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Careers In Business (CIB)

November 2026

The last part of October we finished by writing Halloween themed letters and memos and had ½ a class to play games as a reward for doing a great job this month! In the first half of November, we focus on how to research, plan, and deliver presentations. We specifically focus on rehearsal, eye contact, tone, and especially knowing your audience. We also work on dropping the “um”, “uh”, and “like” from their vocabulary which is perhaps the most challenging part! I’m looking forward to seeing each of them improve over the next couple of weeks.

During the last half of November, the class finishes excel and we begin MS Word, Finance and Business Math. They will eventually tackle banking, checking, savings, credit, debt, and the importance of budgeting to live within your means. All of these are life skills to help them become financially independent.

CIB II students will continue to work at their internships and add the career project to their portfolio. The goal is for them to learn more about their intended career path and this project helps students determine if it’s a good fit for them. I am so proud of the exceptional feedback from mentors about the year two students. Great job everyone! Remember, put down the phone, be present, and spend time with family and friends during break. Thank you to my students for making each day fun! Happy Thanksgiving!

HOYA 2 students wrapped up October with pumpkin surgery. Students scrubbed in, worked in teams, and put their skills and medical terminology to work on some very patient pumpkins. There was a lot of laughter, but also real focus, and it was a great way to practice teamwork and communication before Halloween.

Next week we’ll finish the cardiac section. Students will learn the structure and function of the heart and the terms that go with it, and the highlight will be a sheep heart dissection. Seeing the chambers, valves, and vessels up close makes the material click in a way a textbook can’t.

Students will also start planning their student teaching projects. They’ll pick a health topic, then build and deliver a lesson for 5th grade and younger students at local schools. Teaching is a core part of every healthcare career. Nurses, CNAs, therapists, and other providers teach patients and families every day, so this project gives our students real practice explaining health information in a way others can understand. The younger students also get a fun visit from some future healthcare workers. 

I also want to recognize our students for the great job they are doing in their internships. Our clinical partners have shared positive feedback, and the students are representing our program well. They also recently finished their 2nd employability memo, and I was impressed by how thoughtful and professional their work was. I’m proud of the effort this group is putting in, and I’m excited to see where the rest of the year takes them.

This month, our HOYA students have been busy learning and practicing a variety of essential nursing assistant skills! We focused on basic nursing care and activities of daily living (ADLs), including bathing, oral care, hair care, and assisting residents with feeding. Students had the opportunity to practice these skills while learning the importance of providing care that promotes each resident’s comfort, dignity, and independence.

One of our most memorable activities this month focused on empathy and understanding the resident experience. As we learned about feeding residents who require modified-texture foods and thickened liquids, students had the opportunity to taste puréed foods and thickened liquids themselves. This hands-on experience helped students better understand what some residents experience during mealtimes and reinforced the importance of patience, compassion, and providing respectful, person-centered care.

In addition to personal care skills, students have been learning how to measure and perform vital signs, including the importance of obtaining accurate measurements and recognizing when changes should be reported to the nurse. We also focused on infection prevention and control, reviewing the chain of infection, proper hand hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE), and the role nursing assistants play in protecting both residents and healthcare workers from the spread of infection.

It has been a busy and exciting month filled with hands-on learning! Our students continue to build the knowledge, skills, and compassion needed to become successful nursing assistants. I am proud of their continued growth as they learn not only how to provide care, but also why empathy, safety, and dignity are such important parts of the profession.

Looking Ahead: What to Expect in November!

November is shaping up to be an exciting month for our HOYA students as we take the next step in their healthcare journey!

Starting next week, students will participate in job shadowing experiences, where they will have the opportunity to choose from a variety of healthcare specialties and shadow a mentor in their selected field. Students will research their chosen specialty, learn about the roles and responsibilities involved, and then experience that specialty firsthand by observing healthcare professionals in action. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to explore different career paths, discover new interests, and gain a better understanding of the many opportunities available in healthcare.

In just a couple of weeks, students will also begin hands-on clinical experiences! This is an exciting milestone as they transition from practicing skills in our classroom and lab to applying what they have learned in a real healthcare setting. Students will have the opportunity to put their knowledge into practice, continue developing their nursing assistant skills, and gain valuable experience caring for residents under appropriate supervision.

We are looking forward to a month full of new experiences, hands-on learning, and professional growth as our students continue building the skills and confidence needed for their future careers in healthcare!

During the second half of October, Culinary Arts students focused on protein cookery, specifically beef and pork. During the beef unit, students learned about various cuts of beef, their characteristics, and appropriate cooking methods. Students applied their knowledge through hands-on lab activities, preparing dishes such as Mongolian beef, stuffed burgers, and meatballs. During the pork unit, students explored different cuts of pork and prepared a variety of dishes, including pork fried rice and ham breakfast burritos.

During the first half of November, students will be introduced to baking. They will learn about the functions of common baking ingredients, measuring techniques, and the difference between yeast and quick breads. Students will apply these concepts through hands-on labs, developing their skills in mixing, kneading, shaping, and baking a variety of products. Emphasis will be placed on accuracy, following recipes, and understanding the science behind successful baking.

The application will open January 4th, 2027

CareerTEC courses are offered to local high school students within the following districts:

• Dakota
• Durand
• Freeport
• Orangeville
• Pearl City
• Pecatonica

Application link is at the bottom of this page

High school students wanting a CareerTEC class next school year are required to complete the online application in addition to speaking to their school counselor for prior approval to take a class.

Classes held at Highland:

You will need to complete the CareerTEC application first then go to Highland to register for the class there. Mandatory orientation is August 11 at HCC at 6 PM.

•   Agricultural Science & Industry Capstone (PM)
•   Auto Mechanics  (4 hours in AM)
•   Computer Science and Information Systems (CSIS) (PM)
•   Cosmetology (COSMO) (Yr. 1 - AM) (Yr. 2 - PM)
•   Criminal Justice (CJ) (Yr. 1 - AM) (Yr. 2 - PM)
•   Early Childhood Education (ECE) (AM)
•   Industrial Manufacturing (AM)
•   Nail Tech (only for seniors) (PM)

Classes held at FHS: All morning classes

•   Careers in Auto Technology & Service (CATS)
•   Digital Design & Animation
•   NJROTC

Classes held at St. John UCC:

•   Careers in Business I (CIB)
•   Culinary Arts (CUL)
•   Health Occupations Youth Apprenticeships (HOYA 1)
•   Health Occupations Youth Apprenticeships (HOYA 2), Mon-Wed.
•   Construction Trades - 1st 2 weeks for safety training then at shop by tennis courts

  Classes held at work sites (Must find own internship site):

•   CIB II 
•   Constructions Trades
•   Culinary Arts II 
•   HOYA II 

Homeschooled students that are not registered with a public school and are wanting to take one of our classes

     please call our office at 815-232-0709

     Please complete the application in full with a parent or guardian.

     ↓ 2026-2027 CareerTEC Online Application Link

    https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScrgqrTOkfnnKTJw51IgW7uwnLoiYCndIYgkz0WlJ_Xk9w9HA/viewform?usp=header

Manufacturing Day 2026: Exploring Careers Close to Home!

Manufacturing plays a vital role in northwest Illinois, providing rewarding careers, driving innovation, and strengthening our local economy. On October 16, CareerTEC's 12th annual Manufacturing Day gave area high school students a firsthand look at the opportunities available right here in our region!

With 111 students registered, the day began with tours of seven local manufacturers: Adkins Energy, Anchor Harvey, Danfoss, Honeywell, Seaga, Tri Star Metals, and Zurn Elkay.

Students then visited Highland Community College, which hosted the event, for an Employer Expo and opportunities to explore CNC machining, welding, and other manufacturing careers.

The Employer Expo connected students with representatives from area businesses and organizations, including Adkins Energy, Anchor Harvey, Berner Food & Beverage, Colony Brands, Danfoss, Danlee Wood Products, Electroform, Furst Staffing, Honeywell, Protocutter, Savencia Fromage & Dairy, Snak King, Titan International, and Zurn Elkay.

Colleen Jackson, Senior Plant Director at Honeywell Technologies in Freeport, delivered the closing presentation, sharing her perspective on the manufacturing industry.

Students from Dakota, Durand, Freeport, Orangeville, Pearl City, and Pecatonica high schools participated, while Lena-Winslow students joined the morning manufacturing tours.

We extend special appreciation to Adkins Energy, Berner Food & Beverage, Colony Brands, Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 23, Titan International, and Tri Star Metals for their generous financial contributions totaling $3,150. Thank you also to Titan International and Colony Brands for donating student prizes.

A special thank-you to Highland Community College, our participating manufacturers, Employer Expo representatives, planning committee, and school chaperones for making this event possible.

Manufacturing offers exciting career opportunities in northwest Illinois, and we're proud to help students discover them!

Brian Greene

System Director

Our Construction Trades class will be building sheds to sell in the 2026-27 school year.

The sheds will be built in the classroom and taken to the site to be erected.

Due to transportation issues with the students, there will be a limited distance for travel for delivery and setup.

If interested please call our office at 815-232-0709 or email Director, Brian Greene at brian.greene@fsd145.org