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News for students, families and friends | November 2026

Engaged, Learning and Building Confidence!

Welcome to the 2026/27 school year! We're glad to have you with us at North Ed Career Tech. As we settle into the fall, our classrooms, labs and shops are filled with the energy and focus that make career and technical education so special. Our students are already passing their safety checks and engaging in hands-on learning in their programs, mastering technical skills, and building the confidence that will lead to success this school year and beyond.

Connecting our classrooms to relevant careers remains at the heart of everything we do, and our fall advisory meetings are key to that mission. Bringing together our instructors, students, families and local industry leaders, these collaborative sessions ensure our 23 state-approved programs reflect what is happening in the industry today. For our students, seeing industry experts invest in their growth increases the legitimacy of their learning and the authenticity of every moment they spend in our building.

That passion for student success is exemplified by our very own Aviation Maintenance instructor Scott O'Dell, who was recently named a finalist for National New CTE Teacher of the Year! This prestigious national recognition reflects Scott’s commitment, innovative teaching methods, and support for his students. We could not be more proud to have him representing our school and community on the national stage this December in New Orleans.

Looking ahead, we are thrilled to welcome the next generation of learners during our annual 8th grade tours in November. Over the course of two days, more than 1,800 8th graders from across our five-county region will walk our halls. They'll get an up-close look at working lungs, rattling engines, hot ovens and the whir of 3-D printers. Though these days bring a bit of chaos to our halls with 1,800 visitors joining our 1,200 students, this early look at CTE for the class of 2031 is well worth the commotion.

It is an exciting season of growth, connection and achievement here on Parsons Road!

Respectfully,

Pat Lamb

Assistant Superintendent of Career & Technical Education

Northwest Education Services

Attendance is an important life skill. Being present today helps prepare students for the expectations of the workforce and adulthood. We are working together to build a strong foundation for their future success.

Learning Forward: North Ed Career Tech

North Ed Career Tech was recently highlighted in a state-wide publication by the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP) in a feature story focused on the center's decade-long work to embed Evidence-Based Reporting (EBR) throughout the school. Rather than traditional grading practices that combine compliance tasks, participation and assessments into a single score, EBR is a type of competency-based grading that focuses on helping each student on their pathway to proficiency in clearly established skill areas. A student's grade will be based upon the body of evidence a student produces over time, with teachers constantly providing feedback to students and families regarding their proximity to proficiency in the program's major skill areas. Each program instructor identifies the critical skills necessary for success in their industry and groups them into "big ideas." Each big idea has a proficiency scale that clearly defines what proficiency looks like for high school students. A student's final grade is reflective of their proximity to proficiency rather than if they earned enough points to pass the class.

Read more in the news article:

"Inside North Ed's Evolving Approach to Career Tech Teaching and Learning."

View a video summary of EBR:

VIDEO about Evidence-Based Reporting

Building Bridges

The North Ed Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, will support ALL students affiliated with a program or service provided by North Ed (Career Tech or Special Education). More than 40% of the students served by North Ed live in poverty. To help them reach their dreams, the North Ed Foundation supports these students through three primary methods:

• Student Emergency Resource Fund (SERF) to support emergency needs while in school, including — but not limited to — food, clothing and basic medical care.
• Tools of the Trade Fund assists students going directly into the world of work.
• Scholarship Fund supports graduates attending postsecondary education.

Contributions to the Foundation will be accepted for any of these funds or as unrestricted donations to be used to supply North Ed food pantries or for the area of greatest need. Learn more at www.NorthEdFoundation.org

Building Bridges, Driving Futures:

31^st Annual North Ed Scholarship Golf Outing

On Sunday, September 20, golfers, donors and community members gathered at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa for the 31^st Annual North Ed Scholarship Golf Outing. Set against the iconic Grand Traverse Resort backdrop and beautiful weather, supporters came together for a memorable day on the greens dedicated to empowering local career and technical education students.

Hosted on behalf of the North Ed Foundation, the annual tournament

serves as a vital fundraiser for Career and Technical Education scholarships.

The funds raised provide essential financial support to students pursuing

post-secondary education, hands-on technical training, trade certifications

and specialized career pathways, bridging the gap between high school education

and rewarding careers.

Thanks to the generous turnout of participants, sponsors and volunteers, this year’s

event carried forward a proud three-decade tradition of investment in North Ed

Career Tech. Every drive, putt and donation made throughout the day directly

contributes to serving as the necessary bridge for the next generation of

skilled professionals and community leaders.

Eighth Grade Visits

Eighth-grade students from the five-county service area (Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau) will visit North Ed Career Tech on Nov. 11 and 12. This annual event is designed to give students a preview of the innovative career and technical education programs available to them when they enter 11th and 12th grades. Students discover 23 distinct CTE programs spanning a variety of high-demand career fields. The visit is an important career exploration step in understanding how North Ed Career Tech can prepare students for success in the workforce, college and the military.

Career Tech Programs for Every Student

With 20+ programs, Career Tech offers something for just about any student. Whether they're passionate about engineering or inspired by the trades, writing or art, there's plenty of exciting learning opportunities here.

Learn more below:

Making Connections at Career Tech

At Career Tech, we want to make sure your student has all the tools, confidence and skills they need to thrive. That is why our school counselors and school social worker partner with instructors to support the whole student. From mapping out career pathways and post-secondary plans to providing mental health support and helping navigate high school friendships, we ensure our students graduate with the technical expertise, employability and emotional resilience they need to succeed. We also love seeing our students step into leadership roles, which they can do right here through the National Technical Honor Society, Student Council and Voices Club. Reach out to us at 231.922.6308 if you have any questions.

To get involved or to learn more, email School Social Worker Laura Miller at lgmiller@NorthwestEd.org

Cross-curricular Learning

In a powerful display of cross-curricular learning, our Agriscience and Culinary Arts programs recently joined forces for an unforgettable farm-to-table masterclass.

The highlight of the lesson was a lamb raised with exceptional care by one of our very own Agriscience students last year. After the animal was professionally harvested and halved, students in both the A.M. and P.M. sessions had the unique opportunity to witness the entire breakdown process firsthand.

Staff member and local expert Bob Grose led the butchery demonstration, skillfully taking the half-lamb from primal cuts down to refined, restaurant-ready portions. As Bob worked, Mr. Matchett shared invaluable insights into livestock management, ethical slaughtering and meat processing, while Chef Sladkey guided students through culinary applications, highlighting how each section of the animal can be elevated in the kitchen.

Embodying a "snout-to-tail" philosophy, nothing will go to waste. Culinary students will use every part of the lamb for an upcoming Agriscience banquet: the bones will yield a rich stock, the belly and breast will be cured into lamb bacon, and the remaining cuts will be crafted into sausage or meatballs.

From animal husbandry to final plating, this single project provided two years of hands-on lessons across two disciplines—demonstrating the deep connection between sustainable agriculture and the culinary arts.

Student Leadership

National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) and Student Council each offer our students invaluable leadership opportunities that enrich our learning community at Career Tech. We are proud to announce the following officer selections for both NTHS and Student Council.

New NTHS Members

Congratulations to all Career Tech students admitted into National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) this fall. We salute their hard work and commitment!

Check the Student Job Board

Did you know there are employment opportunities posted on the Career Tech website? Check it regularly for job postings in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau counties. Current students and recent graduates are encouraged to apply. 

The Role and Purpose of Advisory Meetings in CTE

Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs host “Advisory” meetings twice a year. These meetings serve as the nexus between CTE programming and constituents, including business partners, educational partners, industry leaders and the community we serve. Meetings are structured, collaborative sessions specifically designed to maintain program quality, focus, safety and ensure student training is directly aligned with real-world industry demands. 

Core Rationale and Purpose

CTE advisory committees serve several critical functions that drive student and program outcomes and satisfy institutional requirements:

• Regulatory Compliance and Grant Eligibility
• Curriculum and Industry Relevance
• Workforce Alignment
• Safety and Work-Based Learning (WBL)

Operational Scope: Advisory-Only Governance

While advisory committees offer strategic guidance, their authority is explicitly limited in scope, serving in a role of "consultant" with no administrative authority. Final operational and administrative control remains strictly with school boards and district leadership.

The “WHY”: Advisory meetings facilitate the grounding of program instruction and industry-specific standards, that ensure CTE programming remains relevant, practical, compliant and beneficial to both students and regional employers.

Interested in learning more? Contact Patrick Lamb at plamb@NorthwestEd.org or 231.922.6273

Northwest Education Services

Career Tech

880 Parsons Road, Traverse City, MI 49686

Tel. 231.922.6273 |  NorthwestEd.org