Ribbon Cutting Spotlights Expanding Career Tech Learning Pathways

In a fairly ordinary corridor that runs the length of Patriot Applied Learning Campus, doors open to fairly ordinary looking classrooms.  

One of those doors, however, opens up into a shiny and spotless commercial kitchen: a classroom for the culinary arts. Chef and instructor, Eric Lustig is working with the widest array of equipment the program has to offer in its eight-year history. Some of the newer pieces include a rolling refrigerator, a six burner stove and a flattop griddle.

“What we have now is one step closer to what a full size, high volume commercial kitchen is going to look like with individual workstations.,” Lustig noted. “This is just going to translate to skills that the students are going to take with them. We know that skilled labor of skilled workers in the restaurant and food beverage service industry is in dire need of people who can perform.”

The culinary arts kitchen is one of three career and technical education (CTE) enhancements spotlighted during a November 7 ribbon-cutting event at the PALC. Campus leaders also used the ceremony to note the official name-change of the PALC, which was previously Patriot High School. 

“Everything that we do at Patriot needs to have an application. Everything that we do, kids need to understand how it will impact their lives. How is it going to prepare them for life?” explained Ryan Bailey, PALC principal. 

PALC is offering courses for eighth grade students this school year, welcoming younger learners to develop interest in CTE pathways. The campus wood shop has been repurposed and reset to serve as the home base of the PALC’s Intro to CTE section, which covers seven distinct applied-learning subjects. 

“It's an opportunity for kids to try all sorts of different types of career pathways so they can then pursue those more diligently in the tenth-12th grade segment of our campus,” Bailey said.

Students also demonstrated heavy machinery simulators which support the construction program. The immersive experience allows students to safely learn how to operate forklift, skid steer, and mini excavator equipment providing valuable opportunities to practice and apply construction skills in authentic settings. 

“The programs and the experiences that students have here at Patriot Applied Learning Campus are second to none,” noted Brian Smith, Falcon Zone superintendent. “They provide real career exploration pathway experiences that have blown me away. It's been awesome to watch Mr. Bailey, his staff and all the students work together to provide real world opportunities for kids.”