A New School Year, A New Opportunity at Tulsa Tech

As we prepare to welcome students back to school, things look a little different this year. Recent spikes in COVID-19 cases across the nation have a renewed emphasis on physical distancing, wearing masks and thinking twice before gathering in large groups. It has also changed how we layout our classrooms, lab space and even how we teach. However, what is not changing is the impact Tulsa Tech has on the students that walk through our doors.
A blog post about the impact of career and technical education (CTE) by Applied Educational Systems, an education services company in Pennsylvania, proverbially “hit the nail on the head” for hands-on learning. It listed out many things we proclaim at many internal staff gatherings.
Each year we get to see first-hand the impact on students’ lives, including individual achievement, higher graduation rates, better attendance and a true confidence in their career path. Not to mention the economic impact Tulsa Tech, along with the statewide CareerTech system, has on the overall economy.
While the COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging, our instructors are excited to welcome students back to campus. Tulsa Tech has worked to make our classrooms and labs as safe as possible, including new signage, reimagined lab space and classrooms with desks separated to accommodate CDC recommendations. But while the world we live in might be different, it cannot dampen our instructors’ excitement or the need for skilled workers. They are committed to helping students shape their lives to a new career full of potential.
“I am excited to reach students and help make a difference in their future,” Dawna Jones, Surgical Technology Instructor, said. “It is so exciting to learn about my students, share in their dreams and impact their lives.”
The impact Jones is speaking about is enormous. A 2017 report by the Brooking Institute shows that nationwide CTE can motivate students to attend school more frequently and improve their grades.
“The new school year provides a chance for us all – students and teachers – to reflect on the hurdles of the past six months and to move forward together,” Stephanie Aitken, Aerospace Academy Instructor said. “This new school year means we can return to our school community and the growth and healing that the group provides.”
That community feeling also develops highly-satisfied students. The group, Advance CTE, shows 95 percent of CTE students graduate high school, and nearly 80 percent of those students then go onto college. Tulsa Tech and the CareerTech system also open the door to millions of jobs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labors Statistics, over the past decade CTE graduates filled 50 million jobs nationwide, with an estimated 30 percent of those being newly-created jobs.
“Our world and our students’ lives are constantly changing,” Aitken said. “We know how to navigate teaching amidst fear and doubt.”
While millions of Americans search for new jobs after the pandemic shutdown, now could be the best time to invest in yourself. Tulsa Tech offers more than 80 career training options so students can find the perfect option, from aerospace to welding and everything in between, our team is here to get you back on track.
If you are struggling to find work or want to make a change, we’re here to help. Visit tulsatech.edu to start the application process today.