CTE Out and About

For SY25-26, we are excited to partner with Wilson Education Partnership on our CTE "Out and About" program. Each month, we will highlight a different CTE program area to participate in industry tours related to coursework. The program is designed to give our CTE teachers insights into real-world jobs, required skills needed, and workplace culture of local businesses. Teachers will gain first-hand knowledge and build relationships with these industry leaders and the information & experiences can then be used to better guide their students in career exploration and decision-making. We are so thankful for our community partners who are willing to open their doors and share their expertise with our educators!

Business, Finance, and Marketing Education ~ September 30, 2025

Business, Finance, and Marketing teachers toured Wilson County Government offices and the Wilson County Tourism office downtown.  We met to create a lesson plan for job exploration based on the job descriptions at both agencies. 

Computer Science, IT, and Technology Education ~ October 23, 2025

Computer Science, IT, and Technology Education teachers visited Greenlight Community Broadband and GigEast.  They heard from numerous leaders in these areas about operations, careers, job responsibilities, and pathways to reach those careers.  We even got to have fun in the Greenlight Gaming Lab trailer.  We then met to create a lesson plan for bringing the community together with technology.  

Family and Consumer Science Education ~ November 12, 2025

Family and Consumer Science teachers visited Smithfield Foods and Chick-fil-A of Wilson. Smithfield Plant Manager Antiquea Allen shared information about the company and introduced some of her leadership team. We took a tour and learned about safety, plant operations, logistics, distribution, processes, and careers. Of course, we got to sample bacon! Chick-fil-A owner Christy Proctor shared insights into being a business owner and how she manages and operates her two locations. She discussed training, safety, quality, culture, recruitment, store goals, and mission. Then we had chicken! Teachers created a work-based learning lesson plan to share with students after the visits. 

Trade and Industrial Education ~ March 12, 2026

CTE “Out and About” with our drafting, construction, automotive, and middle school CTE teachers.  Thanks to 3C Store Fixtures and Stephenson Millwork for hosting us today. Teachers learned about the companies' histories, operations, careers, required skills, and more. They will create a work-based learning lesson to share with students about what they learned. We are so thankful to our wonderful partners for helping us connect careers to the classroom. Teachers created a work-based learning lesson plan to share with students after the visits. 

Agricultural Education ~ March 17, 2026 

Thanks to Neopac and Flowers Slaughter House for inviting us in and giving an overview of operations.  Teachers create a work-based learning lesson to share with students, helping them connect classroom studies with careers.  

Health Science Education and Public Safety ~ April 1, 2026

Today was our last CTE “Out & About” for the year! WEP works with WCS to take teachers on tours of businesses that directly relate to the classes they teach. Today we visited the Wilson County Health Department and the Wilson Police Department. Our Health and Science teachers and our Public Safety Teachers learned about careers in their respective fields and the pathways needed. They also met with department leadership. Our CTE teachers also got to participate in some virtual reality situations to see firsthand what goes into training for the police department. After the tours, they gathered for lunch to debrief and create a work-based learning lesson to share with their students.