The Albert Lea Greater Education Project has successfully completed its third year of building bridges between business, education and student communities. The objectives include developing opportunities for student job shadowing and real-world occupational speaker experiences to advance the practical education and learning growth of Albert Lea students.

In the past three years over 330 seniors in the economics class have had the opportunity to shadow a local business professional and over 511 employees have been scheduled to speak to the eighth grade Pathway’s Career classes.

Since January, over 90 employees of local businesses were excited and scheduled to speak to the eighth grade classes with some even speaking more than once! A big thank you goes to the following companies and their employees who told their own career path stories to the students:

Zumbro River Brands: Christina Conley, Keith Balke, Kevin Cromer and Kris Naatz; Acupuncture Elements: Tobi Utz; Midwest Agri Advisors: Deb Steinfelt; Hy-Vee: Dee Ann Bergland; Dave Henche Motorized Enterprise: Dave Henche; B & M Enterprise: Bruce Haugsdal; Sorenson Appliance: Dak Sorenson; ALEDA: Noelle Hagen and Phillip Johnson; Retired: Jan Sease, Joyce and Bob Nixon and Susan and Steve Carlson; Peppered Cow Food Truck: Dori Etheridge; Energis Inc.: Ryan Haugsdal; EXP Realty: Lynne Kelly and Jay Waltman; Expressions Salon: Jackie Abrego and Callie Christensen; Rehab care: Deb Strosal; Albert Lea Family Dental: Jenny Rhiner and Stacy Magnuson; Bonnerup Funeral Services: Spencer Brackey; Mayo Clinic: Brad Niebuhr, Marnie Thompson, Barb Feist, Kristine Wolner, Joy Shaft, Deb Garcia, Brad Bachmeier, Tony Collins, Rhiannon Peterson, Hannah Ratigan, Bianca Johnson, Chris Edmiston, Nicole Hoffman and David Goodell; Christensen Plumbing & Heating: Tim and Kim Christensen; Freeborn Lumber Larry Baker and Carl Koppelman; Provenio Consulting: Brad Kramer; It’s Worth It Massage & Wellness Center: Lindsey Kramer; MN Freezer Warehouse: Charles Newell and Anthony Christensen; Freeborn Mower Cooperative: Jack Kortan, Rita Nelson, Pete Nelson, Rob Wolfe, Ethan Eggum and Dawn Schroeder; Village Coop: Holly Jackson; CS Computers: Curt Sanderquist; Market Place Foods: Jerry Barnes, Tammy Newman and Courtney Thostensen; Freeborn County Chamber: Rhonda Jordal; Blue Zones: Ellen Kehr; Kestner Electric: Jeremiah Forman; Edward Jones: Angie Eggum; City of Albert Lea: Chris Lowe; Security Bank: Tim Reed; Good Steward Consulting: Seth Light and Emily Light; Shell Rock Watershed: Scott Christensen, SE MN Workforce Center: Melissa Doppelhammer, Fantastic Sam’s: Dave Schultz; Freeborn County: Ryan Peterson and Kristine Maiers, Judge Ross Leuning, Jessica Berke and Esther Sherman; Hormel Corporation: Resha Hovde; United Employee Credit Union: Matt Maras; Lou Rich/Innovance: Ryan Martens, Eric Mauer and Lee Gulbrandson.

Thank you to the District No. 241 teachers this past year Deb Munson, Neil Chalmers, Lucas Novosad and administrator John Double for your support and partnership with this project! It has been a privilege to work with you, the business community and the students!

The Albert Lea Greater Education Project was created and funded by the Albert Lea Education Foundation. If you would like to participate or help financially to support this important educational partnership, call 507-383-7880.

Jean Eaton

Albert Lea Greater Education Project