Eighth-graders Tour Career and Technology Education Center
Eighth-graders are touring the Career and Technology Education Center (CTEC) to get a first look at opportunities available to them and to help prepare for their next steps in high school.
“This initiative was implemented to raise awareness of the 16 programs of study offered at the Career Center to juniors and seniors attending Beaumont United and West Brook High Schools,” said Career and Technical Education Counselor Priscilla Petetan.
This experience precedes when eighth graders will begin completing their personal graduation plans during the second and third week of November, with the assistance of the high school counselors, to select an endorsement and Programs of Study in alignment with CTE courses.
“At the completion of the tours, the eighth-graders will have these impactful takeaways: increased knowledge of specific programs of study within their endorsement, how to become a career and technical education student, range of potential salaries in each program of study, career pathways options and know the importance of preparing now to be a career ready student,” said Petetan.
Junior and senior students from each program of study served as a spokesperson to make connections and answer questions. Culinary Arts I prepared samples of mini taco bowls and pumpkin spice cinnamon rolls for the students to welcome them to the campus.
“During the tours, Marshall and Vincent students were enthusiastic and inquisitive while transitioning to each of the 13 Programs of Study at the CTEC,” said Petetan.
All middle school students will also have an opportunity to visit the Agriculture Farm in the spring to tour the animal and plant science programs of study.
“This is the first time eighth-graders have been afforded the opportunity to tour the CTEC programs of study and I am elated to spearhead it,” said Petetan. “This initiative would not have been successful thus far without our awesome team. Our CTEC teachers and students have done a superb job and the middle school tours which have been completed were excellent!”