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Poudre School District proclaims Career and Technical Education Month; students spotlight new automotive, medical assisting pathways
Summary
The Poudre School District Board of Education on Jan. 28 adopted a resolution recognizing Career and Technical Education Month and heard students and teachers describe two newly launched Career Technical Center pathways — automotive technology and medical assisting — and early enrollment demand.
The Poudre School District R-1 Board of Education on Jan. 28 unanimously approved a resolution recognizing Career and Technical Education Month and heard students and teachers describe the district’s expanding Career and Technical Education (CTE) offerings.
Kelsey Berger, the district’s career and technical education coordinator, told the board she oversees “15 diverse CTE pathways that provide PSD students with the direction I once needed,” and described the programs as preparing students “whether they choose the workforce, trade school, military, community college, or university.”
The adoption of the resolution — moved and seconded by board members and approved by roll call — was followed by short presentations from instructors and students at the Career Tech Center. Jeremy Miller, an automotive pathway teacher, said his classroom draws students “from every high school in this district from all walks of life,” and said he sees students “working together and supporting each other and finding out that they have this thing in common.”
Kyler Savageaux, a junior at Fort Collins High School who completed the automotive program at the Career Tech Center, said the class pushed him to think critically and that he plans to take the ASE (automotive service excellence) certification exam in a few weeks. “I’m also planning on going to college for motorsport engineering,” Savageaux said.
Nicole West, the medical assistant pathway teacher, described the recently launched cohort as “18 students from 6 different schools” and said the program offers two certificates: a Medical Office Administrative Assistant certificate after the first semester and a full Medical Assistant certificate after a three‑semester sequence that includes clinical experience through Front Range Community College. “They could make a really big difference in our local community in less than a year,” West said, noting dozens of local job openings for medical assistants.
Students who spoke said the CTE classes helped them clarify career goals, build practical skills and connect with peers. One student in the medical assistant pathway said the program helped her decide she wants to pursue the NICU and signaled interest in internships.
Board members and Superintendent Kingsley praised instructors and students for embodying the district’s strategic goals around “graduation with options” and belonging. The board’s vote was recorded as unanimous; the district will post the resolution and photos on PSD channels.
The CTE presentations and the accompanying resolution lasted a portion of the board’s Jan. 28 meeting and were framed by staff and students as early evidence of local demand for hands‑on career education.
