Experiential Site Visits (ESV) provide a unique opportunity to see pathways in action. They are usually two-day events, co-hosted with a partner district, that allow interested educators to observe and learn how districts develop and sustain systems of pathways, as well as what those pathways look like at the site level.

Check back for more information as we post updates, or let us know your name and email and we’ll reach out to you when new dates become available!

Upcoming Experiential Site Visits:

Student working at computer in a classroom.
Porterville Unified School District
Porterville, California
November 20-22, 2024

Children working with computers are models. The models have wires coming out which are attached to microcontrollers. A sign in the back reads "Future Ready Lab"

Our first Experiential Site Visit is with the Porterville Unified School District in the central valley of California November 20-22, 2024. Porterville has been a leader in the Linked Learning approach for several years at the high school level, offering students 14 open-choice college and career pathways.

During this year’s Experiential Site Visit, participants will not only witness and experience the high school transformation efforts but also gain insights into how the district strategically and systematically prepares students for their choice of pathways through career awareness and exploration activities, STEAM Labs, and culminating experiences K-8th grade.

Whether you are just beginning efforts at the high school level or are also exploring career awareness and exploration for elementary and middle school, this is a great opportunity for shared learning and exploration of promising practices together.

Register for the event here!

Download the event flyer and learn more!

North Kansas City School District
Kansas City, Missouri
March 4-6, 2025
A group of teachers is gathered in a classroom. One person, leading the group, has his hand on a large piece of machinery. In the background a sign hangs reading "KC Tech Academy"

Our next event will take place in North Kansas City, Missouri, from March 4-6, 2025. North Kansas City began this work right at the beginning of COVID-19 in March 2020 and has since implemented four theme-based “Schools of…” at each of its four comprehensive high schools. Now in their fourth year of implementation, participants will have the opportunity to observe and learn about the early implementation efforts, understand the district’s systems of support, and engage in discussions with teachers and students about the transformation.

Three smiling people are featured in the foreground, one holds a large printout with the ConnectED logo. It says "Thoreaua [Highschool]" at the top, and is filled in with handwritten information. They are in a conference room filled with other people.

The district will also showcase its work-based learning support system and highlight its business and community partnerships, which are vital to their efforts. Additionally, there will be discussions about the initiatives at elementary and middle school levels aimed at preparing students for their high school experiences.

Download the event flyer and learn more!

Check back for more information soon, or let us know your name and email and we’ll reach out to you when new dates become available!

Recent Experiential Site Visits:

Gallup-McKinley County Schools,
Gallup, New Mexico
October 22-24, 2024

Gallup-McKinley County Schools in New Mexico October 22-24, 2025.  ConnectED began working in Hiroshi Miyamura High School in the city of Gallup in April of 2019 after a team of teachers and administrators attended an Experiential Site Visit in San Diego.  In just a few short years working with Miyamura High School, the district expanded their efforts to transform all eight high schools and one continuation school.  Each campus now has a “School of…” configuration integrating the academic, career technical, work-based learning, and student supports related to broad industry theme providing relevance and engagement for students.

Student in a classroom placing pins into a model.

Though there are two high schools in the city of Gallup, this Experiential Site Visit will allow participants to visit two small rural schools, Ramah and Crownpoint High Schools as well as Miyamura High School in the city.  Also, a smaller interested group can visit McKinley Academy – a middle college program and the Opportunity Career Center, the transformed continuation school.  Participants will see how each campus has utilized the industry theme to provide a connection for students and focus set of graduate outcome skills students need to know and be able to do regardless of the theme.

Download the event flyer and learn more!

PoPPCon

The Power of Partnerships & Pathways (un) Conference 2024

Attendees at PoPPCon

Jan 30 & 31 and Feb 1, 2024

San Diego, CA

In collaboration with the IlluminatED Collective, alongside various educational institutions and business partners, San Diego proudly took the spotlight as the host city for PoPPCon 2024. While bearing some resemblance to the ConnectED Experiential Site Visits, PoPPCon distinguished itself by offering an extraordinary experience.

Attendees at PoPPCon including ConnectED staff

The event kicked off with a powerful student testimony delivered by Jose Bojorquez, a proud graduate of the Kearny Construction Technology Academy who now serves as the Senior Project Manager at McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. Dr. Ashanti Hands, the esteemed President of San Diego Mesa College, graced the occasion as the keynote speaker.

With a spirited gathering of 125 participants, the event included an engaging scavenger hunt during a cruise around the stunning San Diego Bay, led by Port Commissioner Dan Malcom. As Commissioner Dan delivered a captivating narration, he highlighted the vast array of over 40,000 career opportunities linked to the Port. Attendees enthusiastically recorded these valuable insights along with the essential skills on their designated “scavenger hunt” sheets.

On the second day of PoPPCon, participants embarked on an exciting journey of their own choosing. They had the opportunity to select from a diverse range of six deep dive sessions, each taking them to different locations across San Diego County. These locations included Intuit, Taylor Guitars, Nipaquay Elementary STEAM Program, East Village Middle College, San Diego School for the Creative and Performing Arts, Coronado School of the Arts, as well as Kearny High and Health Science High and Middle College.

PoPPCon group gathered on a boat at sea.

 As PoPPCon came to a close on the third day, districts engaged in thoughtful discussions centered around their specific challenges or “problems of practice.” Teams used this valuable time to strategize and plan their actions based on the insights gained during the event. The overall rating for the event stood at an impressive 4.4 on a five-point scale, reflecting the positive reception and inspiration it generated among attendees. One participant aptly expressed their enthusiasm, stating, “Everything was great. I cannot wait to bring back all of the knowledge.”