Podcast Summary
Vocational Training in Oklahoma: Oklahoma's Central Tech leads in practical, hands-on vocational training for high school students, preparing them for jobs in various industries, including energy, after their regular school day ends.
Central Tech in Oklahoma is leading the way in providing practical, hands-on vocational training for young people, preparing them for jobs that exist in various industries, including the energy sector. The director of the CTE program, Brent Haken, who grew up on a farm and has a diverse background in education and leadership, is spearheading this effort. The program is unique because it allows high school students to attend Central Tech after their regular school day ends, providing them with valuable skills and training. This model can be replicated elsewhere to address the skills gap and help fix the busted relationship with the trades. The conversation between the host and Brent Haken, which was recorded spontaneously during a tour of Central Tech, offers insights into the importance of vocational education and the impact it can have on individuals and communities.
Oklahoma's vocational education approach: Oklahoma's unique approach to vocational education emphasizes hands-on experiences, strong work ethic, long-term commitment, industry relevance, and real-life problem-solving, preparing students for careers and life.
Oklahoma's unique approach to vocational education, rooted in hands-on experiences and strong work ethic, prepares students for careers and life. Speaker's personal story of growing up in a farming family that traveled across the country to harvest crops instilled a strong work ethic. Central Tech's educational model, which emphasizes long-term commitment, industry relevance, and real-life problem-solving, mirrors this approach. By showing students what they can achieve and providing support, educators can cultivate work ethic and hope in students, regardless of their backgrounds.
Self-discipline and success: Setting goals, having ambition, and valuing one's work fuel self-discipline, essential for achieving success. Flexibility and competitiveness also play a role.
People, whether in education or in trades, crave success and the desire to do their jobs right. This desire is fueled by self-discipline, which comes from setting goals and having ambition. Self-discipline is about valuing one's work and understanding the steps to reach long-term goals. Competitiveness and flexibility are also essential elements in achieving success. Education should focus on these principles and adapt to the needs of students, rather than being rigidly structured. The ultimate goal is to help individuals reach their full potential and live the life they desire, whether that's getting out of poverty or pursuing a career. By providing flexible schedules, focusing on competencies, and offering programs in demand, education can effectively serve this purpose.
American dream evolution: The American dream is evolving from a dream to a clear, achievable goal, and educators play a crucial role in helping students develop a vision for their future and the skills to make it a reality, regardless of whether they choose academic or vocational paths.
The American dream, once seen as a beacon of hope and possibility, is now perceived as out of reach for many Americans. However, it's essential to distinguish between a dream and a vision. A dream is an abstract concept, while a vision is a clear, achievable goal. As educators, we must help students develop a vision for their future and the skills to make it a reality. The American dream should not be about following one's dreams at any cost but about equipping individuals with the necessary tools and education to build a better life for themselves. The trades and vocational education are just as valuable as traditional academic paths, and we should promote and support both. The American dream is not dead; it's evolving, and we must adapt to this changing landscape.
Personalized Education: Instead of producing uniform graduates, education should offer diverse opportunities for students to explore interests and develop problem-solving skills, while avoiding standardized testing and a one-size-fits-all approach.
Education should not be a factory producing uniform graduates. Instead, it should provide diverse opportunities for students to explore their interests and develop problem-solving skills. Standardized testing and a one-size-fits-all approach can hinder creativity and innovation. We need to cultivate flexibility, adaptability, and project-based learning to prepare students for the ever-changing world. Leadership and a shift in mindset are crucial to implementing these changes in a system that is currently motivated, funded, and graded based on averages. Bringing back hands-on learning experiences, such as shop class, can also re-engage students and foster intrinsic motivation. Education is about letting people find their motivation and passion, rather than teaching to the average.
Independent learning tools: Education should focus on providing students with tools for independent learning and relevance to motivate them, as seen in K-12 powered schools.
Education should focus less on teaching and more on providing students with the tools to learn independently and at their own pace. The speaker emphasizes the importance of relevance in motivating students and making a difference in their lives. K-12 powered schools offer a solution to the issues with public education by providing an engaging, flexible curriculum and utilizing innovative technology. Ultimately, the goal is to help students discover their passions and find relevance in their learning. The speaker also emphasizes that relevance and motivation are key to success, regardless of the field or industry a student chooses to pursue. There is no age limit to finding relevance and purpose in one's education or career.
Honest Education: Central Tech's focus on applicable learning experiences and preparation for real life sets a model for higher education, emphasizing the importance of equipping students with necessary skills over academic success and irrelevant experiences.
Central Tech and similar institutions can serve as a model for the rest of the country by shifting the focus from traditional, sugar-coated education to clear, honest, and applicable learning experiences. The speaker emphasizes the importance of preparing students for real life, not just academic success. He criticizes the lack of relevance in higher education and the investment in experiences that may not be necessary. He also highlights the abundance of free, useful information available and the need for educators to make it applicable. The speaker's message is clear: it's time to change the way we approach education, to be honest about its purpose and to equip students with the skills they need to succeed in life.
Industry-driven education: Integrating industry-relevant education into high school and post-secondary programs equips students with necessary skills for the workforce.
Education should be industry-driven and aligned with the needs of the workforce. As stated, "if it's not there, why are we teaching it?" The importance of this approach lies in the fact that students should be equipped with skills that will enable them to make a livelihood. This can be achieved by integrating industry-relevant education into high school and post-secondary programs. For more information, please visit OklahomaCareerTech.gov to explore the various schools and initiatives in Oklahoma. The speaker, who has worked in multiple states, emphasizes the significance of the work being done in Oklahoma and expresses gratitude for the dedication and hard work being put in. An unexpected yet interesting side note was the mention of a unique purple shirt, which the speaker's wife picked out, symbolizing the color of kings.