How to Talk to a School District About Your Industry

More and more industries are realizing that the talent pipeline starts in K-12, long before students enter college or the workforce. But connecting with schools can be intimidating. Where do you start? If you’re not an educator, it can feel unclear how to connect with schools or how to talk about your industry in a way that resonates with students and teachers.

The good news: You don’t need to be a curriculum expert or change your business model to work with a school district. You just need to understand what schools care about—and how your company can help meet their goals. Strong partnerships between business and education don’t just build student opportunities, they help school districts achieve their mission and give industries a voice in shaping tomorrow’s workforce.

1. Know what districts need.

Before reaching out, research the district’s mission, current initiatives, and goals. Many K–12 districts are focused on preparing students for real-world success, but they often lack the time, tools, and training to do it alone.

Districts are seeking partnerships that:

• Offer hands-on, standards-aligned STEM learning that integrates seamlessly into the existing curriculum 
• Provide ready-to-use lesson plans that make teachers’ lives easier, not harder
• Support under-resourced educators with teacher guides, resources, and training that are easy to implement
• Help students see the connection between what they learn in school and the careers available to them locally

That’s where your organization comes in. By providing access to real-world expertise, information about industry through lesson plans that meet curriculum standards, and clear insights into careers, you’re helping districts deliver on their biggest priorities without adding more work to educators’ plates.

2. Speak their language.

Remember when you were in school? Before you started in the workforce? That’s how teachers and students talk. Avoid jargon and corporate-speak and let them know that you want to build a stronger workforce and a stronger community with - and for - the next generation. District leaders, principals, STEM coordinators, and teachers want to know you share their goals: student engagement, equity, and career readiness. Use terms like:

• Career awareness and workplace readiness
• Student engagement through hands-on STEM activities
• Standards-aligned, teacher-friendly resources
• Ready to use lesson plans
• Real-world learning connections

At WhyMaker, we help companies showcase their industry and brands in classroom-ready STEM lessons that are practical for teachers, inspiring for students, and valuable for industries that need future talent.

3. Focus on mutual value.

Districts want to know why they should work with you. Strong examples include:

• Helping students discover career pathways they may not otherwise know exist, from jobs that require college degrees to those that start right out of high school
• Providing trusted, accurate information about your industry at a time when misinformation is everywhere
• Supporting your work as a good corporate citizen, giving back through community engagement and workforce development

Then explain what you can offer, such as:

• Guest speakers or classroom visits
• Facility tours
• Career day support
• Hands-on STEM kits 
• Custom lesson plans created with an education partner like WhyMaker

4. Be sensitive to educators’ time and availability.

Teachers are stretched thin. Any partnership offer has to feel useful, relevant, and easy to implement, not like an extra burden. That means providing:

• Ready-to-use lesson plans that come complete with teacher guides and student activities
• Standards alignment so lessons plug right into what they are already teaching
• Clear connections to real-world careers opportunities

The easier you make it, the more likely educators are to use it—and the more impact your company will see.

5. Build the relationship.

Making the first connection is just the beginning. Stay consistent, listen to feedback, and be ready to co-create. Consider inviting district leaders to your workplace, hosting a career panel, or supporting teacher professional development. The strongest partnerships are two-way, long-term, and built on trust.

You don’t have to be an education expert to make a lasting impact in classrooms. You just need the right partner to translate your story into a format teachers will use and students will love.

📣 Want help starting the conversation? Book a call with WhyMaker to learn how we create custom, standards-aligned lesson plans that open the door to classrooms, build positive community relationships, and inspire the next generation of your workforce.