Students Glimpse the Future with Help from Local Professionals at Knollwood School's "Career Day"

"Have you set a goal for the year 2014?," former U.S. Olympic bobsledder Bryan Leturgez asked members of his rapt audience. And when the question elicited no response, he countered, "Then how are you going to get where you want to be?"

This did not occur at a business training seminar but during Career Day 2014 at Knollwood School in Fair Haven. On March 13, the seventh grade students were given an opportunity to meet working professionals from the community to gain insight and guidance.

"As students move on to the upper grades of elementary school, we expand our focus on career awareness to exploration and an understanding of the abilities, education, knowledge, and skills needed for their future endeavors," said Fair Haven Superintendent of Schools Nelson Ribon. "Career Day is a special example where real-life connections are made within our school day."

Pamela Greenhall, Knollwood School Counselor, has organized this event for the past 12 years and added an innovative twist this year.

After having the seventh grade students complete an assessment designed to determine their likely career paths, Greenhall collected the data and contacted local professionals in those occupations for appearances at Career Day.

"As it turned out, we had a lot of girls looking at potential careers in some sort of counseling, so we invited Social Worker Gretchin Morgan to make a presentation,” said Greenhall.

In addition to Leturgez and Morgan, professionals meeting with students included K-9 Officer Jay Aretina of the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office, Special Agents Debra Bassinder and Robert Glantz of the Internal Revenue Service's Criminal Investigation Division, Pediatric Dentist Christine Henry, Operations Engineer Tracey Liberi, United Airlines Flight Attendant Theresa Winters, and Veterinarian Jackie Santos.

"How do you eat an elephant?," Leturgez asked a roomful of students. When some raised their hands to respond with the correct answer, "A bite at a time," Leturgez urged them to approach their goals the same way. 

Leturgez was a football and track star who joined the USA Bobsled team in the fall of 1988 and competed in three Olympics over the next ten years. He graduated from Indiana State University with a business degree and went to work for Anheuser-Busch and then Coca-Cola, all while competing in bobsled events. He joined the finance industry after retiring from bobsled.

"I knew that I could not be on the bobsled team for my entire career, and my career path was much different than those of my friends -- I had to plan accordingly," he said. "You always need a detailed and realistic plan for the future."

Across the way, Winters was in a classroom telling students about when she knew what her career path would be. 

Across the way, Winters was in a classroom telling students about when she knew what her career path would be. 

"Being a flight attendant allows you to see the world, and believe me there is a lot to discover by exploring other cultures," Winters said. "I have learned that people respond to kindness in the same way, no matter where they live or what language they speak."

"Even after 17 years as a Flight Attendant, I still get excited whenever I fly," she told the students.

In Room 328, Liberi was presenting a PowerPoint based on her experience on a recent project involving a water utility in Toms River. In addition to providing insight into the project through the use of colorful graphics, she detailed the requirements for a career in engineering.

"You need to take a lot of math classes and you really should love math," Liberi said. "What math does for engineers is 'brain training.'"

Down the hall, Dr. Henry was explaining how she decided to specialize in pediatric dentistry.

"I really liked the aspect of making children feel more comfortable in the dentist's chair," she said. "And I like the fact that my hours are somewhat flexible, which allows me to spend time with my own family."

In the Knollwood All-Purpose room, students received a treat when K-9 Officer Aretina introduced them to his German Shepherd "partner", Ari.

After demonstrating some of Ari's skills and obedience training, Aretina explained the most important feature that any dog needs for K-9 work.

"The dog has to have a sense of play," he said. "That is crucial for the training process."

Aretina asked the students if they could name a breed that they thought might seem unsuitable for the work.

"Chihuahua," they answered almost unanimously.

"Chihuahuas are used as drug-sniffing dogs," he told his surprised audience.

Greenhall visited the various classrooms during the half-day event and was pleased by students' reactions.

"Students in the hallway were asking one another 'who did you see?'" said Greenhall. "I think this was a really great experience for them."

The day was enjoyable not just for the students, but for presenters as well.

"The students asked wonderful questions, and were so respectful," said Morgan. 

The other presenters concurred.

"We usually visit high schools and were not quite sure of what to expect from grammar school students, but the students were so mature," said Bassinder. "We would love to come back to Knollwood School."

Ribon expressed gratitude for yet another successful Career Day at Knollwood School. 

"It is always wonderful to welcome these professionals, many of whom are part of our school community, into our classrooms to share the passion they have for their respective fields -- their time and interaction with the students is greatly appreciated," said Ribon. "I am so proud of our seventh graders as well for their high levels of engagement, inquisitiveness, and respect throughout the event."

"Kudos to Mrs. Greenhall and her staff for their support and efforts to make this a fun and great learning opportunity."