"Howard and Ill have given educators a stunning encyclopedic handbook on career pathways. Loaded with helpful lists and charts, and written in a clear, conversational tone, Career Pathways is the new indispensable resource for superintendents, principals, counselors, and teachers."
Elaine Johnson, Honorary Fellow
Huron College
"Career Pathways is the most comprehensive curriculum approach to achieving the dual goal of academic and career maturity. High school educators who seek to promote not just college admissions but college success should consider the career pathways approach."
Kenneth Gray, Professor
Penn State University
Just imagine all students in your high school taking ownership of their own learning!
This is exactly what happens in a student-centered Pathways High School. Instructionally based, the Collaborative Career Pathways approach is to help all students add relevancy to their school work by preparing for the future. Collaborative Pathway High Schools allow students to self manage and problem-solve to better prepare for their future. This excellent resource brings together three crucial pillars: the classroom, the community, and the counseling processes that are found in all high schools.
Students begin this process by learning about their aptitudes, skills, and interests and then selecting one of several broad career paths (such as Human Services or Science and Industry). Students experience ongoing goal-setting and decision making. Through the classroom, community, and counseling processes, your students will be able to design and implement a plan that is just right them. This is what student-centered learning is all about!
- Classroom processes remain the key to student-centered and self-directed learning. Integration occurs naturally as students have the opportunity to participate in integrated learning units that include the four core subject areas, technology, and one or two electives that all align to state and national standards and benchmarks.
- Community opportunities begin with guest speakers, chat partners, and field trip visits and then progress to job shadowing, internships, mentorships, and senior capstone projects.
- Counseling becomes a key component for students in the areas of academic, career, and social and personal skill development. Ample opportunities abound for role modeling and practice in teaming, problem solving, conflict resolution, character development, self-management, goal setting, and decision making.
By employing the Career Pathways model, your school can add relevancy to what students learn and do during their high school years. Help students be more focused and team-oriented, and the true drivers of their own learning!
Elaine Makas Howard has 25 years of experience in education. She has served numerous districts in Michigan in curriculum, career development and counseling processes as a regional director of Instructional Services. She is also a systems consultant with Curriculum Connections, a business she co-owns. Ms. Howard has a specialist degree from Saginaw Valley State University in Educational Leadership with an emphasis on curriculum. She has a master’s degree from Central Michigan University in school guidance and a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University in history. She is certified in central office and secondary administration, counseling, and 7-12 social studies secondary education. Ms. Howard’s work experience includes secondary teacher, community education director, and curriculum consultant. She lives in Cass City, Michigan with three of her four sons.
Pamela J. Ill has been a devoted classroom teacher for over 25 years and is currently an instructional consultant at Curriculum Connections, a consultant business that she co-owns, and a classroom teacher with the Unionville-Sebewaing Public Schools in Sebewaing, Michigan. During her 25-year career, she has taught a variety of secondary subjects, including language arts, French, and psychology. Ms. Ill has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and psychology from Kalamazoo College in Kalamazoo, Michigan. In addition, she received her Michigan elementary certification from Saginaw Valley State University. Ms. Ill currently team teaches Freshman Focus and designs Pathways curriculum. Her school became a board certified Pathways High School in 1998. She resides in Vassar, Michigan, with her husband, son, and daughter.
