Hands on Classes Prepare Students for Life

Agriculture encompasses a wide range of skills. Veterinarian work, natural resources, math, and much more.

Mike Rowe, T.V. host of the show, Dirty Jobs, is an advocate of young people pursuing jobs in the trades as a good way to make a living.

SCSD#2 is doing that as well. In addition to all the traditional classes, Sheridan High School also offers many Career and Technical Education (CTE) classes. These classes and certification programs give graduates the skills needed to go straight from high school into the work force.

Certification programs provide students with the opportunity to pursue special areas of interest that help motivate, educate and support personal and professional growth after graduation. At Sheridan County School District #2, the CTE classes are thriving. In this first article in an ongoing series, agriculture, animal husbandry and welding are featured.

The course handbook for SCSD#2 high school describes the vocational agriculture course: This yearlong course will explore the fast-paced and ever-changing field of agriculture. Students will gain experience in the areas of animal science, plant & soil science, and natural resources. The economics of production agriculture, ag mechanics and leadership skills through FFA will also be covered. In addition to classroom work, students are encouraged to participate in career development events, field trips, and FFA award programs.

Kassi Bernhardt teaches welding, small animal care, vet science, sustainable agriculture, ag business vocational agriculture, equine science, and it one of the FFA advisors at the school. Clay Christensen is also an FFA advisor, and teaches animal science, ag mechanics, environmental natural resources, and welding.

Bernhardt said that teaching agriculture touches on a lot of difference subjects.

Bernhardt added, “All classes are geared toward career readiness. They have hands on learning, and they can apply what they learn to real world applications. Many of the CTE kids have a 100% graduation rate.”

She said that some continue their education, especially if a student wants to become a vet or go into some other specialized field, some continue on to Wyoming Technical Institute and many go directly into the work force.

Students who love animals, or who may be looking at a career as a veterinarian, enjoy the small animal and vet classes. Small animal classes mostly concentrate on small companion animals, their care and basic diseases.

Veterinarian science is more technical and hands on. The school offers internships that students can enroll in and learn, first hand, about various careers. Bernhardt said that if a student wants to pursue a career in, for example, veterinarian science, these classes and internships give them a good idea what they might be getting into.

“This can help them determine just what their passion is,” Bernhardt added.

Many of the Agriculture students are also FFA members, which gives members training in speech, networking, and critical thinking skills and effective decision-making skills. Members can explore, create and demonstrate skills learned in the areas of agriculture, food, and natural resources.

Bernhardt talked about what she liked best about the CTE classes she teaches.

Clay Christensen, who teaches Animal Science, project construction, welding, ag mechanics and tech systems, had this to say about the natural resources classes.

He added that more and more students are seeing the importance of these classes, and seeing the importance of the trades. Welding, especially has seen an increase in enrollment. “Six years ago, there were maybe 100 students in welding,” he said. “This year we will push 300 kids through.”

This series will continue to explore other CTE Classes at Sheridan County Schools.