Join the cohort with educators across northeastern Pennsylvania!
About the program
Educator in the Workplace seeks to enhance classroom instruction, student learning, and career readiness for the workplace of today and tomorrow by connecting educators and school board directors with local business and industry leaders.
Educator in the Workplace: Bridging Classrooms and Careers
For Schools Ready to Bring Career Learning to Life
The Educator in the Workplace (EIW) program is designed for school districts committed to preparing students for the future by enhancing career readiness instruction and building powerful connections with local industry. Aligned with Pennsylvania’s Chapter 339 and the Career Education and Work (CEW) Standards, this initiative equips educators with the insight and experiences needed to connect classroom learning to real-world workforce opportunities.
Who Should Participate
Whether your school is just beginning CEW implementation or looking to strengthen your Chapter 339 plan, EIW supports a wide range of education professionals:
- School Counselors (Middle & High School) – Enhance career exploration and student support.
- CTE & Elective Teachers – Integrate real-world relevance into the curriculum.
- Assistant Principals & Career Readiness Leads – Align strategies with district goals.
- Transition Coordinators & Special Education Staff – Ensure inclusive and equitable access.
- Career Coaches & Work-Based Learning Coordinators – Build employer partnerships and expand opportunities.
Team-Based Collaboration
Each district will form a Career Readiness Team of 2–6 members, led by a designated point of contact. Teams should include representatives across academic, special education, and career support roles to ensure diverse perspectives and a coordinated approach to implementation.
To ensure continuity and maximize the program’s impact, at least one representative from each district team is expected to attend every session. This approach helps maintain momentum, supports informed collaboration, and ensures that strategies can be effectively implemented and shared across the school community.
For Businesses
Businesses can gain a better understanding of what is being taught in the classroom and gain valuable insight from experienced teachers. Educators can gain a more robust understanding of the technical skills, behaviors, and mindsets students need to be successful in today’s professional environment. The Educators in the Workplace experience seeks to ensure K-12 students are being taught the essential knowledge and skills, as well as guidance to prepare them for the workplace of today and tomorrow.
Why?
- Show educators which skills are vital to your business
- Market careers that are facing workforce shortages
- Promote employment opportunities at your organization
- Achieve positive public relations via community outreach
- Participate in an experience that will provide wonderful opportunities for learning and collaboration between the education and business communities of Lackawanna County.
What will I be doing?
Prior to the program, businesses are asked to identify the opportunities and challenges related to hiring, training, promoting, and retaining the workforce. All business hosts will receive guidance and a variety of resources and materials to develop your experience.
To provide a meaningful experience to the educators, businesses are asked to:
- Guide educators through your entire business environment, highlighting the skills that are vital to your business.
- Share knowledge of the structure of the organization as well as the profile of the workplace (employment opportunities, educational background, salary ranges, training needs, ongoing professional development, etc.).
- Expose educators to careers that are facing critical workforce shortages.
- Discuss skills needed and challenges facing the industry.
- Discuss topics such as the impact of technology, diversity in the workplace, employee benefits, and work ethic.
- Assign them a mentor to serve as their liaison to the business.
- Businesses are encouraged to involve educators in all major areas of their business operations.
Next steps: If you are a business interested in applying to be a business host, please submit this form by clicking here.
If you are interested in becoming a program participant or business host and would like to learn more about this program, contact Emily Pettinato, workforce development specialist, at epettinato@scrantonchamber.com or (570) 342-7711, Ext 138.