The Pride of Pasadena: CTE in the Heart of Texas Industry

The Pasadena Independent School District (ISD) is a large sprawling school district that encompasses the southeastern edge of metro Houston, Texas. The district serves much of southeast Harris County, including most of Pasadena, South Houston and Houston areas. Seven high schools lie within its boundaries where it oversees a career and technical education (CTE) program of roughly 11,000 students. 

Approximately 1,000 students participate in the ISD construction program using the National Center for Construction Education and Research’s (NCCER) curriculum. The program is offered at six of the seven high schools, from ninth grade through senior year in high school. 

The Construction Program

The construction focus is one of the highly successful programs within the ISD CTE Industry Endorsement curriculum. Students who enroll in the construction track have the opportunity to learn valuable hands-on skills that include carpentry, electrical, welding, agricultural mechanics and small engine repair.

The construction welding program is one of the more popular programs within the construction focus and is taught using the NCCER welding curriculum. The students who enroll have the opportunity to gain a solid foundation in welding and earn NCCER credentials as well as multiple hours of dual credit in welding through San Jacinto College. 

Welding, along with the other construction programs, has an impressive graduation rate from 90 to 100 percent range. The experience gives the students a head-start toward possible employment in the Pasadena area. 

Pasadena ISD is Uniquely Located

A proximity to local industry and open communication with the business community has benefited the program and added to its success. 

“Pasadena ISD is uniquely located near industry in the area,” said Ezequiel “Zeek” Garcia, the Pasadena ISD Business Partner Coordinator. “We’re just down the road from ‘Refinery Row,’” Garcia pointed out. “Our location is prime and that’s used to ISD’s advantage.”  

With the close accessibility to business and industry, Garcia and his staff can keep their ear to the ground and continually tailor the Pasadena ISD construction program to what the business community is looking for.  

“We can find out what their needs are,” said Garcia. 

Manufacturing, oil and industry are right in the area. The school district is, as Garcia puts it, “in a location where a lot of contractors and business partners are located. We’re less than a mile apart.” 

An advisory board meets four times a year for the six campuses that are involved in the construction CTE program. ISD and staff utilize those committees to get direct insights from workforce development professionals and industry partners.  

“We’ll ask them to come to the advisory board and let us know what type of equipment we need in the classroom,” said Garcia. “It’s our job to educate the students as to what the upcoming needs are going to be in industry.”  

Not only is this beneficial to the current and incoming students’ curriculum, but also serves those leaving school to find employment after graduation. As Garcia puts it, “We will always do what’s best for the students.” 

Selling the Program 

Garcia, a Pasadena area native, began his career as a welder after high school and worked in construction for 13 years. In 2007 a teaching position became available for a high school welding teacher in the Pasadena CTE program. His enthusiasm for the craft and ability to connect with the students earned him the Pasadena ISD secondary schools 2012 Teacher of the Year award.

Having worked in construction, Garcia was familiar with and knew of NCCER, but he didn’t know that he would be teaching the curriculum before he accepted the job in 2007. When he was told he would be teaching using NCCER, Garcia said he thought it was “amazing.” 

“It’s easy to sell to the kids,” Garcia said. “When you have a program that can offer that credential that is recognized by industry, not just locally, but also nationally, it’s easy to sell. It’s easy to get the kids to buy in. That’s huge!” 

In 2016 a new challenge presented itself to Garcia: the Pasadena ISD Business Partner Coordinator position was offered to him. After some consideration, he took the position and hasn’t looked back.  

“I felt the support that I had from the CTE administration team. I felt like I could help a broader range of students from this position,” he said.

Passing the Torch

When Garcia left his position as a welding instructor he was concerned. He had been part of the CTE welding program for the previous nine years and he had helped the program grow. He loved the teaching experience. He felt comforted, though, that he was replaced by a former student. 

“I was fortunate that one of my former students took my place and he did an amazing job,” Garcia said. “I felt like he grew it more. He was right out of the industry and connected with these kids. He went on to get the Workforce Development Awards Outstanding Educator of the Year. It was a huge deal to me.” 

The ease of the transition from Garcia to his successor was made in part smoother by the NCCER curriculum.  

“I think whenever there’s changes, there’s always going to be a little bit of a bump in the road. With NCCER, the curriculum is all there,” Garcia said. “It just it makes it easy.” 
 
Garcia also likes to point out the opportunity for students to qualify for the College, Career, and Military Prep (CCMP) by earning the NCCER Core credential, which is an industry-recognized credential. The students become eligible to earn a CCMP check when they graduate. The Pasadena ISD also recognizes the students with a special graduation stole for earning the CCMP. 

Winning With Pride

From the success of competitions — in January of 2024, Pasadena ISD student welders made an impressive showing at the Texas High School Welding Series regional contest and certification event — to high graduation rates, the ISD construction program is having a positive lasting effect on its participants.

“The students want to give back. They want to come back and talk to the students at their high schools and discuss opportunities. It’s important for them to learn and see the change they can make — for their families and for future generations,” said Garcia. 

“In the past CTE was seen as a dumping ground. That is not the case anymore.” Garcia continues, “Kids come to me and other teachers, kids that other teachers said were a problem. We’ve seen students change their behavior due to the CTE courses and now they have pride in their work.”