Carol Sayre Creates Meaningful Connections for Students with BestPrep

Publish on April 28, 2026 Categories -

Real-world learning starts with meaningful connections, and Carol Sayre, an English teacher in the TriDistrict CAPS Healthcare pathway, brings that to life through BestPrep programs like eMentors and Classroom Plus’s mock interviews. By linking students with professionals, she helps them build confidence, develop skills, and explore future possibilities. 

eMentors gives students direct access to healthcare professionals, filling gaps classroom lessons are unable to cover. “It lets students connect with people actually doing the work they’re interested in,” Carol explains. They practice their communication skills, receive feedback, and explore career paths in meaningful ways. 

Mock interviews takes learning a step further. After weeks of practice, students interview with industry volunteers. “They go in nervous,” Carol shares, “but come out realizing it wasn’t so bad.” Honest feedback helps them recognize their strengths, areas for improvement, and allows them to feel ready for future interviews with internships or jobs. 

Beyond the classroom, Meet and Greets at companies like Medtronic and Boston Scientific allow students to see the workplace firsthand and imagine career paths they might not have considered. 

Carol’s dedication was recognized with the Educator of Excellence award at BestPrep’s 2025 Annual Luncheon. “It was really meaningful,” she reflects. “It reminds you that you’re doing what you’re supposed to be doing.” 

[Carol Sayre (left) and Bonnie Vagasky, BestPrep’s VP of External Relations (right), at the 2025 Annual Luncheon Award Reception.]

The impact of BestPrep’s programs is also felt by Ben Kusch, Director of TriDistrict CAPS and Lead Designer of TriDistrict Career and College Readiness Initiative. He shares,  “Much of what we do in TriDistrict CAPS is help prepare our students for the mindset, skill, and habit shifts that need to occur in professional workspaces.  This includes how they communicate and interface with professionals in the industry that interests them.  The BestPrep eMentors program plays this key role in our programming by helping students develop and refine their communication skills—repeatedly practicing their professional engagement over the course of the program.  The experiences and benefits are compounded by the mentorship, sharing, and professional insights that occur between students and their eMentors.  We love this program, and what it does for our students: honing skills, growing confidence, and authentically engaging with the industry.” 

When asking Carol what advice she’d like to share with fellow educators, it was simple – get involved with BestPrep programs. She goes on to explain that the skills students gain; confidence, communication, and professionalism; are valuable for any path. 

Thank you, Carol, for your continued dedication to student success and giving them the opportunity to form meaningful connections.