Cup of Snarky

Being in a field that stresses the importance of education, it is only a natural fit for Southwestern Company to join forces with Metro Nashville Public Schools. It directly ties in to Southwestern Company’s mission of being the best organization in the world in helping young people achieve their goals in life.

For the 2010/2011 school year, Southwestern Company will participate as an Academy Partner. This is a PENCIL Partner that will enjoy a formalized partnership with a high school academy. The activities will vary on the needs of the school and their students, but will match the corporation’s interests and resources.

The bottom line: community and corporate involvement directly affect graduation rates. When students understand their studies are directly related to their future endeavors in life, they are more likely to be engaged learners, to stay in school and make informed decisions about going to college.

The goal for this partnership is to improve graduation rates, build relationships between students and positive role models and support positive outcomes after graduation. Activities Southwestern Company will engage in include: guest speaking, mentorship, curriculum advice, field trips, teacher externships, job shadowing and participation on an academy Advisory Board.

Southwestern Company’s Lee McCroskey and Great American Opportunity, Inc.’s Kevin Hawley have taken the lead on this project and will be building a team of volunteer executives to assist with the partnership on an ongoing basis.

This is not the first time Southwestern Company has jumped in to help schools in the community. The corporation was a long-time PENCIL Partner for Metro Nashville schools, has extensively donated educational supplies and has served in various capacities in speaking engagements and job fairs.