Partners in Education

Who can be a Partner in Education?

Any organization interested in improving the quality of public education by sharing its expertise and/or resources with Eugene schools is eligible to participate: businesses, colleges and universities, professional, civic, and community organizations - al l have valuable resources that can enhance public education.

Why should you become a Partner in Education?

Involvement with your public schools demonstrates responsible citizenship. Business partnerships with one or more schools is one way to express that involvement and help improve education through direct hands-on participation.

What can you do as a Partner?

Choose from activities which are needed at your school and which your business can provide.

• Present a class or a mini-course on economics, science, electronics, or in other specializations.
  
• Establish courses at your place of business in special skills areas.
  
• Tutor or mentor students.
  
• Assist with programs to motivate students.
  
• Serve on an advisory or interdisciplinary committee.
  
• Establish an extra-curricular club in such activities as photography or electronics.
  
• Conduct tours of your place of business. Invite students to shadow you at work.
  
• Present awards for outstanding students, both academic and athletic.
  
• Establish a scholarship fund.
  
• Provide internships or job placement.
  
• Donate surplus materials and equipment.
  
• Display student work at your place of business.
  

What are the benefits?

Business can help stimulate student interest in fields facing labor shortages and let the schools know what training and skills their future employees will need. Business can help teachers and students better understand the free enterprise system. Schools and businesses together can teach citizenship.

The first step

A meeting will be scheduled to discuss your interest and options and to review programs or schools seeking a partner. You will have the opportunity to meet with a variety of school personnel to learn more about each specific potential partner. Each partn ership functions independently. Its activities can be flexible and creative as individual partners develop programs which suit their needs and interests. Emphasis is on direct interaction and involvement. Commitments may be open-ended or optionally renewed at the close of each school year. Assistance in establishing new programs is always available.

The right step

Partnerships are productive, satisfying and necessary. Public education is everyone's business! If you are interested in becoming a Partner in Education please complete this form.