EPISD’s Career and Technical Education prepares students for success

By: Ricardo E. Calderon©

The best kept secret at the Eagle Pass Independent School District is out-the district’s Career and Technical Education Programs are preparing high school students for success in their higher education goals, careers, workplaces, and become productive citizens in society.

Currently, the EPISD Career and Technical Education Program has over 5,943 students participating in its programs, said Ana Laura Castillon, Program Director. The EPISD Career and Technical Education Program offers Career Clusters in the following fields of study: Architecture & Construction, Arts, A/V Technology & Communications, Business Management & Administration, Career Development, Finance, Hospitality & Tourism, Information Technology, Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Safety, Manufacturing, Agricultural Food & Natural Resources, Education & Training, Health Science, Human Services, and Transportation, Distribution, & Logistics.

The goals of Career and Technical Education programs at EPISD are to prepare each graduate for lifelong learning, build a strong workforce that can compete in the global economy, establish rigorous real-world standards of performance in partnership with the business community, advocate that parents be actively involved in their children’s educational and career plans, utilize learning hands-on activities based on authentic problems and projects, and integrate real world activities with academic experiences, said Castillon.

“Today’s students will be entering a workforce which demands more knowledge, better skills, and more flexible workers than ever before. Rapid advances in technology and a growing global community makes intense training and education a necessity for students to be able to compete in tomorrow’s job market,” said Castillon.

Any student or parent interested in learning more about the Career and Technical Education programs available at the EPISD are welcome to contact Ms. Ana Laura Castillon, Director, at (830) 758-7181, C.C. Winn High School Counselor Marian Ruiz, and Eagle Pass High School Counselor Cynthia Bowles.

In future articles, the Eagle Pass Business Journal will examine the various Career and Technical Education Career Clusters, the courses for each career cluster, and interview faculty and successful students and alumni of the program.