Academies of Theodore High School

This summer, students from the Theodore Engineering Academy had the exciting opportunity to compete in the Technology Student Association (TSA) National Competition held in Orlando, FL. For all of these students, this was their first experience at a national level event, and their goal was to immerse themselves in the competitive environment while proudly representing the Engineering Academy at Theodore High School.

With around 8,000 students from across the nation participating, the competition was intense. While our teams did not secure a top placement, every single project submitted was upheld and none were disqualified—a significant achievement for the first time participating at this prestigious level of competition.

In addition to the students' impressive participation, we are proud to share that Mrs. Baker, our dedicated Engineering Academy instructor, received national recognition as Alabama’s TSA Advisor of the Year. This honor reflects her exceptional commitment to student success and her contributions to the TSA community.

Congratulations to our students for their hard work and dedication, and a special thank you to Mrs. Baker for her inspiring leadership. We look forward to building on this experience and continuing to excel in future competitions.

We are pleased to announce the retirement of Mrs. Sheffield, our Dental Services teacher who joined our faculty as the first teacher of the Dental Services program when it began 10 years ago. Since then, she has played an instrumental role in its development and success.

Her dedication to excellence and connection to industry standards led our program to receive recognition from the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). The program was highlighted in a DANB news article for "doing its part to prepare the next generation of dental professionals." Thanks to her efforts, ours is one of the only DANB-accepted high school programs in Alabama to meet eligibility requirements for the National Entry Level Dental Assistant (NELDA) exam.

Mrs. Sheffield was also the co-sponsor for HOSA- Future Health Professionals. Each year, she and her students have taken part in various community service projects, including visiting the elementary school to teach young children proper dental hygiene. They also collected personal hygiene supplies to donate to The Salvation Army, helping to support those in need in the community.

Under her leadership, the program has built strong industry partnerships, creating valuable internship opportunities for third-level students. Many of our graduates have become dental assistants, while others have pursued further education to become dental hygienists or even attend dental school.

Please join us in congratulating Mrs. Sheffield on her remarkable career and celebrating her many accomplishments.

Three 2024 Dental Services graduates have secured full-time positions following their internships. These students completed the Dental Services three-course sequence and gained valuable hands-on experience through the dental internship program.

Bayleigh Davis, who interned at Pickett Orthodontics, has been hired full-time as an orthodontist assistant at the practice. Her dedication and hard work during her internship were recognized, leading to this exciting opportunity.

Jermel Saunders and Desiree Kirshner were also hired as full-time dental assistants at local dental offices shortly after graduation. Jermel is now working at Aspen Dental, while Desiree has joined the team at Alabama Smile Design.

Theodore's JROTC Raider Team has been invited to compete in the Males Challenge Division

for the 2024 U.S. Army JROTC Raider Challenge National Competition! Theodore JROTC is in the 6TH Brigade footprint which includes schools from Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Only 20 schools are select in each category to attend. The event will take place from October 24-27, 2024, in Fort Knox, Kentucky.

This national competition is the pinnacle of Raider events, bringing together top JROTC teams from across the country to showcase their skills, endurance, and teamwork. Raider Competitions are known for their rigorous athletic challenges, which push participants to their limits. Events are held outdoors and typically include individual strength tests such as push-ups, tire-drags, and obstacle courses, along with demanding team running events, first aid challenges, and rope bridge construction and crossing.

Competing at the national level is a testament to their hard work and determination. We are incredibly proud of our cadets and excited to see them represent our school and community on this grand stage. As the competition date approaches, we encourage everyone to support our Raider Team and wish them the best of luck.

Several students in the Foundations of Warehousing and Distribution course, the second course in our Logistics Academy, have earned their General Industry OSHA10 Certification, and the class is working towards 100% certification by the end of first quarter. This certification is a testament to their understanding of essential safety standards in the workplace.

These students are now gearing up for their next challenge: the Certified Logistics Associate (CLA) exam. The CLA certification is a nationally recognized credential that demonstrates a solid grasp of foundational logistics knowledge, making these students well-prepared for careers in the logistics and supply chain industry.

Looking ahead to next semester, students enrolled in the Introduction to Logistics course, the first step in the Logistics Academy, will also have the opportunity to earn their OSHA10 Certifications. This ensures that they will be equipped with the critical safety knowledge required for their future roles in the industry.

The success of our students in earning these certifications highlights the goal of our Logistics Academy to prepare students for real-world career opportunities. Congratulations to all our students on their achievements and best of luck preparing for the CLA exam!

Our senior-level Health Science students have begun their lab hours to practice the essential skills for the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) exam, which they will complete this spring. Having already completed courses in Foundations of Health Science and Human Body Structures, these students are now advancing their training in the Health Science lab.

The lab is fully equipped with five hospital beds, medical equipment, and supplies to provide a realistic environment for their practice. Under the guidance of their instructor, Ms. Hovell, students first observe demonstrations of the required skills before practicing under her supervision. This hands-on experience is key to their preparation for the CNA skills exam and their future success in the healthcare field. We commend our students for their commitment and look forward to their achievements in the coming months.

This year, the Bryant Career Technical Center (BCTC) proudly welcomes 90 Theodore students into its Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. These students are enrolled in CTE courses, blending hands-on learning with practical experience to equip them for future success in their chosen fields.

Students at BCTC dedicate three class periods each day to specialized CTE programs at the Bryant Center campus. These programs are designed to teach real-world skills and knowledge, ensuring that students are well-prepared to transition seamlessly into their careers upon graduation.

Students have the opportunity to participate in two dual enrollment programs: Aviation Technology and Automotive Technology. These programs enable students to earn college credits while still in high school, providing a significant advantage as they pursue their post-secondary education and career aspirations.

The faculty and staff at BCTC are committed to fostering an enriching and supportive learning environment where students can thrive. We look forward to witnessing the growth and accomplishments of our students this year as they work diligently toward their goals and explore the vast opportunities that CTE offers.

The Education and Training (E&T) program at Bryant Career Technical Center is intended for students interested in teaching at the elementary, middle, or high school level. Students in this year's E&T program were on Theodore's campus Wednesday, August 28, to conduct classroom observations. Students had the opportunity to visit several classrooms to observe the classroom atmosphere, teacher roles, student engagement, technology use, and much more. After visiting Theodore and several other elementary, middle, and high schools in MCPSS, they discussed their observations and shared ideas based on what they experienced.

Brittney Smith is a Certified Dental Assistant and Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) with over a decade of experience in the dental field. She holds certifications in CPR and infection control, and she earned her dental hygiene license through the Alabama Dental Hygiene Program. Throughout her career, Ms. Smith has worked as both a dental assistant and hygienist, bringing a deep understanding of the industry into her teaching.

Ms. Smith’s teaching philosophy centers on her passion for dentistry and her commitment to helping students discover their own interest in the field. "I'm very excited to help students fall in love with dentistry and pursue dental careers," she says. She emphasizes hands-on learning in her classroom, providing students with practical experience both in the lab and during internships at local dental offices. Ms. Smith is particularly enthusiastic about teaching in the career tech field, as it allows her to share her love for dentistry while helping students explore the diverse career opportunities available to them after graduation.

Lieutenant Colonel Harrison is a graduate of the University of South Alabama and the U.S. Army's Command and General Staff College. He's a retired Army Aviation Officer and a former City of Mobile Police Officer. Colonel Harrison is a Master Army Aviator with four U.S. Army aircraft qualifications (UH-1, OH-58, UH-60, and C-12). He has combat flight time in both the C-12 (Army Airplane) and UH-60 (Black Hawk Helicopter).

Colonel Harrison is teaching leadership classes, but he is most excited about teaching our students what they need to know to obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA. This certificate demonstrates an understanding of the regulations, operating requirements, and procedures for safely flying drones. If you haven’t read it, he recommends the book "Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude" by Napoleon Hill and W. Clement Stone.

Ms. Jennifer K. Hunter began her career with a focus on Early Childhood Education at Alabama A&M University and continuing her studies at Faulkner University. She later transitioned into the logistics industry, where she gained valuable experience as a Planner at International Paper in Bay Minette, Alabama, honing her operational skills. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, she founded J&Z Freight Logistics LLC, applying her logistics expertise to successfully manage and grow the company.

As a logistics instructor, Ms. Hunter is passionate about blending theory with practical application, aiming to equip her students with the skills necessary for success in the dynamic logistics field. She focuses on developing her students' technical skills and strategic thinking abilities, ensuring they are well-prepared to meet industry demands. By drawing on her extensive experience, she aspires to guide students in mastering logistics principles and becoming innovative leaders in their future careers.

If you would like to partner with one of our Academies or if you have questions about the Academies of Theodore, contact Mrs. Pippin, the Career Coach at Theodore High School.

Email: dpippin@mcpss.com
Phone: 251-221-3351