CTE Quarterly Update

Nineteen students in Canton City Schools’ Construction Technologies CTE program have been accepted into the Pre-Apprenticeship Electrical Program through the Electrical Trades Center of Greater Stark County, opening the door to exciting opportunities in the skilled trades.

Through this partnership, students can complete the first year of a four-year electrical apprenticeship while still in high school, at no cost to them. The program combines classroom instruction, hands-on training, and exposure to industry credentials, giving students a head start toward a career in the electrical construction industry.

This partnership was recently celebrated with community leaders and partners, including Canton Mayor William V. Sherer II, Massillon Mayor Jamie Slutz, and Ohio State Senator Jane Timken. Attendees toured the JATC’s state-of-the-art training facility to see firsthand where apprentices develop the skills needed for careers in the electrical trades.

A highlight of the celebration was hearing from McKinley senior Chris Warrick, who shared what this opportunity means to him and how partnerships like this can make a difference in students’ futures.

The Electrical Trades Center of Greater Stark County, the Canton Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC), and BlackRock Future Builders are helping connect classroom learning with real-world experience and meaningful career pathways.

We are grateful to these partners for investing in our students and helping them build the skills, experience, and confidence to take the next step toward a rewarding career.

Congratulations to all 19 students on this achievement!

A routine pizza pickup turned into a valuable learning opportunity for a Canton City Schools Culinary Arts student! The team at Fromage du Monde welcomed students for a behind-the-scenes look at the business, where the owner demonstrated fish stock preparation, introduced them to different cheeses, and shared his culinary expertise.

The visit opened the door to future learning opportunities, including a possible cheese tasting or etiquette lesson.

Thank you to Fromage du Monde for welcoming our students and helping extend their learning beyond the classroom. These community connections give students meaningful opportunities to learn from industry professionals and explore their future careers.

McKinley’s CTE Performing Arts Dance seniors kicked off the school year early with the program’s first dance intensives, held Aug. 3–7. The week gave students an opportunity to work with professional choreographers, strengthen their technique, and experience the expectations of a professional rehearsal environment.

Under the guidance of instructor Mr. Duncan and visiting artists, students learned original choreography across multiple styles. Former Radio City Rockette Dani Morrison helped students develop an emotional contemporary piece, while Nettie Matheny led the creation of an upbeat tap number. Both experiences challenged dancers to build their versatility, refine their performance skills, and explore new approaches to their craft.

This year’s guest artists also include Stacie Wirth, Arai Marino, Alan Pickett, and Nate Smith. Rachel and Jonathan Green of R&J Ballroom, who serve on the program’s advisory board, continue to support students as resident choreographers.

Beyond developing their skills, these intensives give students valuable opportunities to learn from working professionals and begin building connections that may support their future education and careers.

The choreography developed during the intensives will be featured in the program’s 2027 Spring Dance Concert, Flashback.

Students in Allied Health and Nursing and Exercise Science and Sports Medicine participated in two off-campus learning experiences focused on healthcare careers, leadership and future educational opportunities.

At the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Fall Leadership Conference, students took part in motivational keynote presentations, leadership development workshops and networking activities at NEOMED. They connected with other students interested in healthcare, explored career pathways and gained ideas to bring back to their HOSA chapter. The conference also highlighted the importance of professionalism, responsibility, service and leadership in the healthcare field.

Students also visited the University of Mount Union to tour its medical programs and labs. The visit gave students a firsthand look at healthcare-related educational opportunities and helped them explore potential paths for their future studies and careers.

Together, these experiences helped students build leadership skills, learn more about the healthcare field and explore opportunities beyond the classroom.

Thank you to the University of Mount Union for welcoming our students and providing this valuable learning experience!

Two members of the Canton City Schools Career Technical Education community were recently recognized in the Ohio Association for Career and Technical Education (Ohio ACTE) #NEXTready News digital newsletter. 

Morgan Daniels, a student in the Performing Arts Theater program, and Heather Hutmacher, Commercial Photography instructor, were each featured in individual spotlights highlighting their contributions to Career Technical Education.

Morgan Daniels, a student at McKinley High School, was recognized for her dedication to the Performing Arts Theater program and her involvement in numerous school activities, including the McKinley Singers Show Choir, softball, National Technical Honor Society, and CTE Ambassador program. Morgan credits her theater experiences with helping her develop new skills and discover opportunities. Her advice to students considering CTE? "Just try it. You may surprise yourself!"

Heather Hutmacher, who has spent 20 years teaching Commercial Photography at McKinley High School, was highlighted for her commitment to helping students turn their creativity and technical skills into career opportunities. Among her accomplishments, Hutmacher has helped students earn their FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification, opening doors to opportunities in photography, aviation, and emerging technologies.

Both spotlights reflect the meaningful opportunities available through Canton City Schools Career Technical Education and the impact of students and educators who make the most of them.

November 2: Regular Meeting of the Board of Education, 6 PM, Timken Commons

November 3: No School for Students, Teacher Professional Development

November 10: CTE Sophomore Showcase

November 11 and 12: 8th Grade Visits for CTE Pathways

November 16 - 20: WebXam 1st Semester Testing

November 23-27:  Fall Break. Happy Thanksgiving! We are thankful for you!

Our students’ success doesn’t happen without you! Parents, families, and community and business partners play an important role in preparing students for their futures, and there’s a place for you in CTE.

Whether you’re interested in serving on a Program Advisory Board, sharing your expertise as a guest speaker, hosting a workplace tour, offering job shadows or internships, mentoring students, or connecting students with career opportunities, your involvement makes a difference.

Let’s connect! We’re always looking for ways to strengthen our programs and create meaningful opportunities for students.

Interested in partnering with CTE? Contact Stephanie Pipero-Henderson, Career Tech Director, at pipero_s@ccsdistrict.org or 330-438-2652.

Together, we can connect classroom learning to real-world opportunities and help prepare the next generation of skilled professionals!