Park County School District 6 Unveils Innovative Classroom 2 Careers Initiative and Active
Learning Space at Eastside Elementary
Cody, WY – April 16, 2025 – Park County School District 6 is proud to announce the grand
opening of a groundbreaking Classroom 2 Careers initiative and active learning space at
Eastside Elementary School called, “Career Connections.” This real world learning project aligns
with Governor Mark Gordon’s Reimagining and Innovating the Delivery of Education (RIDE)
initiative, emphasizing student-centered learning and real-world career exploration.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony, held on April 16, 2025, brought together educators, students,
parents, and community leaders to celebrate this significant milestone in educational innovation.
The new active learning space is designed to foster collaboration, creativity, and hands-on
experiences, providing students with opportunities to engage in project-based learning that
connects classroom instruction to future career pathways.
Principal of Eastside Elementary, Jose J. B. Smith added, "This Classroom 2 Careers program
aligns perfectly with our purpose in Park 6, to prepare scholars to chart their own course
through learning experiences that equip them with the knowledge, skills, and resilience to
discover their own unique path to success. This initiative will undoubtedly open doors to a
world of possibilities for our scholars as we blend Wyoming State Learning Standards into real
world learning opportunities alongside community partners and business leaders."
Throughout this school year, Eastside has partnered with a host of community businesses
through the Career Connections program including: Cody Regional Health, Ardurra
Engineering, Lifetime Animal Hospital, Park County Animal Shelter, WyoDough, Cody Police
Department, Park County Fire District #2, and more. Experts from each career field led an
engaging hands-on presentation to an entire grade level. Then, those experts joined a Park 6
certified teacher to lead small group hands-on activities that connect to Wyoming State Learning
Standards.
“There’s a big difference between a high school graduate who says, "I want to be an Optometrist
after high school,” and one that says, “I have no idea...maybe Healthcare, maybe Education,
maybe Military.” Career Connections will provide students a wide range of real world career
exploration opportunities while in elementary school. Later, at Cody Middle School and Cody
High School, students will narrow their focus to more specific interests through internships. By
the time they graduate, students should have a better understanding of what their own unique
path to success will look like.”
“We are so fortunate to live in an incredible town where the community and business leaders are
so generous, hospitable, and forward thinking. We are united in an endeavor to grow and
develop the talent that already exists right here in Cody. Park 6 students have a huge team of
people in their corner, committed to their successful future. I want to specifically thank Cody
Regional Health for helping us pioneer this program. Without their participation and support
from the very beginning, it may have been impossible to get started.”
For more information about this Classroom 2 Careers initiative and the new active learning space
at Eastside Elementary, please contact Principal Joseff J. B. Smith.