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As students prepare for their future, building a bridge from their classroom education to real world experiences through relevant work-based learning is imperative. It helps students develop professional skills, gain familiarity with the workplace, and establish a personal and professional network. In turn, employers are excited to get involved as partners in the student’s educational experience and develop the talent pipeline within their community.
The challenge is how to effectively scale high-quality work-based learning experiences for both students and employers.
We invite you to join education leader, Dr. Dave Schuler, PhD and a panel of experts in a round table discussion of best practices and lessons on scaling work-based learning. After our main discussion, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions as we transition the webinar into smaller break-out rooms for deeper application.
Join us Wednesday, January 13th at 12:30 p.m. CST for this enriching discussion and receive practical take-aways to deploy in your program.
Meet the Panelists
Dr. David Schuler
Dr. David R. Schuler, a national education leader and Superintendent in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, IL is passionate about the importance of community service, work-based learning, and preparing all students to be college, career and life ready. Dr. Schuler launched Redefining Ready!, a national initiative around post-secondary readiness, during his time as 2015-16 president of AASA, The School Superintendents Association. In 2018, Dr. Schuler was named the Illinois Superintendent of the Year and that same year he was named the AASA National Superintendent of the Year.
Dr. Laz Lopez:
Dr. Lazaro Lopez serves as Associate Superintendent for Teaching and Learning at a High School District in Arlington Heights, IL. U.S. News & World Report, Newsweek, and the Washington Post as “America’s Best High Schools” have recognized each of the six comprehensive high schools serving 12,000 students. Dr. Lopez has been featured in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Profiles of Change series and recognized as the 2013 Illinois Principal of the Year for his tenure as Principal of Wheeling High School. Dr. Lopez led the effort to operationalize the integration of STEM, 21st century skills, and career pathways within a comprehensive high school. These high schools are known for extensive community partnerships, on-site medical labs, advanced manufacturing facility, entrepreneurial and IT innovations lab and one of the nation’s first NANO Technology labs.
Dr. Lopez speaks statewide and nationally as an advocate for relevancy in schools, business partnerships, and career pathways. He currently serves as Board Secretary for the Partnership for College Completion and member of the Northwest Educational Council for Educational Success.
Prior to his leadership in education, Dr. Lopez served as a training non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Army. He earned his Doctorate of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Aurora University, Master of Arts Degree in Educational Administration from Roosevelt University, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communication and English from Illinois State University, and an Associates of Arts Degree from the College of DuPage.
Dr. Steve Klein:
Director, Career Education and Workforce Development
Dr. Klein specializes in the design of performance accountability, finance, and career pathways systems for career and technical education. His expertise includes delivering customized technical assistance to support state education agencies and local program providers in improving the quality and use of data; aligning secondary and postsecondary educational
programming to improve student transitions; developing strategies to expand student participation in work-based learning and the award of dual credit; and using longitudinal education and employment data to assess program performance.
Previously, Dr. Klein served as principal investigator for the National Center for Innovation in Career and Technical Education and directed evaluation studies for the congressionally mandated National Assessment of Career and Technical Education. He currently is co-directing a nationwide technical assistance project for the U.S. Department of Education, Office of
Career, Technical, and Adult Education, to support states in refining their definitions, measurement approaches, and data collection and analysis procedures for the new quality indicators introduced in the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V).
Dr. Klein holds a B.A and M.S. Ed. from the University of Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. in K–12 Educational Policy from the University of California at Berkeley. He began his career as a high school math and science teacher.
Cherie Clark:
Career and College Manager Cherie Clark works to build partnerships between the Willamette Education Service District, the regional workforce, and over 30 school districts. Over the past five years WESD has been working with educators, workforce, and industry professionals to understand the challenges that come with a rapidly changing economy, fueled by constant changes in technology, delivery systems, and innovation, in addition to a strong competitive and global marketplace. Navigating this challenge leaves employers, educators, and students struggling to balance the current needs of building a workforce while preparing for future workforce readiness skills and abilities.