Cody, WY – April 16, 2025 – Park County School District 6 is proud to announce the grand opening of a groundbreaking Classroom 2 Careers initiative and active learning space at Eastside Elementary School called “Career Connections.” This real world learning project aligns with Governor Mark Gordon’s Reimagining and Innovating the Delivery of Education (RIDE) initiative, emphasizing student-centered learning and real-world career exploration.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony, held on April 16, 2025, brought together educators, students, parents, and community leaders to celebrate this significant milestone in educational innovation. The new active learning space is designed to foster collaboration, creativity, and hands-on experiences, providing students with opportunities to engage in project-based learning that connects classroom instruction to future career pathways.
Principal of Eastside Elementary, Joseff J. B. Smith added, “This Classroom 2 Careers program aligns perfectly with our purpose in Park 6, to prepare scholars to chart their own course through learning experiences that equip them with the knowledge, skills, and resilience to discover their own unique path to success. This initiative will undoubtedly open doors to a world of possibilities for our scholars as we blend Wyoming State Learning Standards into real-world learning opportunities alongside community partners and business leaders.”
Throughout this school year, Eastside has partnered with a host of community businesses through the Career Connections program, including Cody Regional Health, Ardurra Engineering, Lifetime Animal Hospital, Park County Animal Shelter, Wyo Dough, Cody Police Department, Park County Fire District #2, and more. Experts from each career field led an engaging, hands-on presentation to an entire grade level. Then, those experts joined a Park 6 certified teacher to lead small group hands-on activities that connect to Wyoming State Learning Standards.
“There’s a big difference between a high school graduate who says, “I want to be an Optometrist after high school,” and one that says, “I have no idea…maybe Healthcare, maybe Education, maybe Military.” Career Connections will provide students with a wide range of real world career exploration opportunities while in elementary school. Later, at Cody Middle School and Cody High School, students will narrow their focus to more specific interests through internships. By the time they graduate, students should have a better understanding of what their own unique path to success will look like.”
“We are so fortunate to live in an incredible town where the community and business leaders are so generous, hospitable, and forward thinking. We are united in an endeavor to grow and develop the talent that already exists right here in Cody. Park 6 students have a huge team of people in their corner, committed to their successful future. I want to specifically thank Cody Regional Health for helping us pioneer this program. Without their participation and support from the very beginning, it may have been impossible to get started.” PCSD 6 is a pioneer district participating in Governor Gordon’s RIDE Initiative.
For more information about this Classroom 2 Careers initiative and the new active learning space at Eastside Elementary, please contact Principal Joseff J. B. Smith.