Grant Provides High School Career Coaches

The Innovative School Models grant has provided many great opportunities for the Career and Technical Education programs of Lawrence County Schools. A major bonus of the ISM grant is that investing in the CTE programs ultimately affects the economic development of our community. With the assistance of the grant dollars, a Career Coach has been hired for each high school within LCSS.

Hope Thomason, the Workforce Development Coordinator of Lawrence County Schools, will be guiding the Career Coaches every step of the way and aid in connecting them to business and industry representatives. Serving in these positions are Holly True of Loretto High School, Andrea Kelly of Summertown High School, and Dru Clifft of Lawrence County High School.

LCSS CTE Director, Shannon Watson shares, “One of the most valuable opportunities of the ISM grant is the addition of a Career Coach at each high school. These positions are truly a dream come true for me as CTE Director. The goal is for the Career Coaches to reach students early and help them develop a plan that leads to gainful employment in a high wage high demand field.” The Career Coaches are going to focus on 9th and 10th grade students and have them better prepared for the many

DRAFTJS_BLOCK_KEY:ejjjlThe Innovative School Models grant has provided many great opportunities for the Career and Technical Education programs of Lawrence County Schools. A major bonus of the ISM grant is that investing in the CTE programs ultimately affects the economic development of our community. With the assistance of the grant dollars, a Career Coach has been hired for each high school within LCSS.

early postsecondary opportunities offered by our district. Those include but are not limited to dual enrollment, industry certifications, and work-based learning.

The Career Coaches will work hand in hand with the Guidance Counselors and Ayers Counselors on a multitude of tasks. For example, this year aptitude tests will be administered to students and the results will be utilized to guide the conversations that the Career Coaches will have with students as well as course selection options. Other duties include working with CTE Teachers to ensure that soft skills curriculum is introduced to all CTE Students, scheduling guest speakers, career fairs, and job placement.

In coming months LCSS will be introducing other innovative action steps that are a part of the ISM grant. With the incredible CTE Faculty, Staff, and Career Coaches a monumental difference will continue to be made in the lives of LCSS students.