The Career and Technical Education Program (CTE) at Hopkins High School is giving students a head start in exploring their future career possibilities. By offering hands-on experiences and industry relevant curriculum, the program helps students identify where their interests and abilities intersect with a potential career path.
The program is paving the way for the next generation of skilled professionals, while preparing students for the future with the skills they need to succeed whether they go on to college, trade school, or directly into the workforce.
“Our goal is to provide students with opportunities to explore postsecondary options while they are still in high school,” said Kara LeVahn, CTE Coordinator.
Real-world application and hands-on experience
The CTE program offers four distinct pathways: technology education, health sciences, business, and family and consumer sciences (FCS). Each pathway is supported by an advisory board of community and industry partners who ensure the curriculum is aligned to the needs of today’s workforce. Beyond serving on the advisory board, industry professionals are active participants in the classroom, offering students the chance to engage in an environment similar to what they will experience in the workforce. In Jesse Theirl’s business class, students have worked with professionals from General Mills, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Caribou Coffee, and many others. They have had the opportunity to present marketing and business plans directly to industry leaders.
Meredith Burke, a 2023 Hopkins graduate, said she gained valuable skills from the business classes she took in high school. She developed teamwork and collaboration expertise, built confidence in speaking with and presenting to professionals, learned about networking and problem-solving, and mastered time management.
“I think we always try to have an application to work outside of school — that lens — so people get that we are not just doing this to get a grade,” Theirl said.
The practical approach extends beyond business courses. Technical Education teacher Matt Sabin wants his courses to bring academic concepts to life through hands-on projects. For example, in his small engines class, students study the atomic structure of copper to understand how it generates the electrical flow needed for engine operation.
“We take everything taught in the rest of the building and apply it to the real-world,” Sabin said. “Students see how all the pieces of their education come together.”
Health sciences and FCS also offer immersive experiences. The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program has a state-of-the-art lab at the high school designed to simulate a hospital setting. Students receive classroom and clinical training, and have the opportunity to earn a CNA certification by the end of the course. Medical professionals regularly visit the class to introduce them to different roles and career opportunities within the field.
In the FCS program, students showcase their creativity and technical skills through competitions that challenge their mastery of flavor, presentation, and technique. Cupcake Wars puts their baking talents to the test as they experiment with unique flavor combinations and decorative designs before receiving feedback from a panel of judges. The Burger Challenge pushes them to craft custom gourmet burgers tailored to specific tastes, refining their ability to balance ingredients, textures, and presentation — essential skills for any aspiring chef. For students looking to deepen their skills and interests, each CTE pathway offers an extracurricular club where they can gain additional experience.
Challenges in facilities and transportation
Like many high schools, the learning spaces at Hopkins High School were not designed for career-focused education. The technology education and culinary areas, last remodeled over two decades ago, face challenges with outdated facilities.
The technology education space — the wood shop in particular — was remodeled 27 years ago for modular education, but more specialized spaces are needed now. When students are working on projects, Sabin needs to fit 20 students in a space that is meant for nearly half that number.
Sabin noted that while manufacturing is a growing industry in the community, the learning spaces lack the capacity needed to be as effective as he would like.
“The current spaces are small and inefficient,” Sabin said. “I’ll make it work, but it’s confined and frustrating for the kids.”
Another challenge that the program is facing is transportation. Many students could have the opportunity to access job shadows and apprenticeships but the sites are 15 or 20 minutes away from Hopkins High School.
“Students can't afford to give up [two classes] of their day,” LeVahn said. To solve the problem, she is looking into alternative transportation and solutions as a way to bridge the gap so students can fully benefit from the opportunities.
Regardless of the challenges, LeVahn and CTE staff are all-in and dedicated to providing robust learning experiences that will continue to evolve to meet current and future employment needs.