By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–Options and opportunities will be plentiful in the futures of Union City Middle School students.
Career Explorations teacher Rhonda Clendenin is doing her part to ensure they know what’s out there.
In her first year in the position, the veteran educator plans to reveal to students several different paths as they navigate toward high school and beyond.
Clendenin recently introduced well over 100 8th graders to Daniel Taylor of the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT), who educated them on the many opportunities available besides traditional post-graduate options.
Taylor specifically mentioned a number of established TCAT programs, including nursing, administrative technology, diesel mechanics, machine tool technology, and cosmetology. TCAT – which recently became Tennessee College of Applicated Technology Northwest – has multiple campuses around the area, the closest being Newbern.
A UC Schools product himself, Taylor insisted he spoke from experience when he said: “There is a culture of people here who care about you.”
For her part, Clendenin said she simply wants students “to know all the things available to them.”
“I spoke with (UCHS Guidance Counselor) Mrs. (Susan) Searcy and got ideas on everything students needed to be aware of before their freshman orientation. Since then, my students have taken aptitude, personality, and learning styles assessments that will help them start setting goals and hopefully, a path for their future that makes them productive citizens of our community,” she said.
Clendenin claimed students have found career matches, discovered learning styles, and researched career interests.
“I know that not everyone is college-bound, and I wanted them to know that they could learn a trade and get good jobs if they work hard,” she continued. “Mr. Taylor did a great job sharing the things that are available at TCAT and the opportunities they will have to learn a skill or trade down the road.”