Increasing learning opportunities From the cover
Diving deeper
The big picture
Prior to the expansion, TECC-West was the only center with a welding program, and Adrian Moreno, director of TECC-East, said administra- tors were turning away almost as many students as they were accepting due to lack of space. In addition to needing more space for the welding program, Moreno said district staff saw a high need for a dental assistant program—which is a third-level course under the Health Sciences umbrella—and, in talking to industry partners, saw a need for an off-road diesel equipment program. “They’re working on diesel-powered tractors and that type of equipment, which is great because it’s another area in which we can get some kids an opportunity for employment as soon as they graduate,” Moreno said. Charlie Page, who teaches welding at TECC-East, is a graduate of LISD’s TECC-West campus.
LISD has two career centers: Technology, Exploration and Career Center East; and TECC-West. Students can also take CTE courses at LISD’s ve main high school campuses. District o cials said increased enrollment factored into the decision to add more space to the east campus. “We’ve seen a big trend in an increased enrollment, and that’s in large part due to our credible educators that really prepare students for those real-world situations,” Petrunin said. The TECC-East expansion cost $16 million and was funded through 2017 bond funds, which were approved by 63% of voters. The 18,000-square-foot expansion added four classrooms.
Juan Uvalle gives a welding demonstration at the TECC- East expansion ribbon-cutting Aug. 28.
MARY KATHERINE SHAPIRO/COMMUNITY IMPACT
“It’s really cool to be on the other side of it and teach them how to weld and help them get to that next step where they can start their career,” Page said.
Lewisville ISD CTE enrollment
Percentage of overall student population
The impact
12K
11,296
11,007
11K
Exposing students to fields of study they may be unfamiliar with allows them to consider more possibilities for careers, Moreno said. Sam Pack’s Five Star Ford Lewisville partners with TECC-East’s automotive department, hiring students while they are still in school. “We are truly passionate about serving students who are the future of the automobile industry,” said Sue Bowman, Sam Pack’s Five Star Ford Lewisville community engagement director.
LISD’s CTE programs offer multiple pathways for students. Some programs help students get the certification and qualifications necessary to enter the workforce, while others allow students to gain some hands-on experience in a field they intend to study in college. “If they think they want to be in culinary [careers], we need them to touch raw chicken,” Petrunin said. “If they think they’re going to be in health science, they should probably see blood. Those are things we want to prepare them for so that they have the best success in the future.”
10,545
23.4%
10K
22.5%
9K
21.5%
8K
0
2021-22
2022-23 2023-24 School year
SOURCE: LEWISVILLE ISD COMMUNITY IMPACT
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