Students learn they can be more

MT. PLEASANT — Teachers Beki Hoyle and Tony Swayzer proudly take the lead of a new program for Mt. Pleasant High School.

Iowa-Jobs for America’s Graduates Network (IJAG) classes are now utilized in all grades at the high school with this being the inaugural year for freshman and sophomores to participate.

“IJAG shows you there are more possibilities in life,” aspiring tattoo artist and freshman Priscilla Chavez said. “I can be more. [I] didn’t know that I could do something different than what my family does.”

According to the national JAG’s website the program began in Delaware in 1979 as a “school-to-work transition program” to keep kids in school through graduation.

“A high school diploma is a necessity, college is a choice,” junior/senior IJAG teacher Swayzer said.

The IJAG website states that 94% of participating students graduate, 60% of which are their families’ first generations to attend any kind of postsecondary education and 24% are the first in their family to graduate.

Iowa is among 35 states that use the programming and has grown 99 programs statewide since 1999.

According to freshman and sophomore IJAG teacher Hoyle, the students in have made significant academic progress supporting the IJAG website statement, “students’ grade-point averages increase .3 annually.”

IJAG, however, is more than just a program to help students succeed in school, the curriculum is designed to teach students skills for their personal lives such as trauma informed care, emotional regulation techniques, accountability skills, and soft skills.

Students also learn more career oriented skills such as leadership, communication, job attainment, job success, and career development.

“There is core support that helps, but that’s only part of it,” said freshman Lucas Sanderson who hopes to work in music or dental hygiene.

lJAG students have the opportunity to participate in Annual State Career Development Conferences (CDC) where they demonstrate their abilities for employment and leadership skills and are recognized for their achievements.

Senior Brian Teit is currently attending The National Career Development Conference (NCDC) from May 5 through May 7 in Texas where he will participate in general sessions, competitive events, educational workshops, leadership development training, and college and career exploration.

Teit earned this honor with his exceptional financial literacy scores, but also knows that the program is more than just being educated.

“IJAG specialists are not just teachers, but … mentors,” Teit said.

“IJAG feels like a family when they celebrate your victories,” he said of how it felt when he was announced as an Iowa student to attend NCDC.

The Mt. Pleasant High School IJAG program hosts many guest speakers to explore a multitude of career possibilities.

Some guest speakers have been family therapist Annie Hudson, Big Dog tattoo artist Chris Lamore, veterinarian Dr. Michelle Bruegmyer, MMA fighter Parnell Davis, Mt. Pleasant Hy Vee General Manager Willy Amos, and representatives from the Midwest Trade institute, army, navy, Marines, and National Guard.

IJAG students are expected to introduce themselves to every guest speaker with their name, grade, and interest.

Hoyle said she knew the program was making a difference, “When I started hearing actual Career interest paths … we started with only two answers, now all [the students] except two have answers.”

The interests vary widely and included things such as art, video games, physical therapy, the military, business, agriculture, the law and much more.

Swayzer told of a student who had become a certified nurses assistant over the summer between her junior and senior year.

Swayzer was excited to show his class an example of a student who was already participating in the next steps of her career journey, however, he found out that she had realized she absolutely did not want to be a nurse through the experience.

“It is important that [the students] know what they don’t want to do, too,” Swayzer said.

These students are preparing for their futures today through active involvement not only in their program but also with the community.

They are excited about what they are doing.

The IJAG classes have taken over collecting recycling for the high school.

The elementary schools have benefited from IJAG students collecting books that they wrapped, gave, and read to students.

Local businesses have seen IJAG generosity through the pumpkins the students decorated and delivered.

The students even had the opportunity to decorated doors for elderly residents.

Just recently the IJAG students joined efforts with the War Sucks for Children fundraiser with a hat day that raised $258.

These students are growing their involvement with the community and the community is supporting them.

No student is left behind with IJAG.

Every student matters.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com