College Community Schools and the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance hosted Our CR Day. The two-day event, celebrating Cedar Rapids’ dynamic business environment and educational excellence, was held on August 19th and 20th at the Prairie High School in the Concert Hall.

Our CR Day was designed to equip College Community Schools’ teaching staff with a deep understanding of the local economy, enabling them to better prepare students for successful careers. By fostering a strong partnership between education and business, the event aimed to strengthen Cedar Rapids as a thriving community.

The morning session featured a welcome address by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Doug Wheeler, followed by a presentation from the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance. A distinguished panel of local business leaders, including Bill Micheel from the City of Cedar Rapids, Emily Kaiser from Alliant Energy, Caleb Mason from the Cedar Rapids Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Teri Myers from BAE, discussed key topics such as business attraction, skill development, and the role of education in economic growth.

Following the morning session, approximately 450 teachers had the opportunity to visit approximately 30 local businesses and industries on August 19th (PK-6th grade) and August 20th (7th-12th grade). These onsite visits provided first hand insights into the local workforce and industries.

“We were so pleased to host ‘Our CR Day’ in partnership with the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance,” said Dr. Wheeler.  “By connecting our educators with local businesses, we are investing in the future of our students and our corridor. Through our programming, we want our students to see an exciting future for themselves in our community.”