Catoosa County recognizes Career, Technical and Agricultural Education Month and sets National FFA Week events

The Catoosa County Board of Education on Feb. 4 proclaimed February as Career, Technical and Agricultural (CTA) Education Month and designated Feb. 15–22, 2025, as National FFA Week in the district. Mark Pierce, the district’s career technical educational director, read proclamations and introduced teachers and students who described hands-on programs across the district’s high schools and middle schools.

Why it matters: District leaders said CTA programs provide work-based learning, industry-recognized credentials and pathways that, in Catoosa County and statewide, are associated with higher graduation rates. Speakers emphasized CTA’s role in workforce development and community partnerships that help students acquire practical skills.

Mark Pierce, CTA director, told the board the district offers about 40 career pathways across its high schools and career academy and highlighted a district figure he cited — “nearly a 98 percent graduation rate for CTA students.” Bridget Cash, CTA supervisor at Lakeview Fort Osborn High School, described teacher efforts and student results at her school, including 100 percent pass rates on end-of-pathway exams for three instructors during the first semester. Megan Handy, agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at Heritage High School, invited the community to support greenhouse sales and other hands-on activities; she announced the school greenhouses will open sales on April 11.

Teachers and student representatives from multiple schools — Lakeview Fort Osborn High School, Heritage High School, Ringgold High School and middle schools — joined the board for a group photo and brief remarks. Presenters described community-focused projects such as greenhouse plant sales, an ag program’s summer projects to produce eggs for students in need, and a sold-out local beef fundraising sale.

Direct quotes from meeting speakers

- Mark Pierce, CTA director: “Career, technical, and agricultural education programs in the Catoosa County School System have become a rigorous, progressive, and vital part of the total education system.”

- Bridget Cash, CTA supervisor (LFO High School): “We wanna be known for excellence. Our students are knowledgeable and job ready and can compete with anyone, anywhere.”

- Megan Handy, agriculture teacher and FFA advisor (Heritage High School): “If a 70-degree day in February makes you wanna plant some white petunias in a hanging basket, then ag education, FFA is the group for you in Catoosa County.”

What the district said about outcomes and partnerships

Presenters credited CTA programming with increasing graduation rates and preparing students for postsecondary training and local employment. Pierce and Cash noted partnerships with local businesses for apprenticeships, internships and cooperative education; Handy emphasized that hands-on agricultural projects both develop skills and provide community service and fundraising support.

Ending: Board members and attendees applauded students and teachers. The board took no formal vote on program funding during the presentation; the proclamations and recognition were ceremonial actions included on the agenda.