TJ’s Career Connection Experience gives students the tools to succeed.
Danny Showers heads up TJ's CCE program. photo by Mia Nogueira
For over a decade, TJ’s CCE (Career Connection Experience) program has provided career skills, credits, and a paved road to graduation for Spartans in need of support.
CCE is a program designed to help students achieve success throughout high school, and is present in every secondary school in DPS. The program is intended exclusively for Juniors or Seniors who are either employed or volunteer. “We learn a lot of skills about the work environment: pay checks, taxes, dress standards, employee relations, job skills, communication skills, and other job stuff,” said TJ’s CCE Director Danny Showers. “Our desired outcome is for students to have a serious view on what’s required in work places, and for them to be able to see what employers will require young adults to do.”
Along with applying work skills in the classroom, CCE also provides credits to students toward graduation. Every semester of CCE grants 5 credits. This means the maximum amount of credits that can be earned is 20 credits, granted that a student completes four semesters of CCE from Junior to Senior year. To be eligible for CCE, a student must be either in Career Technology Education (DECA, Computer Magnet, etc.), or AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination), along with having a GPA of 2.0 or above.
In order to fully achieve student success, Showers also works with a variety of groups. “I work with the counselors dynamically as far as identifying students’ deficiencies,” said Showers. “Students have to be recommended by a counselor for the program. Largely, the counselors drive the boat. They say if a student is in need of credits and needs to be in the program [CCE] or go to summer school. Students can be deficient in both classes and credits.” CCE is run by the DPS Career & Technology Education department. “That’s the big cheese in the sky. They tell us what to do.”
The program also aids a student’s progression through employment. “I am required to touch base with a student’s employer each semester to see how the student is doing,” said Showers. “Students also have to fill out some forms from the place where they are working or volunteering. At the end of the semester, students have to complete a writing assignment where they interview their supervisor.”
CCE is a graded course, and also meets on Wednesdays during advisement. “Throughout the years we’ve had excellent results in the program,” said Showers. “Most people do the work, do the reports, and hand them in on time.” CCE is also available during summer for students in need of additional credits.
With a plethora of opportunities provided by TJ’s CCE program, Showers believes that through proper instruction, specialized tutoring, and the occasional helping hand, any student can achieve success. “My philosophy is that when you walk through the door, you’re perfect,” proclaimed Showers.
