Career and Technical Education
VISION
The Career and Technical Education programs in Pawtucket are designed to provide students with the academic and applied skills they need to be successful in the workforce as well as postsecondary education. In an effort to meet the needs and interests of our diverse student body, our high schools offer a variety of CTE programs that are designed to prepare students for a specific field or area of focus. Students are expected to complete a program of study that includes both required and suggested courses. Participation in internships and work-based learning experiences is also an expectation of the program. Additionally, CTE courses may be taken for college credit. Certifications will be noted on participating students’ transcripts upon successful completion of the program. Concurrent and Dual Enrollment opportunities are also offered in some of our CTE programs.
Our current CTE Pathways are:
JMW
The Dance program is process-oriented and is designed to immerse students in the fundamentals of dance from beginner to advanced Technique. The program teaches dance techniques in Ballet and Modern Dance as well as Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT).
The course of study for majors also includes anatomy & injury prevention, dance history, choreography, and pedagogy skills. In addition, dancers are exposed to a variety of styles and techniques through visiting artists and residency programs with various professional dance companies. In and out of the classroom, formal and informal performances help students develop performance skills and the ability to give and take constructive criticism from their peers and Dance Artists from the community.
In Advanced Dance Technique, students focus on the audition process, concert/dance production, and choreography, culminating in a formal dance concert. All dancer majors are expected to perform or work backstage for this concert on an annual basis starting in their first year. The Dance department is designed to graduate students with the ability to successfully audition into a college dance program or move directly into the field of Dance Education, Performance, or Choreography.
The Music program is designed for music majors in vocals and/or instrumentals. The three main components of study over the four years include Solo Repertoire, Music Theory (with Traditional Notation), and Aural Development.
Students will learn the following musical skills: Sight Singing, Ear Training, Aural Awareness, Harmony, Rhythm, Melody, Composition and Improvisation. These skills will be expanded on with the use of piano, guitar, and voice training. Knowledge will continue in a more advanced level through each grade level.
Students will complete an adult level piano course instruction over the four years. In the junior year, music students will be required to complete 12 chapters of a college level music history course and finish the other 12 chapters in their senior year. During the senior year, students will be required to take the AP Music Theory course and have the option of taking the AP Music Theory Test. The AP Music course has been approved by the College Board and the syllabus has been adopted to meet the required course curriculum. Finally, seniors will be required to perform a Senior Recital as part of the final requirement of the course load.
The JMW theater program is process oriented. The student actor will explore voice and movement, dramatic texts and interpretation as well as learning how to create and sustain believable characters through collaborative and truthful storytelling. Formal and informal performances, in and out of the classroom, help students develop performance skills and the ability to give and take constructive criticism from their peers. Students will graduate with the ability to successfully audition into a college theater program.
The Video & Film pathway will provide training for entry-level employment in the production industry. Students will get the opportunity to explore A/V technology that exposes them to multiple real-world work opportunities in film. Other work possibilities could lead to work in cable television, education, radio, and A/V business-related fields. This CTE program will have students using professional-grade equipment and software. They will create student-driven productions. They will obtain a solid foundation in audio, video, and film-style projects.
Students will develop video recording/editing skills, audio recording/editing, video production, screenwriting, animation, web design, lighting techniques, and crew positions. In addition, students in this program will apply their knowledge and skills in industry work experiences that may lead to paid or unpaid internships.
The JMW Visual Art course of studies is a four year curriculum designed to build an increasingly advanced set of art skills and experiences. The first two and a half years lays a comprehensive foundation of techniques and materials for drawing, printmaking, sculpture, painting, and art history. The last year and a half, students focused on creating a personal body of work for their college admissions portfolio, exhibits, and public art. Professional guest artists bring specialized instruction to the classroom and connect the classes to the working art world.
Shea
The focus of this program is a four-course Project Lead The Way (PLTW) sequence that allows students to investigate the roles of biomedical professionals as they study the concepts of human medicine, physiology, genetics, microbiology, and public health. Students engage in activities like investigating the death of a fictional person to learn content in the context of real-world cases. They examine the structures and interactions of human body systems and explore the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, all while working collaboratively to understand and design solutions to the most pressing health challenges of today and the future. Each course in the Biomedical Science sequence builds on the skills and knowledge students gain in the preceding courses.
The focus of this program is a three-course sequence that focuses on community health, the various careers in community health, organizational skills, leadership skills, communication skills and ethics. Students will focus on the community health worker core competencies such as Outreach Methods and Strategies, Individual and Community Assessment, Effective Communication, Cultural Responsiveness and Mediation, Education to Promote Healthy Behavior Change, Care Coordination and System Navigation, Use of Public Health Concepts and Approaches, Advocacy and Community Capacity Building, Documentation and Professional Skills and Conduct.
Our Culinary Arts program is for students who consider themselves enthusiastic foodies and enjoy pairing new and unique flavors and food combinations. In this program, students learn to multitask, listen carefully, and communicate clearly as they develop the proficiency, knowledge, and skills necessary for success in the food, beverage, and hospitality industry. Students gain authentic food preparation and hospitality skills using ProStart Curriculum. Students gain experience in the planning and production of catering opportunities such as trade shows and community functions.
This program focuses on preparing students with the experience, commitment, and skills they need for management, marketing and operations within the hospitality and tourism service industry. Students will be prepared for a wide variety of careers in food and beverage management, hotel/resort management, travel management, food marketing and distribution, and event management.
The focus of this program is on careers related to computer programming and/or cybersecurity. Students will develop an understanding of what computer and data science is, as well as begin the journey into different programming languages used to develop applications, software and websites. This program is offered in conjunction with the University of Rhode Island and Rhode Island Department of Education’s CS4RI program.
The focus of this program is to prepare students for careers and/or postsecondary study in civil engineering, mechanical engineering, robotics, and occupations related to advanced manufacturing, construction, mechanical engineering, and computer design related occupations. There is also a corollary program/bonus with WindWINRI involving wind turbines, environmental science and various end course certifications. See Offshore Wind Energy Program.
This program focuses on preparing students with the experience, commitment, and skills they need for becoming PK-12 Teachers. Students will have the opportunity to engage in lesson and unit planning, classroom management, and explore a new paradigm of teaching while working with students and teachers within the Pawtucket School Department. The coursework and curriculum is aligned with the Educators Rising, where students will delve into topics such as Formative Assessments, Classroom Culture, Anti-Bias Instruction, Checks for Understanding, High Order Questioning, Differentiation, Scaffolding, Student Engagement, and Collaboration. Students will also have the opportunity to take key assessments needed for teaching such as ParaPro and Praxis Core Assessment.
Tolman
The Engineering Technician Program is an academic and technologically comprehensive program that explores the varied disciplines within the field of engineering. A main emphasis of our program is on the engineering design process, a way of thinking that encourages deductive reasoning and data-driven decision making. Students will utilize a variety of state-of-the-art equipment and industry-standard tools and technologies to impart the foundations upon which an engineering career is built. Computer applications, professional communication skills, and strong work ethic are emphasized over the four years using Project Lead The Way as the curriculum foundation.
The focus of this program is to prepare students for careers in financial and investment planning, banking, insurance and business financial management. Finance career opportunities are available in every sector of the economy and require skill in organization, time management, customer service and communication.
The focus of this program is to prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills required to perform entry-level duties in law enforcement, firefighting, emergency medical services, and other public safety services. This program stresses the techniques, methods, and procedures specific to the areas of criminal justice, fire protection, and emergency medical services especially in emergency and disaster situations. Physical development and self-confidence skills are emphasized due to the nature of the specific occupation(s). In addition to the application of mathematics, communication, science, and physics students receive training in social and psychological skills, map reading, vehicle and equipment operations, the judicial system, firefighting, pre-hospital emergency medical care and appropriate emergency assessment, treatment and communication
The focus of JROTC is to instill in the values of citizenship, service to the U.S., personal responsibility and a sense of accomplishment. JROTC explores multiple enlisted service career fields and officer track careers in all five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. This academy is hosted in conjunction with the U.S. Marine Corps.
The focus of this program is to educate and prepare students for careers in Government, Law Enforcement, Legal Careers, Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, and Law. Students will be skilled at navigating the Justice System including the formation and enforcement of laws and the intersection between crime and punishment. Students will practice the investigative process, including procedure, Forensic Science and will navigate the Trial Court and Correctional systems. Students will be capable of applying their understanding of psychological principles to the aforementioned areas while preparing for internships in their respective fields. In addition students also explore Forensic Science as it relates to criminal justice and the legal system.
The focus of this program is on business, marketing and management. This program is ideal for students who have an interest in the world of business, finance and marketing. This program is best for students who enjoy helping, leading and working with people and for those who are comfortable working with computers and technology. Students will also participate in organizing and planning activities. Students in this program are members of DECA and have an interest in working in a business environment and pursuing continued training in Business, Finance, or Marketing
This program focuses on preparing students with the experience, commitment, and skills they need for becoming PK-12 Teachers. Students will have the opportunity to engage in lesson and unit planning, classroom management, and explore a new paradigm of teaching while working with students and teachers within the Pawtucket School Department. The coursework and curriculum is aligned with the Educators Rising, where students will delve into topics such as Formative Assessments, Classroom Culture, Anti-Bias Instruction, Checks for Understanding, High Order Questioning, Differentiation, Scaffolding, Student Engagement, and Collaboration. Students will also have the opportunity to take key assessments needed for teaching such as ParaPro and Praxis Core Assessment.
Ricardo Pimentel
Director of CTE & Unified Arts
Ricardo Pimentel has over 20 years experience as a teacher, school administrator and currently serves at the district level as the Director of CTE & Unified Arts. Ricardo has been with the Pawtucket School Department since 2003. For thirteen years, he was an English and Theater Teacher at the Charles E. Shea High School. He then moved on to become an Administrator where he was the Director of the Jacqueline M. Walsh School for the Performing and Visual Arts for five years. For the past three years, Mr. Pimentel has been at the helm of our CTE & Unified Arts Department.
Mr. Pimentel oversees our career and technical education programming, visual and performing arts programming as well as career exploration and arts enrichment. Mr. Pimentel strives to provide academic, career-driven and artistic opportunities for our students. Through his leadership, CTE programming in Pawtucket has increased at both Shea and Tolman and he continues to explore new programming based on the Pawtucket labor needs and student interests. He has also increased Middle School feeder programs with the addition of Project Lead The Way (PLTW) courses in Engineering, Computer Science and Biomedical Science. Mr. Pimentel has also created Citywide Arts groups for Elementary Chorus, Middle School Band, Middle School Chorus, Middle School Musical Theater and High School Musical Theater. In addition, Mr. Pimentel has increased our student engagement, bringing augmented and virtual reality technology with zSpace labs and computers in grades 3-12. Community outreach and engagement is also a major part of the work Mr. Pimentel does with CTE and Unified Arts. We have many community partnerships and programs providing opportunities for Pawtucket students such as the Career Fair and May Arts Night held every Spring.
His education includes a Bachelor’s Degree in English Education, a Master’s Degree in Visual and Media Arts and an additional Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership with a focus on Curriculum and Instruction. Mr. Pimentel holds several certifications: Secondary Grades English Teacher, Grades 7-12; Building Level Administrator PK-12; Administrator of Curriculum and Instruction; and Superintendent of Schools.
Tiffany Reaves
Career & Work-Based Learning Liaison
Tiffany Reaves is a dedicated professional serving as the Career & Work-Based Learning Liaison for the Pawtucket School District with a profound commitment to guiding students on their educational journeys. Tiffany brings a unique perspective to her role, as she is a graduate of a Technical institution herself. Her firsthand experience with a hands-on approach to learning has not only influenced her career but also shaped her outlook on professionalism and commitment.
She firmly believes in the power of showing up for oneself, a lesson she learned through her own experiences. Tiffany’s dedication to helping students discover their potential and fostering their growth is driven by her personal journey. In her role, Tiffany collaborates with community partners and works closely with the district’s exceptional Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers. Her aim is to build and nurture relationships that provide students with up-close and personal insights into various career pathways. Through these connections, Tiffany facilitates internship opportunities, organizes workshops, and field trips as well as assists with resume writing and assessments that offer students invaluable real-world experiences.
Tiffany Reaves is committed to empowering students with the knowledge and opportunities they need to succeed in their chosen careers. Her work is a testament to her passion for education and her belief in the transformative power of hands-on learning.
Phone: 729-6398
Email: reavest@psdri.net
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