Pride in the Tiger Foundation is excited to announce a $20,000 grant from the U.S. Bank Foundation that will help bring new, hands-on career exploration opportunities to Marshall students through the development of a Practical Assessment Exploration System (PAES) Lab at the Marshall Public Schools Alternative Learning Center (ALC).
Awarded through the U.S. Bank Foundation’s Community Possible program, the grant will help students explore careers, develop workplace skills, and build confidence as they prepare for life after high school.
Learning by Doing
The PAES Lab will give students the opportunity to experience simulated workplace environments through structured workstations and real-world tasks. Rather than simply learning about workplace expectations, students will have the chance to practice them.
Through the program, students will strengthen transferable skills such as:
- Communication and teamwork
- Problem-solving and decision-making
- Time management
- Task completion
- Workplace responsibility
- Following directions and procedures
- Confidence and independence
These experiences will help students better understand their own strengths and interests while exploring possibilities for employment, post-secondary education, and vocational training.
“We are incredibly grateful to the U.S. Bank Foundation for supporting our students and believing in the importance of career readiness for every learner,” said Krista Bjella, executive director of Pride in the Tiger Foundation. “This grant will help us bring meaningful, hands-on career exploration into our schools and give students the opportunity to discover their strengths, build confidence, and develop skills they can carry with them into the workforce and beyond.”
Creating Opportunities for Every Learner
The PAES Lab will serve students at the ALC as well as special education and multilingual/English learner students who can benefit from experiential, skill-based instruction tailored to diverse learning needs.
For some students, traditional classroom experiences may not always provide the opportunity to recognize their strengths or see how their skills can translate into the workplace. The PAES Lab will create a different kind of learning environment, one where students can explore, practice, make connections, and discover what they are capable of doing.
“Marshall Public Schools is grateful to the U.S. Bank Foundation for its support of our students and our community,” said Jeremy Williams, superintendent of Marshall Public Schools. “The PAES Lab will provide students with authentic opportunities to practice workplace skills, explore different career pathways, and recognize their own potential. Experiences like these help students make meaningful connections between what they learn in school and the opportunities available to them after graduation.”
Building on a Strong Community Partnership
The U.S. Bank Foundation’s support builds on an ongoing relationship with Pride in the Tiger Foundation and Marshall Public Schools.
Previous U.S. Bank Foundation funding supported the Foundation’s community engagement coordinator, a position that expanded work-based learning opportunities for Marshall High School and ALC students. Through that work, students connected with local employers through internships, job shadows, employment opportunities, and other career experiences.
The new PAES Lab will build on that foundation by helping students develop the skills and confidence they need to take advantage of those opportunities.
“A skilled and resilient workforce benefits everyone,” said Lataya Allseits, community affairs manager at U.S. Bank. “By supporting organizations like Pride in the Tiger Foundation, we’re helping people build skills and succeed in their careers.”
Investing in Students and Their Futures
Since its founding in 1999, Pride in the Tiger Foundation has worked to expand opportunities for Marshall students through scholarships, classroom grants, and investments in innovative educational programs.
The Foundation is grateful to the U.S. Bank Foundation for its continued investment in Marshall students and for recognizing the importance of providing career exploration and preparation opportunities for every learner.
This $20,000 grant is more than an investment in a new learning space, it is an investment in students’ ability to see possibilities for their futures, recognize their strengths, and develop the skills they need to succeed after graduation.
Together, community partners like U.S. Bank Foundation and Pride in the Tiger Foundation are helping Marshall students discover what comes next and giving them the tools to get there.
Visit our donations page to learn more about how you can make an impact: http://www.prideinthetiger.org/donate.
