Career and Technical Education

Greetings,

Thank you for your continued dedication and hard work to your programs. You continue to provide students with hands-on learning and instructional knowledge of workforce development.

As you work toward the end of the 9 weeks, please make sure you are consistently updating student progress and communicating with the appropriate stakeholders.

Career Tech Student Placement data needs to be updated by today. Several emails have been sent on how to complete this required task. Make sure you pre-assess students before providing credentials. Student credentials need to be entered into the Google Drive as soon as they are earned.

Spring Break is right around the corner. I hope you are able to take the time to rest and rejuvenate physically and mentally to close the semester strong.

With much gratitude,

Zac

James “Will” Fowler, a student in the Work-Based Learning (WBL) program at Huntsville

High School, is an outstanding example of how career-focused education can lead to

extraordinary opportunities. He has recently earned acceptance into the highly

competitive Early Entry Program at Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary

Medicine, a prestigious achievement that secures a future pathway into veterinary school.

James is currently employed at McCurdy Animal Hospital, where he has completed 185

work-based learning hours and counting, earning over $2,000 in wages while gaining

valuable hands-on experience in a real-world veterinary setting. His dedication,

professionalism, and passion for animal science are evident both on the job and in the

classroom. His direct supervisor speaks highly of his performance, awarding him a perfect

score on his work performance evaluation. During his first semester in the WBL program,

James earned an impressive final grade of 96, reflecting his strong academic performance

and commitment to excellence.

With a clear career interest in Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, James

exemplifies the mission of the WBL program—connecting classroom instruction with

meaningful career experiences. His success demonstrates how early exposure to industry,

combined with academic rigor, prepares students for long-term professional and

academic achievement.

We are proud to spotlight James and celebrate his accomplishments as he continues his

journey toward becoming a veterinarian.

During the month of January, the students learned about the different roles and functions of a food service operation. They also learned about the functions and responsibilities of key departments in the lodging industry and how they work interdependently to provide a safe, comfortable and enjoyable place for guests and employees. To culminate the learning, the classes and I created a Hospitality Build Project for the month of February. We brainstormed components of the project and the class members completed them individually and collectively. The components of the Hospitality Build include: ● Hotel/Resort name ● Tag line/motto ● Logo ● Floorplan ● Amenities ● Target guest population description ● Lodging employee hierarchy with short job descriptions and wage/salary ● Annual operating budget ● Restaurant ● Menu(s) ● Food service hierarchy with short job descriptions and wage/salary ● Annual operating budget NOTE: Each class has compiled a binder with printed pages of their hospitality build components. We spent several weeks planning and building the Hospitality projects out of Legos! It was great to see every student participating in the class activity. I saw the “quiet” students emerge as leaders; the “energetic” students providing great suggestions and the teacher learning to use simple hands-on activities to build classroom camaraderie and bringing a learning experience to life!

A1 Class members: La’Nyss Ashford, Jacob Ashrafi (not pictured), Kamryn Brown (not pictured), Wyatt Galloway, Callie Johnson, Cooper Nelson, Hannah Norton, Austin Smith, Bentley Taylor, Jarrodney White (not pictured), Ta’Wayne Whitt (not pictured).

Archery Team - Historic Beginning

Grissom JROTC proudly launched its first-ever Archery Team, marking a historic milestone for our program. The team competed in its inaugural competition at James Clemens High School on February 12th, followed by a second competition at Boaz High School on February 20th.

Our cadets delivered an impressive performance:

• Azul Saavedra - 1st Place, 11th Grade Girls Division; 3rd Place, High School Girls Division
• Jamison Howard - 1st Place, 10th Grade Boys Division
• April Gomez - 2nd Place, 11th Grade Girls Division
• Willow Yoo - 3rd Place, 9th Grade Girls Division

An extraordinary achievement for a first year team, 6 of 7 archers earned personal best scores during competition.

Drill Team - Back and Stronger Than Ever

The Grissom JROTC Drill Team competed at Hazel Green High School on February 21st earning 2nd Place in Unarmed Regulation Drill.

After a 7-8 year program hiatus with a Drill Team, this marks only the team's second competition of the school year, making their accomplishment even more significant. The Team was led by Crystal Chambers (Team Commander) and Azul Saavedra (Co-Commander). Additionally, Bryan Battle earned 2nd Place in Drill Knockout, a highly competitive event that demands exceptional attention to detail and precision drill movements. Congratulations to the Drill Team for reestablishing a proud tradition of excellence.

CyberPatriot - Excellence in Cyber Defense

Grissom JROTC's CyberPatriot CharlieTeam demonstrated technical skill and teamwork by placing 3rd in the CP-18 Silver Tier during the State Round All-Service Division. Team members are Jacob Cox, Jaylen Dillard, ALexander Sparks and Anthony Elias. Their performance reflects the growing strength of our STEM-focused initiatives within JROTC.

We are incredibly proud of the cadet's accomplishments and look forward to even greater success in the months ahead.

LTC Carlton Schantz, reception of the Valor of Legion. The highest award given in JROTC programs across the nation. He's the only JROTC cadet to receive this honor from the state of Alabama.

Have any of these logos played a role in your career story? If you recognize a brand among the hundreds shown here, you’re looking at a proud HCS Work-Based Learning employer!

Nearly 200 local businesses currently employ and mentor our WBL students; while two-thirds of these roles are in the food service and retail sectors, a third of our participants are already gaining experience in professional environments. Huntsville Hospital alone has employed 25 seniors across a dozen departments over the last three years. Our program also continues to expand into specialized trades, with two students in registered apprenticeships at Huntsville Utilities and another training as a diesel mechanic with Southland Transportation.

It has been a busy and exciting year for the HCT Greenpower teams. All 3 teams are ranked nationally, currently sitting at #7, #8, and #13. Students are working in the classroom to prepare for SolidWorks CSWA certification and working equally as hard in the workshop to maintenance and improve the race vehicles for each competition.

Below is a list of events that the team has participated in so far.

STEDTRAIN Grant – August 23, 2025

National Space Club Presentation – September 16, 2025

Optimist Club Grant acceptance – December 12, 2025

Greenpower Racing Events

-Choccolocco Park, Oxford, Alabama – Nov 7, 2025

-Choccolocco Park, Oxford, Alabama – January 16, 2026

-Wetumpka, Alabama – February 7, 2026

Greenpower Racing Events

-Toyota Classic, Huntsville, Alabama – 4/3/2026

-National Championship – Talladega Superspeedway 5/14-5/16

Skills USA Competition

-State Conference – 4/20-4/22

*Students will compete at State Conference in Additive Manufacturing and are considering competing in Technical Drafting and Engineering Design Technology as well.

Congratulations to our two welding instructors on an amazing competition today! They hosted the inaugural Beginner Welding Competition at the Huntsville Center for Technology! We had many students from multiple high schools across North Alabama showcase their skills and passion for welding. Prizes were awarded for 1st through 10th place.

Two students from the HCT Welding program walked away with a prize. Congratulations to our student who placed 8th and our student who came in 1st! Our students are amazing!!

This day would not have been possible without our many guest judges, helpers, and students. Thank you to everyone who helped!

988- Suicide and Crisis Hotline

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 24/7 call, text and chat access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing suicidal, substance use, and/or mental health crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress. People can also dial 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.

Our hallways were buzzing with a different kind of energy this week as Chapman Middle School hosted its annual Career Fair. It wasn’t just a break from the classroom; it was a front-row seat to the future. Our students stepped up, asked the tough questions, and got a hands-on look at the diverse paths waiting for them after graduation.

Exploring Every Path

The gym and courtyard were packed with representatives from across the professional spectrum. Students had the chance to network with:

• Industry Professionals: From engineers to healthcare providers, local experts shared what a "day in the life" actually looks like.

• Educational Institutions: Representatives from colleges and universities helped students visualize their academic journeys.

• Training & Resources: Specialized programs showed our students that there are many ways to find success, including technical certifications and apprenticeships.

Innovation on Wheels

The highlight for many was the interactive vehicle display. It’s one thing to hear about a job, but it’s another thing entirely to climb into the driver’s seat. The showcase included:

• Professional Aid Vehicles: Equipment that helps our local heroes and technicians get the job done every day.

• Mobile Classrooms: High-tech labs on wheels that brought the latest educational tools directly to our doorstep.

• Homegrown Excellence: Students got an up-close look at vehicles actually manufactured right here in our city, sparking a sense of local pride and showing the power of local industry.

"Seeing the tech inside the mobile classroom made me realize that 'work' can look a lot like playing with the tools I already love." — 8th Grade Student

Why It Matters

Career Fairs are about more than just picking a job; they are about expanding horizons. By connecting our students with the people and tools that drive our economy, we help them see the relevance of their current studies and ignite passions they didn’t know they had.

A huge thank you to all the vendors, parents, and community partners who took the time to invest in our students. You didn’t just show them careers; you showed them possibilities.

HUNTSVILLE – The halls of New Century Technology High School (NCTHS) were buzzing with more than just conversation this week as students traded traditional textbooks for drone controllers and wildlife encounters during the school's highly anticipated STEM Day.

The event, designed to bridge the gap between classroom theory and professional practice, offered a multi-sensory deep dive into the worlds of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Industry Experts Offer "Real-World" Wisdom

The day kicked off with a high-energy panel discussion featuring a diverse lineup of industry veterans. These experts peeled back the curtain on modern innovation, sharing personal stories of their career trajectories and offering candid advice to the next generation of engineers and scientists.

"Hearing directly from people doing the work makes these careers feel achievable, not just theoretical," noted one student attendee.

Drones and Biodiversity: Hands-On Learning

Innovation took to the skies—and the soil—with two of the event’s most popular exhibits:

• Aerial Technology: Students participated in live drone demonstrations, navigating the mechanics of flight and discussing the practical applications of UAVs in fields ranging from logistics to emergency response.

• Environmental Science: Shifting focus from the sky to the local ecosystem, a native wildlife exhibit allowed students to interact with regional species. The display underscored the importance of conservation and the growing role of technology in environmental protection.

Mapping the Future

The event culminated in a massive Career and Technical Education (CTE) Fair. Representatives from across the school district showcased a variety of specialized pathways, ensuring that every student—regardless of their specific niche—could find a trajectory that matched their ambitions.

From high-tech manufacturing to environmental engineering, the fair served as a roadmap for students looking to turn their academic interests into a professional reality.

As graduation approaches, the question "What’s next?" looms large for many high school seniors. At Lee High School, an innovative collaboration is ensuring our students don't just have an answer—they have a roadmap.

Careers to the Classroom, a joint initiative launched by Career Coach Cary Watkins and 12th-grade ELA teacher Mrs. Kenyatta Griffin, is transforming the traditional senior English experience into a launchpad for professional success.

From Textbooks to Teamwork

By opening her classroom doors to local industry leaders, Mrs. Griffin is providing her students with a rare "front-row seat" to the professional world. This isn't just a lecture series; it’s a strategic bridge between academic requirements and real-world application.

During these sessions, students dive deep into:

• Career Pathways: Discovering roles they didn't know existed within major local industries.

• The Hiring Process: Gaining insider tips on applications, interviews, and what HR managers are actually looking for.

• Financial Reality: Having honest conversations about starting salaries and long-term earning potential.

A Spring of Opportunity

This semester has been particularly high-energy. Our seniors have already hosted representatives from powerhouses across the Tennessee Valley, including:

• Turner Construction Company

• Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTM)

• Huntsville Fire and Rescue

• Oral Arts Dental Lab

• The North Alabama Homebuilding Academy

The momentum doesn't stop there. We are thrilled to welcome upcoming visits from Buffalo Rock Pepsi, Wiregrass Construction Company, and Hatch HSV in the coming weeks.

Networking: The Ultimate Graduation Gift

Perhaps the most impactful element of the series is the direct connection students make with hiring leaders. In several instances, these visits have evolved from simple Q&A sessions into genuine networking opportunities. Our seniors are graduating not just with a diploma, but with a professional network and the confidence to navigate the workforce as young professionals

Email: zachary.mcwhorter@hsv-k12.org

Website: hcs.org/district/career-technical-education

Location: 2603 North Memorial Parkway, Huntsville, AL, 35810