Cristo Rey “Take Your Teacher to Work Day” puts teachers in corporate offices with teenagers

November 9, 11:01 AMBaltimore Private Schools ExaminerMeredith Bower

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Fr. Swope gets tips on mail delivery at M&T Bank from student Allan Johnson

All roles were reversed on Friday when students at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Fells Point took their teachers to work with them.

Corporate Internship Program
If you know Cristo Rey, you know about its Corporate Internship Program (CIP) which helps makes a private, college preparatory education affordable to young men and women living in some of Baltimore’s most disadvantaged neighborhoods. Through CIP, the school's 273students contribute toward the cost of their education by working five full days each month in entry-level positions at one of 66 businesses and nonprofit organizations throughout Baltimore.

"Take Your Teacher to Work Day"
Last week, 26 Cristo Rey Jesuit teachers and administrators "shadowed" students in corporate offices throughout the Baltimore area, in the school’s first “Take Your Teacher to Work Day.” The day began at Cristo Rey Jesuit with an opening assembly where teachers and administrators received instructions about their day in the office, just as students do.

Then it was off to work where students introduced their teachers to their supervisors and colleagues, and received their work assignments. They spent the next couple of hours doing the kinds of work Cristo Rey students complete on a regular workday including: answering phones, delivering mail, performing data entry, and preparing mailings.

Teachers Learn from Students
When students, teachers and administrators returned to campus for lunch, they discussed how to best integrate the students’ work experiences with the school’s rigorous, college preparatory curriculum.

Rev. John W. Swope, SJ, president of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, who worked at M&T Bank on Friday, under the guidance of junior, Allan Johnson, Jr. said, "Allan and other Cristo Rey Jesuit students who work at M&T Bank take on real responsibilities for projects. In doing so, they learn critical skills for work, college and life. We are grateful for the role M&T Bank and our other 65 corporate partners are playing in helping to build a stronger Baltimore."

Under Armor, Johns Hopkins University, RCM&D, DLA Piper, Mercy Medical Center, and Bravo Health are among the other companies where Cristo Rey student work. Cristo Rey Jesuit High School is a member of the national Cristo Rey Network®.