Career and Technical Education Month 2015

PCCTC-Education-NewsThe Porter County Career and Technical Center would like to recognize its teachers and programs during February’s Career and Technical Education Month.

The center directs programs in a variety of locations for students from 10 area high schools. It is accepting applications for half-day programs now through Feb. 12 for the 2015-16 school year. Information is available from high school guidance counselors in Porter County and at Hobart High School.

More than 1,100 area students are participating in programs this year. Many are earning free dual college credits and other industry certifications. These elective credits help a student earn any Indiana diploma, including academic honors and technical honors.

“The Porter County Career and Tech Education faculty are one of the best in Indiana. Our students consistently meet and exceed state performance standards,” according to Director Jon Groth. “All of our teachers are experts in their field, and all of them care about their students. I appreciate our teachers’ hard work and creativity in helping prepare the future workforce of our community.”

Available programs and their teachers are as follows:
Auto Services Technology — Tony Avalos, Rob Barnes, Karl Sickles
Cisco Networking Fundamentals — Russell Mellon
Computer Aided Design & Animation — Bill Guinee
Computer Tech Support — Scott Truelove
Construction Technology — Brett Dahlgren, Brian Doane, Jeff Larson
Cosmetology — Barbara Roberts, Jan Gadacz
Criminal Investigations — Curt Hawkins
Criminal Justice — Ralph Iler
Culinary Arts & Hospitality Management — Heidi Harbaugh, Glen Buford
Dental Careers — Rhonda Doane
Diesel Service Technology — John Fashing
Early Childhood Education — Cheryl Bunch, Barb Iddings, Renee Tripp
Electronics & Computer Technology — Duane Thormahlen
Emergency Medical Services — Marc Davich
Entrepreneurship/Sports & Entertainment Marketing — Jennifer Gaulin
Fundamentals of Sports Medicine — Mark Leto, Jessica Trcka
Graphic Imaging Technology — Mark Fischer
Health Careers (Health Science Education I w/Anatomy & Physiology) — Lorna Marcus
Health Occupations (Health Science Education II) — Suzanne Edwards, Lorna Marcus
Health Science Education I w/Anatomy & Physiology — Lynn Wilson
Horticultural Science/Landscape Management — Angie Sutherlin
Industrial Mechanics — Thomas Moodie
Precision Machining — Greg Carmack
Strategic Marketing Field Experience — Kari Roach
Strategic Marketing Internship — Jennifer Gaulin
Video Production & Media Studies — Robert Phelps
Welding — Doug McKiddy
Work Study — Debbie Gannon

Students in CTE programs get assistance from Kelli Ellis and Kate Sorensen, student support coordinators. These professionals help students get the most appropriate placement, help with personal and school issues and run workshops in everything from financial literacy to dating safety.

Programs are offered at one or more locations, including the Career Center, Boone Grove High School, Chesterton High School, Don Roberts Beauty School, Hobart High School, Ivy Tech Community College, Morgan Township High School, Portage High School, SELF School, and Wheeler High School.

The next open houses for prospective students are Feb. 5 at most locations.

“We would like to help our students find summer and fulltime employment. If we can help you in your employee needs, please call us at 531-3170. For more information, please visit our website at www.pccte.org,” Groth said.