Students in Pam Wagner’s Brunswick High School economic skills class spent a recent morning sorting through clothes at the Pleasant Street Salvation Army, tasked with assembling an outfit in preparation for a mock job interview.

The course teaches juniors and seniors the more practical sides of life after high school, such as how to balance a checkbook, how to draft a resume and how to prepare for a job interview. Wager said she wasn’t given the opportunity to learn these skills when she was in high school, and wanted to make sure her students had knowledge of simple, practical and useful skills before they graduate.

Wagner, who has been teaching the course in Brunswick for 15 years, said it has been well received by students and parents.

The course started through the discussion of leadership and associated qualities of historical figures that bridged into a conversation about why students should do their homework. Wagner explained completing coursework isn’t just about learning material, but it is also about responsibility.

“One thing I always tell my students is life never happens the way you expect it to … you always need a plan B,” she said, encouraging students to apply skills they learn in high school to challenges they’ll face after graduating. She said she routinely discusses ideas for lessons with students to find out what they consider important to know after high school.

The Brunswick Salvation Army store was happy to partner with the course, offering to provide clothes for students as they prepared for mock job interviews.

“She thinks out of the box — just a great teacher. I’m so fascinated with her teaching style,” said William “Bil” Moriarity, donation development coordinator for the Salvation Ar my.

The Salvation Army is all about giving back to the community. For example, Moriarity said funding for a 70-bed rehabilitation facility in Portland that provides assistance to men in need comes solely from the Salvation Army stores. Partnering with Wagner’s class is just one more way to give back, he said.

Alexandra Wagner, a senior, said the class teaches everything students want to know and expect to learn in high school, but sometimes aren’t able to experience first-hand. “It’s the most hands-on class,” she said of her course work.

Fellow senior Aiden Crawford agreed, saying the class teaches important life skills, and complements her college planning courses.

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