I was asked to write an article on my experience with Tri-County EMC for the Carolina Country magazine.  Below is what I submitted:

As an educator for the past 10 years I understand the importance of providing students with relevant and engaging classroom experiences.  The Kenan Fellows program and Tri-County EMC have provided the opportunity for me to explore the various cooperative business operations and work alongside those who build and support the electric infrastructure that powers our community.  The partnership with Tri-County EMC provides the opportunity for me to bring the outside world into the classroom.  I have been able to see what I teach my students in action and will be able to bring those experiences back to the classroom.  I will be able to show students the protective gear lineman must wear when working up in the bucket and why they must wear that protective equipment.  I can also show students how electricity moves in currents.  Students can solve for current, voltage, and resistance in circuits.  I  can teach students how to calculate the power bill for a family using differing amounts of electricity for a month.  Students can also use Tri-County EMC’s Home Energy Advisor tool to analyze the energy efficiency of their home and learn how to become more energy efficient.  

In science classes students learn the future will bring the need for more sustainable energy.  Working with the engineers of Tri-County gave me the opportunity to learn about the pros and cons of solar farms and swine farms utilizing biodigesters to turn swine waste into electricity.  I will be able to take this information back to students in order to begin constructive conversations on finding solutions for creating sustainable energy.

Everyone I have worked with at Tri-County EMC is nice, helpful, and very knowledgeable of their area of work.  I have also learned the continuous work the cooperative does to give back to the community and its members by helping fire departments, educators, community members in need, and much more.  You can rest assured if you are a member of Tri-County, every single employee of this cooperative is working to provide the best for the members and the community.  Every decision made is with the best interest of the members in mind.