Denise Hillman is an instructional coach and co-teacher of English language students at Muscatine High School. As an instructional coach, she has been involved with career and technical teachers throughout the school system.

She has signed up for a project with the Iowa Clearinghouse for Work-based Learning to enhance instruction with English language students, a journalism class and an iJag class. Here are here thoughts about why the clearinghouse works well for her classes and students.

What business are you partnering with? We are partnering with HNI Corporation and KENT Corporation.

What is the project? We are participating in two projects from the clearinghouse.

With Kent Corporation's project, our students are developing a survey for meat alternatives. The survey will be given to high school students. Our students will then compile the survey results and provide the company with the details. Our journalism and iJag students are working together on this project. We have not begun this project yet. We have until spring to complete it.

HNI Corporation's project is creating and translating marketing materials into Spanish and French. Our EL students who are fluent in Spanish and French will be working with the HNI marketing department on making sales materials culturally relevant to Spanish and French culture. My first meeting with HNI will outline how they want to work with students.

What is the intended outcome? Our intended outcome is for students to enter into the work field and be able to explore real-life careers while working with professionals. Hopefully, our students will have their horizons opened up to the vast variety of careers right in their own backyard. If our students can get in the door of a business it could lead to future employment.

What disciplines and skills are required to do this project? Both projects require communication skills, written and spoken word. We will be using the English standards of reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

Why does the clearinghouse appeal to you? I first learned about the clearinghouse in a Future Ready Iowa Conference we had in Muscatine. Initially, I was interested in two great projects but I couldn't generate any interest with our staff.  I have developed a strong partnership with HNI as we are on regional boards together and we are always having open conversations trying to fit school and business needs together. When HNI designed the project for cultural integration into their marketing, they already knew I would be willing to collaborate with them. I have also worked with KENT in developing school and business opportunities. I was excited to find their project on the board and apply.  

Meet our project manager

Jake Welchans, the project manager of the Iowa Clearinghouse for Work-based Learning, is well-suited to bring this initiative to fruition. After all, he's a former teacher.

Prior to joining the Iowa Department of Education, Welchans spent 11 years with Des Moines Public Schools as a business and technology teacher, technology trainer and instructional technology coordinator. And prior to that, he worked for five years in the insurance industry before going back to school to earn his master’s degree and teaching credentials. To put it mildly, Welchans understands work-based learning from all sides — student, teacher and business professional.

“With more than 130 different opportunities currently on the project board, students and educators can work with businesses from all corners of the state to acquire new skills and test drive careers,” Welchans said. “Big or small, rural or urban, schools can access these high-quality, real-world work experiences and employers get to play an active role in growing their talent pipeline.”

Welchans works with both businesses and educators, bringing them together to create meaningful experiences for students. Businesses, do you have an idea for a project, but need to hone in on the details? Welchans can help with that! Educators, are you looking for different ways to integrate a project into a course? Welchans can help with that, too!

You can reach him at jake.welchans@iowa.gov or 515-281-5494 to get started.