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CTE Classes Offer Pathways to the Real World
Welding
(by Don Meador, Public Information Officer, Allen County Schools) 

   Students taking part in Career and Technical Education (CTE) classes at the Allen County Career and Technical Center (ACCTC) and the Allen County-Scottsville High School this year can expect challenging, inspiring, and practical instruction in a wide range of subject areas---all designed to prepare students for life beyond high school.

 

   “Whether a student learns how to change a tire, sew on a button, CPR, balance a checkbook, how to present a presentation, communicate in letter format, how to type, or read house drawings…all these skills can not only be used in possible future careers but also in life occurrences,” explained Laura Carter, College and Career Counselor for AC-SH and ACCTC. “These are skills that can be used whether they go into a particular pathway or not. All the vocational classes are real world and can help a student in their futures no matter what they decide to do.”

 

   AC-S students have the opportunity to enroll in multiple classes which fall under the Career and Technical education umbrella. Each class is part of a career pathway which gives the student the chance to earn certifications that are recognized by business, industry, and higher education. The certificates enable students to enter the work force while still in high school or immediately following graduation.    

 

   In Automotive Education under instructor Todd Stamps, students will be learning to repair vehicles---giving the student a skill that could lead to work or simply a foundation which allows a “shade-tree” mechanic to change their mother’s oil on a lazy Saturday afternoon. 

 

   “I have one career pathway that is Maintenance and Light Repair,” Stamps noted. “After finishing three or more auto classes my students can take the ASE student certification. After passing the ASE certification assessment, the student is an entry-level technician.” 

   

   Stamps will also create for his students a feel of what it’s like for a real-world worker in an automotive dealership.    

 

   “I plan to create a real-world environment in my shop by running it just as a dealership,” Stamps explained. “. What I mean by that, a dealership has a parts manager, shop foreman and someone in charge of the tool room. So my plan is to have one of each in the shop. I will assign one student each week to be a shop foreman and one student has a parts manager. I will assign two students to be in the tool room.”

   The auto students and SkillsUSA---the club for students in auto shop---will also host the Second Annual ACCTC car show this year. The show not only provides the community with a car and truck show that features classic restored cars from across decades but teaches the students the practical skill of organizing a large-scale event.

 

   Students in Drafting classes, under the instruction of Dolorse Rice, will have an opportunity to earn certificates for future work as well as a developing a skill that could be useful for themselves, friends, or family when building or remodeling a home.

 

   “I offer two pathways, called Architectural Technology and Mechanical Designer,” Rice said. “After completing a pathway, students will be qualified to take three Industry Certifications: AutoDesk AutoCAD Certification, AutoDesk Inventor Certified User Certification, and AutoDesk Revit Certification. Each of these certifications is recognized by the various industries, throughout the state, related to drafting, design, and 3D drawing.”

 

   Rice notes that her students will be using their 3D printer more and more as well as learning a new software program.

 

   “I will be doing a lot more of 3D printing in intermediate CAD and will also be using the 3D scanner and 3D printing in my Parametric Modeling class,” Rice explained. “I will also be teaching a new software program called REVIT. It is new for my students, but not new to industry in Architectural Design. It has more capabilities than the AutoCAD Architecture program we currently use. It produces very realistic architectural images, and the rendering is much more realistic.”

 

   Rice adds that her architecture students will continue to work with the community in providing house plans for homeowners or builders for a very reasonable fee. If requested, drafting students will also work in community partnerships. 

 

    Paul Spears will be teaching Industrial Maintenance (IMT) classes.

 

  The IMT Program offer hands on training in hydraulics, injection modeling, robotics, CNC plasma, welding repair, fabricating, and electrical for residential/industrial. Students also have the option to take several of the IMT classes as dual credit where they receive credit both in high school and also for college through SKYCTC (Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical Center). Co-Op will give the students the opportunity to get on the job experience while in the high school.

 

    Educator Matt Keith oversees the Welding program at ACCTC. This year, students will be using several new pieces of equipment to enhance their learning.  

 

   “After learning the basics about welding, my students build various projects in the shop like smoker/grills, trailers and repair work that teach them real world experiences,” Keith noted. “I offer the Kentucky State DOT 3G/4G certification that allows my students to weld any position on any state funded project that requires a state certification. I also offer the KDE 2F certification as well.”

   Keith adds that a new endeavor this year will involve his students in a project to revive the train at the old L & N Depot in Scottsville.

 

   Business and internet technology educator Monica Bean will lead her Digital Literacy and Multimedia students into learning about a wide range of office and business related practices. Students will have the opportunity to earn Microsoft Office Specialist certifications and the foundation of Adobe products---skills for employment in office settings or a skill that someone might need in managing a farm, small business, or a home.

 

   “Digital Literacy students have the opportunity to gain certifications in Microsoft Word, EXCEL, and PowerPoint,” Bean explained. “These certifications tell potential employers that these students have skills in areas that are needed in the workforce. My multimedia students have the opportunity to learn basic skills in Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop.  These skills are applied in real-world design projects.”

 

   All business students have the opportunity to join FBLA - Future Business Leaders of America. 

 

  “FBLA provides leadership opportunities by participating in service or fundraising projects,” Bean added. “The 2018-2019 FBLA Officer Team has just returned from Leadership Camp and they are ready kick off the new school year.”

 

   Bean’s classes (along with Meredith Trammell and Cindy Scott’s business and internet technology classes) and FBLA will also be involved in several activities throughout the year. The list includes the Patriot Printing Press---printing services for the community---guest speakers, community/business tours, community service projects such as Pink Out and Relay for Life. 

 

  Students who take marketing classes at the ACCTC learn about the foundations for a career in the growing marketing area or just for someone who will one day be promoting their own business or a community event. In addition, students can earn an ASK certification.

 

   “Marketing provides experiences for students and helps gets them ready for real world,” noted Misty Rather. “The students learn about advertising, creating ads, how to market products to consumers, how to write resumes and cover letters, learn presentation and communications skills, learn about creating products to sell, and learn to be creative and thinking outside the box. We will be doing hands-on projects such as creating your own brand and name of juice, creating your own packaging for cereal, creating a sports program, creating and designing candy bar, creating school bulletin boards, and creating ice cream flavor and packaging.”

   Students interested in health care can get a start to a career in the ever-growing field through Health Science/Nursing classes and involvement in the HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) club.

 

  “Career clusters are Pre-Nursing for students wanting to pursue nursing and Allied Health for all other careers in healthcare,’ explained Julianne Bewley. “Students have the possibility to attain CPR, First Aid, and CNA certifications.  Students also have the option to take several of the medical classes as dual credit where they receive dual credit both in high school and also for college through SKYCTC.”

 

  Bewley points out that students can earn their CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) certification which opens the doors for employment.

 

  “New this year is that CNA class will be held during fall semester which will open up the opportunity to gain employment through Cal Turner Specialty Care and Rehab as a Resident Care Provider,” Bewley said. “Seniors may Co-op as a CNA or dietary aid at our local hospital along with our local pharmacies.” 

 

   Bewley’s HOSA students will be working with Medical Center Health's Fair in the fall, host at least two blood drives with the American Red Cross and participate with Allen County Primary Center health fair.

 

   ACCTC educator Rick Roberts will guide students in the growing field of Computer Science and Internet Technology.

 

   “All our computer programming classes are project driven to give students an opportunity to code solutions in areas of academic and professional interest,” Roberts said. “Unlike many schools in our area, we offer both AP (Advanced Placement) Computer Science courses. AP Computer Science A is taught using the JAVA programming language while the new AP Computer Science Principles course uses Python coding. Our game design students create objects in Blender3D that can be posted on several web asset sites while in high school. Our game design sequence of three courses is working to offer an industry certificate in Unity3D. Anyone joining an Interapt cohort would have opportunities to work as an app developer about completion of their Interapt apprenticeship.  Many IT and computer science jobs requires a two-year or four-year degree. 

 

   Roberts adds that ACCTC students have a new opportunity this year.

 

   “Students from Allen County has been invited to apply for the Interapt outreach cohort for several local high schools and being hosted at Barren County Technical Center,” Roberts explained. “Students that choose this program would be designing apps for companies throughout Kentucky.

 

   Roberts notes that his students will be building upon their success from last year.

 

   “Last year was the first year we had student take the KOSSA test for game design with 15 out of 20 students passing this test,” Roberts said. “All our AP CS Principles students that took the exam last year passed. This year we hope to give students the opportunity to take the Computer Programming KOSSA exam.”

 

   CTE also includes Family and Community Science (FCS) and Agricultural Education. The classes for FCS and Ag are housed at the high school but the career pathways fall under CTE guidelines.

 

   For FCS students, the emphasis is on helping students prepare for careers in food prep industry, child care services, and fashion and interior design. FCA also educates students about managing a home and family. Angela Gott and Olivia Farris serve as FCS educators  

 

   “We offer Culinary Arts with dual credit thru SKYCTC and opportunities to earn ServSafe Certification, also in Early Childhood, Fashion and Interior Design and Consumer and Family Management Pathways with each offering a nationally recognized PrePac Industry Certification Exam,” noted FCS teacher Angela Gott. “Each of these credentials offers students opportunities to advance in the workforce, with industry specific skills, and allows them to be more hire-able.”

 

   FCS students will also take part in several learning activities and community service projects.

 

   “We will have college visits including to WKU, SKYCTC, Sullivan University, and welcome guest speakers from these locations,” Gott added. “We will have opportunities to network in our community thru community service events including Buddy Walk (Downs Syndrome), Dogs on Dumont, Art Showcase and Fundraiser for Special Olympics. We will have leadership development and public speaking opportunities thru regional, state and national conferences and competitions, curriculum that is designed to prepare students for transferable career and adult life readiness (i.e. financial planning, nutritional wellness, parenting, etc.)”

 

   Educators Nikki Towe and Brandon Weaver will guide ag students toward opportunities in agricultural related business and industry---from the family farm to agri-business areas.

 

   “We offer career pathways in Agribusiness, Agriculture Mechanics, Horticulture and Plant Science, and Animal science and production,’ Towe said. “Each of our pathways have articulation agreements with the University of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University, Western Kentucky University, and Murray State University for three college credit hours within each career pathway. We are hopeful for more opportunities of industrial certification in the future. We also encourage all students enrolled in one Agriculture class or more this year, to become a member of FFA. FFA co- curricular and takes ag education to an exciting new level, with many leadership and competition opportunities 

 

   Ag students will have guest speakers, take field trips to university farms and agriculture businesses operations as well as hands-on instruction and work in the classroom. Students can also work in the community.

 

   “We have cgriculture coop students employed and other underclassmen working in agriculture business and production,” Towe added.

 

 Students and/or parents with any questions about the Career and Technical Education opportunities for AC-S students, career pathways and clusters, or the educational opportunities are encouraged to contact Carter at the Allen County Career and Technical Center.