DCS Workforce Development
Phone: (662) 429.5271
Work-Based Learning Student Spotlight!
Each week, we’re highlighting outstanding students gaining real-world experience through DeSoto County Schools’ Work-Based Learning program. Meet this week’s featured student below!
Each week, we’re highlighting outstanding students gaining real-world experience through DeSoto County Schools’ Work-Based Learning program. Meet this week’s featured student below!
From Student to Healthcare Professional!
Health Sciences students at CTC East recently welcomed a special guest from Le Bonheur Pedi-Flight. Savannah Sims (née Eckhoff), a 2015 graduate of Lewisburg High School, returned to share her career journey and provide students with a firsthand look at the world of pediatric critical care transport.
Savannah spoke with students about careers in healthcare, educational pathways, daily job responsibilities, and the rewarding work of serving patients and families through Pedi-Flight. Her team also showcased the ambulance, equipment, and medical supplies used in emergency transport, giving students an up-close look at this specialized healthcare field.
Seeing a DeSoto County Schools alumna return to inspire the next generation is a powerful reminder of what is possible when passion, education, and opportunity come together.
Thank you to Savannah Sims and the Le Bonheur Pedi-Flight team for investing in our students and sharing your expertise!
Health Sciences students at CTC East recently welcomed a special guest from Le Bonheur Pedi-Flight. Savannah Sims (née Eckhoff), a 2015 graduate of Lewisburg High School, returned to share her career journey and provide students with a firsthand look at the world of pediatric critical care transport.
Savannah spoke with students about careers in healthcare, educational pathways, daily job responsibilities, and the rewarding work of serving patients and families through Pedi-Flight. Her team also showcased the ambulance, equipment, and medical supplies used in emergency transport, giving students an up-close look at this specialized healthcare field.
Seeing a DeSoto County Schools alumna return to inspire the next generation is a powerful reminder of what is possible when passion, education, and opportunity come together.
Thank you to Savannah Sims and the Le Bonheur Pedi-Flight team for investing in our students and sharing your expertise!
Career exploration starts early!
Today, Hernando Middle School eighth graders visited Career and Technical Education West Campus to get an inside look at the hands-on opportunities available through CTE.
Through our partnership with Cyber Foundations teachers at each middle school, eighth-grade students across DeSoto County are getting an introduction to CTE as part of their career exploration experience and helping them connect what they are learning today to the possibilities that await them in high school and beyond.
From technical skills to industry credentials and real-world career pathways, exposure matters.
Today, Hernando Middle School eighth graders visited Career and Technical Education West Campus to get an inside look at the hands-on opportunities available through CTE.
Through our partnership with Cyber Foundations teachers at each middle school, eighth-grade students across DeSoto County are getting an introduction to CTE as part of their career exploration experience and helping them connect what they are learning today to the possibilities that await them in high school and beyond.
From technical skills to industry credentials and real-world career pathways, exposure matters.
Meet the Team: Workforce Development at DCHS
Say hello to Michelle Carter & Marty Parks, our Work-Based Learning Coordinators, and Hope Finch & Todd Mayo, our Career Coaches! Swipe through to learn more about their backgrounds and how they're helping DCHS students explore careers and prepare for life after high school.
Say hello to Michelle Carter & Marty Parks, our Work-Based Learning Coordinators, and Hope Finch & Todd Mayo, our Career Coaches! Swipe through to learn more about their backgrounds and how they're helping DCHS students explore careers and prepare for life after high school.
We kicked off our first Utility Line Worker Session at Northcentral Electric Cooperative today! Today's session opened with JD Cox, Northcentral Electric Cooperative’s coordinator for the program, welcoming the students. Joel Barrett followed, explaining what a cooperative is, the co-op's culture of safety, and its apprenticeship program. Chipper Nix walked the students through how the company expanded into fiber and the other career paths within Northcentral Electric. The session wrapped up with an informal Q&A where students could ask questions and get to know the team.
We look forward to our next session in October, when students will get hands-on electrical experience and see a demonstration of the safety trailer!
Workforce Wednesdays
HHS Career Coaches, Laurie Waring and Holly Wheeler, visited 11th and 12th grade English class to introduce themselves and walk the students through job shadowing and internship opportunities. Congratulations to the Career BINGO winners!
HHS Career Coaches, Laurie Waring and Holly Wheeler, visited 11th and 12th grade English class to introduce themselves and walk the students through job shadowing and internship opportunities. Congratulations to the Career BINGO winners!
Meet the Team: Workforce Development at HHS
Say hello to Carol Houston, our Work-Based Learning Coordinator, and Laurie Waring and Holly Wheeler, our Career Coaches! Swipe through to learn more about their backgrounds and how they're helping HHS students explore careers and prepare for life after high school.
Say hello to Carol Houston, our Work-Based Learning Coordinator, and Laurie Waring and Holly Wheeler, our Career Coaches! Swipe through to learn more about their backgrounds and how they're helping HHS students explore careers and prepare for life after high school.
Workforce Wednesdays
Meet Garrison! Garrison, a junior at Hernando High School, is gaining real-world experience through Work-Based Learning at AutoZone, where he handles inventory, the front counter, customer service, and mechanical troubleshooting. A hardworking, easygoing student, he balances school and work while keeping his grades up, and he's building skills toward a career in Aviation Maintenance.
Meet Garrison! Garrison, a junior at Hernando High School, is gaining real-world experience through Work-Based Learning at AutoZone, where he handles inventory, the front counter, customer service, and mechanical troubleshooting. A hardworking, easygoing student, he balances school and work while keeping his grades up, and he's building skills toward a career in Aviation Maintenance.
Career & Technology Center East Campus - Educator Prep Spotlight!
Educator Preparation Year 1 students are learning the History of Education by creating 3D timelines to show how education has changed and improved over the years. The classroom is structured to provide students with hands-on experience to learn and teach one another. Once students finish and present their 3D timelines, students will have a tour through the Ages of the History of Education.
Educator Preparation Year 1 students are learning the History of Education by creating 3D timelines to show how education has changed and improved over the years. The classroom is structured to provide students with hands-on experience to learn and teach one another. Once students finish and present their 3D timelines, students will have a tour through the Ages of the History of Education.
DCS College & Career Fair for Seniors is underway!
We kicked off this morning with our Horn Lake High School seniors, and we're excited to welcome Lewisburg, Center Hill, and DeSoto Central students today! Our remaining four high schools will join us tomorrow.
A huge THANK YOU to all the local businesses, universities, NWCC, and military branches who came out to support our seniors as they explore their future college and career paths. Your time and investment in our students means the world!
We kicked off this morning with our Horn Lake High School seniors, and we're excited to welcome Lewisburg, Center Hill, and DeSoto Central students today! Our remaining four high schools will join us tomorrow.
A huge THANK YOU to all the local businesses, universities, NWCC, and military branches who came out to support our seniors as they explore their future college and career paths. Your time and investment in our students means the world!
Meet the Team: Workforce Development at LHS
Say hello to Alison Morris, our Work-Based Learning Coordinator, and Andi James & Nici Hill, our Career Coaches! Swipe through to learn more about their backgrounds and how they're helping LHS students explore careers and prepare for life after high school.
Say hello to Alison Morris, our Work-Based Learning Coordinator, and Andi James & Nici Hill, our Career Coaches! Swipe through to learn more about their backgrounds and how they're helping LHS students explore careers and prepare for life after high school.
YOU’RE HIRED!
Today at Career Tech West, our first-year CTC students put their employability skills to the test during our “You’re Hired!” Event!
Students learned how to:
⭐ Correctly complete a job application
⭐ Create and deliver an elevator pitch
⭐ Make a great first impression
⭐ Present themselves professionally when applying for a job
⭐ Communicate confidently with a potential employer
After learning the basics, students completed a mock application and practiced their elevator pitch with our “managers,” receiving valuable feedback along the way.
It was a fun day filled with learning, laughter, and real-world skills our students will carry with them long after they leave the classroom!
At Career Tech, we’re not just preparing students for their next class—we’re preparing them for their next step!
Today at Career Tech West, our first-year CTC students put their employability skills to the test during our “You’re Hired!” Event!
Students learned how to:
⭐ Correctly complete a job application
⭐ Create and deliver an elevator pitch
⭐ Make a great first impression
⭐ Present themselves professionally when applying for a job
⭐ Communicate confidently with a potential employer
After learning the basics, students completed a mock application and practiced their elevator pitch with our “managers,” receiving valuable feedback along the way.
It was a fun day filled with learning, laughter, and real-world skills our students will carry with them long after they leave the classroom!
At Career Tech, we’re not just preparing students for their next class—we’re preparing them for their next step!
What an incredible day for our Aviation Cohort!
Yesterday, our teacher chaperones and students kicked off DCS Workforce Development's Aviation Cohort with a day none of them will forget. The morning started with a tour of the Memphis Airport Tower, giving students a rare look at air traffic control in action.
From there, the group headed to the Herff College of Engineering at the University of Memphis, where Captain Kim Coryat gave an inspiring aviation presentation and Tabatha Pena Requelme led an exciting tour of the simulator lab — letting students get hands-on with flight simulation technology.
We are so proud of our students for diving in and exploring what a career in aviation could look like. Huge thanks to our partners at the University of Memphis and the FAA at the Memphis International Airport Tower for making this experience possible!
Stay tuned for more from this cohort as the program continues.
Meet the Team: Workforce Development at HLHS
Say hello to Wendy Smith, our Work-Based Learning Coordinator, and Dimarche Khashan & Robin Henessee, our Career Coaches! Swipe through to learn more about their backgrounds and how they're helping HLHS students explore careers and prepare for life after high school.
Say hello to Wendy Smith, our Work-Based Learning Coordinator, and Dimarche Khashan & Robin Henessee, our Career Coaches! Swipe through to learn more about their backgrounds and how they're helping HLHS students explore careers and prepare for life after high school.
Meet the Team: Workforce Development at SHS
Say hello to Amanda Jordan, our Work-Based Learning Coordinator, and Lakisha Buffington & Shanette Folsom, our Career Coaches! Swipe through to learn more about their backgrounds and how they're helping SHS students explore careers and prepare for life after high school.
Fire Science Highlight! Our CTC East Fire Science students got hands-on this 9 weeks with a visit from Fairhaven Fire Department, trying out the gear and tools firefighters use every day to serve Desoto County. Great experience for our future first responders!
Meet the Team: Workforce Development at CHHS
Say hello to Jessica Burgess, our Work-Based Learning Coordinator, and Pat Brady, our Career Coach! Swipe through to learn more about their backgrounds and how they're helping CHHS students explore careers and prepare for life after high school.
Say hello to Jessica Burgess, our Work-Based Learning Coordinator, and Pat Brady, our Career Coach! Swipe through to learn more about their backgrounds and how they're helping CHHS students explore careers and prepare for life after high school.
Workforce Wednesday-Student Spotlight: Makenzi Sexton! This LCHS senior is nearly halfway through her 100-hour paid internship in special education, gaining real-world experience and clarity on her future career. Thank you Three Rivers Career Coach, Shana Blakely, for helping Makenzi find this great opportunity.
Meet Clark, a Lake Cormorant High School student who is using his Work-Based Learning class to gain hands-on work experience as a crew member at Malco Theatres in Southaven, MS! Whether he's serving customers, preparing snacks, or handling cash in the concession stand, Clark does it all with a smile. His hard work and dependability have made him a valued team member!
Meet the Team: Workforce Development at LCHS
Say hello to Jenny Camp, our Work-Based Learning Coordinator, and Shana Blakely, our Career Coach! Swipe through to learn more about their backgrounds and how they're helping LCHS students explore careers and prepare for life after high school.
Say hello to Jenny Camp, our Work-Based Learning Coordinator, and Shana Blakely, our Career Coach! Swipe through to learn more about their backgrounds and how they're helping LCHS students explore careers and prepare for life after high school.
