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Hello CTC Parents, Students and Staff:

CTC supports the notion that the progression of learning rarely ends at the conclusion of a formal quiz or test. Therefore, students should have opportunities to continue working toward proficiency through reassessment.

Reteaching and reassessments in Career Technical Education (CTE) play a vital role in ensuring students truly master both academic and hands-on skills aligned with industry standards. Here is a small breakdown of best practice strategies: Skill Mastery: Many CTE programs are competency-based, meaning students must demonstrate proficiency in practical skills. Reteaching ensures that foundational concepts or techniques are reinforced before advancing. Personalized Instruction: Reteaching allows instructors to tailor content based on individual or group needs, especially where students struggle with industry tools, techniques, or software. Safety Considerations: In areas like automotive, culinary, or construction, reteaching ensures students fully understand safety protocols before continuing. Competency-Based Reassessments: Allow students to retry tasks or performance assessments until they show mastery. Varied Formats: Reassess through different methods—written tests, oral responses, or project-based work. Growth Mindset Culture: Frame reassessments as part of the learning process, not as punishment for failure.

As always, we welcome your questions, comments and suggestions. Please feel free to call or email me or any staff member any time and keep the lines of communication open so that we can, together, support and challenge “our” students.

Sincerely,

Michael Concepcion

Congratulations to Levi Dang for placing 3rd place in the Nutrients for Life #madepossiblebyfertilizer video contest. Levi competed against students from coast to coast. His project is titled Garden of Eden. Using mixed media animation, Levi portrays the world as a garden, emphasizing fertilizer’s role in sustaining its health and productivity. You can watch his awesome video below.

My name is Jenna Lakin. I graduated from the Career and Technology Center (CTC) in 2024 with my Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) and Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certifications. Immediately after graduation, I was able to use my certifications to work as a medical assistant in urgent care. While working, I was able to go to school and obtain my Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification. I am now continuing to work as medical assistant while furthering my education in emergency medicine. I will always be thankful for CTC and the knowledge and experience I gained during my time there. My teachers were always supportive and pushed me to achieve my goals. I would not be where I am today without my education from CTC.

Click the PDF linked below to read a fantastic article from the May 2025 edition of Frederick Lifestyle magazine about former CTC Landscaping/Agribusiness student, Micalya Linkous.

The Teacher Academy of Maryland program enjoyed a curated day at the FCPS Central Office that featured guided tours, guest speakers, activities, and more. The TAM students were able to hear and discuss leadership philosophies, learn about aspects of school security, and even get a behind-the-scenes look at the Media department. Also noteworthy, was hearing about the Vanguard Teacher Program, learning about how the team in FCPS Public Affairs and Communication works, and understanding the growing opportunities in the Multilingual Education Program, among others. A special thank you to Teacher Recruitment Specialist, April Vierra, for helping to coordinate this event.

Article by, CTC/THS Senior, Adia Ndiaye

At the Frederick County Career and Technology Center (CTC), learning doesn’t just happen behind a desk—it happens through real, hands-on experience. Whether students are wiring circuits, learning medical skills, or growing flowers in a greenhouse, CTC is all about preparing students for actual careers. And the greenhouse? It’s one of the best examples of that mission in action.

CTC is a career-focused school where students train for future jobs while still in high school. They’re not just reading about careers—they’re living them. The horticulture program’s greenhouse is a space where students grow, care for, and sell plants to the public. From organizing the layout and labeling plants to handling customers and making sales, it’s mostly student-run.

Ms. Williams, a staff member at CTC, has been supporting the greenhouse for years. “I always buy my spring flowers here,” she said. “The students work hard, everything’s organized, and the plants are beautiful. You can tell they’re really invested in it.” For her, it’s more than just shopping—it’s about showing support for something meaningful. “It gives students a sense of purpose. They get to see their hard work pay off, and that builds real confidence.”

Mr. Rollins, who teaches in the Electricity program, agrees. “Sure, I could buy plants anywhere,” he said, “but I’d rather get them here. It supports the students and shows them that their work matters. They’re learning way more than how to grow something—they’re learning how to work as a team, be responsible, and interact professionally with customers.”

Even outside the classroom, people notice. Ms. Leatherman, a bus driver at CTC, makes it a point to check out the greenhouse every year. “The plants are always healthy, and the students are super helpful and respectful,” she said. “It’s clear that they care about what they’re doing, and that makes all the difference.”

Assistant Principal, Mr. Newkirk, says the greenhouse is a perfect reflection of what CTC is all about. “It’s not just about plants—it’s about the full experience,” he said. “Students are running something real. They’re managing tasks, solving problems, keeping things organized, and working directly with customers. It’s preparing them for jobs, for college, for life.”

The greenhouse might look like a simple plant sale to someone passing by, but to the students and staff at CTC, it means a lot more.

Follow the students’ journey through the program on social media:

Facebook: CTC Greenhouse, Agricultural Education and FFA

Instagram: @ctc_landscape_agbusiness

We are thrilled to share that our Dental Assisting program has received brand new digital sensors and upgraded x-ray capabilities--an exciting advancement that is bringing modern dental technology into our classroom!

With these new tools, students now have the opportunity to learn digital radiology using DXXTR, our dental radiology manikin. This hands-on experience allows them to practice taking x-rays in a realistic and safe environment, preparing them for the same procedures they will perform in real dental offices.

This is upgrade is a major step forward in providing students with the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the dental field. We can't wait to see how much they grow as future dental professionals!

We in education do not always see the impact school experiences have on students. Many students hold on to those memories and they help to shape their future lives. SkillsUSA is a great example of this. SkillsUSA began in 1965 as was known as “VICA” which is Vocational Industrial Clubs of America”. Its mission was to connect professionals, teachers and students to enhance the skill level of incoming employees. Since its creation it has changed names to “SkillsUSA-VICA” and finally today, “SkillsUSA”.

Recently I saw this impact clearly in a simple email exchange about a current student and his family. As we just completed our state competitions, I emailed some parents about the outcomes of a few contests. In one of these emails the parents informed me about how SkillsUSA had touched their lives, and I would like to share just a portion of that email.

Email excerpt:

Thanks, Mr. CTC Teacher ---

I wanted to let you know that Ian's grandmother is incredibly proud of Ian and knows what it means to go on to compete at the national level. She attended two VICA national competitions (one in Cincinnati, Ohio, and one in Atlanta, Georgia). Yes, this was over thirty years ago -- But if we asked, she'd be more than proud to pack her bag and go to Ian's competition!

I am a former state-level delegate and former Parliamentarian for Maryland VICA (again, during the last century). My siblings are all former VICA students and vocational education has helped each one of us in our chosen vocation. Mom is proud.

As we go forward, we should all remember we don’t always know how our interactions will impact and shape those around us, but they do.

Mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health and well-being. Mental health is health. Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. A mental illness is a condition that affects a person’s thinking, feeling, behavior, or mood. These conditions deeply impact day-to-day living and may also affect the ability to relate to others. Mental health conditions are far more common than you think, mainly because people don’t like to, or are scared to, talk about them. However…

- 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year

- 1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year

- 1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year

- 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14 and 75% by age 24

It is already difficult enough to maintain self-love in a society that actively promotes insecurity and self-hate, but when you struggle with a mental illness, it is almost impossible to feel worthy of love. Here are some things to remember to help you regain perspective and love yourself.

• You have hopes, dreams, and goals. Mental illness can make those things seem difficult to realize, but that does not mean your hopes, dreams, and goals do not exist. Your life visions are achievable.

• You have your own set of values and sense of what is important to you. Having a mental illness does not mean you do not believe in anything.

• You have unique abilities and talents. Certain things are happening in your brain that can make life difficult, but there is more to you than those things.

• You have character strengths built within you. These strengths are a large part of who you are. Your mental illness is not.

• Allow yourself to feel but check the facts. Having a mental illness does not invalidate your feelings. You need to embrace your emotions and let yourself feel what you are feeling. At the same time, look at your own emotions objectively and think about the reality of the situation. You may believe your anxiety when it tells you that everyone hates you, but in reality, that is almost never the case.

• Even on your worst days, you are you!! You are surviving. You have a spark inside you that never stops glowing.

We all need a little help sometimes:

Child Protective Services (CPS): 1-800-91-PREVENT

Help for physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect

Crisis Services: Dial 211

When you feel anxious or depressed and need someone to talk with so you can stay safe

Crisis Text Line: Text HOME TO 741741

https://www.crisistextline.org/

Free confidential 24/7 support

Maryland Anonymous Tip Line: 1-833-632-7233

Report threats or situations that put your safety, or others’ safety, at risk

Mental Health Association: https://fcmha.org/

Walk-in crisis services are available 24/7

Free mental health screening

Suicide Prevention Hotline: Dial/Text 988

Help if you are thinking about suicide

Cosmetology students recently attended the 2025 International Beauty Show in New York City. The event, one of the largest in the beauty industry, featured live demonstrations, hands-on education, and the latest trends in hair, skincare, and nails.

The trip offered students an exciting opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-world industry experience. They returned inspired and energized, gaining valuable insights and motivation as they prepare for careers in the cosmetology field.

Students in the Homeland Security and Criminal Justice program had an exciting opportunity to visit the U.S. Secret Service headquarters in Washington, D.C. During the trip, they learned about the agency’s dual mission of protection and investigation, and explored the many career paths available within federal law enforcement.

The visit included presentations from current agents and staff, offering students firsthand insight into the training, responsibilities, and day-to-day work of the Secret Service. It was a unique and inspiring experience for students considering a future in public safety and national security.

Students in the Biomedical Sciences program had a powerful and educational experience during a recent visit to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore. The trip included a presentation from ThinkFirst, a national injury prevention program. Followed by hearing an impactful firsthand account from a trauma survivor at the age of 16, who now is 18 and speaks and advocates for other survivors and educates others in safety.

Students also received a guided tour of the trauma center and participated in an engaging career panel with healthcare professionals from various fields within Shock Trauma. The experience provided valuable insight into emergency medicine and trauma care, sparking inspiration and deepening their understanding of biomedical careers.

Student: Makxuell P.

Program: Auto Tech

What languages do you speak, and how did you learn them?

I’m fully bilingual in Spanish and English. I was born and raised in Puerto Rico and went to Ines Maria Mendoza Elementary School in the city of Bayamon. In Puerto Rico, you learn standard Spanish as the primary language of instruction in schools, with English taught as a second language and a compulsory subject at all levels. My teacher was a musician who used to make us learn English by singing. For example, we had to sing the Alphabet song to learn the ABCs. I have many memorable experiences learning English that way.

How has being bilingual helped you in school?

Being bilingual has allowed me to help students who are learning English to understand what tasks they are supposed to do at school. It has also allowed me to help others who are taking Spanish classes at school.

Do you ever mix up your languages? How do you handle it?

Learning English as I was growing up was a challenge because I thought in Spanish, but I had to speak in English. I overcame these challenges by practicing and speaking English all the time. I have many friends who speak English and they helped me to practice English even more.

How do you feel your bilingual skills shape your identity?

Being bilingual shaped my identity because it has helped me understand two different cultures. I feel like it’s an amazing gift and skill to understand and function in two different languages and cultures. There are many people who struggle with learning new languages and understanding their cultures, so I would like to encourage them to have patience because it does take a long time to be able to learn a new language and speak it fluently.

Why do you think being bilingual is important in today’s world?

Being bilingual is very important in today’s world because it provides so many opportunities in the job market, and it allows you to have an advantage of communicating and connecting with people who don’t speak English. It also allows you to see the differences between other Spanish speaking cultures. Some words may mean different things in different cultures. For example, many people say “frijoles” for beans and I say “habichuela”.

What are your plans post graduation?

I am going to join the Marines next year after high school graduation. I hope to have a career as a firefighter and then transfer to the Air Force to become a loadmaster - the person who is responsible for loading and balancing the cargo on the plane to make sure that the weight of the cargo is distributed properly and safely. I would like to have this job because it requires extensive travel.

The Frederick County Career and Technology Center (CTC) is a Career and Technical Education (CTE) school. Our programs and classes combine academic knowledge with technical skills to prepare students for in-demand and high-skilled jobs. CTC provides students with opportunities to earn industry-recognized certifications and licenses, acquire college credit, and gain valuable work experience. CTC is one of many treasures in Frederick County. It is not only a place of great education and opportunities but also a place of camaraderie and nostalgia.

Want to know more about CTC? Click the links below:

CTC Programs

FAQ's about CTC

What is shadowing?

How do I apply to CTC?

Dual Enrollment Information Sheet

Address: 7922 Opossumtown Pike Frederick, MD 21702

Phone: 227-203-3650

Fax: 227-203-3651

Website: http://education.fcps.org/ctc

Facebook: Frederick County Career & Tech Center

X (formerly Twitter): @FrederickCTC, @CTCPrincipal

Instagram: @fcps_ctc, @ctc_principal