Scott Schaefer, one of Meridian’s Career Development Specialists, was honored as Stillwater High School’s Community Partner.

Annually each school in the Stillwater district honors a community partner. George Horton, an assistant principal at Stillwater High School, presented the award at the Stillwater Public Schools board meeting on Tuesday. “If you know Scott, you know he’s one of the best-kept secrets in Stillwater,” he said. Horton described how Schaefer worked with the school to help place students who would benefit from and were interested in attending Meridian. Schaefer interviewed the students, gave them a tour and worked with staff to find openings in programs for them.

In a statement from Stillwater Public Schools, High School Principal Uwe Gordon said, “Mr. Schaefer has worked closely with Stillwater High School over the past five years to help supplement instruction in our financial literacy program. This year he has also helped with our development of our Pioneer PREP Program (ICAP). He also played an integral role in helping us create a new program for a specific group of sophomores. His knowledge of Stillwater High School, since he did teach Ag here for a number of years, and his excellent teaching skills make him a valuable asset to Stillwater High School.”

“I think it’s wonderful what the administrators at the high school are doing, and it’s an honor for me to be a part of that. I love getting to help students figure out what they love to do and seeing them thrive in a career path that matches their passion,” said Schaefer.

Schaefer works directly with students in Meridian’s district beginning in 8th grade and then through their senior year of high school. He assists them in career exploration, helps them figure out their career goals and works with them to establish a career plan. He also teaches soft skills that the students will need to be successful in any career. Additionally, Scott works with other Meridian admissions staff assisting them in recruiting and enrollment activities throughout the year.

Meridian Technology Center has been a driver of economic development since 1975. With a mission to educate, enrich lives and secure economic futures, Meridian offers full-time career training programs, short courses, Business and Industry services and entrepreneurial support to residents from the Agra, Carney, Glencoe, Guthrie, Morrison, Mulhall-Orlando, Pawnee, Perkins-Tryon, Perry and Stillwater school districts. Meridian is one of 29 schools within Oklahoma’s CareerTech system.

For more information or to enroll visit www.meridiantech.edu or contact a career counselor by phone at (405) 377-3333 or toll-free at (888) 607-2509.