Lebo Visits Ottumwa's Career Academy

Posted November 30, 2021

Two leaders in the state's education system toured Ottumwa's Career Campus and Welcome Center on Tuesday, November 30.

Dr. Ann Lebo, Director of the Iowa Department of Education Director, and George Anderson, the 2020 Iowa Teacher of the Year, spent their morning learning about Ottumwa's newest initiative to expand career and technical program offerings for Ottumwa students.

After touring the Career Campus facility, Superintendent Mike McGrory kicked off the visit with an overview of Ottumwa's Be The Best Initiative. Aiddy Phomvisay, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, then shared highlights of the district's newest high school program, Career Campus. Career Campus, located at 331 E. Main, promotes skills-based learning in partnership with businesses and community. Programs highlighted included Business; School-To-Work; Construction Trades; Culinary & Hospitality; Engineering/CAD; and Metals/Welding Manufacturing Trades.

Dr. Jill Budde, Vice President, Learning & Engagement at Indian Hills Community College talked about the collaboration between schools to strenghten the district's Construction Trades Academy. John Deere Ottumwa Works and Millennium Granite & Quartz shared how local businesses are partnering to provide authentic learning opportunities for students. Morgan Brown, owner of Millennium and president of the Ottumwa Board of Education, shared how courses such as CAD impacted his high school experience and the need to "grow our own."

The presentation concluded with highlights of future program offerings, including an Agricultural Sciences Academy, Computer Science Academy, summer internships, apprenticeship offerings, and expanded CTE offerings as part of the new alternative learning center.

Lebo and Anderson then toured the new Welcome Center, located at 325 E. Main, that will serve as the district's central registration center beginning December 6. Lunch was provided by students in the district's culinary program.