February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month® and is a time to celebrate the value of CTE and the achievements and accomplishments of our CTE programs in Elmore County. These programs give students technical skills, academic skills, and employability skills. Regardless of whether students plan to go to college or enter the workforce, CTE programs help prepare them for the future. Continued growth in our career and technical programs at the Elmore County Technical Center has led to the construction of a new 45,000 square foot facility that will allow us to bring all of our programs back onto one campus and expand program offerings. Thirteen programs are currently offered on the ECTC campus: Automotive Service Technology, Aviation Technology, Computer Technology, Construction Technology, Electrical Technology, Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC),
River Region Parents I February 2022
Hospitality & Tourism, Medical Sciences, Plumbing & Pipefitting, Pre-Engineering & Design, Public Safety & Law, Teaching & Training, and Welding Technology. Students and staff in the Aviation Technology, Construction Technology, Electrical Technology, HVAC, Medical Sciences, Plumbing & Pipefitting, Public Safety & Law, and Welding Technology programs are excited to “move in” this month, and renovation of the existing facilities will begin in the near future. Workforce data impacts the programs we offer and student demand for those programs. The Teaching & Training program opened this school year and will provide students with knowledge and skills needed for teaching and professional training consultant careers. Students will culminate this two-year program with an internship and the Praxis Core Academic Skills Test. In addition, due to the high demand for medical professionals, two Medical Sciences instructors are needed to meet the requests for enrollment in this program. Dual enrollment in technical (manufacturing technology and welding) and academic areas (general psychology, U.S. History 10th grade and 11th grade, Ameri-
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can Government, Economics, and English 101 and 102) are also offered on the ECTC campus. Each of our four high schools also offer some or all the following CTE programs: Agriconstruction; Food, Wellness, & Dietetics; Business Management and Administration; Marketing, Sales & Service; Restaurant and Food and Beverage Services; Finance; Advertising Design; General Agriscience; and Sports Medicine. Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp (JROTC) is offered onsite at Stanhope Elmore High and Wetumpka High. Elmore County High and Holtville High students have the option to participate in JROTC at Wetumpka High. Career and technical education benefits students in many ways, and we encourage our students to participate whenever possible. Elmore County Schools constantly strives to provide the best possible environment where every student is empowered and succeeds! Richard Dennis is the Superintendent of Education for Elmore County Schools. He is a 1983 graduate of Holtville High School. He served 21 years as a high school principal at Holtville High, Wetumpka High and most recently, Prattville High. He and wife, Leslie (also an educator) have three sons and a daughter.
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