By Kay S. Pedrotti During Career Technical Education month students at Lamar County College and Career Academy have provided examples to the public to illustrate what they do in CTE classes and how CTE is beneficial to their futures, said CTE director Sheila Wilson. The pinnacle of the careerrelated education experience, Wilson noted, is the Work-Based Learning program. Seniors and juniors are placed in jobs related to their fields of study after having defined a career pathway from among the offerings in the program. Opportunities for participation in work-based learning include employability skill development, cooperative education, internship, youth apprenticeship and clinical experiences. Donna Andrews is the WBL program director. ’Thanks to the generosity of six donors,’ Wilson said, ‘LCCCA purchased 32 dinner place settings, flatware, glassware, placemats and napkins. Mrs. Andrews met with each senior current issues class to discuss the importance of table manners and provided a hands-on activity involving setting a proper table and using appropriate manners to be ready to impress potential employers.’ Donors included United Bank, Mildred Merchant, Linda Olivier, Aaron Brown, Margaret Thompson, Lamar Arts and the Lamar County Democratic Party. Health Science Careers This cluster contains courses on planning, managing and providing therapeutic services, diagnostic services, health informatics, support services and biotechnology research and development. Students may choose the allied health and medicine pathway or patient care (Certified Nurses Aide) pathway; both include introduction to healthcare science and essentials of healthcare. The allied health and medicine course is in the first pathway above while the CNA offers patient care fundamentals in dual enrollment with Southern Crescent Technical College. The student organization for health sciences is Health Occupations Students of America, which seeks to promote health care jobs and enhance the quality of health care for all people. Education & training In addition to education and training courses, this unit provides related learning support services including administration, administrative support and professional support services. In the teaching as a profession pathway are classes on examining the teaching profession, contemporary issues in education and the teaching as a profession practicum (student teaching in an actual classroom). The student organization is the Future Educators Association which fosters recruitment and development of educators worldwide and seeks to elevate the image of teaching. Business management and administration This cluster incorporates classes leading to careers in planning, organizing, directing and evaluating business functions essential to efficient and productive operations. Classes in the business and technology pathway include introduction to business and technology and business communications. Its student organization is Future Business Leaders of America, giving students a competitive edge through career exploration, self-improvement and community service opportunities. Benefits include relating skills and lessons learned to real-world situations and practical experience in goal-setting, planning and plan implementation. Architecture and construction Here students learn to design, plan, manage, build and maintain the ‘built environment.’ They first master safety skills then are introduced to building codes; skills for laying rafters, stairs and walls and framing doors and windows. Pathways are carpentry, in which are taught industry fundamentals and occupational safety, introduction to construction and carpentry I. In the electrical pathway are also the safety and introductory construction classes and electrical I. Government & public administration The pathway here is U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, a primary leadership instruction program for 21st century responsibilities. Students learn about government functions at all levels: governance, national security, foreign service, planning, revenue and taxation and regulations. Among future benefits are learning to maximize potential for success, civic literacy, relating events in U.S. history to choices and responsibilities Americans have today and characterizing the role of the military and other national service organizations in building a democracy and maintaining peace in a democratic society. For information on any of the CTE programs, contact the Lamar County High School and LCCCA at 770-358-8641.
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