The Standard shares advice for first-year partners

The Standard just completed its first year as a STEM Connect partner at Creston Elementary in the Portland Public School District. Jonah Yearick, who led the company’s involvement, shares a few lessons that were learned in the process that might help others who are just getting started. He says:

1. Company support is important. “It’s critical that your company is supportive of employees being involved in the community. It makes recruiting volunteers easier.”

2. The training prepares you. “The In4All staff trained us well. We felt very prepared walking into the classroom the first time and quickly got over any nerves.”

3. The students will blow you away. “The students are more knowledgeable about STEM subjects than you expect 4th and 5th graders to be. Go ahead and challenge them more than you think you can.”

4. The teachers are very helpful. “Communicate with the teacher ahead of your first visit. They are happy to be as involved as you want them to be and do a great job of managing the classroom while you focus on the activities.”

5. Don’t worry, you are interesting. “If you worry the children won’t find you interesting, don’t. They are excited to have outside people come into the classroom.”