February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, so Warren County Commissioner Director James R. Kern III toured Warren County Technical School with faculty and student representatives to see firsthand the great work being done to prepare students for a successful future.

CTE Month celebrates and highlights the role that Technical Schools have in readying students for college and career success. Students in CTE programs participate in authentic and meaningful experiences that improve the quality of their education and increase their engagement and achievement while having the chance to explore career opportunities early in their educational experience.

Culinary Arts teacher Pat Lilly, along with the student government president and vice president, showed Kern the different lab areas where faculty members explained the programs underway.

“I was happy to visit Warren Tech to celebrate career and technical education,” Kern said, adding, “I am so impressed by the students, teachers, and staff at our school. By choosing a vo-tech school these students will get a head start on developing the skills and knowledge their chosen professions require, and the curriculum at Warren Tech gives students the practical hands-on experience and relevant industry-specific skills that are in high-demand by employers. Teachers like Pat Lilly truly provide the inspiration for these students to succeed.”

While on the tour, Kern presented Lilly, this year’s Teacher of the Year for Warren Tech, with a Certificate of Merit from the Warren County Board of County Commissioners. Lilly has taught Culinary Arts for 12 years, and before becoming an educator served in the U.S. Air Force.

Along the way, Kern visited Warren Tech’s autobody shop with Automotive Technology instructor Raymond Danner; heard from Cosmetology instructor Tina Giraldi-Lynch about the program that prepares students to take the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling exam during their senior year; got a look behind the scenes of the school’s daily news broadcast with TV, Radio And Digital Media Production instructor Patricia Seugling; and saw other aspects of the Warren Tech program.