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Narrative: Business Edge for teachers began in 1998 with the underwriting and support of the Tennessee Board of Regents Tech Prep Office and The Education Edge Office. Adapted from Wisconsin's Business World, Business Edge for Teachers (BET) was designed by Tech Prep coordinators across the state to provide a professional development experience for K-postsecondary educators. This three-day event has three goals: 1. To create awareness by educators of workplace needs from a business standpoint. 2. To develop an awareness by business representatives of the challenges facing educators. 3. To provide networking opportunities for educators and business representatives to interact and discuss best practices. During BET, teachers visit business and industry, understand labor market trends (local, state and national), participate in small group discussions with employers, develop an awareness of SCANS skills, and develop classroom strategies to incorporate what they have learned into the classroom.
It Works! Since 1998, twenty-one BETs have been offered statewide. Over five hundred (500) educators and six hundred (600) employers have participated. Teachers who have attended BETs are using information learned to assist students in better understanding the need for career planning and preparation. A Business Edge for Teachers handbook was created by the Center for Community Career Education at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga for use by communities implementing local BETs.
Contact:
Jill Eatherly
Tennessee Education Edge Office
Andrew Johnson Tower
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
(P)615-532-5942
(F)615-532-4792
E-mail: jeatherly@mail.state.tn.us