their employment needs. ...The tours have provided me with insight about business opportunities and practices that will be relatable to students." Dan Hoff - Colorado Springs D11
"My Students were surprisingly interested in what I was learning from the tours. Every Wednesday I could hardly wait to tell them about my tour and some of the info the businesses had shared with me." Melanie Madlock - Colorado Springs D11
"Tuesday Tours were educational for me as a classroom teacher... The increasing need for people who are able to use technology and be able to understand information as it is transferred to their computer is an important skill. " Greg Wallin - Swink School District
"As an Occupational Threapist... it is often difficult to find challenging classes that can be used to earn (credit).... I found Tuesday Tours to be a great opportunity... The class was informative, inspiring and gave me a better perspective on some possibilites for my role with special needs children..." Sari Micklewright - Occupational Therapist
"I plan not only to inform and educate my students about the skills needed to get a job in the 21st century but better yet, I will require of them those same skills I heard talked about at every company I visited" Cindy Morse - Doherty High School D11
"Many students say "where will I ever use that math again". I can now show them a test used by business to explain the need for math." Ron Smith - Tutor
"I appreciate these Tuesday Tours. It has brought many ideas and goals for me to share with my students as they push toward their future." SueAnn Gurwell - D11
"After attending Tuesday Tours, I see the need to focus ourselves, as educators, in passing this information on to students and to their parents. Many of the parents I deal with at my school are not high school graduates, but do care about their students and want them to succeed. Perhaps discussing the realities of the job market that their children face will help them to keep focused and ensure their child is learning the skills they will need to know. I will definiitely recommend this class to my fellow colleagues..." Dorian Lee - D11
