Alexander High School CTAE

Want to learn more about careers in the energy industry. Greystone has a summer internship opportunity for 2024 high school graduates

Alexander CTAE and Work-Based Learning students had an amazing Mock Interview day! Thanks to our business partners for investing your time with our students.

Morris’ ECE2 and Examining the Teaching Profession Classes participated in Valentine activities. They experienced activities they can use with their own personal children one day or in their future classrooms. They played minute to win-it games and created art projects. The art was done with either q-tips or fingerprints. Lots of hands on fun today!

Hi! My name is Carsen Kimbrough and I have the pleasure of teaching the introductory classes of our Early Childhood Education and Food, Nutrition, and Wellness pathways. This is my very first semester of teaching, but I was a substitute teacher here at Alexander High School for two years while I was in college.

My favorite thing about teaching is getting to be a role model for the kids. Actually getting to know and teach them everyday is a joy. The best thing about my program is all the fun and interactive activities that we get to do. This includes learning how to swaddle babies, making sensory bottles, initiating burns by using make-up, cooking and more!

My name is Betsy Hoffman and I teach the Food Science and Nutrition Pathway. This is my 18th year teaching; 10 years teaching middle school Family and Consumer Science, and 8 years teaching the high school Food Science and Nutrition pathway. I love my students and I love teaching them all through their high school career and watching them grow up. The best thing about my program/job is that we operate like a well-oiled machine. We all may teach different things and be on our own island, but there is always support from our colleagues, department heads, and administration. My favorite quote is “The DUE date is not the DO date”.

My name is Karla Hernandez and I teach the Computer Science and Programming Pathways. I am also the FBLA Adviser. This is my 8th year in education, but only my second year as a teacher. Before entering the education field, I was an Accountant and Human Resources Specialist. I have worked at various schools in this district, but Alexander has a special place in my heart because it’s the school I graduated from. I love working here because the faculty and staff treat each other like family and we have the best students. The best thing about teaching computer programming is watching the transformation within my students as they grow in their ability to problem solve, think critically, and empathize with others. Even for my students who don’t plan on pursuing a programming career, they gain skills from my pathways that will help them get through life once they graduate high school. My favorite quote is from Benjamin Franklin: “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”

Hi, I’m Richard Parham and I teach the Law Enforcement Services career pathway at Alexander High School, now in my 27th year at AHS. In addition to my teaching duties, I also serve as the CTAE Department Chair, a role I have held since approximately 2006. Prior to coming to Alexander, I worked for the Douglasville Police Department (1991-1996) in various capacities to include; patrol, traffic enforcement and hiring and recruitment.

The thing I enjoy most about teaching is having the chance to make a connection with MY students over the course of the semester and seeing that connection grow as students choose to continue in the Law Enforcement Program over their high school career. I appreciate the opportunity to teach them about my career in law enforcement, as well as other areas of public safety so they may develop a better understanding of what a career in public safety might be like and realize it could be a rewarding career choice.

"Sometimes it's the journey that teaches you about the destination"

The Douglas County School System Work-Based Learning program hosted Mock Interviews for students at West Georgia Technical College. WBL students from all high schools in the county were interviewed by community members and business partners who provided feedback on the interview process and on student resumes. The WBL program is designed to provide experiences and activities that support a school to career transition. The Mock Interview experience allows businesses, schools, and community organizations to work together to provide our students with practical work-related experiences by providing them with skills needed in today's workplace. Throughout the day, over 250 students were interviewed by 47 community partners.

We are excited to offer our Work-Based Learning students the opportunity for an in-person mock interview experience.

Mock Interview Day will be held at West Georgia Technical College on Thursday, October 20th from 9am-3:30pm.

We are currently in need of our business partners to serve as interviewers.

If you can donate your expertise and time to this event, please use the Sign-Up Genius link to choose a time that works best for you.

I will reach out closer to the event with specific details and instructions. Thank you again for your support of our students.

Interviewer Sign Up Douglas County School System Work-Based Learning program will be hosting Mock Interviews for all Work-based Learning Students. The date is Thursday, October 20th at West Georgia Technical College 4600 Timber Ridge Drive Douglasville, GA We appreciate your time as we prepare our students for the next...

Alexander High School students are the best Patriot Pals!!! It was an amazing first meeting this morning. We love our Bill Arp Elementary School family💕

Thank you to Mr. Bob Bradley (Director of Workforce Development for Mechanical Contractors Association) for speaking to AHS students about career planning. You shared important information about welding/pipefitting, HVAC, and plumbing.

Don’t forget to join FBLA this week for extra membership perks!!

All DCSS high school students are invited to attend College and Career Fair. Hope to see you there

Students and parents, are you looking to learn more about post-secondary college and career options? If so, DCSS will be hosting a college and career fair at Lithia Springs High School tomorrow, September 21, from 6 p.m.-8 p.m.

Students will be able to meet one-on-one with representatives from several colleges, universities, technical programs, industry employers and the military to learn more about their options after graduation.

All DCSS high school students are encouraged to attend this free, can't-miss event!

Mrs. McFall's Financial Literacy class was "Dressed for Success" today. Way to go Cougars!!

Students in the Introduction to Law & Public Safety class at Alexander HS had the opportunity to practice proper fire extinguisher procedures in class today. Jason Milhollin, Douglas County Emergency Management Director, brought a fire extinguisher simulator to the classroom and discussed various types of extinguishers with small groups of students. Then, students were able to demonstrate their understanding with the hands-on activity. We express our appreciation for Mr. Milhollin taking time with our students.

Members First is looking for a few good people to work as tellers!! The students who are hired will be trained and will work at the local branch during the summer. Once school starts, the students will work at the AHS branch Monday-Friday and will be expected to work at least one Saturday per month at the local branch. Students will be required to register for WBL as the AHS branch is open during school hours.

Please see Jeffcoat in Room 40A for more information.

We are ready to meet our seniors at the Senior Career Fair

Thank you Mechanical Trades Institute for an amazing experience.

Congratulations to the Business and Computer Science Department. Great Job!!

Dr. Jude Thornton, we are so proud of you.

February is Alumni Spotlight Month. Please meet Dr. Jude Thornton from the class of 2013. He completed the Veterinary CTAE Pathway. He then attended Georgia College and the University of Georgia. He is now an Associate Veterinarian.

Dr. Jude Thornton graduated salutatorian in 2013 from AHS. He went on to pursue a biology degree from Georgia College where he graduated as valedictorian in 2017. Jude married his high school sweetheart, Brooke Devereaux (c/o 2012), and went on to pursue his dream of becoming a veterinarian. Jude attended the University of Georgia for veterinary medicine where he was voted by his peers as the “Gentle Doctor” – the person you would most like to take care of your own pets. He graduated Summa Cum Laude as a Veterinarian in May 2021. Jude currently resides in Athens, GA where he works as an associate veterinarian at South Athens Animal Clinic. He and Brooke are expecting a baby girl this summer and are excited about all the future holds.

February is #ALXCTAE Alumni Spotlight Month. Please meet David Whitehead of the class of 2005. Please meet David Whitehead of the class of 2005. He completed the Law Enforcement Pathway. He currently supervises 24 members assigned to the Criminal Interdiction Unit (CIU). This unit represents an active statewide commitment to reduce drug trafficking in the State of Georgia by networking with e...

February is Alumni Spotlight Month. Today, we celebrate Ben Crispell from the class of 2005. Ben was a Work-Based Learning student that received his pilot's license while at AHS.

I am currently the Director of Flight Operations for a large, Atlanta based corporate flight department. I have the privilege to serve and lead a 17 person pilot team that operate five corporate jets around the world. As a senior at AHS in ‘05 I participated in a workbased-learning program whereby I was able to take classes and start getting experience flying in the field of corporate aviation. I am a huge proponent of students testing the waters as early as possible in a verity of career-oriented pathway classes and beginning to explore careers that suit their interests and individual skill sets.

In our department, we have taken this concept and created a college-level pilot internship program which is now in its seventh year. The program allows one lucky college student to be fully immersed for 12 weeks in the field of corporate aviation and work alongside industry professionals and mentors as they tug, fuel, dispatch and jump seat on our corporate aircraft. Most of our interns go on to fly for smaller corporate flight departments as they build their flight time and experience in the industry. The program will soon come full circle as we begin eyeing some of our earliest interns for full time pilot positions with our department.
Wishing everyone all the best at AHS!

Success is never owned, it’s rented. And the rent is due every single day!
(somebody famous somewhere)

Celebrate Youth Apprenticeship Week!
Click here to learn more: https://vimeo.com/545155336

Congratulations ALX JROTC Raiders - State Championship!!

Please help me congratulate the Raiders Mixed team as they captured their 3rd Consecutive State Championship.

MembersFirst Credit Union Alexander High School Branch is now open and ready to welcome students, faculty, and staff. We celebrated our re-opening with a reception honoring MembersFirst staff:

Sarah Kozloff—AVP Westside Branch Operations
Laron Maloney—VP Director Human Resources & Staff Development
Kim Fletcher—Business Development Officer
Gabby Robinson—Head Teller Douglasville
Brandon Wolfe—Teller (AHS Student)
Pam Roberson—Branch Supervisor Douglasville

Dr. Chris Small (AHS Principal) welcomed MembersFirst staff and thanked them for the AHS and MembersFirst partnership. Ms. Robida and her Financial Literacy and Banking and Investing students, Mrs. McFall (Financial Literacy teacher), and Mrs. Jeffcoat (WBL Coordinator) also joined the celebration.

ALX representing at the DECA Road Rally! The students had a great time.

Students in the Alexander High School Criminal Investigations class demonstrate their hands-on knowledge of fingerprint evidence as they process "evidence" in the Criminal Justice Lab.

Julie Jeffcoat, Alexander High School Work Based Learning Coordinator attended the esteemed "Top Gun" Work Based Learning training in Gainesville, GA in June, 2021. The concept of the “Top Gun” training is based loosely on the theme of the movie of the same name: the “best of the best” have been selected to receive the ultimate specialized training to prepare for the mission of the organization.

One of her success stories is Nayeli Vazquez, who worked as a part-time receptionist with the Douglas County Chamber of Commerce during her senior year at Alexander. Nayeli graduated from AHS in 2020 and is now a student at the University of West Georgia studying business and marketing management. She also serves as the marketing intern with the Chamber, where she is responsible for coordinating all social media communications for the organization.

"I'm grateful for the connection between WBL and the Chamber," said Ms. Vazquez. "My experience as an intern at the Chamber during high school helped determine my career path."

Ms. Vazquez is set to graduate from college with several years of experience in her chosen career path.

A 2019 graduate of Alexander High School, Ms. Gabby Robinson began working at MembersFirst Credit Union her senior year as a part-time teller. She now works full time as head teller at MembersFirst.

"WBL provided me with technical and professional skills and allowed me to observe professionals working in the field," said Robinson. "The WBL program teaches independence and helps connect students with professionals who can help set them up for success when it comes time to start their careers."

Students who are interested in gaining work experience while in high school should reach out to the WBL coordinator at their school.