Michelle Tullier connected with new member Steve Myers, a Service Learning Resource Teacher for Fairfax County Schools in Virginia.
How did a career development professional from Virginia come to be a member of MCDA?!
I attended the NCDA virtual conference this past summer and viewed Jim Peacock and Mark Danaher’s session on How to Market Your Career Services, which included a free 30-minute conversation via Zoom after the conference. I took them up on that offer and learned a lot. I shared that I had been on the executive board for the Virginia Career Development Association (VCDA) for a few years and was beginning my term as president-elect. Jim was very gracious during our virtual conversation and shared about his experience with MCDA and other state CDAs. I learned that MCDA had recently updated their website, which I was very impressed with, and I was impressed with all the virtual opportunities offered, so I thought that joining MCDA could help me both as a career development professional and aspiring leader with VCDA.
Tell us about your role as a Service Learning Resource Teacher.
I am a former school counselor who transitioned to this role in July 2019. I support all elementary, middle, and high school students in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) with service learning initiatives. FCPS is the tenth largest school system in the country and we have approximately 189,000 students. I really enjoy working with schools to identify authentic service learning experiences and helping students make connections to career development. I am a strong believer in providing authentic work-based learning experiences for students that can be connected to their strengths and interests.
What is the accomplishment or innovation you’re most proud of in your current or recent roles?
When COVID-19 first arrived in Virginia, and we shifted to virtual distance learning, there were a lot of questions of how service learning would look moving forward. But during this time of dealing with COVID-19 and the racial injustices our country is grappling with, there has never been a more important time for our young people to remain engaged and find ways to serve. We are identifying safe forms of service, including student-led advocacy efforts, to help increase student voice and their belief that they can make a difference.
What sort of collegial support would you like to offer to MCDA members who could benefit from your experience and knowledge?
What I love about NCDA and being part of a state CDA is that we are all career development professionals from a variety of settings. However, I am surprised at times when I am one of the few K-12 counselors/ educators present during a career development event. I do believe that the future of education needs to involve business and industry partnerships, especially as we strive to increase work-based learning and service learning opportunities. If anyone from MCDA is looking to connect with a K-12 professional or wants to learn more about what career development looks like in the elementary, middle, or high school setting, please do not hesitate to reach out. And likewise, I always enjoy learning new and innovative practices in career development.
Any plans to come visit us in Maine once we’re out on the other side of the pandemic?
Before COVID-19, my wife and I had begun researching and making early plans to visit Maine with our young son during the summer of 2020. Obviously, things changed and we have stayed home through this pandemic. But we are hopeful to make the trip. We have never visited Maine even though my wife completed her master’s degree (online) from the University of New England based in Portland. If anyone has any suggestions on places to visit, please feel free to reach out!
Steve can be reached at [email protected].
Thank you, Steve, and welcome to MCDA!
