I was very pleased to read the editorial in Wednesday’s Herald strongly supporting career and technical education here in Snohomish County. I was particularly pleased to see that the writer understands that technical education is not “alternative” education only for those who have difficulties in academics.
Most technical classes have a strong academic component, but are tied to more real world, hands-on applications that make it more relevant to our students. I have been the culinary arts chef/instructor here at Sno-Isle Tech (which is the proper name — we haven’t been Sno-Isle Skills Center for about four years) for 12 years and have seen how students grow and mature when they find a possible career path, and they get to see first-hand what it is like.
Here at Sno-Isle, we run a fine dining restaurant that is open to the public four days a week. The nursing assisting class does 40 hours of clinical training in a medical facility in preparation of taking the state certified nursing assistant exam. The medical, dental and veterinary assistant classes all perform internships in local facilities. Many of our classes offer college credit through the tech-prep programs at community colleges. This is not just auto or wood shop from the past!
Because of programs like Sno-Isle, students do have choices, both academically and career-wise — and the two do not have to be mutually exclusive. If students (or parents) have questions about Sno-Isle, they may contact their school counselors or our Web site, snoisletech.com.
Becky Pechman
Everett
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