Spotlight on Success at Stillwater Area Schools Transition Program

Work Based Learning is one of several key components of Stillwater Area Schools
18-21 year-old Special Education Transition. Work-based learning (WBL) is a way
for students to discover things they can learn in a classroom, to get real-world
information about a career they’re interested in, or simply to get a taste of what it's
really like on the job. There are benefits to WBL for all stake holders: For students,
work-based learning can help them improve academically and learn how the things
they learn in the classroom are connected to the real world. It's also a great way to
explore career options. For schools, WBL can improve student motivation,
attendance, and graduation rates. It can also improve the school & it's relationship with
the community. For employers, WBL helps employers reduce their recruitment and
training costs. It also helps them hire better-prepared employees who understand
workplace expectations.

Max Coleman’s story provides a great example of the outcomes WBL can produce at
this Stillwater Area School. For the past month and a half, Max has been spending
half of his school days building police cars. Coleman, having expressed an interest in
working as an auto technician or as a car stereo installer, was assisted by his Work
Based Learning Coordinator, Mike Albers, in landing an internship at Emergency
Automotive Technologies Inc. (EATI) in Oakdale.

EATI modifies vehicles with specialized equipment for law enforcement agencies,
fire departments and the Department of Natural Resources. The modifications
include but are not limited to: the installation, programming and wiring of
equipment such as lighting, sirens, controllers, camera systems, radars, weapons
mounts, vehicle partitions, push bumpers, mobile office equipment and many other
components. For the past several years EATI has been in a growth phase here in
Twin Cities and in Duluth.

Lisa Grehek, Vice President of EATI was recently asked her what prompted her
company to establish this internship program. According to Ms. Grehek, what EATI
is looking for in their technicians “…is not something you can learn in the trade and
technical schools.” Grehek said, “Mechanical and electrical aptitude is key”. In
addition, it is has been a morale booster for the experienced technicians to work
with their young interns. It has been “a great way for our seasoned techs to create a
legacy for what they do professionally.”

Max has been on the job for about a month now and reports that he is learning a lot
and is excited to be gaining the skills and acquiring the experience necessary to
begin a career in this growing field. Max had been working at a local fast food
restaurant, attending Northeast Metro 916 Career and Technical Center’s
Automotive Dismantling class and attending the Stillwater Area Schools 18-21 year
old Transition Program. After starting his internship at EATI, Coleman soon realized
that he no longer needed his job at the fast food restaurant and has since been
focusing on his new responsibilities of building police cars.
Not only is Max excited by this opportunity to earn while he learns a valuable new
trade, his employers are very pleased with his work. Rich Whites, Coleman’s
supervisor and Mentor at EATI, said Max has “a great attitude” and that “he’s a hard
worker that is eager to learn”. Grehek, said that everyone that has interacted with
Max has been impressed with his professionalism and his thirst for learning.
The Stillwater Transition Program is a relatively new addition to the many fine
academic and developmental initiatives within our district. Our work based learning
program is always seeking new and unique opportunities. If you have an
organization, or are familiar with an organization within the greater St. Croix Valley
community that could benefit from this kind of school to community connection please contact Mike Albers at 651-275-2178.