Briana Heaney Published

Career Technical Education Program Names Teacher Of The Year

Woman in white chef's attire poses for a photo in front of a blue background.
Jones said the award and celebration was a total surprise. Her students baked her a cake.
Courtesy of the West Virginia Department of Education
Listen

Career Technical Education (CTE) prepares students for future trade jobs by pairing academic lessons with hands-on, real-world experiences. Monday, the program announced its teacher of the year is Lynette Jones.  

The culinary arts instructor said she feels lucky to work with kids in the state to address what she calls a “skill gap.” 

“We have skilled jobs that are just going unfilled, because we don’t have the people to put them in,” Jones said. “CTE centers are the resources for these employers, we are training their future employees.”

Students in the program can enter careers in high school and receive credit by learning in a simulated workplace and apprenticeship opportunities. They can earn industry-recognized credentials that will prepare them to enter the workforce, continue college or a trade school, or enlist in military careers.