Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Three Local Educators Attend Potlatch Teacher Intern Program

In its fourth year, the Potlatch teacher-intern program is becoming known as an outstanding opportunity for teachers to learn about today's workplace and the forest and paper industry.

Eleven teachers from four school districts spent four weeks with Potlatch's Arkansas operations, working in the mills and in each operating division. The program enables the teachers to return to their classrooms with credibility to share with students the expectations of today's businesses, the skills required in the forest and paper industry, and the educational and drug/alcohol testing required of every Potlatch applicant.

Participants in the 1997 Potlatch Teacher-Intern program included Jo Carol Burnett from DeWitt High School; Karen McKinnon from Prescott Middle School;Joyce Gibson and Gina Windle from Prescott High School; Karen Norton, Beverly Richardson, Donna Hairston and Fran Nutt from Warren Eastside Elementary School; Charlotte Reaves from Warren Brunson Elementary School; Katrina Shepherd from Warren High School; and Tammy Frice, limited English proficiency instructor for Warren Elementary Schools.

"We developed the program in 1994 to give us insights into what teachers' needs and concerns are and to enable groups of teachers to see firsthand today's workplace," Barbara Pardue, public affairs director for Potlatch's Arkansas Region, said. "This is a truly mutually beneficial program and is rewarding for the teachers, for Potlatch and for students who will benefit from the teachers' experiences."

Pardue noted that more than 30 teachers have participated since 1994.

For the four-week internship, the Warren teacher-interns were each assigned to a department including the departments of public affairs, employee relations, southern unit, resource department, sales/security, accounting, and engineering/environmental. The Prescott and Cypress Band teacher-inters rotated to a different department each day.

Every teacher participated in tours of each Potlatch facility in Arkansas, including the Southern Unit in Warren, Ozan Unit in Prescott, Cypress Bend Pulp and Paperboard Mill near McGehee, and a resource day with Potlatch's resource department.

The Southern Unit tour included the sawmill, planer mill, chip mill, powerhouse and log yard. The teachers appeared most impressed with the very modern technology found in the mill.

Karen McKinnon, Prescott teacher-intern, remarked, "I was surprised by the modern equipment in the mill. I was highly impressed by the expertise the workers have about their jobs."

On July 7, the Warren teacher-interns came over for a tour of the Ozan Unit sawmill and planer mill followed by a discussion of educational opportunities the teachers would like to see in Southeast Arkansas.

The teacher-interns toured the Cypress Bend pulp and paperboard mill on July 1. The teachers had the opportunity to observe the various aspects of the papermaking process as well as the finished product. They also had the chance to view different products made from Potlatch paperboard.

The Prescott teacher-interns worked in all departments of the Ozan Unit to better understand the whole lumber process.

They worked at various stations throughout the sawmill and planer mill, participated in a safety audit, and took a trial Nowlin test. The Nowlin test is a fundamental skills test administered to all prospective Potlatch employees. The teachers also spent two days with the Prescott resource department visiting Potlatch timberlands.

On July 10, all the teacher-interns traveled to Potlatch's Cook's Lake property near Casscoe for a day of fun and education. Mary Ann Halsey of the Arkansas Forestry Association was present to discuss educational workshops, such as Project Learning Tree and the Arkansas Teachers' Conservation Workshop with the teachers.

Pat Knighton from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Fisheries biologist April Layher described the new Stream Team program developed by the Game and Fish Commission where citizens adopt a stream to keep healthy and clean. Potlatch works to protect wildlife on its forests.

Friday, July 11, was the teacher-interns' last day, and they attended an evaluation luncheon with the Ozan Unit supervisors. The teachers felt they had received valuable experience and knowledge which would be useful in the classroom.

"This internship has changed the way that I look at Potlatch," Gina Windle, a Prescott teacher-intern, said. "I never realized how modern and efficient everything is. Even the waste is used to create electricity. I am looking forward to taking my newfound knowledge back to the classroom."

Intern Katrina Shepherd, who teaches vocational classes at Warren, commented, "Students need to be aware that the sawmills and paper mills of today expect highly technical skills and excellent writing and communications skills. The teacher-intern program has given me an insight into Potlatch that you cannot obtain by reading the newspaper or education journals."

"I have really enjoyed my intership," Joyce Gibson, the third teacher- intern from Prescott, said. "I have gained knowledge and experience that I will take back to the students I teach. This has been a wonderful learning experience."

Teachers interested in the 1998 Potlatch teacher-intern program should contact Public Affairs at (870) 226-1107.