October 13, 2020
Rutherford County Schools
A pair of teachers from Rutherford County — Carrie Ott and Derry Wells — spent one day of fall break taking part in a job shadowing opportunity with Rogers Group Inc.
Ott is an interior design and construction programming instructor from Smyrna High, while Wells focuses on construction programming at Oakland High.
Afterward, both career and technical education teachers agreed the learning and training experience provided them with an eye-opening day with the company.
Throughout the course of the day, Ott and Wells had a chance to hear from area vice president Nick DiBartolo, quality control manager Allen Rogers, Rutherford plant manager Kevin Rogers, construction manager Steve Urnikis and estimator and project manager Scott Nerger.
Highlights of the day included a tour through the rock quarry where teachers saw a drilling rig in operation and a visit to one of the La Vergne construction and paving sites where the teachers learned about some of the paving machines up close.
“Both educators were very complimentary about the experience, grateful for the opportunity, and excited to get their students out to visit or have us more involved in their classrooms,” said Jeremy Mills; division recruiting manager for Rogers Group. “We will be working together to build on this first experience, as much as current COVID protocols will allow.”
Meanwhile, Chris Hatfield from Rocky Fork Middle School shadowed a Roscoe Brown technician for a day and learned about heating, air and plumbing.
Hatfield met with multiple staff members and traveled around the county to observe the technician respond to maintenance calls.
PHOTO PROVIDED