EDUCATORS
JA Inspire Curriculum
The JA Inspire curriculum provides educators with lessons and resources to effectively integrate work and career readiness into the classroom. Implementation is flexible, based on educator and JA Area preferences. A self-guided delivery option is under development and will be available for educator and student use in fall 2020. Content delivery will be via a combination of narrated, interactive screencasts and fillable PDF student activity pages. Curriculum will be presented in short, bite-sized components for ease of student consumption.
JA Inspire Virtual Curriculum
JA Inspire is both a class and event-based Junior Achievement learning experience that helps launch students into their futures. This student self-guided classroom curriculum culminates with a JA Inspire event that may be completed virtually or in-person.
The new self-guided curriculum provides students a more independent learning experience as compared to the traditional classroom curriculum. Students will engage in a series of interactive screencasts and fillable PDF activities. Educators introduce the curriculum assignments to students and provide opportunities for student reflection and discussion. The frequency of student-teacher engagement is flexible. Implementation can be accomplished whether students are in a remote, face-to-face, or hybrid learning environment.
An outline of the sessions is below; however, a more detailed Overview for Educators is also available for your review.
JA INSPIRE VIRTUAL CURRICULUM OUTLINE
SESSION ONE:
FIND YOUR PATH INCLUDES TWO MODULES: WHY PLAN A CAREER? AND INVENTORY YOUR INTERESTS.
Students understand the importance of career planning and assess their personal interests in the context of career planning and assess their personal interests in career paths.
SESSION TWO:
EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS INCLUDES TWO MODULES: CAREER CLUSTERS AND WHERE DO YOU FIT?
Students learn to recognize career clusters that match their skills and interests and identify industries and jobs that offer potential opportunities.
SESSION THREE:
PRESENT YOURSELF INCLUDES TWO MODULES: SOFT SKILLS AND THE ELEVATOR PITCH.
Students assess their soft skills and identify any areas needing improvement. They also create an elevator pitch to help communicate their areas of interest.
SESSION FOUR:
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE JA INSPIRE DAY INCLUDES TWO MODULES: SET YOUR PRIORITIES AND PLAN FOR THE BIG DAY.
Students set JA Inspire day goals related to personal skills and interests and identify relevant companies they want to explore at the event.
SESSION FIVE:
BUILD YOUR NETWORK INCLUDES TWO MODULES: WHAT IS NETWORKING? AND ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS.
Students begin to understand the elements and importance of networking. They also prepare questions for businesspeople they will meet in their field(s) of interest.
SESSION SIX:
JA INSPIRE VIRTUAL CAREER EXPLORATION FAIR.
The JA Inspire Virtual Career Exploration Fair will feature a showcase of careers at local businesses, non-profits, government agencies and educational organizations.
SESSION SEVEN:
MAKE A PLAN INCLUDES TWO MODULES: RE-EVALUATE AND NEXT STEPS.
Following the JA Inspire event, students evaluate personal goals and priorities to identify next steps, including exploration of high school coursework, extracurricular activities, and networking.