Helen Roush, Executive Vice President of Paperitalo Publications

International Paper recently announced that one of its safety managers, Mike Joy, at their Eastover, South Carolina mill had recently virtually taught fifth-grade students from Sunnymede Elementary School in Fort Smith, Arkansas how paper products are made and the importance of practicing sustainable forestry.

While papermakers have traditionally, in the past, visited schools to educate young students, Mike Joy proved that this can easily be done virtually.

Virtual education seems to be the new trend right now. It also has the advantage of being able to reach students who may be geographically too distant to have taught in person, as was done in the past.

More paper companies need to be proactive in virtually educating young students about this industry.

What Mike Joy did was inspirational. He took the initiative to virtually educate young students. Who knows, he may have taught a future papermaker or two.