The Joint Technical Education District is a program for high school students to get hands-on experience with CTE-type classes and specialty courses not taught in high schools. Some programs are very competitive and have a lot of desire around them like Cosmetology and Medical Assistance.
Mr. Haynes, our college and career counselor said, “JTED is great for students who want to explore different career fields and it gives them an opportunity to go out there and take some hands-on courses, much like our CTE courses here. JTED courses offer some of those CTE-type courses that we can’t offer as a school…to get some certifications to potentially go straight to work after they graduate.”
Mr. Haynes has been working with the JTED program for three years and has opened up some great opportunities for students at Sahuaro. One, in particular, took the Community Health and Wellness and Healthcare Assistance course and went on to become a student athletic trainer at Pima Community College. He’s assigned to the head of athletic training at Pima and helps out with all of the women’s basketball games.
A senior cosmetology student, Quinn Miller said, “I was a huge boxer and I had to choose between boxing and my passion for physical activity versus JTED and my passion for building my future…it’s now or the future.” Quinn chose to follow her dreams of becoming a cosmetologist through the JTED program.
For students who want to explore their options, especially if college doesn’t sound right to them, JTED may be the choice. There are many interactive classes you can take. Some of them include Community Health and Wellness, Computer-Aided Design, Robotics and Manufacturing, Culinary & Nutritional Arts/Restaurant Management/Pastry, Air Transportation- Uncrewed & Crewed Flight Systems, Physical Therapy Technician, Heavy Equipment Operations, Law, Public Safety & Security, Emergency Medical Technician, Pharmacy Technician, Medical Assistant, Healthcare Foundations, Fire Service, Veterinary Assisting, and Early Childhood Education.
This year a total of 24 Sahuaro students signed up for various JTED programs, and we wish them the best with their endeavors. The JTED program helps many students each year gather certificates and go straight into work after high school. These students are on to great success with the JTED experience and we can’t wait to see what they may do in the future.
