Jean Sciacca's Blog

What an incredible experience being a Kenan Fellow has been this year!  It was everything I expected, and so much more!

Here are my takeaways:

1. Being a part of a program that provided the tools and information, and then fully supporting me in a positive way to use these resources to become a better educator was awe inspiring.
2. Having the opportunity to work in the biotech business world this past summer, learning about the many opportunities available to my students, was refreshing and eye opening.  To be able to share this experience and information with my students and staff, and to see my students excited and interested in the possible opportunities has been incredible.
3. Meeting like minded people doing the same things I’m doing, and who were willing to share the things they know in a fun and interesting way has been energizing.  Moving forward, I would like to emulate their enthusiasm and desire to help everyone around me to learn new things that can be beneficial to our students.
4. Learning more about myself and gaining the confidence to be a leader in education has been one of biggest takeaways from the Kenan Program.  Being awarded a $10,000 grant from Goodwill Industries of Eastern NC, specifically to be spent on the needs of PLC students has given me the confidence to continue to pursue grants in support of our children.
5. Making new friends along the way, on this year long journey made it so fun.  I’m a strong introvert, and don’t make friends easily, so this made the whole experience extra special!

I want to thank everyone who had a hand in allowing me to participate, and supporting me in my Kenan Fellows experience this year.

A special thank you to Mark Townley, for his positivity, trust, support, and encouragement throughout this journey.

Describe a moment when your students experienced an “Ah-Ha” or “Light Bulb” moment because of something you taught them.

Did that moment grow from your experience as a Kenan Fellow?

1. Our Valedictorian Class of 2022, not one of my students, but a student of our Barbering instructor whose classroom is across the hall from me was struggling.  He has 2 classes to complete to graduate. He had not completed any work six weeks into the semester.  I asked him why he hadn’t done any work.  He explained the 2 classes were online and he felt like he wouldn’t be able to learn anything because he wasn’t in a live classroom where he could ask questions.  He felt he had no support.  I did 2 things to help him, both were “light bulb” moments for him.
2. First, I explained I would help him with organizing his work so he could complete it on time for graduation.  In organizing his work, I had him count the number of assignments he needed to complete.  Then I had him count the number of days he would be in school until work needed to be completed.  I had him calculate how many assignments he needed to complete each day in order to have everything done in time for graduation.  He calculated he needed to complete 2 assignments everyday.  He had looked at all the assignments due, as a big picture, and thought he could not possibly get everything done, especially without support.  Now it looked doable to him.  It was a “light bulb” moment for him.  The look on his face was priceless.
3. Next I assisted him in reaching out to the resources he would need that were available in our school building, and with his online teachers, to help him learn.  I had him email both of his online instructors, and explain that he would like extra support.  Then I had him talk to the instructors in the building who could assist him, and ask if they would be willing to help him.  They all said yes.  As he began to complete his work, tentatively at first, he reached out to each of his resources and asked for assistance.  They all responded positively, and have continuously supported him.  Today he has completed half of the class assignments, and has an A in both classes.  The “light bulb” moment came when he realized the support he needed was available, he just needed to reach out and ask for it.
4. This is more of a big picture lesson, but I felt important for this very bright young man.  He needed to learn how to see his work assignments in the details, but also in the big picture.  And most importantly he needed to learn to advocate for himself.
5. My Kenan Fellow experience has given me the opportunity to see and  understand the learning experience of my students in the bigger picture.  It also has given me the confidence to advocate for myself and for my students in a professional, positive way.  Being a Kenan Fellow has been priceless, both professionally and personally.  I am grateful to everyone who allowed and supported me in the Kenan Fellow program.

1. The thing that stands out the most about how my fellowship has changed me is my increased confidence.  This confidence has spilled out into all areas of my work and personal life.
2. In my work, I have improved my networking skills, and was awarded a $10,000 grant from the Goodwill organization to be used specifically for student needs at my school.  This came about because I participated in a networking activity, that I would not have joined in prior to my Kenan Fellowship.
3. In my classroom, I have set up a mentoring program, where students mentor each other in their work.  It teaches the students how to teach others, and is improving their leadership skills.  It is building their learning confidence, and increasing their engagement in the classroom.  It also has allowed them to create relationships with one another.
4. Working at Novozymes gave me the opportunity to see how diverse the jobs are in biotech.  I learned that there are so many branches in biotech, and so many opportunities for our diverse students.  It has been exciting to expose my students to this information.

1) Describe your internship experience.
My internship at Novozymes was from August 2, 2021 through August 20, 2021. My mentors were an Associate Scientist at the 108 TW Alexander Drive location, and also the Head of Sustainability for Novozymes North America. They reached out to colleagues at their 3 locations, 2 locations in Durham, and 1 in Franklinton and introduced me. I was then able to connect with employees throughout the organization. The bulk of my experiences included shadowing scientists in various labs, touring the manufacturing facilities, touring the distribution facilities, and interviewing people throughout the organization from many different areas.

2) What was the most interesting moment?
All of it was very interesting, but probably being able to do some “work” in the anaerobic chamber. I was fascinated with the idea of being able to work from the outside of the anaerobic chamber, while my hands were in the anaerobic chamber.

3) What was the biggest challenge?
Hitting the ground running. I wanted to interview as many people as I could, to learn about the different opportunities at Novozymes, tour the facilities, and shadow in several different labs to learn and see what type of work was happening. Also, it was right before the beginning of the school year, and I had to prepare for school to start. It was a very hectic time.

4) What is your biggest take away?
Specific to Novozymes, the company fosters a growth mindset, and values its employees. The people I shadowed and interviewed with were all eager to share information with me about their company, their current jobs, their job and education history, and biotech in general.  There are a lot of job opportunities, in all different areas of the company.

5) How has your knowledge of career opportunities changed?
I did not know our area (RTP) was one of the 5 hubs in the world for biotech. The industry is growing leaps and bounds, there are opportunities in all areas, requiring anything from a 3 month bioworks certification to a Ph.D. from major universities, and all education in between. I am excited to share this information with our students and colleagues.

Describe your internship experience.  (I will be completing my internship the 3rd week of August, and will update this blog post at that time.)

• What was the most interesting moment? 
• What was the biggest challenge? 
• What is your biggest take away? 
• How has your knowledge of career opportunities changed?

You are creating a product that transfers your internship experience into resources for the industry partner or for your students/school/community. Please describe the challenges and successes you are experiencing.

Challenge:  Our group was unclear as to the type of project DPS and DPS CTE Director, Dr. Pack wanted us to create.

Success:

1. We met with Casey Steinbacher from Made in Durham, who presented the Bulls Initiative project to us (connecting Durham residents with Biotech companies in our area).  She presented the big picture view of the project.  Our KF DPS group will create a small project, which will fit into the bigger Bulls Initiative project.
2. Jameya Green, our DPI CTE lead, spoke with Dr. Pack regarding the expectation she has for our project.  Ms. Green  sent us the framework with the expectations for our project.
3. Framework:  When designing your product, consider this question, “How can DPS build the talent pipeline into biotechnology careers?”  Use the framework to create a lesson plan, project, or professional development that will expose students to the biotech industry.  In addition to the the framework, you are expected to incorporate your internship district wide.  The goal is to reach a wide range of students and expose them to careers in biotechnology.  The purpose of the framework is to help develop a product that encompasses collaboration school wide.  Working with teachers and staff outside of CTE will expose more students to biotechnology careers.  Under Career Guidance:  Collaborate with CDCs and School Counselors, Under Curriculum:  Vertical alignment with core subject areas and CTE Teacher collaborations, and Under Work based Learning:  Collaborate with Bulls Initiative to create a life sciences pipeline, and offer internships and/or job offers for students in biotechnology.
4. Our group has agreed to communicate to Ms. Green at the end of August (after which we will have all completed our Internships), to let her know what project we will be creating for this endeavor.

1) How do I plan to implement something I learned at the institute in my classroom?  I am going to have my students use painters tape to create pictures on our back wall, to answer the question “where will they see themselves in 5 years”.

2) How has the week compared with other PD opportunities you have attended?  This week’s PD opportunity offered a lot more hands on activities, including the all day outdoor/indoor Scavenger Hunt, which made it the most educational, enjoyable PD I have ever attended.

My goals for my Fellowship experience:

1) Listen more, talk less.  Learn as much as I can about my cohorts and their experiences.

2)  Create ways to incorporate the new things I learn into my teaching and leadership at my school (DPLC), and in my district (DPS).

3) Share my experiences, resources found, and new knowledge with my school and district.

3) Enjoy the process.

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