Nurturing Skills for Tomorrow's Workforce

Discover the inspiring journey of Tyrella Bushnell, the dynamic JAG teacher from Sulphur High School, as she shares her passion for career readiness education with us on this episode of Spotlight for Success. With a heartwarming story about a student who rose to become a state ambassador and even had the opportunity to tour the White House, Tyrella illustrates the powerful impact of the Jobs for America's Graduate program. Her dedication not only helps students transition smoothly from high school to their next steps, whether it be higher education or entering the workforce but also instills confidence and leadership skills that last a lifetime.

Transcript

Devin Pintozzi 0:01

Welcome to Spotlight for Success by American Book Company. I am Devin Pintozzi, your host, and we are here at LeCue with Tyrella Bushnell, jag teacher from Calcasieu Parish. Welcome Tyrella.

Tyrella Bushnell 0:15

thank you, thank you.

Devin Pintozzi 0:16

Wonderful. So tell us a little bit about yourself and what brings you to LeCue.

Tyrella Bushnell 0:21

Okay, my name is Tyrella Bushnell. I've been teaching at Sulphur High School now for about 11 years. I teach the JAG program there, which stands for Jobs for America's Graduate. It's a career readiness class. It transitions the students from high school to either a university or a two-year college, or just straight to the workforce, and we teach them practical lessons.

Devin Pintozzi 0:46

Oh, that's wonderful. What age group is that?

Tyrella Bushnell 0:50

My class is from 10th through 12th but we do have a class for ninth graders only. But I'm more upperclassmen.

Devin Pintozzi 0:58

Wow, what a great experience to be part of.

Tyrella Bushnell 1:01

Yes, I love it

Devin Pintozzi 1:01

and I understand you just flew in, is that right?

Tyrella Bushnell 1:04

Just flew in from DC. This year was amazing. I have a student. She ran for a state seat for the state of Louisiana for the JAG program.

Devin Pintozzi 1:15

Wow,

Tyrella Bushnell 1:15

and she won. She is the state ambassador

Devin Pintozzi 1:18

Great.

Tyrella Bushnell 1:18

And we just flew in from Washington DC where she met Clay Higgins. She had a meeting with the chief of staff in Clay Higgins' office.

Devin Pintozzi 1:28

Wow.

Tyrella Bushnell 1:28

She and the president of JAG and it was an amazing experience. They toured the White House. I think the best thing was the Secret Service was our tour guide.

Devin Pintozzi 1:39

Wow,

Tyrella Bushnell 1:40

yeah, it was fabulous. They also were able to tour the Capitol

Devin Pintozzi 1:46

Wonderful

Tyrella Bushnell 1:49

So it was amazing. It was a leadership academy Sorry, that's all right. It was a leadership academy out there, so they got to meet influential leaders and also learn how to become a leader. And she's going to also be going to Indianapolis in April, so it's been an amazing journey. I love seeing the spotlight come on for the students. I love when the students come back to me and say I've arrived, I'm successful, I made it

Devin Pintozzi 2:22

Wonderful.

Tyrella Bushnell 2:24

And we also teach that university is not the only route to be successful. Wonderful. You can be successful with a two-year college with a trade, as long as you get some type of higher education.

Devin Pintozzi 2:36

Oh, that is yeah,

Tyrella Bushnell 2:37

I really love teaching JAG.

Devin Pintozzi 2:39

That is wonderful and associated with teaching JAG. What are you bringing to LACUE and what are you hoping to get back from the conference?

Tyrella Bushnell 2:48

I am right now. I'm fascinated with AI. Okay, and that is all the classes I've been taking everything with AI, ai, ai because it is the future. So I'm just trying to learn it better myself, better understand it, to help implement it in the classrooms.

Devin Pintozzi 3:06

Oh, that is wonderful. And do you have anything you'd like to say to the audience?

Tyrella Bushnell 3:12

This is a wonderful conference and it's worth coming in, so thank you.

Devin Pintozzi 3:18

All right, well, thank you so much, tyrella Bushnell with Calcasieu Parish. Thank you so much for being part of Spotlight for Success today.

Tyrella Bushnell 3:26

Thank you.