“Amazing”: How One CTE Teacher Uses Spark to Build Real-World Communication Skills
- May 27
- 1 min read
For Jason McDonald, helping middle school students prepare for the future means going beyond textbooks.
As a careers teacher for grades 6–8 at Coffee County Middle School, McDonald has been using Rubin’s Spark conversation simulation platform to help students strengthen the transferable skills they’ll need in any career path.
In Spark’s AI-powered scenarios, students practice real-world conversations involving communication, teamwork, ethics and problem-solving. Whether responding to an upset customer or navigating a difficult peer interaction, students receive immediate feedback that helps them improve their employability skills in a safe, engaging environment.
According to McDonald, Spark stands out because it gives students a rare opportunity to actively practice soft skills — not just learn about them.
“It is engaging and amazing,” he says.
Designed for grades 6–12 and post-secondary programs, Spark connects students with virtual professionals across a wide range of industries, helping them explore careers while building confidence in communication and workplace readiness.
Hear Jason share how Spark is transforming career exploration and communication practice for his students.
