Career Tech Pathways
2026-27
- CTAE Overview
- A/V & Film
- Computer Science
- Carpentry/Electrical
- Culinary Arts
- Early Childhood
- Engineering
- Entrepreneurship
- Heavy Equipment
- Interior Design
- Marketing
- TAP
CTAE Overview
East Forsyth High School is proud to offer a variety of CTAE Pathways & Programs.
EFHS is proud to offer our students unique opportunities for career and technical education in the following pathways: A/V Technology & Film, Computer Science, Carpentry/Electrical, Culinary Arts, Early Childhood Education, Engineering & Technology, Entrepreneurship, Fashion, Textiles & Interiors, Heavy Equipment, Marketing & Management, and Teaching As a Profession.
DEPARTMENT TEAM:
Bridges, Lindsey- Interior Design & Fashion
Dye, MacKenzie- Marketing & Management
LeBeau, Misty- TAP/Entrepreneurship- Department Chair
Mathis, Curtis- Engineering & Technology
Nizialek, Sharon- Early Childhood Education
Owens, Josh - WBL/Career Development Coordinator
Peck, Andrew- Heavy Equipment Operations
Smatt, Suzanne- Culinary
Smith, Caleb- A/V Technology & Film
Sudduth, Olivia- Computer Science
Wickman, Terry- Carpentry/Electrical
Young, Gillian - Marketing
A/V & Film
Interested in an Out-Of-District Request?
The Audio Visual Technology & Film Pathway fosters an environment that facilitates an interdisciplinary approach to related mass communication fields of study, with a rigorous and relevant curriculum.
The Audio Visual Technology & Film Pathway focuses on providing students with knowledge, skills, and hands-on experience in broadcast video production. The curriculum emphasizes an inquiry-based approach to learning, while enhancing the students’ abilities to write, speak, and think critically about differing media and modes of communication.
A/V Technology and Film students will design, manufacture, operate and/or repair audio visual equipment, create presentations of sound, video, and data in a variety of formats, gather information, prepare broadcasts, build sets, and operate equipment used to record and transmit programs and/or motion pictures and operate sound making and/or video editing equipment.
Students in the A/V Technology and Film pathway are able to join and compete with SkillsUSA. Throughout the course of the year, students may attend the Champion's Rally, Fall Leadership Conference, Elevate Conference, Regional Competitions, and the State Leadership and Skills Conference.
Students are also eligible to apply for the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS). NTHS is the premier honor society for Career and Technical Education students, drawing on their experiences in the CTAE classroom.
Computer Science
The Computer Science pathway introduces students to various disciplines, tools, and concepts in the fields of Programming, Computer Science, and Information Technology.
The pathway provides a practical, hands-on approach to learning where students combine teacher-led demonstrations with on-line tutorials (text and video based) to complete skill building tasks and large creative projects. These courses are co-curricular with the academic organization FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America), so many of the class assignments relate directly to FBLA competitive events. Each course also has a focus on learning and demonstrating employability skills required by business and industry.
Computer Science students will prepare for entry-level, technical, and professional IT careers, including the design, development, implementation, and maintenance of computer systems and software, as well as knowledge of computer operating systems, programming languages, and software development required of cutting-edge technologies. Students will build a solid understanding and foundation of computer science with emphasis on computational thinking practices: connecting, computing, developing computational artifacts, abstracting, analyzing problems and artifacts, communication and collaborating.
Students are also eligible to apply for the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS). NTHS is the premier honor society for Career and Technical Education students, drawing on their experiences in the CTAE classroom.
Carpentry/Electrical
Interested in an Out-Of-District Request?
Carpentry & Electrical Pathways
Build Skills. Build Confidence. Build Your Future.
The Carpentry and Electrical Pathways give students the opportunity to develop valuable, hands-on skills while exploring careers in one of the nation’s largest and most essential industries. As part of the Architecture and Construction Career Cluster, these programs combine classroom instruction with real-world experiences that prepare students for success in the construction industry, postsecondary education, apprenticeships, and beyond.
But these pathways aren’t just for students who want a career in construction. They’re for anyone who wants to learn practical skills they can use for a lifetime. Students gain the knowledge and confidence to understand how homes and buildings are constructed, use tools safely, make basic repairs and improvements, troubleshoot common problems, and tackle projects of their own. Whether they become a carpenter or electrician—or a teacher, engineer, nurse, business owner, or anything else—the skills learned in these classes can be valuable when they someday own, maintain, or improve a home of their own.
Students learn in an active, hands-on environment where safety, craftsmanship, problem-solving, teamwork, and a strong work ethic are emphasized every day. Beginning with the fundamentals of construction, students develop experience using industry-standard hand and power tools, reading plans and drawings, measuring and laying out projects, and safely completing construction-related tasks.
Students are also introduced to multiple skilled trades, including carpentry, electrical, masonry, and plumbing, giving them the opportunity to discover new interests and talents. As they progress through the Carpentry and Electrical Pathways, students receive more specialized training and have opportunities to develop industry-recognized skills and credentials.
Whether a student plans to enter the workforce, pursue an apprenticeship or technical program, attend college, start a business, or simply wants the confidence to work with their own two hands, our goal is to provide a strong foundation of technical knowledge, employability skills, and practical experience that will serve them well beyond high school.
We’re not just teaching students how to build projects. We’re teaching skills they can use to build their future.
Industry Fundamentals and Occupational Safety (Level 1)
Introduction to Construction (Level 2)
Carpentry I (Level 3 Option 1)
Electrical I (Level 3 Option 2)
Culinary Arts
Interested in an Out-Of-District Request?
Culinary Arts is a growing program in our schools across Georgia. This program is designed for those wanting to learn the “art” of cooking and for those wanting to continue in the Arts field in any of the many diverse opportunities: Sous Chef, Pastry Chef, Kitchen manager, Garde Manger, Banquet Chef, or a Restaurant Entrepreneur.
Culinary Arts students will complete a variety of skills required by the restaurant and food industry, such as knife skills, cooking techniques, menu planning, food purchasing and costing, food safety and sanitation, and front of the house service. The pathway allows students to develop in-depth knowledge and hands-on skill mastery of culinary arts and allows them to refine hands-on production of the classic fundamentals in the commercial kitchen.
Students are also eligible to apply for the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS). NTHS is the premier honor society for Career and Technical Education students, drawing on their experiences in the CTAE classroom.
Early Childhood
Interested in an Out-Of-District Request?
The Early Childhood Care & Education pathway is one of two pathways in the Education and Training Cluster.
The focus of this cluster is planning, managing and providing education and training services, and related learning support services such as administration, teaching/training, administrative support, and professional support services. There are two pathway options available depending on the availability of internship experiences in the school system. The first option focuses on early childhood care and education for any student looking for employment in early childhood education and services. Students learn appropriate practices for working with young children, as the grow physically, cognitively, and emotionally. Many of the high schools have an onsite preschool lab where students can apply the skills and knowledge they are learning to real world settings as the third course in the pathway sequence. The second pathway option where internship experiences are not an option allows students to take a Curriculum & Instruction course as the third course in the pathway. This pathway culminates with an opportunity for students to take the MAVCC, AAFCS, NOCTI end of pathway assessment or to take the CDA Council end of pathway assessment and to potentially earn a Child Development Associate certificate.
Early childhood education students will learn the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors associated with supporting and promoting optimal growth and development of infants and children. The pathway provides a history of education, licensing and accreditation requirements, and foundations of basic observation practices and applications. Early childhood care, education and development issues are also addressed and include health, safety and nutrition education.
Students are also eligible to apply for the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS). NTHS is the premier honor society for Career and Technical Education students, drawing on their experiences in the CTAE classroom.
Engineering
Learn more about our Engineering Program here.
The purpose of Technology Education is to develop technological literacy as part of all students' fundamental education through an activity-based study of past, present, and future technological systems and their resources, processes, and impact on society. Technology Education utilizes computer and educational technology in the delivery of content related to systems of communication, energy/power-transportation, production, and bio-related technologies.
In addition to classroom/ laboratory experiences, students participate in the Technology Student Association (TSA). Activities of the TSA are an integral part of the instructional program because they promote leadership skills, high standards of craft quality, scholarship, and safety. Opportunities are provided for involvement​ with the community's industrial and technological resources, in parliamentary procedures and democratic decision making, and for recognition for exemplary performance.
Engineering and technology students will combine hands-on projects and rigorous curriculum to be prepared for challenging post secondary engineering and technology problems: and builds solid technical writing, comprehension, calculation, problem-solving, and technical skills. Students are encouraged to take relevant math and science course, such as advanced algebra, chemistry, calculus, geometry, trigonometry, physics, design, and engineering concepts.
Students are also eligible to apply for the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS). NTHS is the premier honor society for Career and Technical Education students, drawing on their experiences in the CTAE classroom.
Entrepreneurship
Interested in an Out-Of-District Request?
Upon completion of sequenced courses in the Entrepreneurship Pathway, students are eligible to complete the Industry-Recognized student credential for fulfillment of the End of Pathway Assessment. Secondary students completing the Entrepreneurship pathway will be able to sit for the National Industry Credentialed assessment offered from NOCTI. Once mastery is reached, students will receive recognition for completion and use this credential in conjunction with their job or continuing training.
Entrepreneurship students focus on recognizing a business opportunity, starting a business, operating and maintaining a business. Students will align business goals that focus on planning, organizing, coordinating, and controlling the resources needed to produce and provide goods and/or services that lead to owning and operating a small business. They will learn statutes and regulations affecting businesses, families and individuals.
Students are also eligible to apply for the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS). NTHS is the premier honor society for Career and Technical Education students, drawing on their experiences in the CTAE classroom.
Heavy Equipment
Heavy Equipment Operations Pathway
Operate. Build. Move the Future.
The Heavy Equipment Operations Pathway gives students the opportunity to develop valuable, hands-on skills while exploring careers in construction, site development, transportation, utilities, and other industries that rely on heavy equipment. Students gain real-world experience while learning the fundamentals of safely operating and working around the equipment used to build and maintain the infrastructure we depend on every day.
But this pathway isn’t just for students who plan to become heavy equipment operators. It’s for students who want to develop practical skills, confidence, responsibility, and an understanding of how work gets done in the real world. The knowledge students gain can be useful throughout their lives, whether they someday work in construction, maintain property, operate equipment on a farm or jobsite, complete projects of their own, or simply want to become more capable and self-reliant.
Students learn in an active, hands-on environment where safety comes first. They develop an understanding of equipment operation, jobsite safety, equipment inspection and maintenance, site preparation, grading, excavation, and material handling. Students also learn how proper planning, communication, teamwork, and attention to detail contribute to a safe and productive jobsite.
Throughout the pathway, students have opportunities to develop the employability skills that construction and industry employers value—including attitude, work ethic, teachable spirit, dependability, problem-solving, teamwork, and responsibility. Students learn that operating heavy equipment is about much more than moving dirt; it requires skill, precision, good judgment, and respect for the equipment and the people working around it.
Whether a student plans to enter the workforce, pursue an apprenticeship or technical program, attend college, start a business, or simply wants to learn skills that will serve them throughout life, the Heavy Equipment Operations Pathway provides experiences that can help prepare them for what comes next.
We’re not just teaching students how to operate equipment. We’re teaching them how to safely and confidently take on big jobs, solve problems, and build their future.
Industry Fundamentals and Occupational Safety (Level 1)
Interior Design
Interested in an Out-Of-District Request?
The Fashion and Textiles Pathway can lead students to a career in retail, fashion merchandising, furnishings and interiors, or textile science. Students begin this Pathway with customer service skills, consumer behavior, color, elements of design, textiles and their properties, and merchandising math to include cost of goods sold, gross margin, markup, mark down, and percent change.
Interiors, Fashion, and Textiles students will learn the fundamentals of design and the interior design profession, including the fascinating world of how textiles are woven into the fabric of everyday life. The pathway will allow students to advance skills in the selection, purchase, design, care and construction of textiles products and about textiles for apparel, interior furnishings, and industrial application.
Students are also eligible to apply for the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS). NTHS is the premier honor society for Career and Technical Education students, drawing on their experiences in the CTAE classroom.
Marketing
The Marketing Education Program is designed to prepare students for postsecondary education and careers in marketing, management and entrepreneurship. Students develop knowledge and skills in the foundational areas of marketing (economics, human relations and business basics) and the functional areas of marketing (product and service planning, marketing-information management, purchasing and pricing, selling and promotion, risk management, financing and distribution/logistics), as well as in international marketing, management and entrepreneurship.
Marketing and Management students will focus on managing the processes responsible for identifying, anticipating, and satisfying customer requirements in a manner that is profitable for the business. Student Skills include management and entrepreneurship, marketing, buying and merchandising, marketing communications and promotion, professional sales, marketing information management and research, channel management, global marketing, and internet/online marketing.
Students are also eligible to apply for the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS). NTHS is the premier honor society for Career and Technical Education students, drawing on their experiences in the CTAE classroom.
TAP
There are two pathways found under this cluster area: Early Childhood Education and Teaching as a Profession.
The careers found within these pathways involve teaching and other tasks associated with schools, libraries, and museums such as school administrator, school counselor, pre-K-12 teacher, paraprofessional, etc. Students are prepared to plan, manage, and provide education and training services, and related learning support services. Those services include administration, teaching/training, administrative support, and professional support services. These pathways will also introduce the foundations of education, combined with knowledge and skills, gained both in the classroom and in the workplace, to prepare students for a career in Education. During the practicum course, students are given the opportunity to use the skills taught in the classroom in a real-world experience. ​
Teaching as a Profession students will learn to plan, manage, and provide education and training services, and related learning support services such as administration, teaching/training, administrative support, and professional support services. They will be engaged in observations, interactions, and analyses of critical and contemporary educational issues and investigate issues influencing the social and political contexts of educational settings in Georgia and the United States and actively examine the teaching profession from multiple vantage points both within and outside the school.
Students are also eligible to apply for the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS). NTHS is the premier honor society for Career and Technical Education students, drawing on their experiences in the CTAE classroom.