Careers and Character Education
Maryanne Mansingh is the Career and Transition Planner at Westbridge Academy. She sees students in middle and high school once a week when she goes into their classrooms to talk about job readiness and character education. A certified teacher now in her 13th year with the school, she knows that she is getting her students ready for the future.
“I teach the six pillars of character – trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. I want my students to not only get a job, but also to keep a job, and to build friendships at work. The skills that build and demonstrate these positive traits can go a long way,” said Ms. Mansingh.
Some graduates from Westbridge Academy chose to go on to college, and those who do, have often had their first campus experience with Ms. Mansingh. “We take the bus to a local college to tour or just to have lunch,” she said. “Students get exposure to a college campus and they learn how to use the public transportation system at the same time.”
Westbridge is expanding its opportunities for school-based job sampling, too. This year, students can experience work in areas such as office and clerical, sales and business, gardening, and food service.
