With this recent school year, incoming students are discovering the many academic programs Judson has to choose from, including Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH). Underclassmen have the opportunity to broaden their horizons, using the three pathways P-TECH offers. Students may begin nursing, dental, or automotive during their freshman year.
As freshmen dive into their chosen fields, the excitement for hands-on experience is heard among the student body. The program allows students a headstart in their careers with practical experience, blending classroom learning with real-world skills. P-TECH’s early exposure guides students towards a path of success, starting in highschool.
Freshmen enter the program full of expectations, and seniors who are further along reflect on how their experiences measure up to what they had envisioned. Daniel Anzalone offers a closer look into the freshmen perspective of the Automotive program.
“I really just want to learn,” says Anzalone. Beginning the new school year, it’s more than just Daniel who’s eager to pursue their goals.
Diego Ramon, a senior in the program says he’s done just that.
“Honestly, for the little time I had, it really has boosted a lot of my abilities… It strengthened my love and passion for the industry.” explained Ramon.
He then goes on to explain the many things he’s learned while in the program.
“Just having the teachers and guidance, for welding, painting, recalibrating, and everything else under the sun.”
Judson offers far more than just automotive, with a wide variety of pathways for students to choose from. Eric Pawkett, the P-TECH director, kept every student’s dreams in mind. Pawkett then uses a metaphor of matrimony to describe the programs available.
“A marriage between an early college high school and career preparation,” said Pawkett.
Pawkett goes on to explain the goal of the program, “[We] offer the opportunity to get your feet wet, and see what it is you want to do.”
Fortunately for freshman Skylar Hernandez, she’s able to explore the nursing field. Skylar voices her reasons for joining the program. She enrolled to, ‘further her knowledge in the medical field, and eventually become a nurse.’ She expects to learn information and medical procedures to aid her education, even after high school.’
Senior Dejah Dudley affirms all of Skylar’s expectations about the nursing programs at Judson.
Dudley says her decision to join the Patient Care Technician (PCT) program was influenced by the collaborative learning aspect. In her words, “I’ve gotten so many different experiences due to the classes I was in, [P-TECH takes the same classes as PCT] and being able to go and get that real hands-on experience.”
“Hopefully I get my certificates and make it big in life,” Dudley added.
Freshmen entering the dental program have nothing to worry about, according to senior Elizabeth Villaral. “Everyone is so helpful and relaxed. It’s fun making impressions, cleaning teeth, braces, and learning about dental hygiene.” She joined ‘just to try,’ and does not regret it.
Overall, all the programs Judson has to offer have been interactive, unique, and truly useful to potential student careers. Pawkett describes the program as a ‘work in progress,’ and still technically in its ‘infancy.’
“It hasn’t reached its full potential yet, but we’re working on it,” he explains.
Regardless of the age of the program, and the programs that P-TECH feeds into, all students have a positive experience with the rigorous interactive classes. Through each pathway, many seniors have already received job offers. Freshmen look forward to similar opportunities in the future.