Strong Community Connections Bring Opportunities for Students and Benefits for Local Organizations

What began as a stack of business cards has grown into a thriving partnership

When Dr. Kathy Funston started as the Director of Curriculum in District 191 in 2010, she was handed a stack of dozens of business cards by the superintendent and was asked to reach out and follow up with these organizations. This simple act of delegation has evolved into a variety of partnerships, programs and resources that greatly benefit the students and community of District 191.

Funston accepted the role of Director of Strategic Partnerships and Pathways in 2016 and her role has evolved since then to include grant writing, which has brought in more than $5.4 million in funding, materials and services. Through partnerships with individuals, businesses, non-profits, government agencies and other organizations, students have the opportunity to experience unique learning in and outside of the schools. Instead of just learning about career opportunities, they are meeting people who are successful in careers they hope to enter, and can get an immediate understanding of what they need to do to best prepare for their futures. 

“While serving as the district administrator to reimagine high school programming for the 2015 referendum, I was asked to take a role focused predominantly on creating partnerships and implementing the High School Pathways program,” said Funston. “With over 200 partnerships, ISD 191 is incredibly fortunate to have a community that cares so much that they understand and act upon their role in helping our students realize their futures in the community.”

Driven by its Strategic Plan, the district embraces partnering with the community with partnerships at all levels of the organization and in every department. Classroom teachers are working with the Food Services Department to create hydroponics to show students how to grow food, local restaurateurs are judging a food truck concept developed by business and culinary students who are working together on unique culinary/business concepts, with many more examples. Teachers have been an instrumental part in maximizing these partnerships by embracing a variety of individuals bringing relevant content and projects into their curriculum.

“Forming partnerships is as varied as the partnerships themselves, but one constant is that all partnerships are relationships,” said Funston. “Perhaps a staff member meets someone at a chamber event or City of Burnsville activity and conversations evolve into ideas, which evolve into invitations to learn more. If there is a good match to each organization’s goals, then ideas turn into action and a partnership becomes reality.”

Partnerships can be an invitation from a business to bring students into the workplace, or an offer to be a guest speaker, or donating equipment or funding. In the end, for any organization that is interested in partnering with the district, it begins with a conversation or a request through the district’s website.

One partnership that continues to evolve, expand and innovate is the connection to the Burnsville Chamber of Commerce. A highlight is the Business Education Network, which has been a pivotal connection point to so many partnerships. There have been a variety of recent projects that have benefited both students and the business community. 

An Online Student Job Fair was held as an opportunity for local businesses to recruit students for summer, part-time or full-time jobs, while Manufacturing Month was an opportunity to bring students into the workplace and share with the businesses the amazing manufacturing education happening at Burnsville High School. Chamber President Jennifer Harmening says she is especially proud of the Teacher Externship Program, which allows teachers and administrators to experience the real-world workforce inside local businesses to integrate into the schools’ plans to improve student outcomes. 

A two-day experience, a small group of teachers, counselors and administrators visit 4-6 businesses to learn about the variety of careers available in those businesses and how that relates to the Pathways program. There are incentives built into the program for teachers to bring their experience back into their classroom. 

“Chamber members are passionate about connecting with our schools and helping prepare students for life after high school,” said Chamber President Jennifer Harmening. “Our partnership programs offer them opportunities to engage in meaningful ways and stay informed on what is happening in our schools and allow for students to gain real-world experience through their connections with local businesses.”

This type of partnership is not only unique, but innovative! For families, it means knowing that their students are able to dive deeper into their interests than ever before. The Pathways model helps students understand who they are, what they like doing, where their talents and skills lie, and provides many opportunities for unique learning experiences in every grade. If a student is interested in cooking, they can not only learn the fundamentals in the classroom, but can obtain catering experience, develop increasingly more difficult skills, earn industry certifications, and work alongside local chefs to see what they like or don’t like about the industry.

“It’s rare to find a Chamber that is able and willing to walk alongside a school district in bridging business language and education language to achieve incredible outcomes,” said Funston. “I am forever grateful to Jennifer for having the vision and persistence to be that vested partner. We are teaching very valuable academic and workplace skills, which is how the district and our partners are preparing students for ‘what’s next!’”