Thank you to Mr. Mike Neuendorf for joining us as the October Career Spotlight Speaker! Mr. Neuendorf, CEO of Princeton Baptist Medical Center, shared his education background at Georgia Tech and UAB, and his service in the National Guard. 

 

Mr. Neuendorf explained the difference between the business of running a hospital and the medical care provided by the professionals employeed through the hospital. He also discussed the many different careers available in a hospital beyond medical professionals. Thank you, Mr. Neuendorf, for taking your time to share with our students!

 

Thank you to Mr. Chris Cooper, CEO of Boyd Brothers Transportation, for sharing about the logistics and importance of the trucking industry in the US. Without truckers and the businesses that facilitate transportation across the US, most of the necessities we take for granted would cease -- including our daily Amazon packages! Mr. Cooper shared the tracking systems for vehicles and limitations on drivers' daily driving time to keep truckers safe. 

 

After relating the important functions of transportation to our daily living, Mr. Cooper provided a truck for students to explore. Students were able to see the living space available in the truck as well as the bells and whistles on a new (automatic) truck. Thank you to Mrs. Cooper for joining him to help organize students and gifting each student with a Boyd Bros. hat! 

 

Thank you to Mr. Steve Creech, engineer and current overseer of the work force designing, developing, testing and building a portion of the Orion spacecraft. Mr. Creech shared with students his educational path to Mississippi State University where he earned a degree in engineering. He shared some of the incredible work he is doing to design the Space Launch System (SLS) which will launch the Orion spacecraft that is designed to send humans to deep space. 

 

In addition to his personal work at NASA, Mr. Creech shared other career opportunities available at NASA. Careers available help us see the connection between science, art, math, and technology that students explore regularly in school. 

 

 

 

Thank you, Mr. Creech, for the important work you do, and for taking your time to share with students at MBE! 

 

 

 

 

Source: https://www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/news/news/releases/2016/16-137.html

 

 

Thank you to Neil Thompson, PGA golf pro at RTJ Oxmoor Valley, for being the Career Spotlight Speaker for March at MBE! He began his career as a PGA professional then transitioned to instructor while working as an apprentice. He shared how his passion for golf grew from his family's love of the sport. Originally from England, golf opened doors for him to play on an American college team while studying abroad. His coach encouraged his dedication to hard work to improve his game. 

 

Mr. Thompson demonstrated how developing relationships and being a continuous learner are imperative to growing a business. He uses knowledge about the game, sports medicine, and technology to help develop others' individual golf game.  His passion for teaching younger students led to the development of the Magic City Junior Golf Tour, which provides an opportunity to motivate children to work hard and compete. 

 

 

Thank you, Mr. Thompson, for taking the time to invest in students at MBE! 

 

 

Marquita Smiley and Sharon McGinnis joined us for our February Career Speaker Series. They shared with students how social workers serve our community by making sure residents are safe and healthy. Networking with hospitals, schools, and other agencies helps social workers to develop relationships to be able to serve families in crisis. 

 

 

Ms. McGinnis and Ms. Smiley also shared the importance of making sure we do what we can to keep ourselves safe through making wise choices with friends and when using digital devices. 

 

Thank you for investing your time with students at MBE and sharing your experiences with us! 

 

 

 

This month, we welcomed Ali Elliott, pediatric nutritionist, to MBE! She shared with 4th - 6th grade students the importance of proper nutrition to growth and development. She explained how healthy choices make our bodies grow as well as help our brains learn so we can be our best at school and at play. 

 

Mrs. Elliott shared how her interest in math and science as well as living a healthy life helped lead her to the field of pediatric nutrition. She explained the math involved in developing plans for healthy nutritional values for children. In her role, she gets to work with parents and children to make sure families live their best life. 

 

Thank you for sharing how you are giving back to our community and for taking the time to invest in students at MBE! 

 

Thank you to Officers Burrow and Horton of the Mountain Brook Police Department for joining the Career Speaker Spotlights at MBE! The officers shared how science and math is involved in all aspects of telling the story from a crime scene. They described the three different types of fingerprints and how they find and collect each. Students were able to see the tools they use to find and collect evidence from taking photographs to chemical reactions that help fingerprints become visible. 

 

An important aspect of their career is lifelong learning. Throughout their conversation they mentioned multiple opportunities they have had to continue their training, increasing their specialties and making them an asset to the department. 

 

Thank you, Officer Burrow and Officer Horton for spending your time and sharing your knowledge with MBE students!

 

Thank you to Representative Martha Roby for joining our Career Spotlight Speakers series at MBE! Representative Roby shared how her passion evolved from being in the music industry to her current role as a public servant representing Alabama District 2. Throughout her talk, Rep. Roby encouraged students to "keep their eyes open" to opportunities and where they might lead. She also told students to pay attention to things that excite them and ignite their passion. Her journey is filled with moments of her noticing open doors and working hard to pursue positions that fulfill her passion. Rep. Roby also talked about how she leads by listening to others and making sure she is a true representative of her constituents. 

 

Thank you, Rep. Roby, for sharing how you lead by serving your community, and spending time with students at MBE! 

 

Thank you to Mr. Jim Bates for taking the time to stop by MBE as a Career Spotlight Speaker! He currently works for Regions bank in wealth management through natural resources. Mr. Bates shared how his love of the outdoors led him to Auburn where he earned a degree in Forestry. He utilizes his knowledge of the environment and dendrology to assist clients in building wealth from their land with sustainable practices. He also demonstrated how academic skills students acquire now in school through math and science are integrated into practical application. With his tools of the trade, he shared how he helps clients improve tree growth, ensure sustainable practices, and measure the rates of growth and sizes of trees. 

 

Mr. Bates provided students with an example of how pursuing your passion can lead to a career that plays to academic strengths as well as incorporating personal interests.

 

Thank you, Mr. Bates, for investing your time in our students at MBE! 

Thank you to Commissioner Chip Beeker for kicking off our 2018-2019 Career Speaker Spotlight series! Not only does Commissioner Beeker hold the seat as Public Service Commissioner Place 2 of the Alabama Public Service Commission, he is also the owner of Beeker Catfish and Cattle Farms in Eutaw, AL. 

 

Commissioner Beeker shared with us how his passion for farming and being outdoors led him away from his initial career path in a traditional business setting. He utilizes skills gained from his business degree as the owner of his catfish and cattle farm. He encouraged students to not be afraid to think of other (non-traditional) things you might be interested in. Find what you love, and do what you want to do! 

 

Following in his footsteps, Patton Browning, former MBE student and current MBHS Senior, joined Commissioner Beeker (Patton's grandfather) during his talk today. Patton shared with us how he is learning about farming now and paving the way to his future. No matter how young you are, you can begin to discover and develop your interests and talents! 

 

Being a member of a small community in the smallest county (by population) in Alabama, Commissioner Beeker also noticed a need for small towns to have a bigger voice. He chose to be a leader in his community and run for Public Service Commissioner. He is making an impact in his business and helping fellow community members through his leadership. 

 

Thank you, Commissioner Beeker, for sharing with us how you can follow your passion and be a leader by giving back to others! Thank you, Patton, for sharing your commitment to learning outside of the classroom and how your dedication is growing you as a person and future professional! 

 

 

 

Pictured from left to right: Teresa Beeker (Commissioner Beeker's wife), Diana Browning (Commissioner Beeker's daughter), and Chip Beeker