CTE Connect

Career technical education (CTE) provides students of all ages with the academic and technical skills, knowledge and training necessary to succeed in future careers and to become lifelong learners. CTE prepares these learners for the world of work by introducing them to workplace competencies, and makes academic content meaningful by providing in a hands-on context.

The SRHS Automotive program has been diving into electrical braking systems. Students use electrical trainers to map out wiring diagrams.

The VBHS Nursing Assistant HOSA program hosted the first blood drive of the school year. They collected 89 units of blood and 7 platelets, in honor and support of the Maui HOSA chapter.

Students in the Anatomy & Physiology course of the VBHS Nursing Assistant program worked on a project learning the body mapping of the human body.

Our fall semester is off to a great start. Heating, Ventiatlation, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration, Medical Assisting, Nursing Assistant and Patient Care Technician have all begun. Practical Nursing is going strong with the program graduation right around the corner in December.

Michelle Bear and Scarlett West, Allied Heath Instructors - TCTC has launched the new Patient Care Technician Program this fall with eighteen students. Recently the students completed their first 90-hour course Basic Healthcare Worker. Students are currently performing hands on patient care in the Articulated Nursing Assistant clinical rotation which takes place in long-term care medical facilities. The students are doing well and enjoying putting their knowledge and skills to practice in a real-life environment. They are working hard and are experiencing the reward of providing professional compassionate care to the senior residents of our community who live in this type of setting.

Leslie Merritts, Director of Nursing - The TCTC Practical Nursing program students are currently participating in high-fidelity simulations for Medical Surgical Nursing. The advanced technological simulators provide multiple scenarios that test students skills in a life-like environment. The labs enhance the development of nursing skills, teamwork, interdisciplinary communication, critical thinking and clinical judment skills.

Johnny Herron, HVAC/R Instructor – HVAC/R students are busy in their first course, Introduction to HVAC/R. They are working on completing their OSHA 10 training, performing maintenance on available equipment, and learning how to braze copper, check pressures, subcooling and superheat, and interpret wiring diagrams.

We would like to welcome Buck Campbell to VBHS as the new Automotive teacher. Buck is a graduate of Vero Beach High School, Class of 1998. He comes to us with many years in the Automotive field, to include 20 years of active-duty service in the US Marine Corps. During this time, he served as Automotive Maintenance Chief for 14 years, then recruiter and Safety Chief for 6 years. After his retirement from the USMC, Buck moved back to Vero Beach to be near his children Josie and Tucker. Since returning to Vero, he has worked in Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Coordinator, specialist, and supervisor. This summer, he eagerly accepted the position to teach the Automotive Program after Kelly Vold retired. His experience in the military will greatly add to the knowledge he can impart on his students.

Hello Indian River County School members and community. I am the new Sharky’s Cafe culinary teacher. I will be starting my 15th year of teaching. My family, husband and two teenage boys, relocated further South after my husband received a job promotion. I worked in the culinary industry from my mid-teens to my early 20's but, I have always had a true calling for teaching. I have a degree in health education as well as family and consumer science. I have taught middle school as well as high school. Previously, I developed the culinary program at Lyman High School in Seminole County. I truly love teaching students about food life skills and the culinary world. I want students to feel comfortable in the kitchen while being able to express creativity while making amazing dishes to share with others. As they say, a way to someone’s heart is through their belly! I hope to learn as much from the students as they learn from me. My favorite component of culinary is baking. I am looking forward to a wonderful year and working with everyone at Sebastian River High as well as the community. Go Sharks!

My name is Addison Teske, and I am the new Business Entrepreneurship teacher at Vero Beach High School. I am also the head coordinator of Vero Bean, the Business Ownership course here at VBHS. I have had the passion for being a teacher since I was in grade school and have loved every minute of it thus far. I graduated from the University of Alabama with a bachelor's degree in hospitality management, concentrating specifically in Meeting & Event Planning. I was a part of the Delta Mu, Tri Delta chapter, involved in many leadership and philanthropy activities throughout my time spent at UA. After graduating, I spent my time working for a local marketing agency. After the classroom, I am the Assistant Cheerleading coach for the Vero Varsity Cheerleading team at VBHS, and I also enjoy spending time with my family, dogs, and friends. I enjoy passing time on the boat, shopping and planning private events in Vero Beach. I look forward to seeing what this upcoming year has to offer. Roll Tide!

Director of CTE & TCTC - Christi Shields ▪️ christi.shields@indianriverschools.org

CTE Program Specialist - Kristine Burr ▪️ kristine.burr@indianriverschools.org

College & Career Specialist - Alison Moody ▪️ alison.moody@indianriverschools.org