Poudre School District board approves resolution recognizing Career and Technical Education Month

Poudre School District R-1’s Board of Education on Jan. 28 approved a resolution in support of Career and Technical Education Month, voting 6-0 to adopt the recognition.

District CTE leaders told the board the programs provide students with industry-aligned skills and pathways to careers or further education. Kelsey Berger, the district’s career and technical education coordinator, said the district oversees 15 pathways and emphasized CTE’s role in preparing students: "From agriculture to engineering, culinary arts to computer science and beyond, these programs empower students at every single 1 of our secondary sites to explore their interests, develop industry aligned skills, and prepare for meaningful careers."

The nut of the presentation was that CTE programs increase student engagement and on-time graduation and create career options. Berger noted two new Career Tech Center pathways on the Poudre High School campus — automotive technology and medical assisting — that launched this year and already have wait lists.

CTE teachers and students described classroom and workplace connections. Jeremy Miller, an automotive instructor, said the classroom brings students from across the district together: "At any point of any day, you can pop into my shop, my classroom, and you can see something that I think is truly remarkable. And it is that we have kids from every high school in this district, from all walks of life. . . . they are sitting together and they are working together and they are developing technical literacy." Student Kyler Savageaux, a junior who completed the automotive pathway at the Career Tech Center, said the class pushed students to think critically and that he will "be able to take the ASC breaks certification test here in a couple of weeks," an industry-aligned credential he said will help him pursue internships and employment.

Nicole West, who teaches the medical assistant pathway, described the program’s structure and near-term outcomes. "Our program just launched our first cohort of students, with 18 students from 6 different schools," she said, and explained the program offers two certificates: a first-semester medical office administrative assistant certificate and a three-semester medical assistant certificate that includes a Front Range Community College clinical component.

The board moved and seconded the resolution and then recorded a 6-0 vote in favor. The board asked staff to continue supporting and communicating about CTE expansion and student certification opportunities.

The resolution and presentations drew applause from the board and attendees and concluded with a photo opportunity for the presenters and students.