Career focused education in schools

SANDPOINT — Career technical education programs are available at Lake Pend Oreille School District as a way for students to jump start their careers.

Alex Gray, an educator at Sandpoint High School and CTE coordinator at LPOSD spoke at last Tuesday board of trustees meeting. He said that CTE classes are a series of classes in an occupational area with courses that build upon each other resulting in a capstone experience.

“This provides students with a jumpstart on their careers,” said Gray. “LPOSD has 13 CTE programs at their three high schools.”

Sandpoint High School has nine programs: business technology, culinary arts, health professions, information systems technology, 3D design, journalism and multimedia program, natural resources management and a welding program that is also an introduction to the trades, said Gray.

Clark Fork High School CTE programs include computer science, trade skills and industry, welding, auto shop, graphic design and principles of engineering.

Lake Pend Oreille High School has a culinary arts, and a graphic design program. Rand Rosecrans, the culinary arts teacher has even expanded the class to include a garden to teach students where food comes from.

“These students also have nationwide student leadership opportunities,” said Gray. “The welding program at SHS belongs to the Business Professional of America. Health students belong to the Health Occupation Students Association of America.”

All programs provide work experience, said Gray. He pointed to a member of the audience who was a recent graduate at SHS who was heavily involved SHS’s Information Systems Technology program.

He had several industry certifications before he graduated, said Gray. He is now employed as a full time IT technician with the school district. He participated while he was in high school, unpaid and paid internships through east Bonner county and SHS, said Gray.