The Elementary School Career Awareness initiative, funded by the Dallas Education Foundation with support from USAA, ignites new interests and inspires Dallas ISD students to dream big.
Programs like ESCA are essential for ensuring Dallas ISD students understand their options after graduation. It’s part of the broader Dallas Education Foundation Career Connected Learning initiative, which offers students from elementary through high school opportunities to explore and engage with future careers. This initiative aims to build a bridge to the workforce and foster economic mobility for our students. Through the program, counselors deliver comprehensive lessons introducing fifth graders to 25 careers across five career clusters in health science, information technology, manufacturing, STEM engineering, and transportation. Lessons are carefully crafted by the Dallas ISD Career and Technical Education Department to align with high school CTE programs of study, ensuring a seamless continuum of Career Connected Learning throughout students’ educational journeys.
With these engaging and interactive lessons, counselors can dive into multiple career exploration activities throughout the year, allowing students to experience careers they might never have heard of like patient care technician, welder, web developer, and even drone pilot.
“It’s incredible to watch student’s eyes light up as they discover the endless possibilities for their future,” said Jess Borges with Dallas ISD CTE.
Elementary School Career Awareness was made possible through the partnership between the Dallas Education Foundation and Dallas ISD CTE and Counseling Services departments.
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