Partnerships are keys to success. The most recent initiative undertaken by our consortium is the development of a united effort to provide community service and service learning to the region. The East Valley Think Tank also serves as a model for strong corporate-educational partnerships such as the collaboration on the Williams Air Force Base conversion in 1993.
Our business and industry partnerships increase the quality of our students' preparation by providing real life experiences, and creating a link between their education and the business world they will soon enter in the future.
An example of the East Valley Think Tank's ability to form such partnerships occurred in the mid '90s when we were the catalyst for establishing an educational mall at the former Williams Air Force Base. This effort has become a national model not only for the reuse of a closed military facility but for establishing an innovative education and training system.
Many of our partnerships involved sharing state-of-the-art technology. As a result businesses get better trained workers and students get more enhanced educational opportunities.
Technology reshapes our vision of the future, changing the boundaries between school and work, between student and teacher, between schools and colleges.
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"One of the East Valley's greatest assets is its public education system - it develops quality students, citizens and a great workforce. As a result the East Valley has a wonderful quality of life and a thriving economy. The East Valley Think Tank collaboration efforts over the last 10 years has strengthened the fabric of the East Valley, and has set the course for prosperity in the 21st centery. Education is a cornerstone of this vibrant part of America."
Jim Zaharis, Superintendent - Mesa Public Schools
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