Ionia County CTE Newsletter

We’ve hit the ground running this year at the Ionia County Career Center, and it’s been an exciting start! From engaging guest speakers and hands-on CPR training to educational field trips and two major events, our students are already diving deep into their learning experiences. As we move forward, we’re excited to see the continued growth and success of our 2024-2025 Career Center students. Stay tuned for more highlights as the year progresses!

On Wednesday, October 2nd, the Ionia County Career Center held its 8th annual countywide College & Career Exploration Fair, bringing together 47 colleges and 34 businesses. The event provided the 11th & 12th-grade students of Ionia County with a valuable opportunity to explore educational and career options, giving them a comprehensive look at the pathways available after high school. Students from Belding High School, Douglas R. Welch High School, Ionia High School, Lakewood High School, Portland High School, and Saranac Jr./Sr. High School attended the event.

The Career Center, which serves Ionia County students through career and technical education (CTE) programs, focuses on equipping learners with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in both college and careers. The College & Career Exploration Fair supports this mission by helping local districts connect students with post-graduation possibilities. As a service of the Ionia County Intermediate School District, the Career Center plays a key role in preparing students for life after high school.

This year, the fair introduced an exciting outdoor exhibit, featuring large-scale equipment such as a firetruck, police vehicles, an ambulance, a tractor, a hotline demonstration trailer, dewatering equipment, and more. This interactive addition allowed attendees to engage with various industries, particularly in public safety, construction, agriculture, and utilities, in a hands-on way.

"We’re excited about the strong turnout and student engagement this year," stated Ted W. Paton, Principal of the Ionia County Career Center and Associate Superintendent of CTE for Ionia County ISD. "The outdoor exhibit offered students a unique opportunity to explore careers in ways that extend beyond the traditional classroom experience."

The Ionia County Career Center remains dedicated to helping students plan their futures by connecting them with colleges, businesses, and career pathways. The College & Career Exploration Fair continues to expand, offering critical resources for those preparing for their next steps.

Mr. Newton brings 23 years of experience in computer application development, having worked for large corporations and as a consultant. He currently owns and runs Protege Game Studios, where he not only develops video games but also teaches others how to create them. Mr. Newton holds a bachelor's degree in computer science from GVSU and a master's degree in business administration from Cornerstone University. As a new instructor, he is eager to leave his mark on the program by integrating video game development and play elements into both the physical classroom and curriculum. In his free time, he enjoys water sports, traveling, bicycling, and spending time with family and friends.

This year, instead of our traditional 8th Grade Tours, the Ionia County Career Center hosted an exciting new event—the 8th Grade Expo! Eighth-grade students from across Ionia County had the opportunity to dive into hands-on activities across all 10 of our programs, including Computer Programming, Construction Technology, Criminal Justice, Culinary Arts, Diesel Technology, Educational Careers, Healthcare Foundations, Health Occupations, Machine Tool, and Plant & Animal Science.

The event also welcomed local businesses, who were on hand to share their expertise and insights into various career paths, giving students a clearer understanding of their future possibilities. To top it off, large-scale equipment displays outside included everything from a tractor, ambulance, and patrol cars to a mini excavator, drilling rig, skid steer, and more, allowing students to explore up close. It was an incredible day of learning, exploration, and fun!

Ten programs are running at the Ionia County Career Center this year, click on the links below to learn more about each program!

• Computer Programming
• Construction Technology
• Criminal Justice
• Culinary Arts
• Diesel Technology
• Educational Careers
• Healthcare Foundations
• Health Occupations
• Machine Tool
• Plant & Animal Science

"Courage, hard work, self-mastery and intelligent effort are all essential to successful life." -President Theodore Roosevelt

Starting to think about what to do after high school? The newly updated Pathfinder can help you find more options than just college. Get started at Pathfinder.MiTalent.org.