Making Career Education Visible with Mark Shephard

Mark Shepard, K-12 Advisor at BVH Architecture, joins Carla Cummins to share his unusual path from industrial tech teacher to school superintendent to architectural firm advisor. Drawing on his experience leading a transformative CTE center project in Fremont, Nebraska, Mark discusses how listening to local industry and students — not just assumptions from educators — reshaped a district's approach to career and technical education. He dives into the design choices that put CTE on display rather than hidden away, the partnerships with local businesses that created real jobs for students, and why treating career pathways as "a means to a beginning" changes everything about how schools serve students.

1. Ask industry, don't assume — Visiting 42 local businesses revealed a mismatch between what schools were teaching and what employers actually needed.
2. Design CTE to be seen — Moving shop class from a hidden corner to the school's central crossroads, with glass walls, reshaped how students and parents viewed trade careers.
3. A means to a beginning, not an end — Career pathways should launch students into real opportunity, not serve as a fallback from a four-year degree.
4. Flexibility future-proofs facilities — Durable, adaptable labs let schools retool programs as local industry needs evolve.
5. Student success stories build momentum — Real outcomes (jobs, scholarships, even a student following his father into the trades) generate community buy-in for future investment.

About Mark Shepard:

Mark brings over 35 years of experience in education, school planning, and facility development, most recently serving as the Superintendent of Fremont Public Schools. His career highlights include leading a $123M bond initiative (yes, $123 million), which resulted in three new elementary schools and a new Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center. With his extensive experience in education and expertise in CTE design, Mark Shepard brings valuable insights that help us enhance and innovate our programs. As a K-12 Advisor, Mark works closely with us to provide strategic guidance in designing and refining curriculum and educational initiatives that align with current industry trends and educational standards. His deep understanding of K-12 education allows him to help shape our approach to support student success and engagement.

Episode 351 of the Better Learning Podcast

For more information on our partners:

Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) - https://www.a4le.org/

Education Leaders' Organization - https://www.ed-leaders.org/

Second Class Foundation - https://secondclassfoundation.org/

EDmarket - https://www.edmarket.org/

Catapult @ Penn GSE - https://catapult.gse.upenn.edu/

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