The insideBERKSbusiness (iBb), is a five-day program designed to inform Berks County educators of the skills and competencies students must have to be successful in their

future careers.

*Flexible scheduling*Thoughtful placements

*Mutually beneficial experiences*First-hand knowledge*Relationship building

*Seminar with other interns and business participants

*Act 48 hours$500 Stipend

Amy KochelTVMS German, CareersJuly 25-28, 2016

The Sharadin

Farmstead

The Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center

at Kutztown University is an open-air folklife

museum and research center dedicated to the preservation and

promotion of Pennsylvania

German heritage.

The Heritage Center offers access for both the public and

KU students to historic buildings and exhibits, a world-class research library collection,

as well as seasonal events, conferences, lectures and

classes in Pennsylvania German dialect through the KU modern

language department.

Patrick DonmoyerBuilding Conservatorand Exhibit SpecialistPennsylvania GermanCultural Heritage Center

Patrick has an BFA in Fine Arts with a minor in PA German Studies from Kutztown University.

Naomi Pauley, pictured here with one of the newly-”hired” barn workers, has a degree in History with a minor in Anthropology from Kutztown University.

The average salary and benefits package will vary for positions in

museums and cultural centers, but typically range from $30,000-$65,000.

Though there are numerous volunteers who run many operations at the site, the official staff consists of

only these two.

What kind of skills are required to work in this type of environment?

How many as you can name?Communication and interpersonal skills – diverse and varied audiences and purposesOrganizational – must be able to multi-task, attention to detail, patienceComputer – in addition to basic skills, extensive knowledge of Adobe for book publishing purposes (at least one book a year, in addition to numerous articles and public communications)Artistic – many projects include carpentry, painting, graphic design, etc.“Handyman” – It is a farm!

Some tasks and activities of the job observed in 4 just days:

• create original info-blank Taufschein (Birth Certificate) for kids camp using multiple Adobe programs and original artworks

• daily interaction /assistance with volunteers in the Children’s Camp, Heritage Center Kitchen Garden, Kutztown Community Garden Heritage Seed Bank Project and Heritage Center Library

• continue clean-up of Kutztown Folk Festival• care for two recently-spayed kittens, who will become barn cats• fix a leaking air conditioner unit in historic building• writing for academic purposes (finish article to publish)• weekly director’s meeting at the University• weekly staff meeting• preparation of materials for yearly review meeting• creation of tasks for interns – during the academic year there are 3 of them

per semester• usual office operations – answering emails/phone

This is a facility that encourages engaging experiences, not just observation, so I had the chance to get involved, too! I participated in teaching some segments of the Children’s Camp and ….

helped in the preservation and restoration of four newly-acquired antique barn stars.

A fresh coat of paint to bring out the Ghost Star

The stars will most likely be displayed in the barn (scheduled to open to the public this fall).

The greatest challenge?Keeping the language and

culture interesting and alive for younger generations,

especially in modern times.

Some solutions:Passionate, devoted staff

Children’s CampContinued networking, outreach, partnerships,

collaborations,AND

FREE fun programming!

Upcoming events include:

9/24 HeemetFescht

12/3 Christmas on the Farm

4/8/17 Easter on the Farm

Technology used at the site ranges from antique tools to computer programs. But its greatest asset? The People!!

Project #1 Abstract

Background -CAREERS CLASS -Though PA Career Education and Work Standard 13.1.8 and 13.1.11 sections A (Relate careers to individual interests, abilities and aptitudes) and B (Relate and analyze career options based on personal interests, abilities, aptitudes, achievements and goals) address individual personal factors, the standards are lacking in acknowledging and respecting the effect family life and its history can have on career choices.

*ACTIVITY: Students complete a family career survey at home. In class, they are first paired with a partner, then with another partnership, and finally into a group of 8 to discuss their findings, especially commonalities. This type of activity is effective in relationship building in the classroom. It helps students see how they are connected to family and how they are developing as young adults with some independence.

Project #1B Abstract

Background - GERMAN CLASS – In 7th and 8th grade German, students learn first to talk about themselves, and then to talk about people and things close to them. One of the projects is a family tree in which they don’t just state the German label for the relationship, but also make a simple statement giving us more information about the person. I.e.. “He likes chocolate ice cream. Her favorite band is Sleeping with Sirens. She has green eyes. He is a mechanic.”

*Activity – As a homework assignment within the family unit, students will complete the family career history questionnaire in German. They will then share with peers as a warm-up, and will be able to use some of the in the project later, if they choose.

PA Career Standard 13.1.8 A, BACTFL Standard 1.1, Students engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions.ACTFL Standard 1.2, Students understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics.ACTFL Standard 1.3 Students present information, concepts and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers on a variety of topics.

Project #2 AbstractBackground – Taufschein – Birth/Baptismal certificates were an important part of PA German culture. They were made by hand, by hired artists, or later by printers.

*Activity – As a part of the Family unit, students will see samples and then create a Taufschein with their own information. In addition, they will complete discussion prompts in English:

-What did you (not) enjoy about the process?-What type of person would enjoy a career creating these?-What types of modern careers profit from documenting/commemorating births and family data?

-This can also be played as a game, with students divided into teams. Each team brainstorms a list as long, specific, and unique as possible. Answers are shared and if another team has the same answer, it doesn’t count. The team with the most unique/unmatched answers “wins”.

PA Career Standard 13.1.8 and 13.1.11 sections A (Relate careers to individual interests, abilities and aptitudes) and B (Relate career options to personal interests, abilities, aptitudes, achievements and goals) ACTFL Standard 2.1 Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the practices and perspectives of the culture studied.ACTFL Standard 2.2 Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the products and perspectives of the culture studied.