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Gulfport’s Take on Career Academies Blends Traditional Academics With Practical Learning Carl Smith
V
eteran Gulfport High School (GHS) math teacher Scott Wedgeworth’s teaching
mantra is simple: “I’m a ‘Here’s the example of when this really happens’ teacher.” That mantra is why it’s not uncommon for an engine from the local shop to be used as a teaching tool in his class.
Wedgeworth, who teaches within the school’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) academic institute, said using physical implements like engines allows students to better grasp — literally and figuratively — mathematical concepts in a way that provides real insight into what they’re learning. “I’ll point at it and say to my students, ‘Do you see this? This is what a cylinder looks like. Guess what? In calculus, we can find the volume of that cylinder. Now, let’s go learn that formula,’” he said. “It’s not that every student will become a professional automotive technician, but it’s … training the way the brain functions, getting them to think more critically School Focus
Two Gulfport High School (GHS) culinary arts students pose with California roll the class made for an event. Culinary arts is part of the communication, arts and business (CAB) academic institute at GHS, and academic institutes are the school’s take on the career academy model that blends traditional academic classes with career and technical education (CTE) elements. and applying those things to real-
and career by blending traditional
world examples. Those examples are
academics — basic math or English
what I love to do.”
classes, for example — with career and
Many schools across Mississippi are
technical education (CTE) elements.
utilizing the career academy model
Academic institutes, Gulfport’s take
to create tailored instruction that
on the career academy model, delivers
prepares students for both college
classes and instruction aligned to
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Spring 2022
