On Thursday, CAST Schools hosted a virtual town hall in partnership with local news station KSAT12. The town hall aimed to highlight the importance of mentorships for today’s students. For students preparing to transition into adulthood and the workforce, being a mentor to young people during this crucial time can act as a bridge that introduces them to workplace behaviors and expectations.
With a panel made up CAST alumni, CAST Network officers, and CAST industry partners, the town hall explained how mentorships can make an immediately positive impact on students’ lives.
Isis Jimenez is a senior at the Advanced Learning Academy and is excited to begin exploring colleges and universities with strong business, nonprofit, and medical management programs. Isis is passionate about photography and capturing life’s greatest moments, but she also enjoys finding different ways to connect and interact with her community. She spoke about her experience as a mentee and how she hopes to apply what she learns as she prepares for graduation.
With over 20 years of experience in education, Dalia Flores Contreras, chief executive officer at City Education Partners, had the opportunity to study, learn, and work in the education ecosystem of Texas, Illinois, and Oklahoma in both district and charter public school systems. Dalia spoke about how she is helping Isis prepare for her next career steps.
Senior Partnership Director at CAST Schools Network, Eddie Rodriguez, spoke about what they’re doing to create more structure in their mentorship program and how they are working to guarantee that all students have access to caring adult professionals.
About CAST Schools
The Centers for Applied Science and Technology (CAST Schools) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in San Antonio, TX with a network of 5 tuition-free, industry-led, career-themed high schools, one middle school, and one pre-k through 12th Academy. CAST’s innovative school model allows students to learn by doing and gain real world experience through internship, job shadowing and mentorship opportunities, and is among the first of its kind in the state of Texas.
