Classrooms to Careers: Students find their calling through CTE

Hands up. Meals done. Presentation time.

It was the National ProStart Invitational in Baltimore, a national culinary arts and restaurant management competition that drew students from across the country, and Bonney Lake High School junior Wyatt Miller and his team had just finished plating miso-glazed sablefish, beef short ribs and orange cheesecake for a panel of renowned judges. They gave him feedback, telling him the food was tasting good.

That’s when it struck him that he could pursue a career in the culinary arts.

“It was kind of like – this is insane,” Wyatt said. “This is something that I could do.”

The experience for Wyatt – and the other students on his culinary team – wouldn’t have been possible without the Culinary Arts classes he takes at Bonney Lake High School, taught by teacher Kahale Ahina.

Culinary arts is one of many Career & Technical Education (CTE) classes offered by the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District. Career & Technical Education aims to bridge the gap between academics and careers by equipping students with the academic skills necessary to be successful in the changing workforce.

For students who know what career they want to pursue, they can get started on the right path before they even graduate high school.

SBLSD has nine CTE programs. Within each program, there are classes that make up a career pathway.

CTE offers hands-on learning, free college credit and industry certifications, such as a food workers card – Wyatt earned one of those – first aid/CPR, Microsoft Office, Adobe Suite, and more.

While Wyatt’s focus went to culinary arts, Sumner High School senior Ella Ford followed the Future Educator pathway.

“When I was younger, I’d always say I wanted to be a teacher, and that only grew as I got older,” Ella said.

Ella is now in her third year of Teaching Academy at Sumner High School, taught by Rachel Aszklar-Valett. The class introduces students to the teaching profession, having them explore learning theory, lesson planning, developmental stages, and educational issues, then apply their knowledge through classroom observations and a required off-campus internship at the grade level of their choice.

In her first year of Teaching Academy, Ella developed and led lessons for a small group of elementary students she was able to work with one-on-one. She remembered one student in particular who didn’t want to work with anyone, and she had to figure out what teaching strategies he responded to. When she did, he started interacting with her.

“It was very rewarding to see that what I did really worked, and that he’s open to working with other people.”

It was an experience Ella knows she wouldn’t have been able to get without CTE classes.

“I’ve known I want to be a teacher, so I’ve taken this class many times to figure out the best way for me to teach,” Ella said.

“You wouldn’t get that until student teaching – much later, when it’s harder to turn back.”

Ella plans to go to the University of Montana to further study elementary education while working at a school as a paraprofessional. Through Teaching Academy, Ella earned her ParaPro Certification, an industry-recognized credential for those entering the field of education.

Meanwhile, the skills Wyatt is learning in culinary are already helping with his current catering job, but he said the ultimate dream would also be to explore the business side of things and open a bakery.

The culinary classroom at Bonney Lake High School already simulates an industrial kitchen, with walk-in freezers, large sinks and grills and other equipment.

“Typically out of high school, you’re not going to find a kitchen this big,” Wyatt said. “It’s awesome. It’s a great resource.”

With the right tools, teachers, and a clear pathway, Career & Technical Education is helping students learn unique skills to get a jumpstart on their future.