Experiential learning in our youth employment program
As the school year winds down, TEENworks teens continue to impress — balancing finals, jobs, and personal growth with resilience and positivity.
By Anna Heard, TEENworks Coordinator
It’s that time of year when the weather starts to warm up, but students are still tied to their books. May can be a tough month for high schoolers — AP tests, finals, sports, and figuring out summer plans. On top of all that, teens in our TEENworks youth employment program are showing up to work during wedding season here at Goodman, completing their work-based learning, leading children in fitness activities, tending the garden and they’re doing it all with (mostly) positive attitudes.
The TEENworks staff couldn’t be prouder of these young people and their accomplishments!
TEENworks staff earn high school credit for working at Goodman. They receive ½ credit for every 90 hours they work, giving them a chance to graduate early. To earn this credit, they complete a monthly check-in focused on an “Employability Skill/Competency”. At the start of the year, they set goals to work toward across all these competencies.
After focusing on these skills throughout the school year, students are asked to reflect on an accomplishment, an obstacle, and a strategy for each of the 13 competencies. It’s a long assignment, but by the time they get there, they’ve already put in the hard work.
In reviewing these reflections, staff are consistently impressed by the emotional maturity and development the teens display. They’re truly thinking about what held them back and offering thoughtful, honest strategies for how to move forward. They give real feedback. They ask for help. And while some of the assignments may feel repetitive or tedious, the growth is real — and it shows in their actions. Our students are committed to their community and to their own development.
Anyway… we're not crying, you are.
The 13 Employability Skills & Competencies
- Develops positive relationships with others
- Communicates effectively with others
- Collaborates with Others
- Maintains composure under pressure
- Demonstrates Integrity
- Performs quality work
- Provides quality goods or service (internal and external)
- Shows initiative and self-direction
- Adapts to change
- Demonstrates safety and security regulations and practices
- Applies job-related technology, information, and media
- Fulfills training or certification requirements for employment
- Sets personal goals for improvement