Nice to know: Thanks to Pathways class speakers
Published 10:49 pm Wednesday, January 8, 2020
Albert Lea Area Schools’ eighth grade Pathways class incorporates speakers from local businesses into their curriculum. Students hear from experts about various careers right here in our area, as well as trends and industry needs for the future.
The following experts from local businesses were gracious enough to give their time to speak to the eighth graders during the second quarter class:
Steve Vanik, Adam Schumann and Jim Plantage from Alamco’s human resources, safety, operations and maintenance departments
Ben Hinueber from Albert Lea Seed House
Julia Thompson, manager of the Freeborn County Shopper
Dori Etheridge, owner of Peppered Cow food truck
Resha Hovde, senior innovation manager at Hormel
Erica Vanthavong, dental hygienist from Advanced Family Dental
Shelly Mehues and Lori Swehla, director and registered nurse from Oak Park Place
Samantha Register, co-director of The Children’s Center
Reggie Bauer, manager at Power 96
Kelli Jordahl from the human resources department at Alerus Retirement and Benefits
Ben Bartlett from State Farmer Insurance
Ellen Kehr, director of the Blue Zones Project
Brittany Voigt, communications coordinator for Albert Lea Area Schools
Tim Reed, bank officer at Security Bank
Bob Bender, maintenance instructor at Riverland Community College
Erin Haag, director of the United Way
Holly Karsjens, owner of The Meraki Studios
Ethan Berg and Dane Hanson, lineman for Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services
Scott Thompson, owner of Geno’s Plumbing
Nick Pirsig, owner of Albert Lea Electric
Adam Conn, Phil Wacholz, Megan Boeck, Tanya Harms and Jeff Laskowski from Albert Lea Police Department, Public Works, and Fire Department
Jenny Habana, Lyndon Stinson, Abigail Lambert, Susan Piper, Kyle Njos, Merlyn Swehle, Shane Claussen and Erin Lowe from the offices of Freeborn County truancy and probation, assistant attorney, social work, engineering and snow fighting
The Albert Lea Greater Education Project is funded by the Albert Lea Education Project. This is their fourth year of supporting eighth and 12th grade students. The purpose of the project is to bridge business and industry with education and give students real-life experiences to open their eyes to career opportunities.
If you would like to become a speaker or help fund this program so that it can continue to support students in Albert Lea, please contact project director Jean Eaton at 507-383-7880.
Jean Eaton
Albert Lea