Pender County Schools has been recognized at the state level for its strong Career Development Plan implementation. Mrs. Diane Simmons, Middle School Career Development Coordinator, and Mrs. Christine Smith, School Counselor at Surf City Middle School, were recently invited to present during a statewide Virtual Lunch and Learn hosted by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI).
The session spotlighted best practices in Career Development Plan implementation, with PCS highlighted as a model district. Ms. Simmons and Ms. Smith shared PCS strategies and success stories with more than 100 participants from across North Carolina, including representatives from NCCAREERS, the College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC), NCDPI Student Services, and the NCDPI CTE Career Development team.
“This recognition speaks to the hard work and commitment of our staff to prepare students for success beyond graduation,” said Dr. Brad Breedlove, Superintendent of Pender County Schools. “We are incredibly proud of Mrs. Simmons and Mrs. Smith for representing our district and sharing their innovative practices at the state level.”
Dominique Bates, Director of Career Technical Education for PCS, also emphasized the significance of this achievement: “Our team is intentional about making career development meaningful for students at every grade level. This recognition validates the systems we’ve put in place to ensure every student has the tools, guidance, and confidence to pursue their path, whether that’s college, the military, or entering the workforce.”
The invitation to serve on the statewide panel underscores Pender County Schools’ continued leadership in Career and Technical Education (CTE). PCS remains dedicated to providing opportunities that equip students to be enrolled, enlisted, or employed after high school.