JAG, or Jobs for America’s Graduates, is different from other “clubs” in school.
While some clubs and organizations have their meetings and activities after school hours, JAG is an actual class students can take and get credit for towards graduation. If a student takes all 4 semesters of JAG classes, they will receive a completer cord for graduation. The purpose of JAG is to give the skills and support to success in education, employment, and life.
JAG Specialists Shon Johnson and Alana Lane head the JAG program for CCSD. Mr. Johnson heads the program at TCTC and Ms. Lane heads the program for CCHS. Johnson and Lane work tirelessly to provide the absolute best the program has to offer students in CCSD.
Becoming part of the JAG program is not as simple as putting a signature to a sign in sheet and going to a meeting. JAG is class that must be signed up for and additionally, the student will take part in an interview. This interview consists of 16 questions that range from telling in their own words what JAG is, to will the student display a positive attitude in and out of the JAG classroom, and does the student consider themselves a leader: why or why not? JAG also has a selection criteria to evaluate a student This document of identifiers is two and a half pages long and enable the specialists to identify any criteria (criteria was formally called barriers) the student needs assistance with addressing such as academics, personal, environmental, work, and/or social criteria.
Lane uses the word “family” to describe the atmosphere of the JAG organization. While it is family oriented for the students it also gives students the “necessary skills they need for life after graduation whether this means going straight into the work force or going to college.” The students are taught what are called soft and hard skills that will greatly assist them in whatever path they choose. Ms. Lane describes soft skills as greeting someone properly; shake hands, look them in the eye, and state your purpose. Hard skills move into writing a resume and cover letter and preparing for a job interview. Both Mr. Johnson and Ms. Lane see first-hand how the explosion of technology and prolific use of cell phones have exponentially lowered students’ ability to communicate verbally with other people and stay engaged for more than 30 seconds (the length of an average TikTok video) during a conversation. JAG provides the instruction to bring students out of these habits and replace them with necessary skills they need to be successful.
Johnson describes they try to encourage the students to think outside the box and beyond the box. Critical thinking skills will only assist students as they make their way into the “real world” after graduation. If a student goes to work for Company X, they may be called upon to come up with a viable solution to a problem and must coordinate with other people/teams to solve the problem. Engaging in “group work” in JAG gives students the skills to be able successfully complete their student led projects and provides the skills to do this whether the student goes into the workforce or college.
Ms. Lane and Mr. Johnson’s jobs are not limited to school hours. There is continuous evaluation of student progress, planning of trips for the students, and just being there if a student needs them. Their trips for leadership conferences range from more local, such as Columbia, and much further away in Washington, D.C. JAG students have also visited the South Carolina State House and met with South Carolina lawmakers.
Mr. Johnson and Ms. Lane also keep up with their former JAG students. They check up on them monthly and even must give a report to the JAG organization about these students.
JAG does everything it can to help students to achieve success no matter where they are on their journey. However, help is always appreciated. Donations for business style clothing for young men and women are needed. Parent volunteers are always appreciated. Of course, any kind of financial assistance is also welcome.
The JAG program is sometimes a hidden gem in high school. Governor McMaster is an avid supporter of the program and has a goal of having JAG in 100 school across South Carolina. Currently there are approximately 39 active programs in South Carolina schools. The JAG program has so much to offer students, it should not be a hidden gem. It should be out in the display case front and center for any student who wishes to benefit themselves and their future.
