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Education

Interns Gain Experience Helping to Fill the Teacher Pipeline

August 3, 2023

YMCA high school intern works as a camp counselor.

Alignment partners with children and youth service organizations

This summer, Alignment partnered with several organizations to provide high school students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the fields of education and youth services. These organizations included the Bartlett Park District, Elgin Partnership for Early Learning (EPEL), Hanover Township, Streamwood Park District, and the Taylor Family YMCA. Each one of these organizations was able to host one or more interns to gain experience in the field while also being paid for their hard work and dedication. 
 
Many of these interns have a passion for educating youth and working within the community.  These internships allowed students to shadow teachers and youth services employees as they consider a career in teaching and social services. One of the YMCA camp counselors, Priea Anthony, stated “It was amazing to be able to work together with both teachers and kids. I’ve learned a lot about teamwork because I was able to work together with both the teachers here, as well as a much larger group of kids.”
 
Once again, Alignment would like to thank its partner organizations for fostering a learning environment for these hard-working students that have a passion for education and working alongside children. Without the generosity of the various park districts and organizations, these students would not have been able to spend their summer working in an environment that fosters their interest in teaching and youth services. 

Streamwood Park District sponsors interns to support recreational offerings.
Hanover Township offers interns experience in aging, youth, and social services.
EPEL intern supports “Summer Reading in the Parks” program.
Bartlett Park District interns assist with swimming lessons.

Filed Under: Alignment, Education, Internships

Future Teachers Tour Judson University

May 1, 2023

Students from Bartlett, Larkin, and South Elgin high schools visited Judson’s School of Education to view the array of programs Judson offers in preparing the next decade of teachers. Thirty-two (32) students from the Education CTE programs participated in the day as part of Alignment’s efforts in partnership with U-46, District 300, and District 301 to regionally build a teacher pipeline. Nancy Coleman, Alignment’s executive director praised the volunteers leading this program. “We had the opportunity to visit NIU in the fall and Judson in the spring to showcase two institutions of higher learning making great contributions to address the teacher shortage.” Alignment is thankful to the Judson School of Education for investing these resources in students considering teaching as their future profession.

Filed Under: Alignment, Career Education, Education

Larkin High School CTE Awards Day

April 28, 2023

Larkin High School seniors were recognized for their achievements while enrolled in career and technical education (CTE) courses including culinary, education, engineering and healthcare programs. Career and technical education (CTE) teachers had the opportunity to celebrate the students’ accomplishments as these seniors prepare to graduate on May 27, 2023 at the NOW Arena.  

Alignment’s executive director, Nancy Coleman, participated in the awards ceremony by providing the keynote address. Coleman praised the students for utilizing their high school experience to prepare for future careers where many of these students graduate with highly marketable skills and certifications. As Coleman asked students “What’s Next?”, she encouraged “seniors to take advantage of opportunities, set goals, and find a career that challenges you to showcase your best performance”.

Alignment wishes to recognize all U-46 career and technical education (CTE) teachers for their contributions to ensuring students have the opportunity to graduate academic and career ready. 

CTE teachers: Amanda Long, Healthcare; Diane Kriescher, Engineering; Aurora Scarpaci, Education; and Katie Thompson, Business.

Filed Under: Alignment, Awards, Education

Elgin High School’s Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) Students Visit NIU

April 27, 2023

Elgin High School YEP Students Tour NIU Campus

Northern Illinois University (NIU) hosted Elgin High School’s (EHS) Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) sophomores on April 25, 2023. The purpose of the visit was to introduce YEP students to postsecondary opportunities early in the decision-making process giving them time to prepare during their junior and senior years for the next steps after graduation.

Students during their visit met NIU College of Education faculty, visited classroom and lab environments, and toured the residence halls. Students shared these experiences with EHS administrators, coaches, and counselors. 

Alignment was excited to partner with NIU and EHS to offer this experience to the YEP students.  The YEP program focuses on a critical time in the student’s high school experience.  Originally proposed in 2021 as a partnership between U-46, the City of Elgin, and the Elgin Police Department, the program offers leadership development opportunities to students in the middle of their high school experience helping to ensure each student develops a viable plan of success for high school and the future.

Aaron Cobbs, EHS assistant football coach and Kimball Middle School teacher, has helped launch the program at both Elgin and Larkin high schools.  Cobbs credits the success of the program this year to “a dedicated group of U-46 staff and community leaders coming together to do what’s best for students”.  One of those leaders Nick Billone, EHS’s Dean of Students, describes the program “as an opportunity to go the extra mile with a committed high school administration and community”.

Alignment wishes to express its appreciation to NIU for participating in this collaboration and to recognize Christopher Lowe from the College of Education for coordinating the visit.  Lowe also represents NIU on Alignment’s Teacher Pipeline regional initiative with U-46, District 300, District 301, ECC, Judson, and the Elgin Partnership for Early Learning (EPEL).

YEP Students visit with Chris Lowe and NIU’s College of Education

Filed Under: Education

United Way of Metro Chicago Launches Neighborhood Network in Elgin with Leadership Gift from Nicor Gas Foundation

March 16, 2023

Alignment Collaborative for Education will lead
the vision and work of the Elgin Neighborhood Network

United Way of Metro Chicago, in collaboration with founding supporter Nicor Gas Foundation and lead partner agency Alignment Collaborative for Education, has announced the expansion of its Neighborhood Network Initiative in Elgin. Establishing a Neighborhood Network in Elgin empowers local neighborhood leaders to leverage a multi-year investment from Nicor Gas Foundation and support from United Way to identify and solve issues important to their community.
   
“United Way has a long-standing relationship and partnership with the Elgin community,” said United Way of Metro Chicago President and CEO Sean Garrett. “Along with the Nicor Gas Foundation, we are thrilled to work with our partners at Alignment Collaborative for Education to launch the Elgin Neighborhood Network and reaffirm United Way’s commitment to the residents of Elgin. Our goal is to continue to work together to build a community where everyone can reach their potential and thrive.”  

“As the founding supporter of the Elgin Neighborhood Network, the Nicor Gas Foundation is honored to join United Way of Metro Chicago and our community partners on this transformative investment,” said Nicor Gas President and CEO Wendell Dallas. “We are committed to advancing equity in education for all young people. Nicor Gas is proud to support the Elgin Neighborhood Network and work in partnership with Alignment Collaborative for Education to provide workforce training opportunities and job readiness programs to better prepare high school students to pursue fulfilling careers.”

“The launch of the Elgin Neighborhood Network is a gamechanger for the Elgin community,” said Alignment Collaborative for Education Executive Director Nancy Coleman. “We are grateful for United Way of Metro Chicago and the Nicor Gas Foundation for believing in our work and joining our strong coalition of community leaders to ensure all people can thrive in Elgin, starting with crucial education and workforce development programming for our youth.”

Filed Under: Alignment, Career Education, Community Awareness, Community Partnerships, Education, Grant Awards, Post Secondary Education

Please join us on Giving Tuesday…

November 29, 2022

Please join us on Giving Tuesday to grow the more than 6,000 students served in 2022 to over 8,000 students by 2023.

“The hands-on experience of getting to create our own project and doing activities that are practiced in the real world was a truly rewarding experience.”

– Emily Gilmore, intern, Bartlett High School

“Today was very fun. It gave me some experiences I would never usually get.”

– Kunal Modi, Explore, Eastview Middle School

Invest in Alignment to prepare students to graduate academic and career ready. Our future workforce depends on it.

“I learned to seek good opportunities that will allow me to combine something that I’m good at with something I really care about. ”

– Anaid Braun, intern, South Elgin High School


“Overall the internship was a future changing experience.”

– Andrew Calles Cortez, intern, Larkin High School

To see our impact, view our Annual Report
To make an impact, Donate Today

Filed Under: Alignment, Career Education, Donations, Education

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Alignment Collaborative for Education - ACE

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Elgin, IL 60120
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