Career & Technical Education ACPS

26/08/2026

Students in Eastside High School’s Institute of Culinary Arts started out the year with some impressive (and yummy!) pastry work. Career and Technical Education is already in full swing this year!Alachua County Public SchoolsEastside High School

22/08/2026

Ivan "Sonty" Valverde has cut his first full sheet of Delrin to make plastic parts for his robot. It doesn't always work the first time, but that's part of the process!

Using the new xTool P3, these parts are individually cut in less than 30 seconds. From the start of the design to fitting it on the robot after being cut, the entire process can take less than 5 minutes.

Alachua County Public Schools Westwood Middle School

21/08/2026

Former Gainesville High School Digital Video Production student, Carrie Carusone, has produced a feature film that was picked up and will be shown nationally. The film, "IT ENDS", will debut August 28th nationally and has earned some praise and even has a 94% on Rotten Tomatoes. Congratulations to Carrie and her former teacher, Mr. Malo. CTE programs are truly the launchpad for future careers! Alachua County Public Schools

20/08/2026

Wes Melker, a graduate of the Gainesville High School Digital Video Technology program, is putting the skills he learned into his passion! He has combined his passions of science, history, and video production into a career opportunity that is being supported by our country’s most prestigious museum, education, and research complex; The Smithsonian. You can check out his work at the link below! We are so proud! Alachua County Public Schools Melker

White oaks are some of the strongest and sturdiest trees in North A...

06/08/2026

The amazing Melissa Cassels was recognized at the Career and Technical Education back to school meeting as the 2026 Nancy Iafrate Consummate Professional! This annual award is named after the also amazing Nancy Iafrate for her dedication, professionalism, and work ethic and we love to recognize others that emulate those traits each year.

Melissa is the Program Service Specialist in the Career and Adult Education department. In this role, she supports fifty plus CTE teachers around the district, the CTE Department, the Adult Education Department, as well as the Driver Education Program and the district’s Pearson Vue Testing Center.

“We knew she was going to do great things when she first moved into her office and placed a sign on her desk saying ‘Everything is Figureoutable,” said her supervisor, Shannon Ritter.

Melissa is always friendly, helpful, and proactive. Her colleagues rave about her ability to figure out complicated situations, keep them organized, and always stay a step ahead.

Congratulations Mrs. Cassels! 🎊🤩🎈

05/08/2026

The W.T. Loften Award is presented annually to an individual who exemplifies exceptional leadership, enthusiasm, and professionalism in Career and Technical Education (CTE). This honor reflects the values and legacy of its namesake, Mr. William Travis Loften, retired Chairman of the College of Agricultural Education at the University of Florida. Since its inception in 1977, the award has celebrated 49 years of excellence in CTE.

We were thrilled to present the 2026 W.T. Loften Award today to Mr. Tyler Wells, Director of the Institute of Biotechnology at Santa Fe High School. In just a few years, Mr. Wells has transformed the Biotechnology program into a place where students don't simply take classes—they become part of a community with a shared purpose and a vision for their future. He recognized early that opportunities don't just happen. Someone has to create them. So he did. He launched a HOSA chapter that has quickly become a source of pride for the program, with students qualifying for and competing at the International HOSA Leadership Conference in each of its first two years.

He strengthened recruitment efforts and, just as importantly, focused on keeping students engaged through all four years of the Biotechnology pathway, helping them see the value of staying committed to their goals.

He partnered with UF Health to create internship opportunities that place seniors in real biotechnology laboratories, allowing students to gain experiences that many don't encounter until college.

He looked beyond his own classroom, partnering with middle school teachers so his students could introduce younger learners to biotechnology and STEM careers. In doing so, he isn't simply growing enrollment—he's planting seeds of curiosity that may shape students' futures for years to come.

He is constantly looking for ways to improve. Improving certification success. Improving laboratory spaces. Strengthening partnerships with industry. Building an advisory board that actively supports students and the program. Creating meaningful traditions, like the White Coat Ceremony, that remind students they are joining something larger than themselves.

Tyler Wells has become a steady presence for his students, a valued colleague to his peers, and a champion for Career and Technical Education throughout our district. Alachua County Public Schools, Santa Fe High School

Pictured: Tyler Wells, Loften Award Recipient and Jennifer Breman, CTE Program Specialist

05/08/2026

Congratulations to Mr. Bob Bailey from Santa Fe High School's Building Construction Management program! He was recognized at today's back to school meeting as the Career and Technical Education Rookie of the Year!

When Bob Bailey -- better known to many of his students as "Bob the Builder" -- accepted the opportunity to teach Building Construction Management at Santa Fe High School, he wasn't simply changing jobs. After more than 25 years in the construction industry, he embarked on an entirely new voyage. He traded construction sites for classrooms, blueprints for lesson plans, and crews of experienced workers for teenagers who were still trying to figure out who they wanted to become.

Bob inherited a classroom that had lost its course. Students had spent much of the first semester without the structure and consistency they needed. Many educators would have focused first on discipline or compliance. Mr. Bailey chose a different path.

He started by building relationships. He took the time to know his students, not just as learners, but as people. He encouraged those who doubted themselves. He challenged those who needed direction. He celebrated successes that had nothing to do with a grade or a test score. Because Bob understands something every great teacher eventually learns: before you can build a house, you have to build a foundation.

His influence has reached far beyond the construction lab.
Bob has also brought his own passion into the classroom, creating authentic learning experiences that inspire creativity and ownership. Whether students are designing squirrel houses or choosing projects that reflect their own interests, they aren't just learning construction skills—they're learning problem-solving, craftsmanship, pride, and confidence.

Rather than relying solely on decades of industry expertise, he embraced the fact that becoming a great teacher requires a different set of tools—and he set out to master them. Welcome to CTE Mr. Bailey! We are so happy to have you on the team! Alachua County Public Schools, Santa Fe High School

Pictured: Rookie of the Year, Bob Bailey and CTE Program Specialist, Jennifer Breman

03/08/2026

Austin Rogers, graduate of the Eastside High School culinary program, who received the Barbara Finlayson Memorial Scholarship and will be attending Johnson and Wales University, wanted to extend their thanks personally:
“I am incredibly grateful to the sponsors who selected me for this scholarship. Food has been a central part of my life from a very young age, and it has grown into a passion that continues to shape my future. Ever since I’ve gained that passion, I have dreamed of pursuing a degree in baking and pastry so I can expand my knowledge and refine my skills in something I genuinely love. Being able to turn that passion into a career means everything to me. This scholarship brings me one step closer to achieving that dream by easing the financial burden of college expenses.This scholarship doesn’t just support my education, my dreams for the future. I am truly thankful for this opportunity and excited for what lies ahead.”

18/06/2026

This Spiring, the Academy of Media Production Technology (AMPT) students had an incredible opportunity to create a promotional video for the Fire/EMS program at The Professional Academies Magnet at Loften High School. From planning shots to filming and editing, this project gave students hands-on experience creating media for a real audience.

Watch the finished video on the Fire/EMS page here: https://www.alachuaschools.net/o/pamloften/page/academy-of-fire-and-emergency-medical-services

Late applications to the Fire/EMS Academy being accepted now. Visit ACPS Magents to apply: https://www.alachuaschools.net/page/magnets

30/05/2026

Westwood now has three 3D printers, an xTool P3, VEX IQ, VEX V5, and the new drone competition game, VEX AIR!

Carter Ratliff, also an 8th grader at Westwood Middle School, built the new VEX AIR game field and got everything set up for next year. He is already testing the drone and making sure we are ready to go. You can also see the new IQ and V5 games are set up as well!

At Westwood, students aren’t just learning about engineering... they’re doing it.

And can do it all with and . Alachua County Public SchoolsWestwood Middle School