CTE Newsletter

The Teach Sumner Program is proud to present the second graduating cohort of Career and Technical Education teachers. We celebrate the following:

• Diana Brackman
• Becca Fitts
• Drew Flaherty
• Chase Freeman
• Lacey Hammock

• Tait Hanson
• Jared Irvine
• Meg Klenk
• Lane Murphy
• Jordan Nash
• Maura Rowland
• Meagan Stewart
• Derek Williamson

Be Pro Be Proud Tennessee, a workforce development initiative of the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry, hosted its first Draft Day event in Tennessee at the Carolyn Smith Innovation Center on Friday, May 8th!

Presented by Meta and held in partnership with Sumner County Schools, Draft Day is a first-of-its-kind event designed to celebrate students pursuing careers in the skilled trades while connecting them directly with employers across Tennessee.

The event will featured more than 40 local employers and 500 Sumner County students, bringing together the next generation of talent with industry leaders in a dynamic, hands-on environment.

During Draft Day, six Sumner County students received on the spot job offers, and over 70% of student interviews resulted in next steps including facility tours, applications, and second interviews.

Check out News 2 WKRN's coverage of Draft Day at the link below.!

Eighty students and teachers from Beech, Gallatin, Westmoreland, and Hendersonville High Schools recently came together at the Carolyn Smith Innovation Center on April 7th to build beds for fellow Sumner County students in need. In partnership with Sleep in Heavenly Peace - TN, Sumner Co, students worked hands-on to build 40 beds as part of the Sumner Gives Back campaign, reinforcing the importance of service, leadership, and community impact. Thanks to the support of community partners and volunteers, each bed will be fully delivered and set up for local children through the district’s Family Resource Center initiative.

On Thursday, March 5, Sumner County Schools hosted the annual CTE Skills Competition at TCAT Portland, where students from across the district had the opportunity to put their classroom learning to the test.

Students competed in Automotive, Construction, Cosmetology, Criminal Justice, Machining, and Welding, demonstrating the technical skills they have developed throughout the year.

Criminal Justice events included Felony Stops, Crime Scene Investigation, and Field Sobriety, Machining students competed in both Lathe and Manual Mill challenges, and Welding students demonstrated knowledge of TIG and Stick welding. Each competition required students to apply industry skills, problem-solving, and precision in a real-world setting.

The competition gave students a chance to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios, sharpen their technical abilities, and showcase the career-ready skills that make our CTE programs so impactful. We are incredibly proud of all the students who stepped up to compete and represent their schools! Thank you to TCAT Portland and our CTE teachers and judges who helped make this event possible

Our Sumner County Health Science students recently partnered with local area hospitals, Sumner County EMS, Fire, and Police Departments to participate in a large-scale Mass Casualty training exercise. Students served as simulated patients, acting out injuries during a realistic emergency response scenario involving hospital evacuation and emergency coordination. This hands-on experience gave students valuable insight into emergency healthcare procedures while highlighting the strong community partnerships that support real-world learning opportunities in our CTE programs.

This quarter, CTE classrooms across the district have been filled with hands-on projects that challenge students to apply their learning in meaningful, real-world ways. From designing and building to analyzing, creating, and presenting, students are developing the technical and professional skills needed for success beyond high school. At the same time, many students have earned industry-recognized certifications, gaining valuable credentials that validate their skills and open doors to future career opportunities.

On Thursday, April 9th, our Career and Technical Education Department hosted our Spring Advisory Council Meeting at White House High School. This meeting brought together industry professionals and our CTE teachers to discuss ways to make sure the work we do in CTE is aligned to industry standards. It was such a treat to have students in Ms. Brown's culinary class cater the food for the event.

CTE classes are the best at taking the classroom to the next level! Marketing II students participated in mock interviews with local industries and businesses at the Portland Chamber of Commerce. Each student had the opportunity to experience 3 interviews and receive feedback. A special thanks to the Chamber for organizing and hosting this career oriented event for PHS students.

The Dual Enrollment Welding class had the opportunity to tour Unipres and then participate in mock interviews that were machining and welding specific. Thank you to Jeff Woods, Executive VP @ Unipres USA for organizing this event for PHS welding students. Students were able to view shipping ,assembly,stamping, materials, and receiving. They were also able to see parts being manufactured for Nissan, Infinity, and Acura automobiles It was a great day as students saw their classes come to life in the industrial setting.

Students in Mr. Parker's Advanced Manufacturing class at Gallatin High School designed and manufactured a med-ball rack for the Gallatin football team.

In the picture below (from left to right) Anthony Ferre, Parker McMenamy, Mason Stafford, Cash Elder, and Rush Lakatos all completed the UAS course at Liberty Creek High School. Everyone has subsequently received their FAA part 107 license except Cash, but he’s just waiting on his 16th birthday. Also, not pictured, but accomplishing this is Kiana Branstetter!

Gallatin High School's Construction 3 class worked hard and solved problems in real time to deliver this exceptional chicken coop to Ellis Middle School’s new Groundwork Program, which supports cross curricular learning through hands on agricultural experiences.

Left to right: Marcus Gresham, Alexander Tinajero Velazquez, Alan Perez Galvez, Alexander O’Neal, Grant Williams, Anthony Woodard, Devlin McNamara, Wade Nichols, Marco Alvarez Raymundo, Gavin Duff, Jhosepth Sauni Ludena, Carlos Aguilar Gomez, Jackson Brummett, Victor Johnson, Carlos Cruz, Colin Cawthon (NP).

Students enrolled in Construction classes at Gallatin High School took part in an immersive industry lesson provided by Baker Construction, Garrott Brothers Readymix Concrete, and DeWalt teamed up to teach students about concrete mixing.

L to R: Carlos Cebrero Martinez, Caleb Kinney, Mateo Paredes Medina, Ka’Liyah Brame, Xavi Lorenzo Mendez, Estrella Rodriguez, Jensen Rodriguez Cortes, Joatan Rosado, Andy with Garrott Brothers Concrete, Nelson Gonzalez Ruiz, Joshua Brinkley, Selvin Garcia Antonio

Be Pro Be Proud virtual reality trailer visited Westmoreland High School for students to have the opportunity to experience multiple skilled trades to investigate post secondary opportunities. Students as well as teachers enjoyed the opportunity!

Students in Mrs. Lopes Foundations of Fashion Design class at Station Camp High School studied the "History of Fashion". Students studied each time period and discussed how certain clothes came about, including restrictions from different wars. At the end of this unit, the students drew a time period and had to hand sew an outfit for Barbie based on the time period picked.

Portland High School Criminal Justice III students recently participated in an immersive, week-long clandestine burial recovery project designed to simulate a real-world homicide investigation. Working alongside professionals from the Portland Police Department, Sumner County Sheriff’s Office, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and the District Attorney’s Office, students applied skills in crime scene investigation, forensic analysis, evidence collection, interviewing, and courtroom procedures.

The comprehensive project challenged students to combine knowledge from Criminal Justice, science, math, and communication courses while developing leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills through realistic investigative scenarios.

The annual Westmoreland High School Cabinet Competition hosted through construction classes was once again a huge success! Students are given a blueprint that has the general measurements of the pieces that are needed to make the basic structure of the cabinet and are responsible of cutting them all from 1 x 12 pine shelving board. They are responsible for making all measurements and cuts to assemble the cabinet. They are allowed to make modifications as they desire and stain it and finish it to match what they want. Many of these cabinets have become family heirlooms. The cabinets are displayed in the front hall of the school and faculty votes for their favorite. This year's overall favorite was constructed by Nathan Belue.

Hendersonville High School Audio Visual students are working with the Sumner County Historical Society to create a series of videos about Sumner County history for the America 250 celebration this summer. They were able to film and edit content for the at Trousdale Place in Downtown Gallatin.

Gallatin High School Health Science students Rachel Tiboca and Izzi Davis worked with the GHS state-of-the-art Laerdal Sim Manikin. This manikin is in-line with the technology that is used in today's nursing and medical schools. The manikin has the ability to allow students to listen to lung, heart, and bowel sounds. The students can start IVs and Foley catheters as well as many other clinical skills.

Students in Mr. Russo's Criminal Justice class at Gallatin High School had the amazing experience to visit the TBI lab. At the lab, they analyzed ballistic evidence to identify potential matches and conducted chemical testing on plant-based samples, observing how different reagents react. Students also confirmed their findings under a microscope, gaining hands-on experience with advanced lab techniques.

They explored trace analysis through glass reconstruction, testing, break patterns, and refractive index, and worked in latent prints to detect, lift, and compare fingerprints. Using specialized equipment and industry-grade tools, students gained valuable real-world experience in forensic science.

Students at Westmoreland High School had the exciting opportunity to learn from an FBI agent introduced the agency as a post secondary option as well as discussed the importance of cybersecurity.

Robotics students at Liberty Creek High School recently completed Lean Six Sigma (LSS) training. LSS focuses on improving processes, reducing waste, and solving problems. These students earned their Yellow Belt certifications which will enable them to support improvement teams, use basic LSS tools, and help drive meaningful change in organizations.

Congratulations to Portland High School’s Teaching as a Profession Level 2 students who have earned the new TAP Industry Certification making them qualified professional literacy tutors!

Pictured left to right:

Kenslee Barker, Jaydah Raulerson, Kate Johns, Charlie Kate Wilkinson, Hannah Robinson, Mackenzie Falcon, Liberty Walker, Mya Petty, Phoenix Manderschied, and Meleah Huddleson

Beech High School School Health Science and HOSA chapter hosted their final blood drive of the year with a total of 172 units collected for the year saving over 500 sumner county lives!

Gallatin High School's Culinary program and our very own Chef West were featured in the Gallatin News. You can read the story at the link below.

This season, the HHS Mock Trial team earned an impressive 3rd place finish in regional competition, showcasing not only their knowledge of the law but their poise, preparation, and persuasive skills.

The team demonstrated exceptional collaboration and professionalism throughout the competition. Attorneys delivered compelling arguments backed by evidence and strong legal reasoning. Witnesses stayed in character under intense cross-examination, responding confidently and consistently, even when opposing counsel tried to rattle them.

Shout out to Roslyn Parrish for earning a Best Defense Witness Award!

Portland High School was well represented at SkillsUSA State in Chattanooga! The students competed in 7 different competitions, and everyone of these students performed so well and showed off their career readiness skills.

Merrol Hyde Magnet School is proud to have twenty-two students compete at the DECA International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in Atlanta. Sophia Zhang and Maddy Packianathan secured a top ten finish at ICDC, where they competed alongside 26,000 other students from the U.S. and Canada! We are very proud of Sophia and Maddy, and all of our ICDC competitors!

Nine students from Station Camp High School FCCLA traveled to Chattanooga on April 8-10 for the State Leadership Conference. Seven of them qualified for Nationals in July. We also had the honor of hearing our very own Lilly Juechter sing the National Anthem during the opening session.

STAR Events recognitions were:

Kelsey Campbell-5th place SILVER

Asia Moore-1st Place BRONZE

KC Karny-2nd Place BRONZE

Ava Carter-1st Place SILVER

Hailey Blevins & Yusho Mizushima-3rd Place SILVER

Lexi Cunningham, Lilly Juechter and Bella Mallicote -1st Place SILVER

16 Students at Portland High School competed at FCCLA State in a star event. 4 teams took home gold, 3 teams took home silver, and 2 teams took home bronze. 4 of the teams qualified for Nationals. Mrs. Ashley Bogle took home the Spirit of Advising Award. The chapter also took home an overall gold chapter award, level 1 membership award, and a 75+ campaign membership award! We are so proud of the students!

Westmoreland High School FBLA proudly represented its school at the FBLA State Leadership Conference, demonstrating professionalism, leadership, and excellence.

WHS Junior Camryn Hare place third in Customer Service at the 2026 FBLA State Leadership Conference.

Beech High School DECA took 39 student competitors to International Career Development Conference and had three projects qualify for Top 20 Finalist in Atlanta, GA!

• PMCA (Project Management Community Awareness) - Beyond the Score

• PMCD (Project Management Career Development) - Operation BEST

• BOR (Business Service Operations Research) - Nissan North America

Beyond the Score, a campaign on positive sportsmanship, placed 7th in the world at international competition.

In March, Liberty Creek High School FFA had 10 members attend the TN FFA State Convention. Three teams competed and 7 members received their state degree.

Milk Quality received 1st in the district and 10th in the state. Members were Cheyenne Dickson, Payton Wilson, Ella Pigg, and Emma Kate Crain. Environmental and Natural Resources (ENR) received 3rd in the district and 23rd in the state. Members included Sophia Gentry, Kinsley Lewis, Sloan Schneider, and Ava Binkley. Quiz Bowl received 4th in the district and 59th in the state. The team consisted of Alyssa Goin, Ava Binkley, Peyton Wilson, and Brinlee Morris.

In late April, LC FFA Floriculture Team made history by being the first team from Liberty Creek to make it to state. They earned 9th in the state. The team consisted of Cheyenne Dickson, Brinlee Morris, Ella Pigg, and Miles Catron.

On the same day, State Poultry was competing. The team was Sloan Schneider, Malak Mannon, and Presley Noffsinger. Despite that they still earned 2nd in the district and 34th in the state.

Student Project Placements Include:

• Top Ten - Sixth Place in SBE Retail (Stampede Stop Shop): Addy Engstrom & Savannah Singleton

• Top Ten - Fifth Place in SEOR (Stage of Hope): Rebecca McCormick & Hagan Curtis

• Top Ten - Fourth Place in PMCD (ElevatEd): Cole Elizondo, Sarah Lemmon & Emri Lassiter

• Top Twenty in Franchise Business Plan (Swig): Millie Dean & Ella Ohman

Portland HIgh School Criminal Justice Club participated in a skills competition at Vol State. They competed against fourteen other schools throughout the region. Through their efforts, PHS students were declared the 2026 Criminal Justice Competition Champions!

They placed 1st in C.S.I., Job Interview, Field Sobriety, and Felony Stops. They placed 2nd in the Quiz Bowl.

Students Included: Jessica Light, Joshua Jones, Jackson Augustus, Zoey Butler, Joseph Meadors, Olivia Whiticker, Uzias Gonzalez, Meleah Huddleston, Mackenzie Falcon, Bradyen Woodard, and Nate Dyer