The College Station Independent School District has opened its new Career and Technical Education Center, launching a construction technology classroom this week. First-year instructor Raul Ramos is leading the program, which replaces traditional desks and chairs with workstations and tools to facilitate hands-on learning.
Ramos spent the summer obtaining certification and developing lesson plans before the start of classes. Prior to his teaching role, he worked as a paraprofessional and long-term substitute at the elementary level within the district.
The curriculum covers electrical systems, plumbing, and framing. Ramos emphasizes experiential learning over lectures, with students beginning their training by building small playhouses in groups to practice measurement techniques.
A key objective of the course is fostering a strong work ethic. Ramos stated that he wants students to leave any workspace better than they found it and to feel confident when entering real-world scenarios. He noted that graduates will understand industry terminology and be prepared for immediate workforce integration.
The classroom lacks air conditioning, a design choice intended to mirror actual job site conditions. Students are required to wear hard hats, safety glasses, safety vests, appropriate clothing, and steel-toe boots. The center provides this initial safety gear at no cost, though students may also supply their own equipment.
