Junior-high students tell school board 'Lead and Learn' panels ease transition to high school

Students from Edgewood Junior High and high‑school mentors presented the board with highlights from the "Lead and Learn" career panels, a two‑day program that pairs nominated high‑school students and local professionals with junior‑high learners.

Callie Schlemmer, a junior‑high counselor, described the program’s structure and goals: high‑school students lead day‑one panels and then sit with junior‑high students during professional panels the next day. "This program is building a bridge," Schlemmer said, adding that the peer presentations help younger students see next steps and make high school feel less intimidating.

Several students told trustees the panels helped them identify interests and pathways. One junior‑high participant said the sessions reduced anxiety about high school and exposed her to internships and pathway options. High‑school panelists described hearing new career options from professionals and said the experience helped them articulate courses and extracurriculars that shaped their plans.

Christopher Imbry of the local chamber’s Success School praised the model, saying peer‑led panels improved student questions and engagement and made follow‑up conversations with professionals more productive.

Why it matters: board members said the initiative supports the district’s broader pathway development — including biomedical, engineering, IT operations and smart‑manufacturing partnerships with local employers — and can improve curriculum alignment across grade levels.

Next steps: staff invited board members and the public to upcoming career‑panel events and related showcases; administrators plan to continue the program across multiple pathways and produce a printed Edgewood Career Readiness magazine to highlight pathway work.

Provenance: Student presentations and board discussion of the Lead and Learn panels.