To prepare for success, students need opportunities to learn, reinforce, apply, and transfer their knowledge and skills in a variety of settings. This course examines the interrelatedness of human, scientific, and technological dimensions of livestock production. Instruction is designed to allow for the application of scientific and technological aspects of animal science through field and laboratory experiences.

Students begin course work by taking Ag Mech and Metal Tech class. In this class we are adamant on shop safety and basics of welding and cutting applications and how to properly measure. Projects for these classes are usually simple and will be worked on as a class project. Junior and Senior level students will take Ag Facility, Design and Fabrication. This class is the advanced version of the sophomore level class. We continue to teach and practice shop safety procedures. The projects in this class seem to be more difficult and students will work on projects as a small group and not a whole class. Both of these classes teach our students responsibility, team work and work ethic.

These classes are set up to give students real life situations that will help them grow as individuals and give the students a foundation of teamwork and decision making skills. In both of these classes we are in the shop hands on instruction about 90% of the time. Some of the projects that we build are trailers, farm and equipment, feeders, yard decorations, and we also repair numerous things for the public that need to be welded.

Principles of Ag, Food and Natural Resources is an entry level agriculture class for students who may have an interest in Agriculture. This class gives students the opportunity to explore what agriculture is and how it applies to everyday life. This class feeds our FFA program with new members and gets them hooked in our Ag program.

Ag Power covers a wide variety of small engines, tractor selection and maintenance, and a broad range of mechanical work that applies to the Ag field. This class is set partially within a classroom but students will find themselves in the shop with hands on projects most often.

Livestock Production/Equine Science are second level courses for students who want to explore more in depth the animal side of the Ag industry. We discuss management techniques, selection, and much more.

Professional Standards in Agribusiness is a course about how to act and what to expect for students preparing to go into their fields of work. This class gives upper classman the proper tools to adjust to the business side of the Ag industry.

Audio/Visual Communication classes include Principal of Arts, A/V Tech and Communication, Newspaper, Yearbook, Commercial Photography and TNT (our video production class). Those classes are designed to help students learn about the different communication programs in the digital and media field. The classes also promote the accomplishments of both students and staff through the school newspaper, photos, video announcements and yearbook. A good majority of the MPHS Facebook photos and high school website photos that promote the district are pictures taken by my students.

The business courses aim to help students understand the implications of business activity in a global market. Students gain an international perspective of business and apprecia­tion of cultural diversity through topics like business organization and environments, accounts and finance, international marketing, human resources management, growth and operations management. The course encourages the appreciation of ethical concerns and issues of social responsibility in the global business environment. The IT courses are designed to teach students fundamental concepts, terms and functions of Microsoft Office 2013. Students will be given the opportunity to take Microsoft Certification exams for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Out­look and also the IC3 Certification. These courses will include many authentic application problems that students will solve by applying their newly learned computer skills.

Focus on ACT/SAT preparation, college admission, FAFSA (financial aid), scholarships, many career search discussions, research and guidance.  Often we invite guest speakers from Colleges/Military/Businesses. Students learn financial planning– budgeting, income tax, check writing and bank balancing.  Interviewing skills and job applications are discussed and practiced.

Provides opportunities for students to participate in a learning experience that combines classroom instruction with paid business and industry employment experiences and supports strong partnerships among school, business, and community.  The goal is to prepare students with a variety of skills for a fast-changing workplace. Students are taught employability skills, which are job-specific skills applicable to their training station, job interview techniques, communication skills, financial and budget activities, human relations, and portfolio development.  Career Preparation is relevant and rigorous, supports student attainment of academic standards, and effectively prepares students for college and career success.  Students will have opportunity to become certified with an IC3 certification.

Retailing/E-tailing

Students will have the opportunity to develop skills that develop skills that involve electronic media techniques necessary for a business to compete in a global economy.  Students will coordinate online and off-line marketing.  Students will have opportunity to become certified through ASK Institute.

Entrepreneurship

Students will gain the knowledge and skills needed to become an entrepreneur.  Students will learn the principles necessary to begin and operate a business.  The primary focus is to help students understand the process of analyzing a business opportunity, preparing a business plan, determining feasibility of an idea using research, and developing a plan to organize and promote the business and its products and services.  Students will have the opportunity to become certified through ASK Institute.

RITS

Students gain advanced knowledge and skills in the application, design, production, implementation, maintenance, evaluation, and assessment of products, services, and systems.  Knowledge and skills in the proper use of analytical skills and application of information technology concepts and standard are essential to prepare students for success in a technology-driven society.  Students will have opportunity to become certified with an IC3 certification.

BIM I

Students implement personal and interpersonal skills to strengthen individual performance in the workplace and in society and make a successful transition to the workforce and postsecondary education.  Students apply technical skills to address business applications of emerging technologies, create word-processing documents, develop a spreadsheet, formulate a database, and make an electronic presentation using appropriate software.  Students will have opportunity to become MOS certified.

Our construction courses progress from construction technology, advanced construction, and into a practicum of construction management. In these classes shop and tool safety are extremely important. We build projects for a multitude of people which range from cabinets, desk, deer stands, picnic tables, playsets, nativity scenes, and chicken roost. If someone wants it and it can be built out of wood we can do it. Our main focus for the advanced students is on building a project house for real life job training. This is constructed on campus and the students build it from the ground up including electrical and plumbing.   Our goal is to prepare students with a job skill that will support themselves and their families.

Students at MPHS learn detailed techniques in all phases of cosmetology during the course of the program, including unisex hair styling, precision hair shaping, hair coloring, textured permanent waving, condition, hair relaxing, pampering, manicuring, and pedicure methods, nail art, and design, facial make-up, and skin care, professional product knowledge, and successful retailing. Throughout the year students have the opportunity to showcase their work thru joining Skills USA.  Skills USA contests begin locally and continue through the state and national levels. Cosmetology students participating in the Skills USA contest put in many additional hours in conjunction with the regular cosmetology curriculum.

In addition to competition MPHS Cosmetology students contribute to the community by visiting local nursing homes, shelters and partnering with local organizations to apply what they’ve learned in cosmetology class.  MPHS Cosmetology students offers a variety of great services to school district employees and the public for nominal fees.  Offering these services provides our community opportunities to receive services at very reasonable prices and provides our students opportunities for real-world experience and a chance to practice what they’re learning and raise money for competition, field trips and the state board exam.

After completing course requirements for graduation, students have the opportunity to take the state board certification exam for cosmetology and earn their professional cosmetology license.

Criminal justice progresses through 4 different levels. Principles of Law, Law Enforcement 1, Law Enforcement 2, and Forensics. Not only does it teach the basic to each of these topics but it instills a sense of pride and community involvement. We attempt to inform students that they should be concerned for others, their school, and community not just themselves. Through our classes students are taught everything from history to actually doing a traffic stop. Hands on experience shows them how to search a crime scene and how messy fingerprint powder and ink can really be.

Throughout the courses taken (Intro to Culinary Arts, Culinary Arts and Practicum in Culinary Arts) students learn about and prepare different foods. They also research culinary careers to gain a better understanding of what kind of jobs are available. After all courses have been taken the student will be well equipped to start a career in culinary arts or attend a culinary arts institute. Advanced students have dual credit opportunities while working in our student ran on campus restaurant STRIPES.

Digital and Interactive Media is designed to provide students with opportunities to develop skills to meet the changing needs of business. They learn how to create and manipulate pictures and graphics using software that is standard in the media market today.

Science Technology  is a course designed to improve computer skills to strengthen individual performance in the workplace. Students apply technical skills learned to create different types of word-processing documents using software that is standard in the workplace.

Students acquire knowledge in wiring methods for single family, multifamily dwellings, National Electrical Code, load-center wiring, branch circuit wiring, electrician tool identification, electrical symbols, Ohms Law, load calculations, service entrance sizing, proper grounding techniques, and safety procedures. Students have the opportunity to receive NCCER (National Center for Construction Education on Research) “CORE” Certification.

Advanced Electrical Technology – Dual Credit
Students acquire knowledge and skills in safety. Topics include electrical theory, tools, National Electrical Code, installation of electrical equipment, alternating current, and direct current motors, branch circuit wiring, Ohms law, and conduit bending techniques.

Students learn about engineering through team projects and challenges.  The engineering design process is used throughout the sequence with students working on more complicated projects as they advance through the classes.

Video Game Design
Students are introduced to the various aspects of the video game industry including game design, programming and artwork through making a game as a class.  The class creates a game from the very beginning and will write their own story and coding while creating the game art and characters.

Manufacturing
This is a Dual-Credit NTCC class in Industrial Maintenance.  Students work in an online learning system, supported by the instructor, to complete the course materials at their own pace.  After completing the online lessons and tests, students will perform the associated skills in a hands on lab/shop setting.  Topics include: Measurement tools, Hand and Power Tools, Pneumatic and Hydraulic Systems, Electrical connections, and Motor Control.

Floral Design develops students’ ability to identify and demonstrate the principles and techniques related to floral design as well as develop an understanding of the management of floral enterprises. The advanced follow-up of the Floral Design  students will learn about specific floral holidays, special occasion arrangements and seasons. The students will make various arrangements using artificial materials as well as fresh. This course will also prepare them for the floral Industry. Students will have the opportunity to take the Floral Certification Assistant exam level One, which will make them very marketable and have an advantage in the floral workplace.

Forensic Science is a structured and scientific approach to the investigation of assault crimes, abuse, domestic violence, fraud, accidental death, homicide, and the psychology of criminal behavior. Students learn the appropriate terminology and investigative procedures needed for crime scenes, questioning, interviewing, criminal behavior characteristics, and truth detection, as well as the scientific procedures used to solve crimes. Using scientific methods, students collect and analyze evidence through case studies and simulated crime scenes such as fingerprint analysis, hair/fiber comparison, and blood spatter analysis. Students also investigate the history, legal aspects, and career options for forensic science.

Freshman Skills is designed to help students transition successfully from Jr. High to High School. Students have the opportunity to get IC3 certification. IC3 provides students with a globally recognized and highly valuable credential to use in their academic and professional goals. In Freshman Skills students sharpen their mathematical skills using the IXL tutorial program as well as test their academic progress in math and reading using the Renaissance program.

The Health Science cluster focuses on careers in planning, managing, and providing health care. The program provides students with opportunities to explore a variety of health careers and make realistic and satisfying career choices. Whether a student is skilled in scientific research, clinical laboratory procedures, written and verbal communication skills, or is skilled in caring for people, career options are available to match these individual interests and abilities. Opportunities to attend clinical rotations at our local hospital and clinics exist for qualified students.  Students may seek certification as Certified Nurse Aide and Certified Pharmacy Technician if admission requirements prerequisites are met.

Our goal is to prepare students with knowledge and understanding of horticulture systems. The students will obtain skills and knowledge of the industry requirements and expectations. They will have basic knowledge of plant growth and development and what it takes to have a successful greenhouse production business.

Law Enforcement II is offered as a dual credit program that allows the student to obtain course credit as both a high school student and a college student. Students enrolled in Law Enforcement II will evaluate the theories of crime and the impact that the functions of law and law enforcement has on the Criminal Justice System.

Ready, Set, Teach is a program that allows students in high school the opportunity to actively participate in classroom preparation and education of younger students.  I coordinate with campus administrators district wide to pair individual students with educators that will give them examples of effective teaching skills and classroom management strategies so that they have a better understanding of the field of education.

With an outdoor classroom setting all aspects of wildlife are the focus of this course.  Activities include shooting bows, tracking, habitat evaluation, calling, trapping, food plots, as well as activities covering many other related topics.  The class utilizes a 15 acre patch of woods located just beside the school as their refuge for learning.  The shooting simulator is also accessed through this class where students have the ability to be put in real world scenarios and strengthen their decision making.  Students also exit the course with knowledge of how to cook using dutch ovens and the obtainment of their hunters safety certifications.