The opening session of the 2023 Educator Workforce Academy (EWA) was held on September 21, 2023, in the Bevill Center at Gadsden State Community College in Gadsden. The program began with a workforce development overview presentation from Nancy Beggs of the University of Alabama Center for Business and Economic Research. The morning also featured a panel discussion with Jeff Brown of Brown Oil Company, Jimmy Thompson, III with Carillon Oaks, and Jay Grubbs of Scout Project Management. After lunch, the participating educators visited Beautiful Rainbow Cafe at the Gadsden Public Library. Educators enjoyed a presentation about the cafe from Chip Rowan and a tour of the cafe’s garden where students help grow many of the items on the cafe’s menu. The Educator Workforce Academy will continue with additional monthly sessions in October, November, and December.
