Local Middle Schools Expand CTE, Preparing Students for Future Careers

Middle schools across Kern County are increasingly integrating Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs into their classrooms, giving students an early start on career exploration. Through hands-on courses in fields like photography, virtual welding, or cosmetology, students are developing essential skills, discovering their interests, and gaining insight into potential career paths—all before they even reach high school.

Freedom and Rosedale Middle Schools in the Rosedale Union Elementary School District have recently introduced Career Technical Education (CTE) programs. Rosedale is now in its second year, while Freedom launched its program earlier this school year. Following Rosedale’s successful model, Freedom designed a curriculum that allows students to explore 15 different career pathways throughout the year.

Seventh-grader Ava, currently in the cosmetology pathway, has already set her sights on becoming a nurse, which she become interested in thanks to Freedom’s CTE offerings.

“Doing this in middle school helps jump-start my ideas on what I want to do when I get older,” she says. “We’re really lucky to have this at our school, and I’m grateful.”

That early exposure is exactly what Debbie Snow, a former math teacher turned CTE instructor at Freedom, says she hopes happens when students take this class.

“This class gives students a chance to figure out what excites them,” said Snow. “They’re not just memorizing facts—they’re discovering what they enjoy, what they’re good at, and what might be a career path for them. Watching that process happen is the best part of teaching this class.”

According to Snow, students will spend approximately 14 days doing labs and reviewing lessons on the pathway they choose. If students choose to learn about forensic science, labs may include learning how to document crime scenes and analyze trace evidence. Part of these lessons also help introduce them to new vocabulary, giving them a broad understanding of the career as a whole.

Meanwhile, in the neighboring Norris School District, more than 150 students are currently enrolled in CTE courses at Norris Middle School, with plans to expand offerings next year. Among these programs, media arts provide students with hands-on experience in photography, graphic design, stop-motion animation, and advertising, equipping them with creative and technical skills that can be applied in various fields.

Carissa Criss, a school counselor and professional photographer, earned her CTE credential to teach the course—a career shift she embraced a couple of years ago. 

Beyond introducing students to photography, she helps them understand how visual media skills can be valuable in a wide range of careers. By learning technical skills early, students in this class also build a strong foundation they can carry into high school and beyond. Many of her students continue to high school photography programs, already proficient in shooting in manual mode, a skill that often takes years to develop.

“Photography teaches students patience, creativity, and attention to detail,” Criss said. “It’s exciting to see them gain confidence as they develop their skills and realize how much they’re capable of.”

Norris also offers a Virtual Enterprise Junior Ventures (VE-JV) program, which gives students foundational business knowledge and skills like Google Suite in the first year before progressing to real-world business development in the second year. Meanwhile, agriculture students are exploring plant science, livestock care, and veterinary topics. Many manage a school garden where they grow seasonal crops like pumpkins, tomatoes, and strawberries.

“This hands-on approach within every career pathway at Norris deepens their understanding and allows students to engage in experiential learning,” said Norris Principal Amy Sawaske. “We are excited to see how we can continue offering these opportunities for Norris students.”

Both Norris and Rosedale educators emphasize that these programs go beyond career exploration, helping students develop a sense of direction before high school. For Sawaske, early exposure to different career fields allows students to make more informed decisions about their education while building foundational skills that can benefit them in high school, college, and the workforce.

In the end, although the approach varies at each school, the result is consistent: students are acquiring career awareness and technical skills earlier than ever before.

Rosedale Union School District students participating in the nursing and forensic science pathways.