District C

Having worked with the dynamic team at SparkNC for a long time, we can say, without a doubt, that their innovative, agile, industry-specific, learning-center approach IS the way of the future for students. Dana Brinson, SparkNC’s Sr. Director of Strategic Programs and Development, shared insights and learnings from their first year implementing the program across 17 North Carolina public school districts for @Getting Smart. Kudos to the Spark team for their hard work and commitment to the students of North Carolina! We look forward to having more students go through Spark Teamship this year! We look forward to having more students go through Spark Teamship this year! Follow the link to read the story: https://hubs.la/Q02Z6CJR0

🚀 Exciting news! Our CEO and Co-Founder Dan Gonzalez was featured as a guest on the Disrupt Education Podcast, sharing insights on transforming education to connect students with real-world opportunities. 🎙️ Dan shares how District C is disrupting traditional learning by fostering innovative partnerships between students and businesses. From developing essential work-based skills to preparing students for the challenges of the digital age, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable ideas. Big thanks to Peter Hostrawser and Alli Privitt, M.A., for having Dan on as a guest! Head to the link in the comments to listen to the episode on Spotify/Apple 🔽 #EducationInnovation #WorkBasedLearning #FutureOfWork #WBL #DisruptEducation

We are thrilled to share that our Teamship program in Milwaukee Public Schools through the MMAC 'Be the Spark' initiative was featured in the latest issue of the #MilwaukeeCommerce Juniors at Reagan and Hamilton High Schools partnered with regional and local businesses, such as Johnson Financial Group and Northwestern Mutual, to solve real business problems. Under Teamship, MPS students: ✅Learned to work in diverse teams, solve complex problems, and develop essential human skills valued in the workforce. ✅Enhanced their confidence, self-awareness, and ability to pitch ideas effectively. ✅Gained practical experience by addressing actual business challenges and presenting solutions to business partners, instilling skills beyond what AI can offer. In the #FutureofWork, having the skills to solve novel, complex problems will be critical for career growth. Teamship is the vehicle for these skills. Huge thank you to Ashley Fahey, Alexis Deblitz, and Rebecca Beeson for their partnership on this initiative. 👉Follow the link to read more: https://lnkd.in/gkde-HzZ

📣District C is #hiring a full-time Programs Manager! We’re seeking an 8th full-time team member as a Programs Manager–someone who is energized by… 📚Innovating education by instilling in students the uniquely human skills needed to succeed in a world of increasing AI and automation. 📚Playing a key role in District C scaling our path-changing, reimagined internship to more students, educators, and businesses. Check out the job posting on our website - share and apply!📝 https://lnkd.in/eitckSe2

When we say ‘real-world learning experience,’ we mean it. Thanks to our network of amazing business partners like Trakid Networks, Inc., students who participate in Teamship have the opportunity solve real problems for real businesses. Our business partners also get a fresh perspective on their business needs–a TRUE “win-win!”

As #HispanicHeritageMonth comes to a close, a time when we celebrate the many contributions of Hispanic-Americans, we must also acknowledge the challenges many Hispanic and Latinx students continue to face in their pursuit of education. Despite significant progress, barriers remain that can limit opportunities and success. Hispanic students are more likely to deal with discrimination than their white counterparts. They are also less likely to complete a post-secondary degree. How can we overcome these barriers? At District C, we believe that Career and Technical Education (CTE) and work-based learning programs can play a pivotal role in overcoming these challenges and improving equity for Hispanic students. 📚 How CTE and Work-Based Learning Can Help: ✔️CTE programs offer students hands-on experience and practical skills that prepare them for real-world careers. ✔️Work-based learning provides opportunities for students to explore high-demand industries ✔️These programs create pathways to success for diverse students by offering industry-recognized credentials and experience As we honor the contributions of Hispanic Americans, we must continue to tackle educational inequality and create opportunities for ALL students. CTE and work-based learning are essential tools for building a more inclusive and accessible future. #EquityInEducation #CTE #WorkBasedLearning #DiversityInSTEM

We’re nothing without our people! The #DistrictCTeam is an integral part of #Teamship and without them, we wouldn’t be able to deliver high-impact programs for students, educators and business partners. Meet Laura Quarin, our incredible Director of Partnerships. Laura brings a lifelong passion for education and athletics to the team. As a former teacher and athletic director, Laura has always been inspired by what students can achieve when they are given agency and a supportive environment. Her commitment to empowering students through real-world learning opportunities fuels her work, ensuring every partnership is designed to help students thrive. We are grateful for Laura’s dedication and the powerful impact she has on students, educators, and partners alike! Swipe left ⬅️ to learn more about Laura!

District C was featured in the latest American Student Assistance report: "Building Bridges Between Education and Industry: Youth Work-Based Learning as Talent Development Strategy." More businesses are beginning to recognize the value of opening their hiring funnels even earlier than the traditional university internship. We saw this vision back in 2016, when our founder and CEO, Dan Gonzalez, launched Teamship. Since then, there’s been a moderate increase in the number of businesses offering high school internships, from 30% in 2018 to 38% in 2023. While we know there are more opportunities out there, challenges such as navigating high school students’ schedules and finding suitable work make it difficult to engage. That’s where Teamship comes in—we work with school districts to create team-based learning opportunities that seamlessly integrate into students’ schedules. We’re thrilled to see the rise in high school internships, but we know there’s much more work to be done in expanding these opportunities for young, diverse talent. Link to full report: https://hubs.la/Q02QRp9w0 #WBL #WorkBasedLearning #CTE #highschoolinternships

In Late August, we wrapped up another great #Teamship cycle with long-time partner Ablr 360. Ablr is a full-service disability inclusion organization that empowers people with and without disabilities to create truly inclusive and equitable environments. This year, we paired sighted and non-sighted students together to solve real-world problems for their business partners. We utilized inclusive technology and adapted the Teamship model to ensure that everyone was equally able to participate and be heard. The creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills these students demonstrated are a powerful reminder of why it’s essential to be genuinely inclusive. The future of work must include everyone, and this program is a shining example of how diverse teams can generate innovative solutions that benefit all. We want to give a huge shout-out to our business partners John Craven and Jennifer McEwen from United Arts Wake County for working with us, Olivia (Liv) Evans, M.Ed. for supporting the program, and Ablr’s CEO John Samuel, for continuing to trust us with his vision and allowing us to bring Teamship to the Ablr family. We’re proud to have been part of this incredible journey and excited to see how the ideas generated by these future leaders will be implemented. A special thanks to John Samuel and the Ablr team for making this collaboration possible. Together, we’re proving that when everyone is included, we all win. #InclusiveFuture #DisabilityInclusion #Teamship #Innovation #DistrictC

As #summer2024 comes to an end, we're reflecting on the incredible journeys of our summer Teamship groups. Students from multiple high schools and grade levels came together in on-site and virtual environments to tackle real-world business problems. Work is evolving, and with automation quickly reshaping industries, employers are seeking a new kind of talent—those ready for the uniquely human challenge of working in diverse teams to solve complex problems. At District C, we understand that preparing students for the modern economy means giving them real-world opportunities. In Teamship, we don't just tackle case studies or hypotheticals—students solve meaningful and urgent problems for real organizations. Guided by certified coaches, they learn the critical skills needed to thrive in today's ever-changing work environment. Thank you to every coach, site leader, parent and business partner who came together this summer to provide students with this opportunity! Watch our summer 2024 supercut video to hear directly from the students who embraced these challenges and grew through this unique experience. #Teamship #Internships #FutureOfWork #WBL #CTE #Workbasedlearning