The first–period bell rings in the first learning cottage – Room 3114. Carrie Behrens, one of the Prosper Career Independent Study teachers at PHS begins setting up her room. Agenda on the board, pens in cup holders, and a bright smile on her face, she opens the door to her first class. It is her first year teaching this PCIS program, and she stands ready for her students to grow with her in the professional realm.
“I’m really excited,” Behrens said. “I feel very honored to be able to work with these amazing students.”
Behrens will be helping her students figure out possible career paths. This year, the number of students enrolled in PCIS, a career study and professional mentorship program, has hit a record high, leaving no choice but to add an additional teacher. The program was founded in 2016 and Tiffany Ballard took it over three years later as the only teacher.
“Our program has grown from its inception,” Ballard said. “It’s grown from 12 kids to we now have over 200 kids.”
Ballard said how a huge burden has been lifted off her shoulders with Behrens joining the PCIS team.
“Mrs. Behrens has allowed us to take 40, 50 more kids, so she’s a huge addition to our team.”
Behrens said she is thrilled to be helping her students figure out possible career paths.
“PCIS, I feel is a program that is so valuable,” Behrens said. “I think that offers a lot to the students in terms of opportunity to discover what they are really interested in.”
Junior Hasini Dara, a student in Behrens’ sixth–period class, said she cannot wait to start meeting with professionals in potential future careers.
“Finding a mentor is one of the aspects that I look forward to at PCIS,” Dara said. “It gives me the opportunity to explore what career paths I’m interested in pursuing.”
The PCIS program provides benefits for helping students prepare for the workforce.
“I think I’m going to love watching the students develop the skills they need and the confidence they need to interact professionally with their mentors,” Behrens said. “And just the community in general.”
Students like senior Rama Kalaga in Behrens’ second period class said they hope to develop insight specific to their intended field of study.
“I want to gain research in my field, physics,” Kalaga said. “I want to make sure that I get into the field and realize what these guys are actually doing.”
In addition to developing communication and research skills, Behrens said she believes in networking.
“I think that the networking aspect (of the PCIS program) is not really offered or taught in high school at all,” she said. “But, it is so important.”
The program has many events in store for the students, including the Toyota Invitational Convention in December.
“I’m really excited for the Toyota Invitational,” Behrens said. “It’s an opportunity for the students to mingle and interview professionals from a lot of different industries, not just the auto industry.”
Behrens said she believes the program will go well and has high hopes for the upcoming year. She highlights her own personal goals as a PCIS teacher.
“I think it’s going to be great,” Behrens said. “Being the first year that I’m teaching PCIS, I know that I’m going to have an opportunity to learn and grow as an educator myself, ” Behrens said. “It’s going to be really important to me that I offer the students everything that they need to be successful this year.”
