Transforming Teaching and Learning..."Yes We Can"

As we move through the year we are going to be hearing an ever-increasing number of discussions and debates about what to do to jump-start the economy, create jobs and point us toward a better future by being more personally responsible for it.

In addition to repairing highways and bridges and winterizing homes and Federal buildings, we'll hear about the importance of investments in research, alternative energy sources and initiatives to accelerate the de-escalation of global warming.

All great ideas along with many others, but if you desire to have a personal impact and become directly involved in guiding our futures in business and as a competitive country, some of these efforts may feel a little out of reach — to us as individuals and as organizations.

But, fret no longer, particularly if you are in the San Francisco Bay Area and reading this article.

As the nation gets more focused on actions to drive economic recovery and to ensure we stay ahead of the curve, based on lessons learned about how we got into these tough times, it must be remembered that education holds the key to the viability of our future workforce and the innovation and creativity required to keep us competitive and in charge of our own destinies

A very important opportunity exists locally for any company to become involved in education to help create and sustain the kinds of interests and enthusiasm needed in our next generational employees if they are to succeed in the areas of science, math, technology and other critical thinking professions so vital to business. And that opportunity is the Industry Initiatives for Science & Math Education (IISME) headed up by Ms. Jennifer Bruckner, Executive Director, in Santa Clara, CA.

IISME was founded in 1985 by a consortium of San Francisco Bay Area companies in partnership with the Lawrence Hall of Science at the University at Berkeley. The organization seeks to transform teaching and learning through industry-education partnerships. In collaboration with Bay Area companies, IISME provides paid summer fellowships for teachers to gain current hands on industry experience that is transferred back into the classroom in an effort to change their schools so that all students are prepared to be lifelong learners, responsible citizens, and productive employees.

To speak to the quality of the work of Ms. Bruckner's organization, which is now in its 25th year, the Washington, DC-based Business-Higher Education Forum has recognized IISME's summer fellowship program as a "clearly effective educational program…that works" and is featuring it this month on the Forum's new website. We congratulate IISME on this recognition and the success of their work that has a direct impact on the education of our future talent and leaders in the Bay Area.

Part of Merit Resource Group's mission is talent management and being a long-term supporter of IISME is one of the ways we have gone about fulfilling that goal. Ms. Anne Hausler, Merit's Director of Client Services in Sunnyvale, has a long history of involvement with IISME and serves on its Board of Directors as Co-President. Some of you and your organizations may also be part in this program. We encourage others who may not yet be involved to look into becoming active supporters.

If you have interest in learning more about IISME, supporting it in some way, or have questions, Ms. Bruckner would be thrilled to hear from you. Contact her at 408-553-2249 or through the IISME website.

Rod Hanna, Principal
Merit Resource Group