
Career & Technical Education (CTE)
April 2024 - Newsletter for Ionia County CTE programs.
Ionia County Career Center Updates
The Ionia County Career Center has reached the 80% mark of the 2023-2024 school year! Our students have embraced a multitude of experiences, and there's still plenty more ahead. We eagerly anticipate the year-end activities and remain committed to supporting our students as they transition to further education or enter the workforce.
Open House
We had a successful Open House on February 22nd. We had 187 program visits this year.
NTHS Induction
We are proud of our National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) inductees!
- Annabelle Bower
- McKenna Bussell
- Bryant Janetzke
- Cade Watts
- Simon White
Skills USA Competition - Diesel Technology
Friday, February 23rd Chase Snyder from Diesel Technology participated in a Skills USA competition!
Dive Team Experience
On March 12th, the Ionia County Dive Team collaborated with our Criminal Justice students. They demonstrated the specialized equipment utilized for underwater search and recovery operations. All participating students had the chance to familiarize themselves with the equipment, learn about certifications, try on the gear, and experience a brief dive to the bottom of the YMCA's 14ft pool.
Computer Programming - Protege Game Studios
Protégé Game Studios, LLC collaborated with our Computer Programming class for two weeks. At the end of this period, students presented their game projects to the class, which they had been diligently working on throughout this time frame. During these presentations, students pitched their ideas to a panel of simulated investors. They provided an overview of their games, discussed the objectives, and outlined their plans to complete the projects.
FFA State Convention
Ionia County FFA members earned several awards and degrees at the state convention as they continue to grow as agricultural leaders. At the convention, attendees immersed themselves in a variety of activities, including Leadership Development Events, recognition ceremonies for outstanding achievements, engaging presentations from motivational speakers and networking opportunities with peers from different parts of Michigan.
Ionia County Career Center Student Advisory Leads Successful Peanut Butter and Jelly Drive for IM Kids 3rd Meal
The Ionia County Career Center Student Advisory has demonstrated extraordinary community spirit and generosity through their recent Peanut Butter and Jelly Drive held from Monday, February 26th to Friday, March 1st. In the drive, aimed at supporting IM Kids 3rd Meal, there was an overwhelming response from students, resulting in a remarkable collection of 245 jars of peanut butter and 232 jars of jelly.
IM Kids 3rd Meals provides food insecure children with a nutritious, ready-to-eat meal delivered right to a child’s school at the end of each day to take home for an evening meal ensuring children have access to the healthy food they need to thrive. Evening meals are provided to schools in Ionia and Montcalm counties.
"We are incredibly proud of our students for their enthusiasm and dedication to making a positive impact in our community," commented Ashli Jordan, Advisor of the Ionia County Career Center Student Advisory.
Through their contributions, the Ionia County Career Center students have made a tangible difference in the lives of local children, ensuring that they have access to nutritious meals when they need them most.
For more information about IM Kids 3rd Meal and how to support their mission, please visit www.imkids.org.
All about Mr. Ferguson
Mr. Denny Ferguson is our Criminal Justice instructor. After dedicating 26 years to serving as a Police Officer with the Wyoming Police Department, he chose to retire and bring his wealth of experience to the field of Criminal Justice education. Denny is happily married to Naomi; they have two wonderful children, Reese & Kellan. He is in his 19th year officiating college football. He enjoys spending time with his family, attending sporting events and going to concerts.
- Played football at Ferris State University.
- Loves to travel.
Saranac FFA Awarded $50,000 Grant to Expand Career & Technical Education Agricultural Education Opportunities
Saranac Future Farmers of America (FFA) is excited to announce the reception of a $50,000 grant aimed at enriching agricultural education in the community. This funding will support the construction of a new greenhouse, providing students with more hands-on learning opportunities crucial for their future in agriculture. Saranac offers four state-approved Agriculture Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses annually: Plant Science, Animal Science, Food Science 1, and Food Science 2.
This grant, obtained through the combined efforts of Saranac's agricultural instructors Susann Young and Tracy Dahms, Saranac Principal Josh Leader, and Ionia County ISD Associate Superintendent of CTE Ted W. Paton, highlights Saranac's dedication to enhancing its CTE program in agriculture.
The team worked diligently to obtain the grant from available CTE funds dedicated to agricultural programs, recognizing the significance of investing in the next generation of agricultural leaders.
"We deeply appreciate the support and investment in our agricultural education initiatives," stated Paton, who oversees CTE programs not only at Ionia County Career Center but also in local districts: Belding and Saranac. "This grant will allow the Saranac CTE Ag program to expand our educational offerings, empowering students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the agricultural industry."
"The new greenhouse signifies more than just a physical structure; it represents our dedication to nurturing the next generation of agricultural leaders," commented Josh Leader, a key advocate for agricultural education in Saranac. "Through hands-on experiences and innovative learning opportunities, we aim to empower students to make meaningful contributions to the agricultural community. Our AgriScience teachers work extremely hard to provide our kids with amazing opportunities; these programs are wonderful points of pride for our school and community"
Paton expresses excitement for the future of Career and Technical Education and the opportunities across Ionia County.
Words of Wisdom from Mr. Paton
About Us
Email: careercenteroffice@ioniaisd.org
Website: www.ioniaisd.org/cte
Location: 250 East Tuttle Road, Ionia, MI, USA
Phone: 616-527-6540
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IoniaCountyCareerCenter