South Texas
A DISTRICT’S NEW CAREER HUB Harlandale ISD reinvents learning space
W
hen 11th-grade student Gabriel Gonzales walked through the doors of the school he once roamed as a first grader, he never imagined he’d be walking out with a barbering certification in hand. Faced with the difficult decision to repurpose Carroll Bell Elementary as part of its Rightsizing Plan in spring 2023, Harlandale ISD transformed the campus into something that would directly benefit students and the community. The result? A state-of-the-art career and technical education center offering hands-on experience in high-demand fields. The campus offers hands-on training in eight high-demand programs: electrical, welding, cybersecurity, dental assisting, networking, barbering, HVAC, and plumbing. Each program offers industry-standard labs, including a fully equipped dental operatory, a professional barber shop, a cutting-edge cybersecurity and networking lab, and dedicated spaces for welding, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC. These certifications, which can cost between $2,910 and $18,420 if pursued independently, are provided at no cost to students, removing financial barriers to entry. “Our goal was simple: Give students a head start,” said Harlandale ISD Superintendent Gerardo Soto. “We took an impossible situation and turned it into a unique opportunity for our students. This program helps students build real-world skills and earn certifications that will serve them well beyond high school.” Through these eight pathways, students can graduate prepared to enter high-demand, high-wage careers right out of high school, with strong earning potential across each field. Cybersecurity professionals in Texas average $117,000 annually, HVAC technicians earn about $56,500, plumbers $60,500, and welders between $39,000 and $48,000, based on recent labor statistics and job market data. For Gonzales, barbering has helped in more ways than one, giving him a job he 38
A
B
can rely on during college, and inspiring him to think like an entrepreneur. “I chose this program knowing it’s a solid way to earn money after graduation, especially while I’m in college,” he said. “A lot of students will need haircuts, so I want to keep cutting hair to help pay for school and maybe start my own business. I really enjoy it and it’s a skill I can always fall back on.” Gonzales’ story reflects the broader goal of Harlandale’s CTE programs: To equip students with life-changing opportunities. Beyond the classroom, students participate in hands-on learning with local business partners, ensuring they understand not only industry-specific skills, but also the mindset and work ethic needed to succeed in professional settings. It’s this blend of hands-on training
| June/July 2025 | issuu.com/tasb-org
A Harlandale ISD students and school leaders celebrate the opening of a new state-of-the-art career and technical education center that offers hands-on experience in high-demand fields for high school students. B Gabriel Gonzales, a junior at Harlandale ISD, works on his barbering skills at the district’s new career and technical education center. Gonzales earned his barbering certification this year. Photos courtesy of Harlandale ISD
and real-world experience that defines the CTE center’s mission in the district, which serves about 11,500 students.. Through these industry-aligned programs, Harlandale ISD empowers students to graduate ready to thrive in the workforce. This campus stands as proof that thoughtful repurposing can lead to meaningful, lasting benefits for students and the community. “It’s great for students,” Gonzales said. “Students here have more opportunities than ever. Whether it’s to be barbers, dentists, HVAC techs, or cybersecurity professionals. It gives us a chance to graduate with a certification that will help us get a good-paying job. It’s exciting knowing we have options.”H This story is courtesy of Harlandale ISD.