By Jessica Howe, Director of Education, Pipeline AZ

At the intersection of education and workforce development, there’s a growing need to equip students with the skills, resources, and support to thrive in an ever-evolving job market. As Director of Education with Pipeline AZ, I’ve dedicated my career to making this connection more seamless and accessible. Pipeline AZ is an Arizona-focused solution designed to help individuals discover career pathways, connect with local opportunities, and gain the tools needed to succeed in our dynamic economy.

I’m happy for this opportunity to share insights into my journey, the projects I’m passionate about, and actionable ways to inspire and empower students for the future.

Inspiration Behind a Career in Education

I was inspired to become a teacher by my daughter when she was just one year old. Watching her preschool teachers provide care, attention, and meaningful relationships not only with her but also with me as a parent made me realize the transformative power of education. That experience motivated me to shift my college major from business to education.

For 16 years, I taught preschool, kindergarten, and second grade, serving the Flowing Wells Unified School District. Along the way, I took on roles such as new teacher mentor, team lead, sports coach, and science curriculum developer. These experiences deepened my commitment to public education and helped me recognize the systemic challenges within our schools.

This realization led me to leave the classroom to effect change on a larger scale. My passion for critical thinking and real-world problem-solving drew me to SARSEF, where I worked to integrate STEM-based curriculum into classrooms.

Today, through Pipeline AZ, I continue to empower students, helping them navigate post-secondary options and create pathways to success.

Creating Impact Through the My Future AZ Initiative

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on is the My Future AZ initiative. This statewide program supports career exploration for students in grades 6–12, connecting them to over 6,000 Arizona-specific education pathways and nearly 900 career options.

What excites me most is the scale of its impact: supporting nearly 150,000 students as they dream about their futures and build actionable roadmaps to achieve their goals. Beyond students, the initiative also equips educators with tools and training to seamlessly integrate career readiness into their classrooms. By lightening their workload and providing meaningful resources, we enable teachers to make an even greater impact.

Addressing Challenges in Education

A significant challenge in education today is the lack of equitable access to training and opportunities. Schools in lower-income areas often lack the resources necessary to connect students with career pathways, even though these are often the students who need them the most.

To tackle this, I’m actively involved in the Arizona Coalition for Career Readiness (ACCR), a collaborative effort of organizations like SciTech Institute, the Center for the Future of AZ, Junior Achievement, and more. Together, we work to provide students and educators statewide with access to career readiness resources, helping to create economic mobility for all Arizonans.

For anyone interested in accessing these resources, I encourage you to visit arizonaccr.org.

Strategies for Building Inclusive Learning Environments

Creating an inclusive and engaging learning environment starts with building trust and relationships. Students need to feel safe, valued, and respected. This means honoring their diverse backgrounds, families, and cultures.

Once trust is established, it’s about planting the seeds of belief and self-advocacy.

Empowering students to believe in themselves transforms their perspective on learning and helps them achieve both academic and personal success. An inclusive classroom is one where every student can thrive, feel seen, and feel capable.

Supporting the next generation requires a collective effort:

• Parents: Listen to your children, support their goals, and trust their decisions. Whether they dream of attending college or jumping straight into the workforce, it’s about helping them achieve their vision.
• Educators: Advocate for opportunities for your students, think creatively, and help them see their potential even when they can’t.
• Communities: Vote for leaders and policies that prioritize education and create meaningful change.

As a mom of three and a lifelong educator, I believe our responsibility is to raise a generation of empowered learners, critical thinkers, and compassionate leaders. Together, we can create a brighter future for all students.

Learn More
Pipeline AZ is committed to bridging education and workforce opportunities, ensuring every student has a pathway to success. To explore resources or learn more about their mission, visit PipelineAZ.com.