Tellepsen gives Houston teacher an A+ for effort
Houston A+ Challenge Teacher Externship program gives Houston teachers real-world experience for the classroom
HOUSTON (July 10, 2006) – Tellepsen partnered with the Houston A+ Challenge teacher externship program this June to provide a week-long immersion experience for Patricia Smalling, CAD and robotics instructor at Reagan High School.
Smalling learned firsthand how her lessons in the classroom translate to the field during her externship at Tellepsen. Already a comrade to the construction job site with more than 28 years of experience in electrical contracting, Smalling was at home in the field with Tellepsen project executives.
“I’m very impressed with Tellepsen,” commented Patricia Smalling. “This week has given me ammunition to develop projects that will keep my classroom interesting and relevant to the workplace. I have also had the chance to network and establish contacts in the industry so that I can help my students find jobs,” continued Smalling.
In 2003, with the help of Houston A+ Challenge, a program dedicated to giving teachers the proper tools to meet their students’ needs, the Greater Houston Partnership designed the teacher externship program to connect classroom teachers with business professionals in their field of study in order to make students’ learning experiences more relevant to the workplace.
A total of 69 companies in various industries participated in the teacher externship program this summer. More than a 100 teachers in six Houston area school districts were placed in a variety of workplace environments receiving an $800 stipend from their sponsoring companies.
“At Tellepsen we believe that investing in education is one of the best ways to recruit qualified candidates to the industry. We are excited to provide Houston teachers with opportunity to take field lessons to the classroom and look forward to future participation with the teacher externship program,” explained Howard Tellepsen, Jr., president and CEO.
During her week-long externship, Smalling spent time with the human resources department to learn what types of candidates are successful at Tellepsen. Former graduate of Reagan High School and Tellepsen project manager, Ed Reeder and summer intern Henry Escobar shared their construction experiences and offered advice on how students can determine if construction is a fit. Smalling also had the opportunity to visit various job sites and learn about the company’s estimating process.
Courses taught by Smalling at Reagan High School include Construction Careers, Architectural Materials, Intro to CAD, CAD I and Robotics. Her students learn to read blueprints, view three-dimensional objects and team up to build model homes out of Popsicle sticks and elaborate “Can-struction” projects made using empty food cans.
Tellepsen Builders
Building on a Century of Trust, four generations of the Tellepsen family have made the Houston area their home, and four generations of Texans have relied on Tellepsen for the places they live, work, play, worship and learn. Tellepsen has been performing general contracting and construction management for both public and private sectors since 1909.
Tellepsen is turning dreams into reality in commercial, education, healthcare, liturgical, retail, residential and retirement communities, hotels and recreational facilities, as well as a host of other areas. The successful company is responsible for building some of Houston’s most notable landmarks such as the Shamrock Hilton Hotel, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and the original St. Luke’s Episcopal hospital and Texas Children’s Hospital. For more information on the company and a complete list of projects and awards, visit www.tellepsen.com. |
