Chief Leschi Schools

Career & Technical Education is a clear path to your future... learn about CTE pathways that could help you land job opportunities at tribal enterprises.

Interested in Career & Technical Education?

Career & Technical Education

  • Career & Technical Education, also known as CTE, is a series of courses that lead to careers within Puyallup tribal enterprises in the community by providing students with the technical and occupational knowledge needed to be successful. The courses are often project-based with outcomes aligned to skills needed for the workplace. The our courses are directly connected to pathways found within the Puyallup tribal community, and connections are made with tribal leaders so our students see the content directly connected to experiences outside the classroom. Graduates of CTE programs are prepared for high-wage, high-skill, and high-demand careers.


    Career & Technical Education programs provide many benefits, here are just a few:

    • Connect classroom instruction with applied knowledge and skills to solve real world problems
    • Build important skills in creativity, collaboration, and communication
    • Develop partnerships within our tribal community for students to have a clear pathway to tribal industries post high school
    • Prepare students to be career ready
    • Teach students life skills that help them become productive citizens, ultimately ensuring the longterm health and economic competitiveness of our nation

     

    In 2019, the Washington State Legislature provided students with multiple pathways to graduation by passing House Bill (HB) 1599. Rather than graduation being determined by only a state test, students can show their readiness for graduation in a variety of ways. Students develop a High School and Beyond Plan that outlines their initial plans for success when they graduate high school. The courses they take follow to a graduation pathway that leads to this success beyond high school. It also signals to employers and postsecondary education/training institutions a student’s readiness for that next step.

     

    With the passage of HB 1599, students must have a High School and Beyond Plan, earn 24 high school credits, and complete one of several different CTE pathway requirements in order to graduate. At Chief Leschi we offer courses for students to take that lead to the CTE pathway requirement through:

     

    • Hospitality: Culinary Arts Pathway
    • Science and Engineering: Natural Resources Pathway
    • Education Careers Pathway
    • Audio and Visual Technology Pathway
    • Health Sciences: Medical Careers Pathway

CTE Advisory Boards

Hospitality: Culinary Arts Pathway

Name Position
Joshua Turnipseed Head Chef, BJ’s
Annette Bryan Puyallup Tribal Council
Carl Lorton Indigenous Culinary CTE teacher
Trent Jorgensen Owner of the Frying Dutchman
Cherilyn Williams Culinary CTE teacher

Science & Engineering: Natural Resources Pathway

Name Position
Sylvia Miller Puyallup Tribal Council
Jennifer Keating Puyallup Tribal Planning Department, Citizens for a Healthy Bay
David Winfrey Shellfish Biologist, Puyallup Tribe
Daniel Schwartz Chemical Engineering Professor, UW
Nancy Shippentower-Games Director, Puyallup Tribal Shellfish Department
Fred Ramey Head of Operations, Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium
Christopher Towe Environmental Education Program Manager, Pierce Conservation District
Nick Earl Parent of current student, fisherman
Emily Pinckney Point Defiance Zoo Youth Volunteer Program
Blake Smith Enhancement Director, Puyallup Fisheries
Julian Close Fisheries Biologist, Puyallup Fisheries
Elsie Mitchell Science and Engineering CTE teacher

Education Careers Pathway

Name Positions
Amanda Figueroa Senior Director, Student Transitions & Success, UW Tacoma
Shandy Abrahamson Career Connected Learning Tribal Engagement Specialist, OSPI Office of Native Education
Jennifer Vasilez Secondary Principal
Jessica Kinne Education Careers CTE teacher

Audio & Visual Technology

Name Position
Michael Thompson Communications Director, Puyallup Tribe
David Bonds Director, Information Technology, Emerald Queen Casino
Brittany Piger Communications Manager, Chief Leschi Schools
David Derr AV Technology Teacher

Health Sciences: Medical Careers Pathway

Name Position
Corinne Bernardy Nurse, Puyallup Tribal Health Authority
Dr. Karen Wolf Head Veterinarian, Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium
Dr. Kelsey Motanic Doctor, Puyallup Tribal Health Authority
Kayla Smith Health Science CTE teacher

Contact

  • Nancy Nelson

    Nancy Nelson

    Director of Career & Technical Education (CTE)

Publications

CTE Newsletters

Annual Nondiscrimination Notification (Methods of Administration)

  • The Chief Leschi School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its program or activities and provides equal access to clubs and activities. The Chief Leschi School District offers classes in many career and technical education (CTE) program areas:

    • AV Production
    • Culinary
    • Education
    • Medical
    • Natural Resources

    All students are able to choose to pursue any of these pathways under Chief Leschi Schools’ open admission policy. For more information about CTE course offerings contact Nancy Nelson, CTE Director, Nancy.Nelson@leschischools.org. Lack of English language proficiency will not be a barrier to admission and participation in career and technical education programs. The following people have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies:

     

    Scott Halasz

    Athletic Director

    253-445-6000

    Scott.Halasz@leschischools.org

     

    Willie Stewart

    Student Services Administrator

    253-445-6000

    Willie.Stewart@leschischools.org