Killeen ISD Recognized as CTE District of Distinction
The CTE District of Distinction program acknowledges districts which excel in developing educational offerings aligned with workforce needs and ensuring student success.
Killeen ISD was selected based on its robust programming and significant student achievement. All CTE courses are housed at the Killeen ISD Career Center, where students receive hands-on training in fields such as cosmetology, welding, veterinary science, culinary arts, and more.
With 33 programs and 71 industry-recognized certifications, the Career Center plays a pivotal role in shaping the future workforce.
'We like to say that students are leaving us prepared and competitive, and then that means that they can go out and just be, they can compete with anybody,' said Patrice Robinson, Director of Career and Technical Education. 'Our CTSO's career and technical student organizations help to prepare students for those skills, technical skills, soft skills because it is preparing them for career development.'
The district's commitment to providing real-world experience has paid off as many alumni return to teach the next generation of students, often in the same fields in which they were trained.
Senior Elena Rivira, who is enrolled in the cosmetology program, sees the value of her training in both her college and career plans, 'The biggest thing is I'm going to college, and this is going to be a great help for me, an investment to start making money as I'm going to school.'
Many students like Elena have already started building clientele and landing jobs in their fields before graduation. Mone'y Lewis, a senior has landed a job at a local hair salon.
'This is a good opportunity to go in and learn more about hair and what I want to do,' Lewis said, explaining how the cosmetology program has helped her.
Sophomore Jenna Mercado, who is studying welding, expressed the challenges and benefits of her training, 'I think it's going to be hard, like when I get out, but at the same time it's training me for the real world.'
The Killeen ISD Career Center, which opened in 2012, has been part of the district's long-standing commitment to career readiness.
Many of the instructors, like welding instructor Zachary Dees, are alumni who have returned to give back to the program that helped shape their careers, 'It feels really good. I'm glad to be a part of the program that I went through.'
'It's really good to be back in, and the technology has come a long way since I was a student.'
For Dees, his goal is to give students the same opportunity he had to grow, 'When you teach them and they struggle at it, and then they get the concept down, it brings a smile to their faces and to mine.'
With a focus on both academic and hands-on learning, Killeen ISD continues to prepare students for success in a competitive world, ensuring they leave the Career Center not just with certifications, but with confidence in their future careers.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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