Natalia Castillo: Following path to career in healthcare

McClure Health Science HS’ Natalia Castillo has already started down the pathway to the future she wants in emergency medicine… a pathway “paved” with professional certifications and hands-on work opportunities. The McClure senior says she was drawn to the healthcare sciences because she’s fascinated with saving lives, and has found that pursuing a CTE Pathway at McClure offers her so many options. The theme school, located in the Meadowcreek Cluster, opened in 2019 to prepare students interested in diverse career goals across a range of healthcare fields… from doctor, forensic scientist, and nurse practitioner to phlebotomist, medical interpreter, and medical receptionist.

In the classroom, McClure students are introduced to broad aspects of healthcare, including privacy laws, medical terminology, and the structure and function of the human body, as well as the targeted knowledge and skills needed for hands-on patient care or work in the front office of a medical facility. State-of-the art equipment and technology, simulation labs, a seminar series with visiting healthcare professionals, shadowing opportunities, and internships allow students to develop and become proficient in skills. Teacher Sonya Southerland says students can graduate high school with one or more nationally recognized certifications. She says, “The health science program at McClure Health Science High School allows students to obtain this education at no cost and prepare them for a career in healthcare.”

During high school, Natalia has interned with the county health department and earned certification as a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant. This fall, she’s completing her second pathway as a Patient Care Technician and working with OcuPrep Staffing and Training Solutions, a company that specializes in placement for trained professionals in eye care and audiology (hearing), and working toward credentials as a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant. Natalia says that her work experiences and certifications will give her advantages over other job applicants and help her build a professional network as well.

OcuPrep President and CEO John Marsh sees his firm’s partnership with the school and students like Natalia as a win-win for everyone… whether young people are pursuing training and certification they will need for success in a healthcare field or adults are retooling their skillset to find work in a post-COVID-19 economy.

Trase Lee: Harnessing the power of an entrepreneurial mindset

Senior Trase Lee’s business was already getting off the ground when he entered the Entrepreneurship Program at South Gwinnett HS. Established in 2018, Tray Productions Photography focuses on capturing special moments for his target audience—students, families, and friends. But why take an entrepreneurship class when he already had launched a business? Trase says, “I wanted to learn the many aspects of business and apply what I’ve learned to my company.”

From networking to finances, the class has helped this young entrepreneur build his skillset and master his craft. “This class taught me the power of having an entrepreneurial mindset, a skill that allows me to identify and make the most out of every opportunity presented to me,” he says.

Franchesca Thompson, South Gwinnett’s Entrepreneurship teacher, says the yearlong program is designed to help students understand the risks and benefits of owning a business. “The program bridges the gap between textbook learning and practical application, empowering students to innovate by turning their passion into profit,” she says. Partnerships—like a “Shark Tank” experience with the City of Snellville and the opportunity-focused Youth Entrepreneurs—give students a chance innovate creative businesses to solve a problem, test their ideas, and pursue funding to make their dreams happen.

Ms. Thompson says learning experiences in real-world scenarios prepare students to approach opportunities with an entrepreneurial mindset. “Students are prepared to work for themselves or work for others with the aptitude to be innovative.”

As for Trase, he’s keeping an eye out for options that will allow him to grow and be successful. He says his future includes photography but he also hopes to attend the MOPAR Career Automotive Program at Gwinnett Technical College to become an automotive technician. It’s all about making the most of opportunities presented.

Sophia Nguyen: Classroom + experience = a future in architecture

For Sophia Nguyen, a senior at Brookwood HS and a student in the Architectural Drawing and Design Program at Maxwell HS of Technology, a hands-on work opportunity helped her give back to her home school. As an intern with Lindsay Pope Brayfield & Assocs., Inc. (LPB), Sophia worked on a design project for an expansion project at Brookwood and she’s now working on a Lanier HS design project. (LPB has designed a host of familiar buildings in the community, including schools, libraries, and fire stations.)

Thanks to CTE, Sophia understood the basics of her intended career field before she entered the workplace. She says, “In the classroom, hand-drawn sketches and renderings, the basics of computer-aided design programs like AutoCAD and Revit, and understanding drawings and plans are taught,” and those are skills she uses each day in her internship.

Teacher Dee Tillman says the program at Maxwell helps prepare students for postsecondary study and internships as young people look forward to careers in construction management, architecture, engineering (structural, mechanical, civil, electrical), and interior design. Work-based learning (WBL) opportunities allow students to build on an educational foundation forged in the classroom and determine next steps in career exploration. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for students to learn if they really have the motivation and passion to pursue the chosen career,” says Barbara Hoag, who coordinates Maxwell’s WBL program.

Becky Pope, an LPB principal, agrees that internships give students a more robust and realistic picture of their intended profession. “This taste of the real world in a business setting lets students see the glamorous parts but also the mundane boring parts associated with any job,” she says. Interns are exposed to architecture and related careers as well as the “soft skills” required for career success. “They learn to be on time, dress appropriately, act responsibly, nurture business friendships, complete tasks assigned, as well as learning the technical skills to do the jobs they are assigned to,” Ms. Pope says. “We love watching these students blossom and become responsible young adults.”

Sophia says the real-life experiences in her internship with LPB are bringing her one step closer to her goal of a career in architecture.

Attend virtual Open House events for CTE programs

High school students interested in exploring careers through hands-on learning can check out two specialized career and technical education programs at upcoming events. Online registration for the Grayson HS Technical Education Program continues, with a virtual Open House set for Feb. 11 from 5 to 7 p.m. A virtual Open House for Maxwell HS of Technology is scheduled for Feb. 18 between 4 and 6 p.m. Online registration for Maxwell is ongoing as well.

GCPS invites parents, community to participate in resource review committee

Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) is inviting parents and community members to apply for the district’s Instructional Resources Review Committee (IRRC), a group charged with evaluating print and digital instructional resources. Recommended resources will be considered for pilot in our schools. This year’s IRRC, which will include a group of teacher representatives, will convene virtually on March 31. Instructional resources will be reviewed for select courses in the areas of Career and Technical Education (grades 6-12), Dual Language Immersion/ World Languages in Spanish and French (grades 6-7), and Social Studies (grades 9-12). Interested parents and community members may complete and submit an application. The deadline to submit a completed application is Feb. 26.

Student holidays ahead!

Just a reminder... GCPS students have a long weekend coming up, with no classes planned for Friday, Feb. 12, and Monday, Feb. 15. Students return for digital or in-person classes on Tuesday, Feb. 16. Note that GCPS does not offer meal service on student holidays.

Also, next week, families with students in grades K-8 should be aware of plans for early release on Feb. 17-18 for parent-teacher conferences. On those days, classes for elementary and middle schools are dismissed 2½ hours early. On these days, meals will be served at school and available for curbside pick-up. Any curbside schedule changes will be communicated to families by the school.

Check out these seven tips for preparing for a conference with your child’s teacher.

Check out the latest episode of In5ive

In the latest episode of In5ive from GCPS TV, find news about top counselors from the Counselor of the Year celebration, GASSP Principal of the Year finalist Dr. Keith Thompson from Northbrook MS, an important recognition for Grayson HS, the 2021 Career Connections event, and calendar notes. Enjoy these stories and more in this latest edition of In5ive!

Online Campus accepting students for 2021-22

Full-time students who will be in grades 4-12 next year can register for Gwinnett Online Campus (GOC) through Feb. 26 on a first-come, first-served basis. Visit the Interested in Attending GOC page to learn more about the registration process.

Interested families can attend an in-person information session scheduled this month or view a recorded virtual session. In this video, learn how one family decided to choose GOC. 

The registration process is not complete until all required documents are presented to the school office. The school registrar is available Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (Note: Current GCPS students should not withdraw from their current school. Upon completion of the full registration process, students currently enrolled in a GCPS school will be transferred over the summer for the upcoming school year from their current attendance zone to GOC.)

Hit the links to support our mentoring program

Grab your favorite driver, putter, and wedge. Practice your swing, master your putt, and work on your approach shot. GCPS’ Community-Based Mentoring Program’s 11th Annual Golf Tournament is set for Monday, March 22! Bear’s Best Atlanta Golf Course in Suwanee will host the event. The money raised will go toward college scholarships, resources, enrichment activities, and background-building experiences for students in the mentoring program. Registration for golfers— $125 per individual and $500 per foursome— is open through March 5, and includes tournament entry, breakfast, entry in the Hole-In-One Contest, entry in the Longest Drive Contest, and the Awards Luncheon. The district also is seeking sponsors for the event. Learn more about GCPS’ mentoring program in a recent Communiqué story. #GCPSMentoring #PowerOfOne

Check out the latest episode of In5ive

In the latest episode of In5ive from GCPS TV, find highlights from the Board of Education meeting and learn about virtual help sessions available to families of elementary students. See additional safety measures that have been adopted for all GCPS indoor sporting events and news about a generous donation to our mentoring program from a pro football player. And check out the SUPER Book Return Challenge! Enjoy these stories and more in this latest edition of In5ive.

Support the 2021 Science, Engineering + Innovation Fair!

STEM Lights the Way… That’s the theme of the upcoming 2021 Gwinnett Science, Engineering + Innovation Fair! The virtual event is set for Feb. 19, and you can be a part of it! If you’re interested in being a judge, register by Feb. 8. This year, project judging will be taking place on a digital platform with scheduled interviews of students and judges via web meetings. Virtual workshops will provide students with the high-level learning experiences based on their interests. If you’re interested in a sponsorship of the event, contact Rachel Jeffers to learn about available opportunities.

Tuesday, Jan. 26, is at-home learning day for GCPS students, planning day for teachers

A reminder for GCPS families… Tuesday, Jan. 26, is a scheduled Digital Learning Day (DLD) for all students. This is the first of four at-home asynchronous learning days this semester that will provide additional planning time for teachers. (Note that students will access lessons in eCLASS but will not have virtual class time with their teachers on these scheduled DLDs.)

On scheduled DLDs, meals will be available for curbside pick-up at schools, and, the district will deliver meals along all bus routes countywide. Families should expect buses to run their routes from approximately 10:45 a.m. to noon, beginning at the first stops on the route. 

On Monday, Jan. 25, the school district resumed in-person instruction for students whose families selected that option. Following this districtwide digital learning day on Jan. 26, students will return to their selected instructional preference (in-person or digital) for the remainder of the week. All in-person learners transitioned to digital instruction for the week of Jan. 19-22 due to staffing issues tied to ill and quarantined employees and a substitute shortage.

An important reminder for students who are attending in-person classes and all staff members

Stay home from school or work if you…

• are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms;

• have tested positive or been diagnosed with COVID;

• are awaiting test results; or

• have been in close contact in the last 14 days with someone diagnosed with COVID or someone with COVID symptoms who is waiting for test results.

It’s important that we all do our part to keep ourselves and others healthy. Remember to follow these four important steps… social distancing when feasible, wearing a mask that covers nose and mouth, washing your hands, and staying home if you do not feel well or have been exposed to illness.

Be smart. Be safe. Be responsible.

Shine as a special education teacher in GCPS: Register now for Jan. 30 virtual career fair

• Interested in a Special Education internship? Learn more about internship opportunities online.

• Did you know that teaching Special Education in a Title I school can satisfy student loan obligations? Find details on loan forgiveness programs for teachers online.

• Want to see how special education teachers shine in Gwinnett? Check out this videowith Whitley Parker, a special education teacher at Duluth HS and a 2021 Teacher of the Year semifinalist.

Ready to shine as a teacher in Gwinnett? GCPS will host a Special Education Virtual Teacher Career Fair on Saturday, Jan. 30, from 9 a.m. to noon. Contracts of employment for the 2021-22 school year will be offered. Those who are interested must complete the online application at http://www.gcpsjobs.org, then register to attend. Please note that a request to participate does not guarantee an interview. Registration for the fair will close on Jan. 29, or after all interview times have been filled.