Each year, February is Career and Technical Education Month when we celebrate the many positive impacts of our work with students and community. This year's celebration is out-of-the-ordinary because of pandemic limitations, but we are no less excited to spread the great news about the Career-Tech Center and its amazing programs and student outcomes. You'll read more about it in the articles below.

An important part of this month is that we are bringing together 2,000 tenth grade students to virtually visit our CTC programs and begin enrollment for the 2021-22 school year. Normally these visits would be in-person, but this year we are innovating and adapting for the sake of social distancing requirements. I send a huge "thank you" to CTC counselors Mrs. Olds and Mr. Bialik for their efforts to make the virtual visits available to students. The counselors and CTC staff are excited to showcase all the Career-Tech programs via Google Meets. It is our sincere hope that this year's tenth graders will be inspired to join CTC, and that next year our center will be filled to capacity and bursting with in-person education and activity!

The life of a high school student can be challenging even in the best of situations. Add in a pandemic and remote schooling, and what was once "challenging," can become overwhelming for some young people. CTC staff is aware that some students are having a really difficult time navigating remote classes and homework while also dealing with social isolation, technical difficulties, family stress, and more.

Most importantly, CTC staff wants students and families to know that they are not alone and that there is help for anyone dealing with academic, emotional, family, financial, and relationship issues. Students are strongly encouraged to seek support in a way that is most comfortable. Here are just some of the people who care and want to help - just visit, call, or email them and they will give you a hand:

CTC staff has learned during the last several months that some students who already struggle with anxiety, depression and other emotional difficulties are having an even more challenging time because of the many impacts of the pandemic, including feelings of isolation. One thing that doesn't seem to change whether there's a pandemic or not is that young people find it very difficult to talk to others about their struggles and/or ask for help. Students often feel pressured to be successful and expected to feel carefree no matter what. But CTC wants students, families and staff to know that there are resources to help and many ears to listen and care.

Recently, one student bravely reached out to her instructor for help. It certainly was not easy for her to share, but her worries seemed to pour out during a self-evaluation assignment. As she explained herself, she went beyond excuses for late assignments or missing classes. The feelings she shared were likely painful for her to keep hidden and bottled up. And most likely, they are feelings that many students can relate to. For privacy, we are withholding the student's name, but we thank her for sharing to potentially help others who are going through challenges too:

About remote classes: "I feel like I'm all over the place... at first my internet wasn't working, but even when it improved, my anxiety stopped me from joining the remote classes. I see others join, but I get too scared to click join. I know it's a poor choice."

About missing due dates: "Homework takes me a long time these days. Sometimes I work for hours but don't really get much done and then I feel frustrated, and then I feel guilty for turning in work late. I care about doing the right thing and doing good work, but I stare at all the classwork piling up and I just can't get in the right headspace and get back on track.

About communicating with teachers: "It's hard to admit, but I have a really hard time reaching out to anyone -- teachers, parents, friends. I feel like I haven't really talked to anyone since we closed down again. I get super shy and overthink things and then I worry that I'll be under attack for not talking or making mistakes. Even though part of growing up is learning from my mistakes,

About being dependable/responsible: "I think I used to be dependable about schoolwork and other stuff, but I'm not sure that I am at the current moment. I think I can be if I really try though. When I get comments from my teachers on my work, I feel encouraged to do better and happy and I want to respond, but I just don't know what to say. I feel so awkward online."

Other worries: "I have a lot going on and I don't really tell anyone. I feel depressed and that makes me feel lazy. It seems like I just sit in my room and think and worry. I worry about school. I worry about a good friend who attempted suicide. I worry about my own health. I wish I had more confidence. I know I can do better with my schoolwork, but right now I'm in my own world

Allied Health Instructor Gwen Tafelsky challenged her students to identify a street sign that takes on new meaning as they navigate challenges. They created a variety of inspirational images and messages to remind themselves and others to watch for signs that can direct them in their school work and lives outside of school. The students' work illustrated great wisdom and resourcefulness!

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My favorite parts are the big projects and seeing what each student can do.

It's pretty cool to see what ideas they came up with.

I'm really proud of my web design work. I really enjoyed designing and coding web pages.

I plan on going to Michigan Tech to get my bachelor's degree in electrical engineering.

The hardest part for me is not being able to talk to my peers in-person about problems with coding. I like to work with classmates to brainstorm solutions.

For me, remote school is nice because there are fewer distractions while working on projects.

I make a list of all the assignments I need to get done and the dates they are due

so I know what my top priority should be.

Take breaks from school work occasionally and only work on one thing at a time.

Students pictured above left: Brad Earnest, right: Cameron Lane

Students in the Construction Trades program in collaboration with students from the Culinary Arts and Power Equipment programs are constructing small buildings that can be used outdoors to shelter small, safe groups for dining or similar uses. The 8-foot by 8-foot structures are student-built using a wood foundation, solid stud framing, structural sheeting end walls, and heavy-duty boat wrap sides and roof that allow ambient light. At one end is a full-size windowed/screened door for easy access and visibility. They are a comfortable 8-foot high so that most guests can fully stand up and they easily fit a table and chairs to seat four people. Because of the minimal building materials needed for each structure, the cost is affordably set at $500 for each one.

The students and staff are proud of their craftsmanship and creativity, as they merge hands-on education with supporting the needs of local businesses! Anyone interested in a student-built structure can email Tom Sensabaugh at tsensabaugh@tbaisd.org.

The CTC Agriscience & Natural Resources program launched the Square Foot Gardening Challenge in October for a hands-on student experience and fun competition. Instructors Brian Matchett and Gabby Waterman gave each student a 12-inch by 15-inch plastic tote with drainage holes, soil and access to a large variety of seeds. The challenge was for students to plant and harvest the heaviest weight of usable food out of the tote. They used their knowledge and judgement to decide how much and how often to water, whether to fertilize, how to manage the plants, and when to harvest. Some students chose to plant radishes, which can be harvested in just 30 days; and others chose more difficult plants to grow like watermelons or squash. It taught them about the care required of each plant and the timing of harvest.

Career-Tech Center is still operating in hybrid mode at this time according to the TBAISD COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan. Here is the full CTC Hybrid School Schedule.

We want to maintain a productive learning environment for students while we also mitigate the spread of COVID-19. CTC is deep-cleaned and sanitized each Wednesday and at the end-of-day Friday. Students and families will continue receiving updates through School Messenger.

Contact MTA Instructor Tim Wheatley at twheatley@tbaisd.org with questions about the information sessions.

Contact Ashley Darga at adarga@tbaisd.org with questions.

The National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) admitted 30 new members in fall 2020 and will be accepting applications for membership again this winter. Interested students should request an eligibility form from their CTC program instructors which will be available starting February 1. The completed eligibility form can be submitted to Student Services and then students may complete an NTHS application. The deadline for application submissions is February 12, 2021.

CTC is proud to announce 2021 Scholarships for CTC seniors. These scholarships are guaranteed to CTC seniors who:

The Tools of the Trade Scholarship was created for students who want to go directly into the workforce or attend a trade school after their senior year. Scholarship winners use the money to buy tools they need to be successful in their chosen field. 

The Academic Scholarship was created for students who want to go to a 2 or 4 year college or university. Scholarship winners have their scholarship money transferred to their college/university account. 

There are many additional scholarships available to CTC seniors. Interested students should check the Scholarship page on the Career-Tech Center website beginning in mid-February. There will be a listing of all the scholarships and the corresponding application due dates. 

Call Joe Parent at CTC for details at (231) 922-7826, check out this brochure, and watch the video.