Page 24 - index

Career Academy

Transf rms Students

From Here to Career Academy success starts
not only with skill, but also with heart.
in Yourself. The second year’s curriculum focuses “This class has definitely changed my attitude,”
on developing advanced emotional intelligence said a student in the Professional Skills
By: Lydia Cobb skills and the strategic interview process. Development Pathway. “I feel more positive about Catoosa County College & Career Academy (CCA) takes
things, and I always refer back to this class when students from here to career.
Keith Jones, the Academy’s Talent Development I’m dealing with something.”
Catoosa County Board of Education career-technical skills in nine career Specialist, developed this curriculum specifically From HERE to CAREER Academy • Criminal Justice
prioritizes listening to stakeholders. pathways. In the 2025-2026 academic for Catoosa County Schools. Jones’ class helps pathways prepare students to continue • Health Science
The From Here to Career College & year, they will have 301 junior and students develop durable skills that are often “We feel like we’re breaking ground,” said Jones. post-secondary education or go straight
Career Academy CEO, Marissa Brower, senior high school students enrolled. missing from traditional education. Students who And local industry leaders agree. A supervisor of into the workforce. With business and • Construction
said that listening – especially to the The Academy doesn’t just focus participate in the class for two years and patient care technicians at CHI Memorial Hospital industry partners, students participate • Welding
voices of local industry leaders – was on technical training; it places a complete certification requirements may recently shared that Academy students “are just • Machine Tool Technology
very important when the Career powerful emphasis on emotional earn an emotional intelligence certificate. exceptional,” noting that one graduate earned a in hands-on education in careers that • Logistics & Supply Chain
interest them and that are in high
Touchpoint Award for excellence in patient care.
Academy was being formed. Brower intelligence as a foundation for life Another student, trained in welding, was named Management
sought input from many business and career success. Every week, students step out of their technical Magic Student of the Year for demonstrating demand in our region. Each pathway
leaders, asking what skills they needed training and into Jones’ class, where they develop excellent emotional intelligence skills. is aligned with an industry partner • Information Technology &
most from the future workforce. “Our work to develop students’ real-world readiness skills in such areas as mentor and is taught by experts and Cybersecurity
Whether welding, construction, or emotional intelligence generates the public speaking, writing resumes, navigating job The Academy also offers dual enrollment educators. Students may also participate • Teaching as a Profession
healthcare, a clear message emerged: most interest and appreciation from interviews, and building confidence in opportunities, allowing students to earn up in academic dual enrollment with • Industrial Technology - Robotics -
most young people were entering the our industry partners,” said Brower. “A conversation. Students learn emotional to 30 hours of college credit tuition-free while Georgia Northwestern Technical Mechatronics
workforce lacking strong work ethics lot of academies are doing some of this intelligence skills including self-awareness, completing their high school diploma. Books College and Dalton State College, so
self-management, social awareness, and
and soft skills. training, but ours is very systematic.” graduates are college ready, career
relationship management. and transportation are provided, and industry-
credentialed students are prepared to graduate ready, and life ready.
Beginning with a community listening That system starts with what the “This is really a life skills class that teaches them ready for high-demand, livable-wage careers. Catoosa County College and Career Academy, serving:
lunch in November 2017, the first school calls the “ABCs for Gen Z,” how to be their best selves,” said Jones. “It’s an Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe, Heritage, and Ringgold High Schools
cohort launched in 2019. Since moving a 26-lesson curriculum that uses open and honest classroom where students can As Catoosa County kicks off another academic 190 Catoosa Circle, Ringgold, GA 30736
into the new school in 2023, the From each letter of the alphabet to build a discuss life situations and develop the skills to be year, the From Here to Career Academy is 706.937.2220 • cca.catoosa.k12.ga.us
Here to Career College & Career foundational skill. For example, A = successful adults.” For some of the teens, it’s their proving that success starts not only with skill,
Academy focuses on developing Accept Responsibility and B = Believe favorite part of the school experience. but with heart.

22 Welcome Catoosa County Chamber of Commerce CatoosaConnects.com From Here to Career Academy 23