In one of our most exciting weeks yet, NEXT Steps had the honor of being featured during the 2021 Winter Conference for Career, Technology, Agriculture and Education (CTAE) System Directors in Georgia. This was an enormous opportunity for the NEXT Steps community as we continue to grow and cultivate new and existing relationships with our industry partners and members of the NEXT Steps Partners In Education Network!

The Community On Demand card game curriculum was introduced to over 335 Directors and other educational leaders from across the entire state of Georgia by Paulding County CTAE District Director, Marores Perry and Mrs. LeeAnn Hinchberger, Advanced Content Lead Teacher at Dobbins Middle School for 6th/7th/8th Grade Career Connections. They gave an overview of the various innovative ways they have been using Community On Demand as a game-based learning resource to help learners of all ages define, measure, build and name their employability skills.   They reported that Community On Demand has also been effective in helping them meet the standards of the new Workforce Ready Career Pathway that was launched on January 20th by the Georgia Department of Education and the Georgia Employability Skills Task Force.  In addition, Community On Demand has provided Paulding County educators with a fun, interactive resource for virtual learning that helps meet the Perkins V Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment requirements for measuring the growth of employability and STEAM skills of special populations.

Mrs. Hinchberger even went on to share how she has spearheaded a community based initiative to provide fresh produce to the economically disadvantaged using the Community On Demand card game curriculum.

With the integration of Community On Demand into their existing leadership training and skills development curricula, local leaders that support the Paulding County School District will have an easier way to bridge the communications gap between the education and business communities.  Because of Community On Demand’s Skills Self-Assessment Worksheets coupled with Paulding County’s work-based learning employability rubric, local employers will be able to match highly qualified candidates possessing key skills and experience with industry professionals seeking innovative minds to aid in personal and professional growth.

In this respect, we are more than pleased that Community On Demand  is helping Paulding County achieve their key core indicator goals and educational vision. We, at NEXT Steps, owe the utmost gratitude to Marores Perry and the Paulding County School District for giving us the opportunity to pilot the Community On Demand card game curriculum and are eternally grateful for such and exiting introduction to the State of Georgia.

Do Better. Think BIGGER!