NEWSLETTER
NOVEMBER
LOOKING BACK AT CTE SIGNING DAY SUCCESS
Texas City ISD proudly hosted its annual Signing Day on May 20, 2025. A total of 62 students officially signed with 22 industry partners. This exciting celebration highlighted the wide range of career opportunities available through our Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, featuring students from Carpentry, Welding, Pipefitting, Electrical and Instrumentation, Maritime, Teaching and Training, Health Science, Animal Science, and Cosmetology pathways.
Unleashing Potential, Transforming Futures
For the first time, Cosmetology students were included, underscoring our commitment to expanding career opportunities for our students. We are grateful for the support from our industry partners, Tune Up Salon and Salon Tia Marie, who are ensuring our students' success in the workforce. We look forward to continued growth and even more opportunities for our students!
CTE TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Back-to-School CTE
Kicks Off the Year
The 2025–2026 school year began with an inspiring professional learning experience at South Shore Harbour, where staff had the opportunity to hear from Higher Up Texas and former students who shared valuable advice and led engaging team-building activities.
In addition, participants gained meaningful insight from business and industry partners about connecting with community resources and supporting student success. Guest speakers included Kristin Edwards, Director of the Texas City Economic Development Corporation; Tim Culp, President of the Texas City–La Marque Chamber of Commerce; and Whitney Rainey, HR Director at Dunn Heat Exchangers.
TEXAS
CITY ISD CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION
AMBASSADOR LEADERSHIP EXPO
Texas City ISD recently held its Student Ambassador Leadership Expo, an inspiring event designed to equip students with the leadership skills needed to excel both in school and in their future careers. The expo brought together student leaders from across various CTE pathways, offering them hands-on workshops focused on communication, teamwork, problemsolving, and professional development.
Students had the unique opportunity to engage with industry professionals, explore real-world leadership scenarios, and collaborate with peers to develop new ideas for school and community projects. The event fostered a sense of empowerment and leadership, preparing students to take on active roles in their schools and future workplaces.
GRANTS AND DONATIONS
TEXAS CITY ISD WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND A HEARTFELT THANK YOU TO OUR INCREDIBLE INDUSTRY PARTNERS FOR THEIR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION (CTE) PROGRAMS. G&H TOWING FOR THEIR DONATION OF $2,500 WHICH WILL BE USED TO ENHANCE OUR MARITIME PROGRAM.
VALERO TEXAS CITY REFINARY FOR THEIR DONATION OF FLAME RESISTENT CLOTHING AND OTHER PPE, ENSURING OUR STUDENTS ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE RIGHT GEAR FOR THEIR HANDS-ON TRAINING.
TEXAS CITY ISD CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION
ITC ADVISORY COUNCIL
Texas City ISD’s Industrial Trades Center Advisory Council is off to a strong start this school year, with over 60 active members from various industries. The council has already met this year to collaborate on strategies that strengthen the connection between education and industry, including tours, presentations, job shadowing and more . By working together, the council is helping to build robust career pipelines for our students.
CTE ADVISORY COUNCIL
The Texas City ISD CTE Advisory Council recently convened, bringing together 75 active members representing CTE programs from Texas City High School and La Marque High School. This collaborative group of educators, industry professionals, and community leaders met to discuss and set annual priorities aimed at creating incredible opportunities for students in their respective career fields.
INDUSTRIAL TRADES CENTER CAREER FAIR
TEXAS CITY ISD RECENTLY HELD ITS ANNUAL INDUSTRIAL TRADES CENTER (ITC) CAREER FAIR, PROVIDING OUR ITC STUDENTS WITH AN INVALUABLE OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT DIRECTLY WITH INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS. THE EVENT FEATURED REPRESENTATIVES FROM A VARIETY OF FIELDS, INCLUDING WELDING, ELECTRICAL, INSTRUMENTATION, PIPEFITTING, MARITIME, AND CARPENTRY. STUDENTS ENGAGED IN ONE-ON-ONE CONVERSATIONS WITH POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS, LEARNED ABOUT CAREER PATHWAYS, AND EXPLORED INTERNSHIP AND APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES. THE CAREER FAIR ALSO ALLOWED STUDENTS TO GAIN INSIGHT INTO THE SKILLS AND CERTIFICATIONS NEEDED FOR HIGH-DEMAND JOBS, PREPARING THEM FOR FUTURE SUCCESS IN THE WORKFORCE WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THE PARTICIPATION OF OUR INDUSTRY PARTNERS AND THEIR COMMITMENT TO FOSTERING THE NEXT GENERATION OF SKILLED WORKERS.
TCISD CTE STUDENTS ARE GAINING INVALUABLE REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE, PREPARING THEM FOR SUCCESSFUL CAREERS AND FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES.
TEXAS CITY ISD CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION
BUILDING A COLLABORATIVE PIPELINE FOR STUDENT SUCCESS
The Pipelines Project Workshop, held on October 21, 2025, marked a successful starting point for a collaborative effort among educators, business leaders, and community partners to strengthen the local workforce pipeline. Hosted by the Texas City–La Marque Chamber of Commerce, the event brought together representatives from Texas City EDC, Texas City ISD, Dickinson ISD, and College of the Mainland, Higher Up Texas, Communities in Schools along with local business and industry partners.
The workshop opened with a warm welcome from the Chamber, followed by remarks from Cory Moss, TCLM Board Chair, who emphasized the importance of uniting education and industry to meet regional workforce needs. Attendees explored the initial concept of the Pipelines Project, heard presentations on educational pathways, and discussed how local businesses and nonprofits can play a vital role in shaping future talent. Participants engaged in thoughtful discussions, providing valuable feedback on how to strengthen communication tools, enhance student soft skills, and identify CTE champions within partner organizations. This event served as an exciting and productive launchpad for ongoing collaboration setting the stage for continued partnership, innovation, and alignment between education and industry in 2026 and beyond
INTERNSHIP SPOTLIGHT : TCISD COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT
STUDENTS: ASHLEY SILVA-PANTOJA AND QUINN THOMAS PROGRAM: DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS
Our talented interns are getting real-world experience this semester working alongside the Texas City ISD Communications Department! These students spend two days a week in the district communications office, contributing to media projects that showcase the incredible work happening across our schools. From capturing photos and videos to assisting with social media and storytelling, they’re learning the ropes of professional communications and marketing in action.
A huge thank you to Clarissa Silva, our District Communications and Marketing Coordinator, for leading the charge and mentoring our students through hands-on, meaningful projects. We also extend our appreciation to Toni Pearson, program instructor, for ensuring our students are well-prepared and career-ready. This partnership is a shining example of how TCISD’s Career and Technical Education programs connect students with authentic workplace experiences that build confidence, creativity, and communication skills for the future.
TEXAS CITY ISD CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION
TEXAS CITY ISD NAMED A CTAT DISTRICT OF DISTINCTION
We’re proud to share that Texas City ISD has been named a 2026 CTE District of Distinction by the Career & Technical Association of Texas (CTAT)!
This prestigious recognition honors districts across the state that demonstrate excellence in Career and Technical Education through innovation, collaboration, and measurable impact. Districts selected for this distinction exemplify high-quality CTE programs that prepare students for success while meeting the needs of local communities and industry partners.
Texas City ISD’s commitment to connecting students with real-world learning experiences, building strong industry partnerships, and expanding pathways to workforce certifications and postsecondary opportunities played a key role in earning this recognition.
As a CTAT District of Distinction, TCISD joins a select group of districts statewide that serve as models of best practice in CTE inspiring quality programming and workforce readiness across Texas.
Congratulations to our students, educators, and community partners for helping make this achievement possible!
TEACHER SPOTLIGHT: RECOGNIZING EXCELLENCE IN CTE
TEACHER: CAPT. NATE SWERDLIN PROGRAM: MARITIME
TEACHER: MICHAEL AGUILAR PROGRAM: HEALTH SCIENCE
TEACHER: TONI PEARSON PROGRAM: DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS
We’re proud to recognize three outstanding educators who exemplify what it means to lead with passion, positivity, and purpose. These teachers consistently go above and beyond—not only in their own classrooms but also in supporting their colleagues and strengthening their programs across our district. They share a remarkable ability to maintain positivity, even in the busiest times, and to inspire growth in both their students and peers. Their dedication to continuous improvement, collaboration, and student success embodies the very best of what Career and Technical Education represents at Texas City ISD. Thank you for your commitment to excellence, your willingness to help others, and the lasting impact you make every day.