Bryan Station High School (Fayette County) junior LaMargaret Johnson impressed upon a national audience of chief state school officers and educators the vital importance of strong career and technical education programs in a speech in Washington, D.C. Pictured with Johnson are Education Commissioner Wayne Lewis and her teacher, Catherine Vanatter.
Photo by Jessica Fletcher, April 8, 2019
(ASHLAND, KY) – LaMargaret Johnson, a junior at Bryan Station High School (Fayette County), impressed upon a national audience of chief state school officers and educators the vital importance of strong career and technical education (CTE) programs in a speech in Washington, D.C., April 8.
Speaking during the Council of Chief State School Officers Legislative Conference, Johnson spoke about her experience at Bryan Station, which is one of three schools participating in the Academies of Lexington program in Fayette County Public Schools. The Academies are small learning communities that allow students to connect what they’re learning in the classroom with real-world applications and career pathways suited to their interest.
“In the three years I have been at the academies, we have undergone a transformation from a traditional high school system to a career academy model,” said Johnson. “Our students always had the potential, but now they also have the opportunity given to them by a dedicated group of teachers, administrators, community partners and business leaders. And when kids have pathways to success, they will exceed your expectations.”
During the April 10 Kentucky Board of Education (KBE) meeting in Ashland, Education Commissioner Wayne Lewis recapped Johnson’s speech.
“This was truly one of the proudest moments I’ve had in my role as commissioner,” said Lewis. “She really amazed the crowd in her presentation on career and workforce readiness.”
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