Trumbull’s Business Education Initiative held its annual recognition and awards breakfast on Thursday at the Library. BEI provides “Mini-Grants” to teachers in our schools to fund new programs that link the classroom to the workplace.
The gathering was hosted by Vince Fini, Chair of the BEI board, who called it a “show and tell” about accomplishments of groups that received Mini-Grants.
Executive Director Dan Neumann followed, telling the 70 attendess the event is a “day of celebration and thanks.” He called BEI a “unique partnership – unlike any in Connecticut or even the U.S.”
He gave special thanks to John Annick, who created BEI 16 years ago and whose continuing leadership built it to what it is today.
First Selectman Tim Herbst thanked retiring Superintendent of Schools Ralph Iassogna, retiring THS Principal Robert Tremaglio and retiring Agri-Science Principal Frank Cicero for their long and outstanding service to BEI and to our community.
He called BEI “so very, very important,” because it takes learning outside the classroom, and turns “theory to practice.”
“This is why our town is what it is.”
Herbst added that “BEI replaces taxpayer dollars and, despite spending less per pupil than most down county districts,” Trumbull’s schools produce outstanding results. He called the BEI-school interaction “truly a team effort,” and thanked the businesses that support the program.
“BEI is a model for towns around us” Herbst concluded.
Tom Tesoro, VP, Human Resources for Standard Motor Products and member of the town’s Board of Finance offered the group an employer’s perspective.
His company’s entry level positions typically offer salaries in the $40,000 to $60,000 range. They receive “thousands of applications” that are culled by staff members looking for people who understand the business world.
“Experiences in BEI-like groups are what we look for.”
He added “you are doing the right things.”
He noted that his company – a $750 million multi-national manufacturer of automotive aftermarket products – has an “extensive job shadowing program.” When young employees leave for college the company tracks those it wants to retain, and even offers financial aid to some to get a leg up and hire “well trained people who know our company.”
These talks served as a prologue to a presentation by incoming Superintendent Dr. Gary Cialfi of the educators’ perspective, an overview of three vastly different programs that connect school to the world of work and to recognition of community members for exemplary contributions.
