The fellowship creates opportunities for educators to gain firsthand insight into industries beyond the classroom and bring that knowledge back to their students. By connecting teachers with industry professionals, the Kenan Fellows Program helps bridge the gap between education and careers through meaningful, real-world experiences.

Before her fellowship, Kristin had limited knowledge of the electric cooperative industry. After three weeks at Union Power, she left with a new appreciation for cooperatives. “Now I understand all of the moving parts that go into making that light switch turn on, and I know that co-ops do everything they can with their members’ best interests while providing reliable and efficient electrical service,” said Kristin.

Working alongside employees, Kristin learned from multiple departments across the Co-op. While she enjoyed every experience, Energy Services surprised her the most. “Seeing the manager use real-time data to spot unusual energy usage and notify members was impressive,” Kristin said. “I was amazed at how the co-op is committed to helping members save money.” She shared her excitement to create a lesson plan for her students to perform their own energy audit and raise awareness of how to be conscious of energy consumption, especially during peak hours.

Outside of Union Power, Kristin toured Hamlet Peaking Plant and Catawba Nuclear Station to understand how our power is generated. She also spent a day in Raleigh at the offices of North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives and the Tarheel Electric Membership Association (TEMA) warehouse, where she learned how TEMA supports Union Power and other electric cooperatives by providing the materials, equipment, and resources.

As Kristin’s fellowship came to an end, she left the Co-op with a deeper understanding of how electricity reaches every aspect of our lives. She returns to her students with firsthand experiences, new perspectives, and meaningful connections that will help bring science, technology, and energy concepts to the classroom. When teachers step beyond the classroom, they don’t just transform learning. They help shape the future of the communities their students will one day lead.