One in five eligible high school students attends Meridian Technology Center, and nearly half of Oklahoma high school students enroll in CareerTech classes as an elective at their high school. School counselors play a critical role in helping these students match their interests with CareerTech programs.

To give counselors a closer look at CareerTech programs, Meridian partners with counselors from its public and private schools for a district-wide meeting each semester. The meeting includes school counselors from Agra, Carney, Glencoe, Guthrie, Morrison, Mulhall-Orlando, Pawnee, Perkins-Tryon, Perry and Stillwater.

“These meetings create a chance for us to collaborate and learn about best practices in serving students,” said Jeanie Zagar, Executive Director of Career Planning/Career Development at Meridian.

Topics covered typically include best practices in advisement, information about CareerTech and sharing about opportunities for students who enroll at Meridian to gain hands-on experience. Each meeting includes a program tour and an overview from an instructor.

To Zagar, bringing everyone together in the same place at the same time is one of the most important elements of the meeting.

“Building relationships has really evolved into the strength of this meeting,” she explained. “Typically, counselors from Meridian’s partner schools don’t have a chance to collaborate in person. We’re able to bring everyone to campus to learn how other districts address any challenges and celebrate the successes they’re experiencing.”