Dallas ISD Board of Trustees Dan Micciche, District 3

Career Training is Flourishing in District 3 Schools

The Career and Technical Education programs at Bryan Adams and Conrad High Schools are going strong.

Students at Bryan Adams and Conrad high schools in District 3 can prepare for high-demand, high-wage careers in the following areas: construction, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, interior design and cybersecurity. The Bryan Adams curriculum also includes patient care tech and pharmacy tech, while the Conrad curriculum also includes mechatronics, aviation, architecture and interior design. 

Early College High School Programs  

Both Bryan Adams and Conrad high schools have early college programs that provide students with the opportunity to get a head start on college by earning 60 college credits while in high school through Dallas ISD’s P-TECH programs (Pathways in Technology Early College High School). Under this program, students can earn an associate degree at no cost to the student.

The Bryan Adams P-TECH program is a partnership with Dallas College’s Eastfield Campus. Students can explore a range of careers in education or criminal justice. Under this program, Bryan Adams will be “growing our own” future police officers and teachers. Conrad High School’s P-TECH program partners with Dallas College’s Richland Campus to give students the opportunity to earn an associate degree in science (health) or applied science (gaming, networking, programming) tuition-free while still in high school.

Bryan Adams High School launched its NAF Academy of Hospitality & Tourism this year, with veteran teacher Eric Lockley and new teacher Adetayo Adeboyejo. BA now has four NAF Academy themes: Engineering, Health Science, Information Technology and Hospitality & Tourism. As part of the NAF model, students receive additional support for their chosen theme via curriculum, campus-based advisory council and access to work-based learning opportunities, including internships.

The Academy of Engineering at Bryan Adams has teamed up with Toyota. Bryan Adams’ Academy of Engineering has been working to engage interested students through a project that aligns with their freshman Intro to Engineering course. Instructor Jesse Field has created automotive-specific lessons, and students are using the Engineering design process to design cars and work on industry-based certifications in Autodesk Inventor. Toyota has partnered with the school to offer real-world insight into the car design process and more. 

Two students from BA were the only Dallas ISD high school students to compete during the NFTE (Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship) Finals Challenge. Diana Gonzales and Isabel Hernandez, entrepreneurship students from Bryan Adams, were among 33 students from around the country competing in this annual challenge. We are so proud of Diana and Isabel for their entrepreneurial skills. 

The Senior Practicum students at Emmett J. Conrad High School are reviving the Community Tax Program for the 2021-2022 school year. The program began in the 2018-2019 school year, training students to learn tax curriculum and prepare IRS tax returns for the residents of the Vickery Meadows community. The pandemic made it impossible to fully take advantage of this awesome opportunity. This year, the Academy of Finance seniors are partnering with trained tax professionals from the Dallas Community Tax Centers to receive 8-10 weeks of tax training in a virtual setting to become certified tax volunteers. In the spring semester, the Practicum class will set up a tax center either on campus or within the community to complete FREE tax returns for eligible classmates and community members.

CTE Plays a Role in Workforce Solutions Recognition

Dallas ISD’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program was recognized recently when the school district was presented with the Employer of the Year award from Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas, which has provided great support for the district’s CTE students. Dallas ISD is the first public entity to earn this recognition and the first to also earn Workforce Solutions’ Community Impact award.  

CTE Director Richard Grimsley, in thanking the organization for the honor, said, “We appreciate our partnership with Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas to support students in Dallas ISD in their pursuit to engage in high-tech, high-wage, high-skill employment.”