Career and Technical Education

Across Dallas ISD, each Career Institute—North, Adelio Williams East, and Charmaine & Robert Price South—proudly celebrated Signing Day, recognizing Class of 2026 seniors as they committed to their next steps in the workforce.

While each campus hosted its own ceremony, all events shared a common purpose: honoring students as they signed with employers, trade schools, and apprenticeships after becoming CTE program completers through years of focused preparation. Each signature represented more than a next step—it symbolized purpose, preparation, and a clear path toward a successful future.

Held at venues including the Alfred J. Loos Career Center, The Shops at Redbird, and Ellis Davis Field House, these celebrations brought together families, teachers, administrators, and industry partners to support students as they transition from program completion to career launch.

Students recognized during Signing Day have completed industry-based certifications and rigorous CTE programming, positioning them for immediate entry into high-demand fields such as healthcare, skilled trades, construction, technology, and more. Across all campuses, the presence of industry partners and guest speakers reinforced the strong connection between classroom learning and real-world opportunity.

This milestone reflects the collective efforts of Career Institute staff and partners across the district—ensuring students graduate with more than a diploma, but with a plan and a profession.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026—your future starts now.

Seagoville High School welding students recently showcased their skills at the annual Wichita Falls Welding Competition, competing against nearly 500 students from across Texas in a range of welding processes and positions.

Through their performance, students demonstrated a high level of technical proficiency and preparation, earning an estimated 80+ industry certifications. Seagoville placed in the top three in four of seven divisions, including two division champions, highlighting the strength of the program and the consistency of student performance.

Student Placements:

• Bryan Gomez – 1st Place

• Gael Cervantes – 1st and 2nd Place

• Luis Moreno Hernandez – 2nd Place

• Marco Juarez – 2nd Place

• Gabino Valenzuela – 3rd Place

Students from Charmaine and Robert Price Career Institute South participated in the Grad 2 Hire event at the Shops at RedBird, gaining valuable exposure to both career and postsecondary opportunities.

Representing 11th and 12th grade, students connected with potential employers, engaged in on-site interviews, and explored Dallas College programs. The experience also included guided campus tours, giving students a closer look at pathways they can pursue after graduation.

Seniors from the NAF Academy of Engineering at Hillcrest High School presented their capstone projects to a panel of judges, receiving valuable professional feedback. Throughout the year, these students worked diligently to develop innovative engineering solutions to real-world problems they identified themselves.

Each year, the growth is evident—students are becoming more creative, stronger critical thinkers, and increasingly confident presenters.

This year’s winning team, Isaac Venegas and Jason Simmons, designed a tool-free connection system for changing a skateboard deck. Impressively, they engineered and machined the parts themselves, using tools they sourced and learned to operate independently.

These meaningful, hands-on learning experiences would not be possible without the dedication of our volunteer judges. We extend our sincere gratitude to Drew Davenport (Hillcrest graduate and French teacher), Emily Busby (City of Carrollton), now in her second year of judging, and David Nevarez (City of Dallas), an advisory board member who has supported our students for over five years through judging and other work-based learning opportunities, including resume reviews and mock interviews.

We’re excited to share an update on the Aerial Drone Team’s performance at the Championship competition in Frisco, Texas, where students competed against 72 top teams from across the South Central U.S. and beyond.

Dronelution360 delivered an outstanding performance, earning the Coding Award for the most effective and consistent use of programming in the Autonomous Flight Mission—a testament to their technical skill and preparation.

Students and teachers from the Charmaine and Robert Price Career Institute South recently participated in the Phoenix Career Expo, providing engaging, hands-on experiences for middle school scholars.

Representing the Information Technology Career Cluster, CI South practicum students facilitated interactive sessions focused on constructing CAT-5 cables, giving students a practical introduction to networking fundamentals. Working in small groups, middle school scholars rotated through 20-minute sessions where they learned how these cables connect devices such as computers, routers, and gaming systems.

In addition to IT, scholars also explored careers in Health Science through sessions led by Mr. Contreras, EMS Instructor, expanding their awareness of multiple career pathways.

Under the leadership of Mr. Daniel Cerda, a team of 10 CI South students from across multiple campuses led seven small-group sessions. High school students were paired with small groups of middle school scholars, creating a meaningful opportunity for mentorship, leadership, and peer-to-peer learning.

Student Representatives:

• Roosevelt High School: Yadira Gonzalez

• Kimball High School: Justin Harrison, Alan Quintana, Briza Torres

• Carter High School: Kemiyah Hall

• South Oak Cliff High School: German Orozco, Juan Tellez

• Adamson High School: Angel De Leon, Dario Robledo

The 2026 Health Science Fair at Career Institute North, held in the CI North Lecture Hall, transformed the space into an interactive hub of student-led learning. Students from Patient Care, Phlebotomy, Dental Assistant, and EMT programs led hands-on stations, giving peers and staff an inside look at the skills and knowledge required in healthcare careers.

At the Vital Signs Station, Patient Care students conducted blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and temperature checks, offering a real-world glimpse into daily clinical assessments. Nearby, Phlebotomy students drew a crowd as they demonstrated venipuncture techniques using a training arm—showcasing precision and professionalism in a high-interest setting.

Dental Assistant students engaged visitors with demonstrations on proper brushing and flossing techniques, using models to explain the long-term impact of oral health. Interactive Human Anatomy displays allowed participants to explore body systems while connecting classroom learning to real healthcare applications.

The fair also highlighted the importance of wellness beyond physical health. A Mental Health Awareness station created space for meaningful conversations around stress management and available resources. At the same time, EMT students demonstrated emergency response skills, including patient assessment and scene management, providing insight into the demands of first responders.

We are proud to recognize Jafet Rivera (Molina High School) and Jayden Molina (Carter High School) at Charmaine and Robert Price Career Institute South for earning their FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification, also known as a commercial drone pilot license.

This accomplishment reflects a high level of dedication, discipline, and technical knowledge. After completing rigorous preparation, both students successfully passed the FAA’s Part 107 knowledge exam—qualifying them to operate drones commercially across a variety of industries.

With this certification, Jafet and Jayden are now prepared for opportunities in fields such as aerial photography, videography, inspections, agriculture, and emergency response—positioning them at the forefront of a rapidly growing sector in aviation.

This achievement is also a testament to the guidance and support of their instructors, Mrs. Selena Simpson and Mr. Dylan Eastin, whose commitment to student success continues to create meaningful, real-world opportunities.

Their accomplishment highlights what is possible through focused effort and real-world learning, and serves as a strong example for their peers.

Please join us in congratulating Jafet and Jayden on this outstanding accomplishment.

As we enter the final stretch of our industry-based certification blitz, your dedication to opening doors for our students is truly inspiring. To ensure every success is captured and every opportunity maximized, please keep these critical "Final Roundup" steps in mind:

• Prioritize Retests: Encourage students who haven't yet reached a passing score to utilize every remaining attempt; that "almost there" result is often just one more try away from a credential.
  
• Audit Your Data: Please ensure every earned certification is promptly entered into Eduthings and that all necessary supporting documentation is uploaded to secure the record.
  
• Check the Details: Verify that student names and ID numbers match their certification documents exactly to avoid reporting errors.
  
• Celebrate the Win: Don't forget to take a moment to acknowledge the hard work—both yours and theirs—that goes into earning these professional milestones.
  
  

Let’s finish strong and make sure every student’s achievement is officially recognized!