The NKBA continues to support the future professionals of the kitchen and bath industry. By Natalie O’Neil
As the world began shutting its doors and social distancing, educators didn’t miss a beat, thrusting themselves in front of computers and facilitating online instruction. This is no easy feat, as many kitchen and bath design-related courses are conducted in person, and often require some form of studio, practical or hands-on component. Despite potential snags in synchronicity and screen recordings, NKBA Affiliated Educators have risen to the challenge of providing uninterrupted excellence in education and encouraging their students. They’ll also soon engage in collaboration with peers through the NKBA Affiliated Educator Pilot Program, set to launch in a few weeks. This innovative initiative will offer post-secondary instructors the opportunity to share teaching methods, discuss challenges and plan for the future of kitchen and bath education.
The Association could not be prouder of the work its Affiliated Educators do for their students, for each other, and for the kitchen and bath community. To further fuel this extraordinary work, the NKBA will offer all Affiliated Schools Educators free access to the Knowledge Base subscription, NKBA’s virtual publications, to be more easily incorporated into their eLearning curriculum. The Knowledge Base will be available at no charge to educators through the end of the calendar year 2020.
The NKBA also recognizes the constraints students may be experiencing during this time, and has extended the deadlines for both the Ellen Cheever Student Certification Scholarship and the Student Design Competition to June 22,2020.
The Ellen Cheever Scholarship awards two students from each Affiliated School an AKBD Grad Pack, complete with everything necessary to become AKBD-certified. Students must be nominated by an Affiliated Educator; one scholarship is awarded in the spring semester and one in the fall semester.
Besides extending the Student Design Competition deadline, NKBA has also removed the detailed budget previously required for submission. The NKBA hopes that these moves will encourage more students to participate in this exclusive competition. Winners receive a scholarship as well as all-exclusive attendance package to KBIS.
NKBA also would like to reach out to all of its part-time lecturers and adjunct faculty. If you have not been receiving emails and updates regarding the Affiliated Schools Program, please reach out to Member Relations at info@nkba.org so your name may be added to the Affiliated Educator list.
NKBA looks forward to all the engagement opportunities with its Affiliated Schools, Educators, and Students.
