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