We had a very special guest in the Education Professions classroom this week! Shane Lawhon, a graduate of our very first Ed Prof class, returned to share his insights from the "front lines" of education.
Shane spoke to our current students about effective classroom management techniques, drawing from his recent experience substitute teaching. Since graduating, Shane has been busy completing Ivy Tech’s intensive ASAP program. He is currently finishing his Associate Degree and is headed to Ball State’s Teachers College to pursue his dream of becoming an English teacher! 🎓📖
We are incredibly proud of Shane’s progress and grateful he took the time to pour back into our program. The future of education is looking bright!
#EducationProfessions #FutureTeachers #AlumniSpotlight #BallStateBound #ClassroomManagement
Our Construction Trades house is coming along nicely. Be sure to drive past Center Street in Shelbyville to see the work they are doing.
Some examples of amazing work being done by our Auto Collision students. They are just amazing!
Thank you to Cagney's Pizza King for once again providing lunch for our Student of the Month celebration!
Congratulations to our Students of the Month for February----Vivian Lucas, Lyndsey Wildrick, Avram Mexin, Levi Stagge, and Tripp Addison. Great job!
Blue River Career Programs will be on a two hour delay today 3/2/2026. There will be no AM session.
See attached for a special event happening at BRCP on March 31, 2026.
Education Professions students reading to Kindergarten and 1st grade students at Hendricks Elementary School.
We had a great turnout last night for our annual CTE open house. We appreciate all of our vendors, students, parents, and community members who stopped by to see the great things happening at Blue River Career Programs.
Tonight is the night. We hope many current and future students, parents, and community members will stop in for our CTE open house and see all of the great things happening at BRCP.
Results from today's regional Skills USA welding competition. Logan Bassett placed 5th in welding and qualified for state. Our fabrication team qualified for state and only top four qualify. Welding sculpting team received a bye and qualified for state. Congrats to all!
Blue River Career Programs will be on a 2 hour delay today, 2/19/2026. There will be no AM session.
Mrs. Thurston's Education Professions students are going through CPR certification.
Today's CTE spotlight is our Fire and Rescue Program
Program spotlight:
Course Overview:
The EMT capstone course at Blue River Career Programs is the culminating component of the Fire Rescue program. This course is designed to reinforce and integrate the knowledge, and skills students have developed throughout their training. It focuses on advanced patient assessment, emergency response procedures, trauma and medical scenario management, and professional communication within a healthcare team. Through hands-on simulations and real-world scenarios, students demonstrate competency in critical thinking, decision-making, and safe patient care. The capstone ensures that students meet the required standards of the National Registry of EMTs, as well as the State of Indiana, and are prepared to enter the field of emergency medical and fire services. The Blue River Career Programs Fire-Rescue course focuses on the fundamentals of the fire service and EMS. Beginning Junior year and returning Senior year. Students have the opportunity to receive State certification in Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations along with Firefighter I and Firefighter II and National registry NREMT. These certifications combined enable the student to meet the state minimum requirements to begin a career or volunteer in the fire service in the state of Indiana.
Student spotlight:
Mason Moore. Mason comes to BRCP from Hauser High School. Mason is a second-year student in the EMT Capstone course. The following is what Mason has said about the BRCP Fire-Rescue Program:
What The Class Means to Me:
The EMT capstone course at Blue River Career Programs means so much to me because it has been more than just a class—it has felt like a family. The supportive environment created by both instructors and classmates made it possible to grow, learn, and push through challenges together. The program provides high-quality training with a strong balance between classroom instruction and hands-on skills, ensuring that every concept is not only understood but applied. The real-world scenarios and practice have helped prepare us for the realities of emergency medicine, building confidence and critical thinking in high-pressure situations. I am truly grateful for the dedication, guidance, and experience this program has given me, and it has left a lasting impact on both my education and my future in EMS.
Program spotlight:
Course Overview:
The EMT capstone course at Blue River Career Programs is the culminating component of the Fire Rescue program. This course is designed to reinforce and integrate the knowledge, and skills students have developed throughout their training. It focuses on advanced patient assessment, emergency response procedures, trauma and medical scenario management, and professional communication within a healthcare team. Through hands-on simulations and real-world scenarios, students demonstrate competency in critical thinking, decision-making, and safe patient care. The capstone ensures that students meet the required standards of the National Registry of EMTs, as well as the State of Indiana, and are prepared to enter the field of emergency medical and fire services. The Blue River Career Programs Fire-Rescue course focuses on the fundamentals of the fire service and EMS. Beginning Junior year and returning Senior year. Students have the opportunity to receive State certification in Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations along with Firefighter I and Firefighter II and National registry NREMT. These certifications combined enable the student to meet the state minimum requirements to begin a career or volunteer in the fire service in the state of Indiana.
Student spotlight:
Mason Moore. Mason comes to BRCP from Hauser High School. Mason is a second-year student in the EMT Capstone course. The following is what Mason has said about the BRCP Fire-Rescue Program:
What The Class Means to Me:
The EMT capstone course at Blue River Career Programs means so much to me because it has been more than just a class—it has felt like a family. The supportive environment created by both instructors and classmates made it possible to grow, learn, and push through challenges together. The program provides high-quality training with a strong balance between classroom instruction and hands-on skills, ensuring that every concept is not only understood but applied. The real-world scenarios and practice have helped prepare us for the realities of emergency medicine, building confidence and critical thinking in high-pressure situations. I am truly grateful for the dedication, guidance, and experience this program has given me, and it has left a lasting impact on both my education and my future in EMS.
Today's CTE spotlight is our Work Based Learning Program.
Program Spotlight:
Work Based Learning (WBL) is a career and technical education course designed to provide opportunities for students to explore their career choice that require additional degrees of certification following high school. The emphasis of the experience is on applying skills developed through instruction and learning new career competencies at the internship site. Two types of internships are available, paid and non-paid. Students who choice paid internship have a pathway that has given them a certification or special training that allows students to be paid. Students average $17 per hour while in high school and most importantly gain real life work experience. Students who choose the non-paid internship have an incredible opportunity to observe what their career will be like and gain knowledge and experience before they pursue their post-secondary education. An example of a non-paid internship would be a student with a medical pathway interning at a hospital. Locally Major Hospital has teamed up with Blue River Career Center Work Base Learning program and offers an incredible internship for where students go through rotation of departments. Other examples of non-paid internship that students have been involved in include veterinarian, criminal justice, business, dental, cosmetology, firefighting, marketing, teaching, social services , and the list goes on. Work Base Learning allows a Senior in high school to bridge the gap of high school to the true world of work.
Student spotlight:
I have had the privilege of getting to know Mia Garthwaite as her Work Based Learning Program instructor. I am impressed with the maturity and confidence Mia presents in her words and actions. Mia's disposition and demeanor with her classmates, internship mentors, patients , and myself make her a pleasure to work with.
I personally recognize Mia for ambition, passion, and determination. I am confident that with her positive attitude, willingness to serve others , and God given talents she will be successful in achieving her goal to be a top notch dentist.
Mia is incredibly intelligent, goal driven , hardworking, put the what make her my outstanding student is Mia cares about others and willing to serve that make it an honor to have in my Work Based Learning class of 2026.
Program Spotlight:
Work Based Learning (WBL) is a career and technical education course designed to provide opportunities for students to explore their career choice that require additional degrees of certification following high school. The emphasis of the experience is on applying skills developed through instruction and learning new career competencies at the internship site. Two types of internships are available, paid and non-paid. Students who choice paid internship have a pathway that has given them a certification or special training that allows students to be paid. Students average $17 per hour while in high school and most importantly gain real life work experience. Students who choose the non-paid internship have an incredible opportunity to observe what their career will be like and gain knowledge and experience before they pursue their post-secondary education. An example of a non-paid internship would be a student with a medical pathway interning at a hospital. Locally Major Hospital has teamed up with Blue River Career Center Work Base Learning program and offers an incredible internship for where students go through rotation of departments. Other examples of non-paid internship that students have been involved in include veterinarian, criminal justice, business, dental, cosmetology, firefighting, marketing, teaching, social services , and the list goes on. Work Base Learning allows a Senior in high school to bridge the gap of high school to the true world of work.
Student spotlight:
I have had the privilege of getting to know Mia Garthwaite as her Work Based Learning Program instructor. I am impressed with the maturity and confidence Mia presents in her words and actions. Mia's disposition and demeanor with her classmates, internship mentors, patients , and myself make her a pleasure to work with.
I personally recognize Mia for ambition, passion, and determination. I am confident that with her positive attitude, willingness to serve others , and God given talents she will be successful in achieving her goal to be a top notch dentist.
Mia is incredibly intelligent, goal driven , hardworking, put the what make her my outstanding student is Mia cares about others and willing to serve that make it an honor to have in my Work Based Learning class of 2026.
Blue River Career Programs will be on a 2 hour delay today, 2/16/2026. There will be no AM session. Have a good day!
Just a reminder that BRCP is IN session on Monday, February 16, 2026, as a snow make-up day from December. See everyone on Monday!
Today's CTE spotlight is our Health Sciences CNA program.
Program spotlight:
In year 1, tasks are completed to make students eligible to sit for their state CNA exam. Students learn nurse aide skills through hands-on experience during clinical time spent at local nursing facilities. During classroom time, students learn about topics such as dementia care, CPR, medical terminology, and the basics of how healthcare works. To help students fine tune skills, time is spent in the lab completing simulations and patient centered scenarios.
In the 2nd year, CNA Capstone, students continue earning dual credits through studying medical law and ethics. Students are now CNA certified and go out into the community to work, volunteer, job shadow, etc. Students begin to network, build confidence, communication skills, and further their real-life experience. Whether students plan to go to college or straight into a healthcare career, this program helps them discover their passion and prepares them for success.
Student Spotlight:
The health science CNA spotlight student is Morristown, Senior, Katelyn Theobald.
Last school year, she successfully completed the requirements and state exam for the CNA certification. This year she wanted to explore the animal science world. Through the capstone program, she has been able to gain a vast amount of knowledge and experiences though volunteering and shadowing at facilities that provide care to animals.
Program spotlight:
In year 1, tasks are completed to make students eligible to sit for their state CNA exam. Students learn nurse aide skills through hands-on experience during clinical time spent at local nursing facilities. During classroom time, students learn about topics such as dementia care, CPR, medical terminology, and the basics of how healthcare works. To help students fine tune skills, time is spent in the lab completing simulations and patient centered scenarios.
In the 2nd year, CNA Capstone, students continue earning dual credits through studying medical law and ethics. Students are now CNA certified and go out into the community to work, volunteer, job shadow, etc. Students begin to network, build confidence, communication skills, and further their real-life experience. Whether students plan to go to college or straight into a healthcare career, this program helps them discover their passion and prepares them for success.
Student Spotlight:
The health science CNA spotlight student is Morristown, Senior, Katelyn Theobald.
Last school year, she successfully completed the requirements and state exam for the CNA certification. This year she wanted to explore the animal science world. Through the capstone program, she has been able to gain a vast amount of knowledge and experiences though volunteering and shadowing at facilities that provide care to animals.
Earlier this week we hosted around 20 community stakeholders as we held our key stakeholder meeting to help develop our comprehensive local needs assessment plan for the next two years. A lot of valuable and insightful discussion was held.
