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Career and Technical Education

Belton Career and Technical Education, or CTE, is designed to help you identify interests and abilities in one or more career areas and check out courses that will inform you about current and future requirements. CTE offers many program options that can lead to postsecondary education and/or licensing and certification. In a recent DEC (District Effectiveness and Compliance) monitoring visit for Belton ISD, Texas Education Agency staff found our CTE to be meeting all state criteria for a quality program! Another plus was the fact that students involved in BISD CTE courses scored higher than the state average on the tests that are required for high school graduation.

Many of you will be seeking part-time employment during your Junior and/or Senior year. It is important for you to understand that the Career Prep courses offered in Business Education, Ag. Science, and Diversified Career Preparation can give you three elective credits, help you with P.E. credits (if needed), and provide you with a real supporter for your employment experience when difficult situations arise. And believe it or not, many colleges and universities are actually looking for applicants who have had positive experiences in the real world of work. A successful job experience can help others see that you understand the value of working hard to succeed!

As a tool to help you (and your parents) better understand the wide range of options available at Belton ISD, we have put together this website to highlight key CATE program areas currently being offered. We hope you will discover new courses of study that will aid you in your own personal growth as you make plans for the future.

Ken Von Gonten, CTE Director, and Kay Archer, CTE Facilitator, are on staff to help answer your questions and assist you in making informed decisions about high school and post-secondary options. We're here to help!

Ken Von Gonten
CTE Director
Belton ISD Career Studies Center
620 Tiger Drive
Belton, TX 76513
Office Hrs: 8 AM - 4 PM
Phone: 254-215-2260
Fax: 254-215-2261
e-mail: ken.vongonten@bisd.net

Kay Archer, CTE Facilitator
Belton High School
600 Lake Road
Belton, TX 76513
Office hrs: 8:00 am ­ 12:00 pm
Phone: 254-215-2218
Fax: 254-215-2261
e-mail: kay.archer@bisd.net

Program Areas

Agricultural Science

Explore a wide variety of interesting topics and check out the newest in agricultural/science-related fields of study. The Agriculture Science facility includes a woodworking/metalworking lab and horticulture science greenhouse. Program courses cover many different areas of interest, including:

  • Animal Science
  • Horticulture
  • Wildlife & Recreation Management
  • Landscaping
  • Ag. Mechanics
  • Domestic Animals
  • Equine Science
  • Home Maintenance
  • Ag. Science Career Preparation
  • Exploring Aquaculture
  • Floral Design & Interior Landscape Development
  • Intro to Veterinary Technology


Belton FFA is an active organization which provides many opportunities for participation in District, Area, and State competition in the Fall and Spring, livestock shows, community-wide events such as the Independence Day Parade, local meetings and fun gatherings! Seniors can apply for scholarships through FFA programs. Instructors: Rick Ensor and Brad Hobbs. Phone: 254-215-2267
e-mail: rick.ensor@bisd.net and brad.hobbs@bisd.net

Automotive Technology

Learn the latest in automotive diagnostics! Explore career options in an occupation which is high in demand! Through options including Introduction to Transportation, Automotive Specialization, Automotive Technician I and II, you can gain skills and knowledge that will help you progress toward NATEF certification. Coherent course sequences emphasize the following:

  • Electrical Systems
  • Ignition Systems
  • Tune-ups
  • Computer Technology
  • Engine Diagnostics
  • Exhaust Systems
  • Brakes/Suspension
  • Shop Safety
  • Front-end Alignment
  • Basic Engine Components

SkillsUSA-Auto.Tech. members also have opportunities to compete at the District, State, and National level in skills competition. This program has recently even had automotive technology students compete at the National competition in aviation maintenance! Automotive Technician I and II articulate with similar courses at the community college level, and there are also opportunities for scholarships in automotive-related areas of study. Instructor: Tom Vaughn. Phone: 254-215-2262

Building Trades

With the growth of construction projects in this area and across the state, there is a real need for people with skills to help meet the demand. Building Trades provides classroom and on-the-job training in related areas including:

  • Carpenter
  • Electrician
  • Plumber
  • Bricklayer/Mason
  • Painter
  • Decorator
  • Blueprint Reading/Specifications
  • Roofing
  • Building Construction

Actual construction of structures will be a part of the learning process! If you become a SkillsUSA Building Trades member, you will be given an opportunity to use acquired skills in competition against other students at the District, State, and National level. Instructor: Craig Sullivan. Phone: 254-215-2262

Business/Computer Education

Business Education courses will help you develop skills in the use of exciting new software programs and technical components in demand by the business world around us! These classes include:

  • BCIS I & II
  • Business Image Management and Multimedia
  • Computer Programming
  • Accounting I &II
  • Business Ed. Career Prep I and II

BCIS I & II offer you the opportunity of receiving articulated credit for college level equivalent courses at most community colleges in the state of Texas. Depending on the class, training will be provided in one or more of the following software programs: Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, Access, Excel, Desktop Publishing, Photoshop and Visual Basics. BPA (Business Professionals of America) provides opportunities for you to be involved in community service while also training for competition in business and computer skills at the Regional, State, and National level! Instructors: Emily Edelhauser, Lois Fulton, Elayne Kaufman, Judy Parker, and David Tidwell. Phone: 254-215-2264. Kathy Silvas(Waskow Campus) Phone: 254-215-2510

Criminal Justice

Interested in being a police officer, corrections officer, detective, or crime scene investigator? If so, this exciting area of study can provide you with training in various areas of the criminal justice career field! The courses include:

  • Fundamentals of Criminal Law
  • Crime in America
  • Criminal Investigation
  • Courts and Criminal Procedures

These courses may earn training points counting toward TCLEOSE certification and/or advanced credits toward course requirements at many community colleges. SkillsUSA-Criminal Justice can offer opportunities for additional learning experiences and competition at various levels, both locally and across the state. Instructor: Gary Bremer. Phone: 254-215-2262


Culinary Arts

If you are interested in career options in the food service professions, Culinary Arts provides training and hands-on experience in fields like:

  • Food Management
  • Chef
  • Retail Marketing
  • Hospitality Services

Completers of this program may take a national level test for the Applied FoodService SERVSAFE Certification. Culinary Arts may also qualify for credit by articulation at the community college level. By producing and serving meals as part of the learning process, FCCLA (Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America) members have the opportunity to compete in contests and qualify for State awards and scholarships. Instructor: Kay Lewis. Phone: 254-215-2260

Family and Consumer Science

If you plan on a future that includes feeding yourself, dressing up, having a child, being a member of a family, living in a home, decorating a home, working for a living, or becoming a teacher some day, Family and Consumer Science (F&CS) has something for you! Courses of study include:

  • Individual and Family Life
  • Apparel
  • Child Development
  • Interior Design
  • Foods and Nutrition
  • Housing
  • Personal and Family Development
  • Family and Consumer Science Career Prep I and II
  • Ready, Set, Teach!

FCCLA (Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America) is the related student club, and you are encouraged to become a part of a growing organization. Instructors: Elizabeth Martin. Phone: 254-215-2265 and Kim Dana


Health Science Technology

Science and technology both play an integral role in the development of skills required for health-related careers. Health Science Technology (HST) can provide you with many opportunities to explore the health professions while receiving in-depth instruction! Exciting options include:

  • Dual Credit Anatomy and Physiology
  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Health Science Technology I
  • Health Science Technology II
  • Health Science Technology III
  • Medical Terminology

Some of these courses may receive college dual-credit or articulated credit.
Please note that HST II and III allow you to actually visit area hospitals and clinics on a regular basis to observe real professionals at work! HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) can provide you the chance to compete against other schools at the Area and State level. Instructor: Vicki Templin and Betty Higdon. Phone: 254-774-0025 or 254-215-2260

Mill and Cabinetmaking

If you want to receive training and hands-on experience in fields related to creating cabinets, furniture, and other works of art made in wood, this could be for you! Courses include:

  • Exploring the Trades (Intro. to Construction Careers)
  • Millwork and Cabinetmaking I
  • Millwork and Cabinetmaking II

The introductory-level course, Exploring the Trades, will give a broad overview of subjects such as carpentry, electrical skills, safety, bricklaying, painting, and plumbing. M&C I and II covers the more detailed use of tools of the trade, reinforced with actual wood projects produced by you! SkillsUSA-Mill & Cabinet offers the chance to test your skills against other schools in many different areas of competition. Instructor: Rick Herrington. Phone: 254-215-2299


For more information, call us at 254-215-2260 or visit us at the Career Center.

 

Agricultural Science

Automotive Technology

Building Trades

Business Education

Computer Technology

Family & Consumer Science

Health Science Technology

Media Technology

Mill & Cabinetmaking