Career and Technical Education program helps students identify passions, possible career paths

During the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Career Pathway Showcase, more than a dozen South Granville high School students shared various electives that middle school students could choose from as they head into high school, from visual arts to chorus to anatomy to business management and more.

“We know that kids learn best from their peers,” said Angie Salisbury, the director of CTE and college readiness for the district.

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Walking through the room, many tables offered explanation and hands-on experiences, like games.

“This will give them the chance to go out to every class, see what they offer for them,” CTE teacher Janice Perry said. “We want to make sure they choose the right thing that suits them.”

Ultimately, Salisbury said the goal is that by the end of their 12 years of education, these students have a better idea of their passions and possible careers.

“Many people know it as ‘vocational education,' because that’s what they had in high school. It’s the same thing with today’s kind-of jobs,” she explained.

Agriculture CTE teacher, Gretchen Chaplin, said she went to college initially planning to be a veterinarian and later found that career was not the best fit. That’s part of the reason why she said she sees the value in CTE programming.

“I think it’s super important for kids to be able to see what opportunities are out there in the real world, outside of their core classes,” she said.