The Carl Keen Career Technical Education ambassadors for the 2019-20 school year were inducted during a special ceremony Thursday afternoon.
The CTE program is part of the Clarksdale Municipal School District and focuses on preparing students for the workforce.
Mr. CTE Justin Williams, Ms. CTE Tatiana Addison, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America state officer Kalyn Jordan, Talandria Jackson of the Superintendent’s Advisory Council, National Technical Honor Society state officer Marquez Twilley, Marshadyran Pillips, Takyrie Harris, Rondazsha Murphy, Marchellos Scott, Patrice Houston, Amiyah Drummer, Kayla Hawkins and Jamarius Duncan are the ambassadors.
“The mission of Carl Keen CTE is to prepare students for today’s global workforce by providing real-life work experiences, career certifications, and innovative technology in a student-centered learning environment,” Williams said.
Jordan read the vision.
“The vision of Carl Keen CTE is to develop students who are highly skilled and career ready,” she said.
Addison read the goals to the program, which are to increase student achievement on career and technical attainment exams by 25 percent and meet technical attainment indicator, increase graduation rate of CTE completers to reach a target performance of 93.5 percent, increase the number of students who score at the silver level of above on the ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Exam by 10 percent, increase the number of CTE students enrolled in dual credit and dual enrollment post secondary classes by 10 percent and increase the number of CTE students participating in field experiences/work based learning experiences by 10 percent.
Shirlaurence Fair, director of Carl Keen career and technical education, said the ceremony Thursday kicked off CTE month.
“So why are we here today?” she said. “Our main purpose is to promote career and technical education. This is our kick start for our CTE month, which is in the month of February. These individual students have been selected from their peers, recommended by their children’s school leaders to represent their program.”
Coahoma County Junior/Senior High School is also participating in the program for the first time thanks to principal Cortney Jackson.
“I want to acknowledge Ms. Jackson,” Fair said. “This year, we are servicing Clarksdale Municipal School District and Coahoma County School District and Ms. Jackson serves as the principal of Coahoma County Junior Senior High School.
“This is one way Clarksdale and Coahoma County are working together to prepare students for today’s global world.”
Fair said CTE has culinary arts, teacher academies, sports medicine, health sciences and stimulation and animation design programs. Each program has a student organization and honor society.
Murphy, representing Educator RISE, read its mission.
“Educator RISE’s mission is to cultivate highly skilled educators guiding young people on the path to become teachers,” she said, adding that extends through college into the profession.
Talandria Jackson represented FCCLA.
“Our mission is to promote personal growth and leadership development through family and consumer science education,” she said.
Houston represented Health Occupation Students of America.
“The mission of HOSA is the delivery of compassionate quality healthcare by providing the opportunity to have knowledge, skill and leadership of all health science education students,” she said.
Harris, who was selected as a state officer for the next school year, represented NTHS.
“NTHS’ mission is to honor achievements and leadership in career and technical education, promote educational excellence, award scholarships and enhance career opportunities for the National Technical Honor membership,” she said.
Duncan represented Technology Student Association.
“The Technology Student Association, for short TSA, enhances personal development, leadership and career opportunities of science, technology, engineering and math,” he said.
Fair concluded expressing thanks to everyone who supports the CTE program.
“It also takes your support in allowing students to travel and compete,” she said. “Them competing in these student organizations enhances their leadership skills and also gives them opportunities for scholarship money.”
