08/24/2026
2026–2027: Full Classrooms, Busy Shops & Bright Futures
We’re only a few weeks into the 2026–2027 school year, and there’s already something pretty exciting happening here at Millard Area Technology Center — or the “vocational school,” as many of us around here still call it.
Several of our teachers have commented that we have more students coming through our doors this year than we’ve seen in years, and I think that is something worth celebrating!
For a long time, it seemed like college was presented as the path to a successful future. And college is absolutely the right choice for many students — but it isn’t the only path.
Some students learn best with their hands. Some discover a talent for building, repairing, creating, problem-solving, working with technology, or caring for others. Some already know that a traditional college setting just isn’t where they see themselves. There are many paths to a successful future, and the skilled careers our students are preparing for are careers that our communities depend on every single day.
That’s what makes career and technical education so important. Students have the opportunity to learn real skills, discover what they’re good at, build confidence, and begin preparing for careers that can lead to successful and rewarding futures.
Leading Millard Area Technology Center is our Principal, Gary Roberts. Mr. Roberts leads with authority, but also with compassion, understanding, fairness, and a genuine respect for both students and staff. He believes in high expectations while recognizing that every student who walks through our doors has different strengths, challenges, and goals. His leadership has helped create an atmosphere of mutual respect where students and staff feel valued and supported. He is a big part of what makes Millard such a great place to learn and work.
And behind our programs is a team of skilled instructors who bring knowledge, experience, and a real commitment to teaching our students.
While hands-on learning is a big part of what we do, there’s much more to learning a trade than simply picking up the tools and getting to work. Our students also spend time in the classroom learning the knowledge, safety, terminology, theory, and technical skills behind the work — and then they get the opportunity to put what they’ve learned into practice.
Our instructors do a great job of bringing those two sides of learning together. They teach it, demonstrate it, and then give students the opportunity to learn by doing. For many students, that’s where things really begin to click.
We’re fortunate to have instructors who not only know their trades, but who are invested in preparing our students for whatever comes next — whether that means continuing their education, entering the workforce, or beginning a career in a skilled trade.
At Millard Area Technology Center:
Dart Phillips — Industrial Maintenance
Rodney Smallwood — Automotive
Mike Sykes — Electrical Technology
Kevin Anderson — Building and Apartment Maintenance
Our career and technical education opportunities also extend into our feeder schools:
Health Science
Christy Ratliff — East Ridge High School
Tiffany Burke — Shelby Valley High School
Daisha Burke — Pikeville High School
Information Technology
Robert Hatfield — Shelby Valley High School
I don’t know exactly what has brought so many students our way this year, but I sure hope it means more young people are beginning to see the value in career and technical education and realizing that success doesn’t look the same for everyone.
Here’s to a great 2026–2027 school year, to full classrooms and busy shops, and most of all, to our students finding their own path forward.
