FRISCO, TEXAS –  When it comes to shaping students’ educational journey, students often seek classes that they will not only enjoy but that will lay the foundation for a successful future. The Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center in Frisco ISD is committed to providing students with industry-specific skills, ensuring that students understand the fundamental principles of their chosen industry. Whether students choose a technology, healthcare, business, or manufacturing class, the CTE center emphasizes foundational principles. 

At Frisco ISD’s CTE center, students benefit and get the opportunity to interact with instructors who are not just educators but also professionals with years of hands-on experience in their fields. One notable example is Yolanda Barnaby who is the Animation 1 instructor at the CTE center. Mrs. Barnaby has years of professional experience in the animation industry, students under her guidance not only learn the foundational principles of the class but also learn practical aspects of the industry. Yolanda Barnaby’s class is a solid example of a learning environment where students get the opportunity to learn and apply real-world skills in their day to day lives. 

“The animation and modeling curriculum at the CTE is actual animations that they will be using in the real world. If students get a job at Disney studios, they will be doing the same types of animation we do here.” says Yolanda Barnaby. 

By providing students with access to industry-specific software, Yolanda Barnaby’s Animation 1 class at the CTE center prepares students with technical skills but also instills confidence in students to step into professional settings. 

The Advertising and Marketing course at the CTE center is designed to cater individual students, recognizing that each student has different career goals and future aspirations. In Elizabeth Gray’s Marketing and Advertising class, students learn the crucial concepts that lay the foundation for success in the marketing world. The curriculum covers essential topics such as the marketing concept, various career paths within the industry, media content types, and the seven functions of marketing. 

Elizabeth Gray’s class also provides a hands-on experience for students by being given the opportunity to volunteer at “The Spot,” the school store. Serving as cashiers, these students apply their knowledge in a real-world setting, gaining practical experience that goes beyond the classroom. The specialized curriculum and inclusive approach creates an environment where students can apply marketing concepts in ways that align with their individual career aspirations. 

“Many of my students have jobs and they’ve told me themselves that the marketing class here at CTE has helped them in the real world.” (Elizabeth Gray)

The classes at the CTE center serve as a bridge between theory and practice, through hands-on activities and practical projects the CTE center prepares students for the challenges they will encounter in their future careers. 

Charlene Willingham’s Forensic Science class at the CTE center is currently in their blood unit, where students have the opportunity to participate in labs and analyze data, gaining practical experience that goes beyond a traditional classroom. The blood unit is an example of a dynamic curriculum, allowing students to understand real-world scenarios encountered in forensic investigations. The students view their time in the forensic science class at the CTE center as a stepping stone towards a future in the field of forensic science.

“This class is really helpful for students that truly want to pursue forensic science. We get to experience a lot in here and we do feel future ready.” said a junior from Liberty High School.

The curriculums at the CTE center are carefully crafted to provide students with a solid foundation in their chosen fields.  The “future-ready” curriculum at the CTE is unlike other traditional classrooms, with theoretical knowledge and hands on opportunities, students will be prepared with industry skills they need to flourish in the future. Whether exploring marketing and advertising with Elizabeth Gray,  forensic science with Charlene Willingham, or animation with Yolanda Barnaby, students leave the CTE center with confidence, creativity, and a deep understanding of their chosen fields.