Education for Employment students help get ready for Easter. EFE student are taught to be ready for life after high school. Photo and story by Aaron Raines
Senior year is a time for looking back at memories as well as looking forward to the future. With the help of teachers and programs such as Education for Employment (EFE) students are prepared for the world despite any odds against them.
Senior Timothy Johnson is a member of the EFE program and has been in the program for two years. EFE teaches students skills that can be used outside of high school to find employment. Johnson is currently employed at the Commissary on Fort Lee. Johnson completes tasks such as stocking shipment and bagging groceries. Johnson is picked up every day from school by a school bus and taken to work, by 2 o’clock they are returned to school.
Johnson also works around the school. He runs errands in attendance as well as collects attendance cards. Johnson and his class also do charity work. This past Christmas they made angels and other decorations for the VFW Christmas party, and on Valentine’s Day they made valentines for injured soldiers in McGuire hospital.
Brenda Lockhart-Clary is Johnson’s teacher most of the day and also one of his favorite teachers. Clary teaches a class based on vocational training and Life skills. Johnson along with other students works daily on job training and communication skills.
“The students keep us on our toes, we constantly have to improve our program to better meet the needs of our students,” Clary said.
Clary teaches senior Delvonte Palmer who is another student in the EFE program. Palmer is also classified as a non-traditional student. A non-traditional student returns to high school until age 21. This allows students to receive more job training to become employed.
Palmer is currently employed at Beasley Elementary School. He works in the Library during most of the school day, returning at 2 o’clock each afternoon. Palmer completes tasks such as putting books away, cleaning, and checking out books in and out.
Palmer enjoys reading during his free time at the library. When he is not working or reading Palmer is your typical high school student. He enjoys hanging out with friends, playing video games, and listening to music.
“I like books about sharks, cars, and motorcycles,” Palmer said.
Both Palmer and Johnson are prepared for the outside world thanks to their own hard work as well as the dedication of those around them. In addition to being active in the job market both students also participate in school clubs. In fact all of their classmates are members of the Jr. Civitan club this year. The Jr. Civitan club sponsors activities to help the community. The entire class acts as a co-officer, working along with the clubs official officers.
Participating in clubs helps the students with their communication skills. EFE and the non-traditional student programs allows the students to receive job training and assists them in finding employment. The main goal of all of their program leaders in to create independent young men and women.
“I just want them to do whatever they want to do to the best of their ability,” Clary said.
Clary hopes that her students can become self- sufficient with the aid of current programs. According to Clary as well as other aids the students are consistently growing challenging the programs to improve as well as those teaching them.
Matthew Schneck • May 23, 2012 at 5:50 pm
EFE is a great organization that will help students progress their lives and make something of themselves. It will give them a piece of mind knowing that they have established their own personal identity as whatever they turn out to be. It is great to see that TRN is supporting such organizations. The initiative demonstrated by EFE should be looked upon as an example for future improvement of society.
Zachary Harrison • Apr 2, 2012 at 12:10 pm
This is definitely a great idea. The experience that they are getting now will put them so much further ahead in life than those around them. This will put them head and shoulders above the rest.
Tasia Faulcon • Mar 30, 2012 at 9:25 am
Its preparing the ID kids for their future, so it seems like a great program. They provide them with the help that they might need for the real world instead of sheltering them for their whole lives, which has been done previously. The program seems like it will be successful.
Conner Stevenson • Mar 30, 2012 at 7:18 am
I think that this is a great program. It allows for a lot of potential success for those who are in it. It is definitely a great option for those who qualify. I feel as if people really get a lot out of their experience with it.
Faven Butler • Mar 30, 2012 at 1:30 am
The Education of Employment program is a great way to prepare students that face difficulties to succeed in the real world. Life after high school will be a challenge and a new experience for all of us. Everybody will need a job in order to survive and live comfortably. The fact that actual job oppurtunities have been offered at all in our school system is quite amazing. I found the article very interesting to read.
Becca Soon • Mar 29, 2012 at 9:11 pm
I am actually really glad that TRN is putting information about EFE out to the student body. This article shows that no matter what, students should absolutely have the chance to experience a work environment and learn how to be responsible. This shows the true, great character of PGHS.
John Shumar • Mar 29, 2012 at 7:40 pm
This was a well written article. I did not know the Education for Employment (EFE) even existed, even though I have seen students working in the cafeteria. I think this is a great opportunity to help Prince George High students function in the real world. Learning about the EFE through this article has even given me more pride in my school. The fact that not many people have heard about this really goes to show the importance of TRN and other news organizations.
Chloe Alexander • Mar 29, 2012 at 7:24 pm
Being in Beta club and Interact club, I have had one-on-one engagements with these students. I admire these students and teachers who are dedicated to them because it shows that sometimes the ones who have the most against them, are the ones that are the most dedicated. I learned more about the EFE program than I expected to learn, which is always important in an article. I can’t wait to keep up with updates if there are any.
Kayla H • Mar 29, 2012 at 6:45 pm
I am so proud that our school offers an EFE program. Giving individuals job experience for post high-school jobs that not only gives them a pay check, but brings a positive spirit within Prince George which is more than welcomed. I think more programs like this should be available for all students too.
Melissa Tomlin • Mar 29, 2012 at 5:32 pm
I think that this program is great! It shows that Prince George shows equality. I like how this programs allows students to participate even though they have special needs. This program is well needed in any school system!
Kayla Bishop • Mar 29, 2012 at 5:11 pm
This article was my favorite article that i have read so far. This article show cases the students that most of time do not get that much recognition. I really like that we have these programs in place i think that everyone should have the skills to live in the world on their own and to have a job specially with the economy how it is. I am proud to go to PGHS even more now because now i know that we offer this program. The article was amazing to me honestly, I have nothing bad to say.
Michelle Williams • Mar 29, 2012 at 2:05 pm
I think that it is a wonderful idea to have a program like this at PGHS. It definitely shows that the school is able to cater to the needs of different students and help them learn what is necessary for the future. Most special needs students do not get where they need to go in life because of a lack of this type of program. Teachers who do their part in this way definitely do not get enough recognition; this reminds me very much of my mother and her contributions as a special education teacher. All of those who have participated in and aided this progam should be commended.
Nathan Britt • Mar 29, 2012 at 11:12 am
This a great article about something that does not get a lot of attention. It is great to see that our high school has so many opportunities for such a variety of people. The article had a nice flow and was very well written.
Krystin Treglown • Mar 27, 2012 at 9:10 pm
Prince George High School is truly remarkable for offering The Education for Employment (EFE) Program for teenagers with special needs. I have seen these students all around PGHS and they do so much to give back and help make our environment here at PGHS better. These students seem so joyful and appreciative here at PGHS were they can interact with all the students that attend PGHS. This program should be help at all schools where these students can learn every day tasks and be a part of a whole. So glad to see that we take an iniative here at PGHS.
Caleb Johnson • Mar 27, 2012 at 5:52 pm
I am joyful to know that the highschool offers services that accomidate every persons needs. i had previously know very little about this program but reading this article has given me a better appreciation for the hgighschool and how caring and helpful it is towards our students.
Caleb Johnson • Mar 27, 2012 at 5:52 pm
I am joyful to know that the highschool offers services that accomidate every persons needs. i had previously know very little about this program but reading this article has given me a better appreciation for the hgighschool and how caring and helpful it is towards our students.
Tyler Thompson • Mar 26, 2012 at 6:00 am
Preparing students for life after school is what school should be all about. The specilization in fields that this program offers is something that more students should have the opportunity to participate in just in a wider range of fields. Education is very general these days with students learning things they may never use in the career they choose. This program offers the opportunity to gain experience in the area that these participating students will work in. I would have probably never heard on this exact program had it not been for the news covering it. It’s good to know that such programs exist and that students are being targeted and prepared for the life they will have after school which will be the majority and most important parts of their lives.
Megan Jonson • Mar 25, 2012 at 1:17 pm
I have seen students doing tasks around the high school like the ones the students mentioned in the article have done. However, I had no idea all the details about the Education for Employment (EFE) program. It was so nice to better learn about such a great program that helps students be prepared to enter the world. It is uplifting to know that even though not all teenagers are the same they are able to have some of the same opportunities and experiences.
Jordan Thompson • Mar 25, 2012 at 12:31 pm
The Education for Employment (EFE) Program is truly inspiring to become informed about. I believe that this is an ideal opportunity for students like Mr. Palmer to pursue their dreams and become involved in whatever they desire. It is rewarding to hear that every student is capable of doing what they want, despite their obstacles. I admire the EFE Program for considering others that may not be able to live a normal teenage life.
Olubusola • Mar 23, 2012 at 7:07 am
I think its a great thing what this program is doing for these students. There are alot of people who haven’t recieved the correct traing or have recieved the right advice and leave high school and don’t know what to do in the real world. I think its great that this program is available for the non-traditonal students, but i also think it should be available to all students.
Amaya Ray • Mar 23, 2012 at 6:59 am
EFE gives children that may be faced with challanges to still enjoy their high school years and get some experience in the work force. EFE also gives them a chance to be involved in the community and help out ofthers. Mrs. Clary is an exceptional teacher for helping these students strive for the best. Schools need more teachers like this.
Bradley Cooper • Mar 20, 2012 at 4:48 pm
Every student should have an equal opportunity to participate in whatever he/she desires. I admire these organizations that allow children from the EFE program to be a part of activities despite the boundaries that they may face.