From: Kristie VanAuken <Kristie.VanAuken@dpi.nc.gov>
Sent: Feb 09, 2023 18:33:32.000000000 UTC
Subject: Re: Iredell County CATS Visit
To: John Fraley <johnafraley@gmail.com>
Cc: Jeff James <jjames@iss.k12.nc.us>; Catherine Truitt <Catherine.Truitt@dpi.nc.gov>

Thank you so much for the note, John! Dr. James mentioned your advocacy and support of CATS. Well, to say it is impressive would be an understatement! 

I've had this visit on my bucket list since 2020. The pandemic complicated that original plan leading to Tuesday's visit. DPI has an exceptional regional director in the Southwest who helped coordinate our time in the district.

I was struck by how students and faculty were equally engaged. And I was blown away by the automotive, culinary and health care programs. They just added Pharmacy Tech- an aligned credential to the new NCWC credential list.  Interestingly, when I asked students if they planned to graduate and work as a pharma tech, many said that they were planning to use the course work/ credential to pursue pre-med at university! The education and credential attainment these students achieve in high school affirm their post-secondary planning and will likely help them earn scholarships and college admittance. As you know, mFNC continues to have an enormous role in the multi-sector collaboration to align education-credentials-workforce.

I am also delighted with the way the district is leaning into the NC Portrait of a Graduate and instituting the use of Major Clarity, a web-based career/ education platform. I have briefed the Superintendent and cannot wait to bring her back to CATS to see project-based learning and career-focused education in action. CATS showcases her passion for workforce aligned education and career planning. 

Thanks again for the note and a big thanks to Dr. James and his team for hosting Dr. Heather Mullins and me. We are excited to lift up this work! All my best, 

Kristie VanAuken

Special Advisor to the Superintendent

Workforce Development
NC Department of Public Instruction
(M) 919-667-5373
kristie.vanauken@dpi.nc.gov
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From: John Fraley <johnafraley@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, February 9, 2023 7:40 AM
To: Kristie VanAuken <Kristie.VanAuken@dpi.nc.gov>
Cc: Jeff James <jjames@iss.k12.nc.us>
Subject: Iredell County CATS Visit
 
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Kristie,

Good morning. I saw a report in a local paper this morning noting the DPI visit to CATS and the pictures they took of the visit and tour. Thank you for making the time to learn about this really productive facility. I did a lot of work with them when I was in the House and they figure prominently in the work MyFutureNC is doing with the Iredell Ready education, career and workforce development efforts being undertaken in the county. The team at CATS and Superintendent Jeff James clearly understand the mission and what’s necessary to get the job done.

Best,
John

John A. Fraley
1311 Fern Hill Road
Mooresville, NC 28117
Email: johnafraley@gmail.com
Mobile:  917-854-9793



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