WHS Celebrates Career & Technical Education
During the month of February, Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs are recognized throughout the state. At Wabaunsee High School, students have a variety of opportunities to take courses within the established CTE pathways. These pathways include Media Design & Communications, Construction & Design, Business Education, Agriculture Science, Power & Energy, and Family & Consumer Sciences. Each pathway includes an introductory class followed by more advanced courses. Wabaunsee is able to offer students six Career Fields, six Career Clusters, and seven Pathways of Study through CTE courses. Students at Wabaunsee are required to take at least four CTE classes throughout high school for graduation requirements. Funding is provided by the state for the advanced CTE courses by the state. CTE introductory courses can also be offered to eighth-graders. At this time, only one introductory course can be offered to eighth-graders due to the distance between schools for travel.
CTE has been at Wabaunsee since the 1986 school year. Organizations at Wabaunsee are provided with the skills learned in CTE courses to a higher and more competitive level. These include FBLA, FFA, FCCLA, and SkillsUSA. Current CTE teachers include Emily Pickering (FCS), Cheryl Lewis (Media Design & Communications), Danny Davis (Ag, Power & Energy), Jeron Weisshaar (Business), Brianna Guinn (Art), Cameron Hughes (Construction & Design), and Amy Cassell (Media Design & Communications, Construction & Design).
The CTE programs at Wabaunsee are working to promote CTE and educate the public about the benefits of students taking CTE courses throughout high school. A focus of CTE is to make students college and career ready and to prepare students for high-demand career fields. CTE courses give students a basis for interest in careers and hands-on resources to enter the workforce or attend a technical college or four-year university after high school. If a student takes certain CTE classes, then college credit can be earned upon entering higher education.