Summary
Circle Optics joined NextCorps in welcoming educators participating in the New York State Department of Labor's Teacher Ambassador Program, sharing how Rochester's innovation ecosystem is creating exciting career opportunities for the next generation. Senior Software Engineer Grace Annese joined regional leaders to discuss technology careers, workforce development, and the importance of helping students discover industries and career paths they may never have known existed. Together, NextCorps, Circle Optics, and community partners are helping strengthen Rochester's future by connecting education with real world innovation.
The future of innovation depends on more than breakthrough technology. It depends on the educators who help students discover what is possible.
Last week, Circle Optics joined NextCorps in welcoming educators from regional high schools participating in the New York State Department of Labor’s Teacher Ambassador Program, a four week summer initiative that equips teachers, librarians, and school counselors with firsthand exposure to the industries shaping New York’s economy. The program helps educators bring real world career awareness back into their classrooms, connecting students with pathways they may never have known existed.
Hosted at NextCorps, the event introduced participants to Rochester’s vibrant startup ecosystem and the many organizations working together to strengthen the region’s innovation economy.
“People of all ages can start a business if they recognize a problem that needs to be solved,” said Holly Barrett, Chief Marketing Officer at NextCorps. “Bringing teachers into our startup ecosystem exposes them to all the support NextCorps provides, and the workforce development initiatives their students might want to tap into. By showing our youth what careers in tech could look like, hopefully we can ignite their curiosity and interest.”
Representing Circle Optics was Grace Annese, Senior Software Engineer, who shared her own journey from Rochester Institute of Technology graduate to helping build advanced panoramic imaging technology for defense and autonomous systems. Grace discussed Circle Optics’ growth from a team of ten to twenty employees and the company’s successful transition from entertainment applications to national defense, demonstrating how careers in technology continually evolve to meet emerging challenges.
For Grace, the opportunity to engage directly with educators was especially meaningful.
The panel also highlighted the many organizations investing in Rochester’s future workforce. Shawn Goburn of Alive + Well discussed helping students discover their purpose while building skills for careers in the clean economy. Calvin Davis, a student at Johns Hopkins University, demonstrated a career matching tool he is developing to help young people connect their interests and strengths with future professions. Brennan Conn of St. John Fisher University shared how participating in NextCorps’ AI Startup Jam led directly to an internship, illustrating how one opportunity can create another. Kathleen Martin, Business Advisor with NextCorps Growth Services and a mechanical engineer, emphasized the importance of exposing students to modern manufacturing through facility tours, apprenticeships, and hands on learning experiences.
TechRochester also announced plans to partner with regional high schools during the upcoming school year, bringing technology professionals directly into classrooms to help students explore the many career pathways available throughout the Greater Rochester technology community.
At Circle Optics, innovation extends beyond the products we develop. It includes investing in the people who will design, build, and lead the technologies of tomorrow. By supporting educators and strengthening connections between classrooms and industry, partnerships like these help ensure the next generation recognizes that world class technology careers can begin right here in Rochester.
We thank NextCorps, the New York State Department of Labor, and every educator who participated for their commitment to preparing students for the opportunities ahead.
