MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- Midland ISD Career and Technical Education is opening doors for students to become career-ready. Animal Science is one of the four-year plan programs within CTE that high school students can join if they would like to get a job related to that field.
“We have over 400 kids that come through our program throughout the day,†Kristy Matthies, Lead AG Teacher at Midland High School, said. “They’re in classes on the animal systems pathway from principles of ag, livestock production, advanced animal science, and vet med. These courses allow them to receive some IBCs in vet med and also in advanced animal science.â€
Through these programs, students can build relationships with companies and also have the opportunity to earn scholarships. Right now, in the program, there are about 65 registered FFA members, and out of those 65, there are about 25 to 30 that are extremely active. But FFA is not just about animals.
“You know, so many people think FFA is just animals, and there are so many more avenues, you know,†Mrs. Matthies said. “It used to be called Future Farmers of America. Well, in 1988, the name changed to National FFA. Just because we’re such a diverse organization, there’s a lot of technology involved, I mean, huge implementations that we use for our farming, technology runs a lot of that stuff.â€
If, students don’t want to go into an agriculture-related career, they will still learn life skills, and problem-solving through the program, that applies to any job.
