Cascadia Tech News
November/December 2025
From Our Director
As we approach Winter Break, I want to take a moment to be thankful for the privilege of leading Cascadia Technical Academy. As a Skills Center student in the 1980s, I appreciate the incredible value of the training our dedicated instructors provide to our current students. I encourage readers to check out our student-operated businesses and see the amazing work our students are doing. More information is available below. Wishing everyone a joyous Holiday Season!
We are doing great things!
-Joan Huston
Shaun Campbell
Assistant Director
Tami Oppliger
Assistant Director
Paul Huddleston
Dean of Students
Foundation News
We NEED your help! Support Cascadia Tech Students!
Cascadia Technical Academy helps high school students across Southwest Washington build their future careers. Because the school doesn’t receive bond or levy funds, Cascadia Technical Academy Foundation (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit) raises money to provide essential equipment, scholarships, and emergency support for our students.
Our biggest fundraiser of the year—the ASPIRE Gala—will be held May 2, 2026, at ilani Casino Resort. We need your help securing exciting items for our Silent and Live Auctions!
Questions? Contact Dave Cole at 360.604.1098 or david.cole@evergreenps.org
A Year-End Request from Cascadia Technical Academy Foundation
As we close out another year of growth, we invite you to support the students of Cascadia Technical Academy through our Year-End Campaign. Your generosity helps ensure that every young person who walks through our doors has the opportunity to build a brighter future for themselves and for our community.
Important Dates
December 20 - Application Opens for the 26-27 School Year
December 22 - NOW School Day
December 23 - January 2 - Winter Break
January 5 - Classes Resume
January 14 - Early Release (No Session II/Cosmo II)
January 16 - E-Waste Drop Off
January 17 - Chipotle Fundraiser for Business Principles
January 19 - No School (MLK Day)
January 29 - Early Release (No Session II/Cosmo II)
January 30 - Early Release (No Session II/Cosmo II)
January 30 - Report Card - S1 Ends
February 2 - 2 Hour Late Start (No Session 1)
Cold and Flu Season is Here
Healthy students are better prepared to learn in school & succeed in life!
Sophomore Tours
Thank You!
We had over 2400 visiting students join us this week! Thank you to all the high schools in Southwest Washington that brought their sophomores to our campus for a tour. Each student was able to see three programs of their choice and have access to apply early.
Applications are Open
📣Are you a current sophomore or junior? Applications are now being accepted for the 26-27 school year. Reach out to your high school counselor with any questions.
At Cascadia Technical Academy, high school students can:
✅ Earn College Credit
✅ Obtain Industry Certifications
✅ Participate In Internships
✅ Gain Valuable Skills At No Cost
✅ Save Money On College Tuition And Other Training
New Videos
Program Videos
Click each photo to view the program video on YouTube. Follow us at @cascadiatechacademy.
Applied Medical Sciences
Automotive Technology
Aviation Science & Technology
Barbering
Business Principles
Construction Technology
Cosmetology
Criminal Justice
Culinary, Baking & Pastry Arts
Dental
Diesel Technology
Fashion Design
Fire Science
Forest Management
Information Technology Systems, Service & Security
Maritime Technology
Medical Assisting
Pre-Electrical
Pre-Engineering Design Technology
Teaching Academy
Adopt-A-Family
Business Principles adopted a family for Christmas through the Salvation Army again this year and these photos are of the students wrapping the gifts, then posing with the gifts, and finally, all of the gifts loaded into one of our student's car and on their way for delivery on Tuesday after school.
Relationships Matter
Forest Management connected with LCEP, a partner instructor, Sarah Callaghan worked with prior to joining Cascadia, to explore long-term collaboration for our program.
Sarah shared, "During a recent visit to one of their large restoration project sites, we discovered something truly special—some of our current students had participated in this very project years ago as elementary students! It’s inspiring to see how these connections come full circle."
Four of our students will be volunteering to help lead plantings with LCEP, continuing their hands-on learning and community engagement.
Student-Led Businesses
Cosmetology Salon
Whether it is back to school, getting ready for a new job, getting yourself ready for the big day or just your everyday maintenance, our students can help you look your best.
There are a variety of services to choose from:
Hair Cuts
Spiral Perm
Scalp Treatment
Shampoo Style
Updo Formal Style
Hair Color Services
Peek-a-Boo Tape In Hair Extensions
The Salon is open Monday-Thursday 11:45 AM - 5 PM.
Our last appointment is no later than 2:00 PM
Please call for an appointment at 360.604.1080 or book online.
All chemical services on these days will be scheduled at 12:00 PM (no later) to allow enough time for our students to perform the requested service.
All color appointments need an allergy test 24 hours prior to service.
Walk-in appointments are welcome before 1:00 PM
Salon hours, prices, and services are subject to change
E-Waste Recycling
Information Technology students at Cascadia Technical Academy accept e-waste donations.
When can I bring my donation?
8:00 am - 1:30 pm on the 3rd Friday of the month during the academic year:
January 16th
February 20th
March 20th
April 17th
May 15th
June 12th - Last Day
Email ray.nelson@evergreenps.org with questions about donation items or an alternative drop-off schedule.
We DO accept:
Computers/Internal Components (Cases, RAM, Hard Drives, Motherboards, etc.)
Printers
Peripheral Devices (Keyboards, Mice, Headphones, etc.)
Miscellaneous Cords/Data Cables (Ethernet Cables, Power Cables, etc.)
Mobile Device (Cell Phones, Laptops, Tablets, etc.)
We do NOT accept:
Cascadia Tech does not accept appliances, TV’s, Styrofoam or batteries
Earth Friendly Recycling will take appliances
Goodwill, West Van Recycling, and Central Transfer and Recycle accept TVs
Support Business Principles
Where Are They Now
Former Automotive Technology Student Wins National Challenge
Former Student Helps Coach Mock Trial Team
During mock trial practice, we had former student David Guiher return to help coach our students! David was a member of our mock trial team from 2017 through 2020. He graduated summa cum laude from Ave Maria University in Southwest Florida, and he is currently pursuing a law career at Ave Maria School of Law on a full-ride scholarship.
This past summer, David worked as a judicial intern for several federal judges in the Middle District of Florida. He will graduate from law school in 2027.
Currently, David’s younger sister, Mary, who hopes to follow in her brother’s footsteps, is also attending Cascadia Tech’s Criminal Justice program and is very active on the mock trial team.
David acted as a judge for one of our team’s scrimmages and provided helpful feedback to our students afterward. We are very thankful that our former students—who have benefited from our program—still find time to visit and help teach our current students!
(Left to right: Mary Guiher, David Guiher, Tony Shaver, Kevin McClure)
Counselor's Corner
Hovde and Hooser can help students and their families fill out their FAFSA, College/Tech School Applications, Apprenticeship Applications and any Scholarships you might be applying for.
If you are struggling with any social, emotional, academic or family issues, either counselor will be available to schedule a meeting with you. Please email them at Ryan.Hovde@evergreenps.org and/or Dena.Hooser@evergreenps.org.
For additional resources or help, Clark County has a 24/7 Crisis Line available by calling 360-696-9560 or 1-800- 626-8137. You can also call or text 988 to connect with a trained counselor with the National Suicide & Crisis Hotline.
CTE Teacher Certification Program
Teacher Certification Completers
Congratulations to our most recent CTE Plan 2 Teacher Certification completers!
Scott Midland - Stevenson High School
Welding and Automotive Instructor
Kristine Robb - Evergreen Public Schools
Image Elementary and Cascadia Tech Summer School Instructor
Satellite Locations Now Available
We accept candidates from around the state of Washington at the following locations for the three in-person courses:
Cascadia Tech Academy - Vancouver
Sno Isle Tech Skills Center - Mukilteo
YV-TECH Skills Center - Yakima
CTE 101 - Elements of Teaching (Fall)
CTE 201 - Advanced Instructional Techniques (Winter/Spring)
CTE 302 - Student Personal Development and Leadership (Winter/Spring)
If you have three years (6,000 hours) of occupational experience in a specific area and are interested in teaching, consider pursuing a Career and Technical Educator (CTE) certificate.
Cascadia Technical Academy is an approved provider by the Washington State Professional Educator Standards Board for the Plan 2 Business and Industry route CTE teacher preparation program. This competency-based training is designed to prepare you for a CTE teaching career at the secondary level (grades 7-12). It serves as a pathway to obtain an initial CTE Teaching Certificate from the Office of the Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction. To qualify for the CTE Teaching Certificate, you must meet the OSPI Business and Industry (Specialty Program Areas) requirements.
For more information contact:
Suzy Jajewski-Koehler, Coordinator, at Susan.JajewskiKoehler@evergreenps.org or 360.604.1090 Sayge Sword, Support Clerk, at Sayge.Sword@evergreenps.org or 360.604.1099
2024-2025 Highlights
Download our App!
We're thrilled to announce the new app for Cascadia Tech! It's everything Cascadia Tech, in your pocket. With the new app, you can access documents, events, news updates, and even emergency notifications.
Thank You Sponsors
Cascadia Technical Academy thanks our corporate sponsors! Contact Dave Cole at david.cole@evergreenps.org for additional information.
Follow Us
Contact Us
12200 NE 28th Street Vancouver, WA 98682
Main Office: 360.604.1050
Office Hours: 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Attendance: 360.604.1077; Spanish 360.604.4029; Russian 360.604.4028
info@cascadiatechnicalacademy.org
Attendance_CascadiaTech@evergreenps.org


