Empowering "Future-Ready" Students Today

By Gary Kuehn
School Board District 9

Chattanooga, TN- Hamilton County Schools' vision to create "future-ready students" emphasizes equipping learners with the skills, knowledge, and now, experiences they need to succeed in the modern world. The district aims to ensure students are prepared for academic and career challenges, personal growth, and community engagement by providing real-life opportunities.

Engaging students in the renovation of their facility, the Harrison Bay Future Ready Center is providing an innovative way to teach life skills and foster a sense of pride and ownership in their learning environment. This approach creates a hands-on learning experience and aligns with career readiness and county personal development goals. This opportunity will also build lasting memories and a stronger connection between students, instructors, and their schools. The trust shown by leaders in our school district to allow students the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the building renovation process speaks loudly about the practical experience, problem-solving, and creativity they have instilled in our "future-ready" students.

Superintendent Dr. Justin Robertson stated, "In Hamilton County Schools, we are committed to equipping our students with the tools they need to thrive in life and beyond the classroom. The students at Harrison Bay Future Ready Center are assessing hands-on, real-world learning experiences that can align education with Chattanooga's thriving industries. These opportunities are made possible through the collaboration of our community and county partners. They create meaningful pathways for life after high school."

Principal Chris James added, "By renovating our facility, we are reinforcing our commitment to our schools' Five Core Tenets. This project will provide our students with the spaces and tools needed to be successful academically, socially, and emotionally while providing a transformational experience to augment their daily learning." He also shared, "Through their direct involvement in the demolition and finishing process, our students will be learning the practical applications of their knowledge. This experience is not only beneficial for their skill development but also contributes greatly to lowering the cost and time savings for the general contractor. By reducing labor costs, we can, in turn, allocate more funds towards essential technology upgrades, ensuring our students are well prepared for the modern workforce."

This initiative in Hamilton County will not only provide a unique blend of education with hands-on experience but will also result in significant cost savings. According to the district's Facilities Director, Justin Witt, involving students in the demolition and renovation of a school building not only provides them with valuable skills but also an estimated savings of $50,000 to $80,000 on labor costs, particularly for tasks like laying down flooring, as much of the work will be carried out free of charge by students under the proper supervision of their instructors, Adam Scales and Billy Fryar. This program showcases a creative approach to education and resource management.

This project demonstrates the power of student involvement and forward-thinking education. By engaging students in meaningful work today, Hamilton County Schools prepares them for a successful future tomorrow.