Governor's Commission Director Presents Workforce Trends

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go back to school? Or how it would feel to teach a class in the 21st century? If you're a teacher, have you ever wondered what life would be like in a big corporation? These questions are answered in Rowan County's Walk in My Shoes project, a joint program sponsored by Time Warner Cable, Rowan-Salisbury Schools, Rowan County Chamber of Commerce and the Rowan-Salisbury School-to-Career Council.

Linda James, Time Warner Cable's Education Services Coordinator in Salisbury, came to the cable industry with a background in education. Time Warner Cable has a strong commitment to education, and James was hired to serve as a liaison between the school system and the company. James realized early on that students were not graduating from high school with the workplace skills that businesses need.

After joining Time Warner Cable, James became involved with School-to-Career Council and the Business Alliance Committee. Through these organizations, which work to form alliances between businesses and education, James learned that the school system had instituted a shadowing program with a local business as an attempt to bridge the gap in workforce development; however, participation in the program had declined. James recognized the opportunity, and spearheaded efforts to start the Walk In My Shoes program in Rowan County. Through Walk In My Shoes, educators are given the opportunity to shadow one person at a local business during the summer. They are there not to work as a summer employee, but to learn about the business - the skills needed to work there, how the business operates and the kinds of jobs the business offers.

Through the experience of working at a business, the educators learn what kinds of skills their students need to compete in the workforce. Educators receive Continuing Education (CEU) credits for participating in the program, keeping a journal of their experiences and attending a Walk in My Shoes luncheon in the fall. A committee selects the educators through an application process, and the teachers and principals shadow their businesses in June.

Businesses, in turn, learn about the education process through the program. To select the business participants, the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce sends invitations to its membership, encouraging the businesses to participate. The businesses agree to assign one person to be shadowed by an educator. The business representative also keeps a journal, is invited to shadow the educator at his/her school, and participates in the luncheon. The business representatives are also given the opportunity to speak to a class and the educator's school about their particular field.

In each of the journals, educators and business representatives are given specific questions to answer regarding what they've learned as a result of Walk In My Shoes. Following this year's program, James collected all of the journals, put them together and published a book, which she presented to all of the Walk In My Shoes participants.

At the end of the program, Time Warner Cable sponsors a fall luncheon for all participants, giving them the opportunity to share their Walk In My Shoes experiences.

James has already seen positive results from Walk In My Shoes this year; Salisbury Post ran an article about the program and one of the local businesses that participated donated money to local high schools to purchase much needed equipment. She has gotten positive feedback from the educators, the businesses and the sponsoring organizations, and looks forward to repeated success next year.

For more information please contact Linda James, Time Warner Cable's Education Services Coordinator, at linda.james@twcable.com.

Ms. Linda James, Time Warner Cable Education Services Coordinator and Mr. Eric Leazer, Director of Workforce Development for Rowan-Salisbury Schools partner to host the first annual "Walk in My Shoes" project.