Bucyrus, OH —On Friday, February 13, 2025, educators from Bucyrus City Schools took part
in a full-day professional learning experience developed in partnership with The Ohio State
University at Marion. The General Business and Liberal Arts pathways at OSU Marion round
out the staff’s prior training with Advanced Manufacturing and Technology and a focus in
Healthcare Careers, all areas of projected growth and need within the Bucyrus community.
“We see every teacher and staff member as a daily career advisor. We know the most powerful
guidance often happens in ordinary moments, not just in the school counselor’s office,” said
Amy Wood, Career Tech Project director at Bucyrus City Schools. “We want to be sure our staff
is prepared for those moments.”
Fifty teachers and administrators traveled together to Ohio State Marion to participate in
interactive sessions that helped educators understand the skills needed for successful careers
in the majors offered in liberal arts, business, STEM and other fields. The event supported
Bucyrus City Schools’ True North vision, a commitment to ensuring every student has access to
meaningful career-connected learning that aligns with their individual goals and aspirations.
“This was a first-of-its-kind collaboration for Ohio State Marion, and it reflects exactly who we
are becoming,” said Jennifer Schlueter, PhD, Dean and Director of Ohio State Marion. “Our
partnership with Bucyrus City Schools’ True North vision makes visible the powerful connections
between classroom learning, workforce preparation, and even more importantly, the ability for
students to see themselves in meaningful futures. By bringing educators onto our campus for
hands-on experiences in engineering technology, AI, education, and data-informed career
pathways of the future, we are clarifying the real opportunities embedded in the degrees offered
here. Just as importantly, we are underscoring that those opportunities are accessible. With
open enrollment and The Ohio State University’s Regional Campus Commitment providing
tuition-free education for many Ohio families, Ohio State Marion is not only a place of possibility,
it is a place within reach.”
The day began with a warm welcome and keynote from Dr. Jen Schlueter, Dean and Director of
The Ohio State University at Marion, held at the Bucyrus High School Little Theater before
departing for campus, so that classified staff could also participate.
Participants then traveled to The Ohio State University at Marion where they engaged in an
experience with the Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology lab equipment led by OSU
Marion faculty Dr. Qudsia Tamina, assisted by OSU students. Teachers rotated through
activities engaging with mechanical drives, PLCs, CAD, 3D printing and robotics & automation,
gaining firsthand experience with the kinds of engineering tasks that connect academic content
to real workforce skills. Teachers also learned about the alignment of this engineering program
with the Bucyrus High School’s advanced manufacturing and industrial grade fab labs.
Educators then joined a debrief discussion led by Darryl Young, OT Cybersecurity & Functional
Test of Whirlpool, who helped bridge the engineering experience by sharing the youth internship
opportunities available at Whirlpool for Bucyrus City Schools students who participate in the
district’s advanced manufacturing program.
Next, a session on artificial intelligence explored how AI is shaping the future of work and the
majors offered at Ohio State Marion. The session focused on emerging AI tools, and use case
examples of AI integration in the classroom.
In the afternoon, teachers took part in a design thinking workshop facilitated by education
faculty Dr. Abigail Stebbins and Dr. Marcus Herzberg. This activity equipped educators with
tools for implementing the 5 Stages of the Design Thinking Process into instruction across
disciplines, fostering creativity and student engagement.
The final session, led by Dr. Schlueter and Makenna Laser, Executive Director of the Crawford
Partnership, highlighted labor market data and career information relevant to Ohio State Marion
majors. Teachers explored how local and regional workforce trends can inform classroom
discussions and support students in making informed decisions about their postsecondary
pathways.
“This day was about more than professional development; it was about strengthening
our ability to guide students toward meaningful futures,” said Superintendent Bob Britton. “When
our teachers understand the skills, majors, and workforce trends shaping our region, they are
better equipped to help students connect what happens in the classroom to their choices after
high school. That alignment is at the heart of our True North vision.”
This experience was part of Bucyrus City Schools’ ongoing efforts to empower staff as career
advisors and strengthen the district’s PreK-12 system of career-connected learning.