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Alignment Collaborative for Education - ACE

Education

One Month to Explore!

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EXPLORE IS ONE MONTH AWAY!

The Alignment Collaborative for Education and School District U-46 will host over 2,400 8th graders, and business and community professionals to introduce the students to more than 100 careers on October 1, 2026.

Eighth grade students will have the opportunity to visit with business and industry partners, learn more about the academies plus dual credit opportunities and explore the U-46 career pathways including:

Arts and Communications
Business, IT, Culinary and Hospitality
Education and Human Services
Healthcare
Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology, and Trades

Thank you to our career professionals and our sponsoring organizations for offering this opportunity to our U-46 students.

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Alignment, Northern Kane County Region 110, and Central Unit School District 301 Partner to Introduce Drone Internship

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Students Earn FAA Part 107 Certification

This summer, the Alignment Collaborative for Education partnered with Northern Kane County Region 110 and Central Unit School District 301 to launch its first-ever Drone Internship, providing students with hands-on experience in one of the fastest-growing sectors of the aviation industry while helping shape the future of career and technical education in Northern Kane County.

The internship was developed in response to Central Unit School District 301’s plans to introduce a regional Career and Technical Education (CTE) aviation pathway. As drone technology continues to transform industries including aviation, public safety, construction, agriculture, real estate, and infrastructure, the internship offered students an opportunity to explore emerging careers while earning valuable industry credentials.

“Every four years the region undergoes a deep dive into the career and technical education offerings as part of our federal and state grants cycles,” said Terry Stroh, Director of the Northern Kane County Region 110 Education for Employment (EFE) System. “Much like our First Responder Internship from just a few years back, internship opportunities like the FAA Drone Program give us the opportunity to gauge interest in new programs before their launch within schools. This summer’s Drone Program has not only allowed us to measure student interest, but also the high level of success we can achieve. This program will introduce students to many of the exciting career opportunities available throughout the aviation field.”

The internship also serves as an important foundation for Central Unit School District 301’s expanding aviation programming.

“I am thrilled that Central 301 has launched a high school-based regional aviation pathway,” said Stephen Buchs, Director of Curriculum 6–12 for Central Unit School District 301. “The aviation field is often overlooked by students and families unless they are personally connected to the career field, and bringing this option into our public schools will open the eyes of both students and the community. By offering high-impact opportunities in pilot flight training, commercial drone operations, and aviation maintenance, we are creating unprecedented opportunities for students in Central 301 and across Northern Kane County to pursue these career pathways. It is a true community launchpad that will prepare high school students to lead the future of the aerospace industry.”

The success of the inaugural Drone Internship was made possible through the collaboration of educators and work-based learning partners who helped transform an innovative idea into a meaningful student experience.

“Bridging the gap between the classroom and the aviation industry requires an extraordinary team effort,” said Dr. Todd Stirn, Work-Based Learning Specialist. “Sparked by Nancy Coleman’s initial vision, I designed and built it into a 60-hour internship curriculum that was brought to life in collaboration with instructor Brayden Teele and director Stephen Buchs. This internship sets a new benchmark for work-based learning. We aren’t just preparing students for an FAA exam; we are equipping them with the real-world operational skills to launch high-skill careers.”

Led by Brayden Teele, Computer Science and Math Teacher at Central High School, the internship provided students with the instruction and flight experience needed to prepare for the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, the federal certification required to operate drones commercially in the United States.

“This outstanding group of students demonstrated exceptional dedication and a strong commitment to expanding their knowledge of the drone industry,” Teele said. “By earning their FAA Part 107 license, they are taking an important step toward developing valuable career-ready skills in aviation, technology, photography, mapping, and commercial drone operations. Their willingness to challenge themselves through this internship reflects their work ethic, curiosity, and determination to succeed. We are proud of their accomplishments and look forward to seeing the many opportunities their Part 107 license will create.”

Eleven student interns participated in the inaugural program, gaining both technical knowledge and real-world experience. For Central High School student Ruans Parikh, the internship offered lessons that extended beyond drone operations. “This internship taught me that knowledge alone doesn’t create success. Success comes from putting ideas into action, adapting to unexpected challenges, and taking ownership of every result along the way.”

The Alignment Collaborative for Education is grateful to Central Unit School District 301, Central High School, and the dedicated educators who made this inaugural Drone Internship possible. Together, we are creating innovative pathways that prepare students for high-demand careers while strengthening the future workforce of Northern Kane County.

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Elgin Township continues to invest in summer internships and youth mental health resources to youth and families

Summer healthcare interns earn Teen Mental Health First Aid certifications

 Summer healthcare interns from School Districts U-46, 300, 301 and 303 receive industry certifications in Teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA)

Elgin Township provided the first grant to Alignment in 2022 for $9,600 to help fund 75 high school students with paid summer internships as part of its summer enrichment grant program.  Five years later with funding received each year, Elgin Township has funded for 2026, a $21,600 grant to support the growth of paid summer internships for high school students.  Because of Elgin Township’s early commitment of support in 2022, more than 300 students today in 2026 are benefiting from paid summer internship opportunities in their career of choice.

Elgin Township also leads the way in supporting youth mental health. In 2025, Alignment benefiting from United Way Metro Chicago funding, named its second priority area in future workforce development working to ensure that students graduate with a sound foundation in mental health and wellness that prepares them to adequately address their own behavioral health while also being able to relate to mental health concerns faced each day in our schools and in our workplaces.

Elgin Township’s Mental Health Board has embraced this work in the schools helping U-46 and partner community behavioral health organizations pilot the implementation of youth mental health training.  This training is part of a pilot program with U-46’s Larkin High School feeder pattern beginning the work in the elementary and middle schools.

Alignment and the Elgin Neighborhood Network are committed to being sure that high school students have the skills and knowledge to support their own behavioral health. Examples of that commitment include U-46 healthcare students participating in international HOSA student competitions in Indiana next week showcasing the use of social media practices to positively promote youth mental health awareness. 

More than 20 summer healthcare interns from School Districts 300, 301, 303, and U-46 hosted by Advocate Sherman Hospital, Family Service Association of Greater Elgin, and VNA Health Care began their summer internships this week earning Teen Mental Health First Aid training certifications provided by the Kenneth Young Center. 

Alignment is also introducing paid summer internships in the behavioral health professions hosted by Ecker Center, Family Service Association of Greater Elgin, Luna Behavioral Health Center, and Streamwood Behavioral Healthcare System in partnership with Elgin Community College and the “Taking Back the Trades” Grant and Northern Kane County Region 110.

Hoffer Foundation provides an additional annual gift of $25,000 to grow the summer internship program.

Hoffer Foundation's Bill Hoffer speaks with Alignment's interns

Six interns from Central High School, Elgin High School, Larkin High School, and St. Charles East High School begin manufacturing rotational internships at Hoffer Plastics

Since day one of Alignment’s conception, the Hoffer Family has been at the table encouraging local school districts and the business community to work more strongly together helping Alignment and the region’s school districts build partnerships across the greater Elgin area. As a result of these partnerships, Alignment has advanced the organization from serving less than 5,000 students in 2021 to over 15,000 students in 2026, growing business and community partnerships.

Hoffer Plastics was also at the table early in the building of the summer internship program. The company offered the first engineering and manufacturing rotational internship for students to experience firsthand, advanced manufacturing processes within the plastic injection molding industry. Having served for a decade on Alignment’s Governing Board, Hoffer has contributed its corporate leadership to benefit Alignment’s work in the schools shaping a future workforce that will allow the greater Elgin economy to thrive for the next decade.

Supporting Youth Mental Health: A Community-Wide Effort

In observance of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Elgin Neighborhood Network (ENN) Youth Mental Health Workgroup is working to ensure Elgin families know they are supported.

Recognizing the Signs: Early identification is vital. We encourage partners to watch for “subtle shifts” in youth behavior—such as changes in sleep, social withdrawal, or academic struggles. For more guidance, see this resource from the American Academy of Pediatrics.


Connecting to Our Network: As a convener, the ENN is proud to introduce a new resource directory developed by our workgroup to provide a clear path to behavioral health support and crisis intervention.

If you are working with a family in need of professional guidance, we encourage referrals to our dedicated partners:

Together, we are ensuring there is “no wrong door” for help in Elgin.

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Sophomore/Junior Postsecondary Day Reaches Over 3,600 Students!

More than 30 universities, colleges, and organizations joined Alignment and School District U-46 for the Sophomore/Junior Virtual Postsecondary Day on March 4. This large-scale Zoom event reached over 3,600 students, exposing them to a multitude of college and career pathways.

As they met with admissions counselors and visiting faculty, students gained valuable guidance for their academic and professional endeavors. Throughout the day and across 32 different Zoom sessions, students had access to key resources:

  • Industry-specific college panels highlighting top program offerings across the Arts, Automotive, Business, Education, Engineering, Healthcare and Manufacturing industries
  • Information regarding Elgin Community College’s FAFSA, Transfer, and Academic Services
  • Workshops sharing insights on College Athletics and Military opportunities

Whether a student is considering a four-year university, community college, technical institute, or military service, Postsecondary Day provides a unique learning opportunity where students can be encouraged and equipped in their postsecondary planning.

Thank you to the following colleges, universities, and organizations for partnering with Alignment and U-46 to offer the Sophomore/Junior Postsecondary Day:

  • Aurora University
  • Bradley University
  • Butler University
  • DePaul University
  • Dominican University
  • Elgin Community College
  • Elmhurst University
  • Grand Valley State University
  • Harper College
  • Honest Game – NCAA Academic Eligibility
  • Illinois State University
  • Indiana University
  • Iowa State University
  • Judson University
  • Lincoln College of Technology
  • Loyola University
  • Marquette University
  • Milwaukee School of Engineering
  • North Central College
  • Northern Illinois University
  • Purdue University
  • Roosevelt University
  • Southern Illinois University
  • Universal Technical Institute
  • University of Dayton
  • University of Illinois Chicago
  • University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
  • University of Iowa
  • University of Notre Dame
  • University of Wisconsin Madison
  • University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
  • U.S. Armed Forces
  • Valparaiso University
  • Western Illinois University
  • Xavier University

Thank you to all the volunteers from these organizations who made this event a huge success, as well as to our Alignment partners from the U-46 Postsecondary Success Team, and Northern Kane County Region 110, who facilitated 32 different sessions for students.