Regional Spotlight! Oswego METS Virtual Career Panels and Motivational Speakers

During the 2019-20 program year, students in grades 9-12 and parents who are part of the Oswego METS engaged in virtual events and were exposed to a variety of opportunities to make connections with professionals in different fields. Interpretation was provided for all of the Virtual Career Panels and Motivational Speakers/Mentors, allowing families and students to access them.

• The Careers in Teaching Panel highlighted elementary school teachers, bilingual teachers, and a former migrant student who is now a certified, tenured teacher. 
• The Careers in Health Panel brought together a Nurse Practitioner who was also a former migrant student, RN and Nurse Educator, and Health Administrator. 
• An ENL Teacher who was also a former migrant and HEP (High School Equivalency Program) student led the Getting Off to the Right Start parent event. She shared her inspirational story of being a migrant student and farmworker as a child and described her journey to becoming a teacher. The teacher also highlighted for parents what they can do to help their children get off to a good start in the new school year, including communication strategies with teachers and accessing information remotely. The theme of the event was for parents to believe that their children can do well and for them to expect them to do well! Oswego METS Director, Paul Gugel and Migrant Educators provided additional information and advice to families regarding helping students succeed in school and making the most out of the support available through the Migrant Education Program.
• During the Pursuing Your Dreams event, a former migrant student shared his story of overcoming challenges, keeping his dreams in sight, and inspired others not to stop trying to reach their dreams. He focused on themes of student agency and finding ways to go above and beyond to meet and exceed goals.