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Career and Technical Education plays an essential role in preparing students for the demands of the modern world, equipping them with practical skills that enrich their personal and professional lives.
Cherokee County Schools is proud to offer CTE programs that emphasize hands-on learning and lifelong competencies. Over the coming months, we will spotlight some of the outstanding CTE programs offered in our district, beginning with foods and nutrition classes.
The Foods and Nutrition course focuses on the vital area of nutrition and food preparation. Students learn the fundamentals of food production, kitchen management, meal planning and resource management. The curriculum also integrates academic subjects such as English, mathematics, science and social studies to give students a comprehensive understanding of the topic. Work-based learning opportunities, such as service learning and job shadowing, enhance the course by connecting classroom knowledge to real-world experiences.
All three traditional high schools in Cherokee County offer this course, each with a unique approach:
- Andrews High School: Under the guidance of Brittany Pleasants, students explore homemade cooking techniques, learning to make pancakes from scratch and experimenting with different trout preparation methods. The trout farm’s generous donation of ingredients has been instrumental in this endeavor.
- Hiwassee Dam High School: Led by Tommy Strickland, students dive into measuring, baking and creative food projects. Earlier this year, homemade tortillas were a standout success.
- Murphy High School: Kristi Cook takes foods and nutrition to the next level with exciting competitions such as “Halloween Wars” and an upcoming gingerbread house contest.
Through these programs, students gain essential life skills that blend academic knowledge with practical application. Foods and Nutrition classes are more than just about cooking; they teach resource management, teamwork and problem-solving – skills valuable at every stage of life.
Career and Technical Education fosters a well-rounded education, integrating math, science, English and history into real-world applications.
CTE programs like Foods and Nutrition ensure that our students are not only prepared for future careers but also for meaningful and independent lives.
Cherokee County Schools is proud to support these innovative and impactful programs, and we look forward to sharing more success stories in the months ahead.
The writer is career development coordinator with the Career & Technical Education program in Cherokee County Schools. Email her at dana.anderson@cherokee.k12.nc.us.