Erica Badeaux is an architect by training, but a teacher by calling.
Badeaux was working for architect Kevin Harris when she decided to pursue alternative certification and become a classroom teacher. She says her father, also an architect, had a drug problem, and she was raised by her mother, so her upbringing was similar to many students in public schools.
“I understand these kids,” she says. “I have two younger siblings who grew up without a dad also, and I know exactly where they are. Middle school’s tough. And I felt like if I can do it, I can show them that they can do it.”
Today, Badeaux is a sixth-grade science teacher at Sherwood Middle Magnet. Beyond the support system of the Louisiana Resource Center for Educators and her fellow teachers, she’s getting some extra help from an unexpected source: ExxonMobil.
Exxon has long encouraged employees to volunteer in public schools. This year, working with LRCE, Exxon launched TEAMS [Teachers and Engineers for the Advancement of Math and Science], a pilot program that pairs early career engineers with math and science teachers in schools in and around East Baton Rouge. The engineers are given the flexibility to visit their partner teacher’s class at least once a quarter or more, as opposed to the once-a-year-on-career-day model. Students appreciate having someone besides the teacher who can answer their questions, Badeaux says.
“A person who’s not getting paid to do this cares, and that makes a big statement,” she says.
For Exxon, and by extension the rest of the petrochemical sector, programs like TEAMS are a chance to steer school-age students into their aging workforce. In turn, the engineers provide real-world expertise about science and math and, hopefully, help convince kids to stay in school.
Years ago, there were labs in schools where students could learn practical trades, but many of those facilities are gone now. The community and technical college system doesn’t produce nearly enough graduates to fill the need. So industry faces a shortage of electricians, welders and other skilled workers. Meanwhile, kids who don’t see college as a realistic goal drop out because they don’t realize how many opportunities are available for those without four-year degrees.
Dan Schuessler, Exxon’s local chemical plant manager, says state universities crank out plenty of quality engineers.
“We’ve swung the education system so much toward college preparatory, saying that’s the way,” he says. “You need to have a balance. We all have our different skills and abilities. We need pipe fitters, we need welders, we need instrument techs.”
“With the key being that those trades are very well-compensated and good jobs as well,” adds Matt Drake, a participating engineer. “We’re trying to aid the teachers with our knowledge of math and science, and on top of that, bring a flavor of the industry that’s not in the textbook.”
As the baby boomers reach retirement age, all sorts of industries will face a brain drain, and chemical plants and refineries are no exception.
“It’s important to our industry to make the jobs we have in our plants appealing to a whole range of folks,” including those who aren’t going to get four-year degrees, Louisiana Chemical Association president Dan Borne says. “Exxon is very conscious of this. They’re 100 years old, and they’ve been going through these cycles for a long time over there.”
Through its workforce education committee, the LCA is looking at partnering with LRCE on developing some workforce-themed education programs that might be replicable throughout the state.
“We find that group really gets it,” Borne says. “It’s got a good vision for our workforce. It’s got a great vision for training teachers to teach to that type of workforce.”
Nancy Roberts, the LRCE’s executive director, says she may have a proposal ready to present to the LCA’s board this month.
Teammates
The TEAMS [Teachers and Engineers for the Advancement of Math and Science] pilot program is currently working with the following schools:
Baton Rouge Magnet High
Bernard Terrace Elementary
Central Middle
Children’s Charter Middle
Crescent Junior High
Devall Middle [Port Allen]
Livonia High
Scotlandville Magnet High
Sherwood Middle Magnet
Springfield High
St. Helena Central Middle
Westdale Middle
West Feliciana High
Wildwood Elementary
Zachary High
