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Highlands County Career Academy

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By JOE SEELIG

Highlands Today

Published: August 15, 2008

AVON PARK - There's excitement generating over the new Highlands County Career Academy program to be held at South Florida Community College, as educators ready themselves to help a select group of high school students prepare for their futures.

The mission of the career academy is to provide an opportunity for 10th-, 11th- and 12th- grade Highlands County high school students to complete high school and college credit courses at one location by combining a high school and technical education at the college's Avon Park campus.

Doug Thoburn is coordinator of career and technical education with the Highlands County School District.

He is retired from the United States Air Force, where he served 20 years and taught for 13 of those years. He received a bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University in vocational education and a master's degree from the University of Oklahoma.

"I attended Muskingum College, in New Concord, Ohio, for a graduate program leading to certification as a secondary principal," he said. "I attended Salem International University for a graduate program leading to certification as a public school superintendent."

Thoburn is certified in educational leadership in Florida, West Virginia and Ohio.

He was eager to discuss the career academy program, its requirements and its benefits.

"Thus far 70 students have applied and have been accepted," Thoburn said on July 28. "Applicants must be enrolled at one of the three public high schools in Highlands County.

"These are students who have identified a career interest beyond high school and they will thrive in a small learning environment."

Tuition is free to Highlands County high school students.

Eligibility requirements are a 2.0 grade point average and completion of all required ninth-grade courses with a passing grade. Bus transportation is included or students can drive or be driven to the school.

Students will spend the entire school day, five days a week, at the career academy on the SFCC campus. Half the day will be dedicated to academics at one central location and half of the day will be spent in the student's chosen technical programs, housed in their appropriate departments spread out across the campus.

A school day will begin at 8 a.m. and end at 3 p.m. And yes, students can stay involved in sports or other school activities at their respective high schools.

Those technical programs include: Administrative Assistant; Computer Networking; Air Conditioning and Refrigeration; Networking / Computers; Auto Technician / Mechanics; Medical Secretary; Computer Engineering; Culinary Arts; Electronics; Automotive Collision Repair; Drafting / Construction Technology; and Administrative Secretary / Business.

"All the resources of the college are available to us," Thoburn said, "but we hope to be as self-sufficient within our academics as possible. These are students who can function in a mature environment. This is going to be very much like a college experience.

"We want students to understand this can certainly segue to either a community college future or a four-year college future. Students who complete the career academy will automatically transition to, seamlessly experience, SFCC's degree programs."

Students will be provided an opportunity to complete their high school diploma and at the same time work toward completing their industry-recognized certification in their chosen technical area, he said.

"This is a standard diploma, not a GED," Thoburn emphasized. "It's my hope once students and parents realize this, there will be more interest. Studies show that students who graduate from career academies have a far greater earning potential than students who just graduate high school."

A pamphlet released by the college indicates the enrollment was expected to be from 60 to 80 students, but they can handle more, Thoburn said. He predicted down the road more programs could be offered.

The academy opens in August 2008 and thus far a cut-off date has not been established. Probably no more than two weeks into the school year, Thoburn said.

"We can handle 125 to 150 students with current staff," he said. "We're looking for, in the future, what other programs we can offer based on the needs of the community."

This would be worked out in conjunction with input from the area's employers.

Thoburn complimented the school board and the school administration for its significant commitment, recognizing the need for the career academy, in light of the fiscal challenges.

"Class size will depend on the enrollment and grade levels," Thoburn said. "But, will always be a small learning environment where students' individual needs will be the priority."

The academic program will have five teachers: Dewayne Lemler teaching math; Chet Maxcy, science, Lacy Carlton, language arts; Sharon Pearson, reading; and Teryl Clark, social sciences. Kandi Daponte is the administrative support person.

Clark has moved from Polk County to Highlands to teach social science instruction, and eagerly awaits the new program.

She holds her Florida teaching certificate in social science from Warner Southern College, a bachelor's degree in social science education from Warner Southern College and her master's degree in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University.

She is working toward her doctoral degree in organizational leadership.

Clark said she plans to align her curriculum heavily with the technical side of the program.

"I want the curriculum to be relevant to the changing world," she said. "I hear students say that a lot. They want to know how it relates to the everyday world.

The program offers courses to students across the academic spectrum, she said.

Some people think it is an academy for low-performing students. That is simply not the case, she said.

"We have students with very high GPAs and those who may face academic challenges," she said.

Her vision is to expand the program. It could be the bridge to the community's growth, she said.

"There's a need here," she said. "We just need someone to act on that need."

She said she plans to enlist the help of professionals within the community to come in and speak with the students.

"I'm so excited, I just can't tell you," she said.

For more information on the career academy, contact Thoburn at 471-5654 or e-mail him at thoburnd@highlands.k12.fl.us

Joe Seelig can be reached at 386-5834 or jseelig@highlandstoday.com

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