GRCTC is a building where GISD high school students can get an opportunity to have hands-on experience with what they want to be once they graduate. There are so many careers that they can choose from at the GRCTC, and once they finish school, they can get a degree for what they are learning at the GRCTC. GRCTC stands for Gilbearth-Reed and Technical Center. The history of the GRCTC goes back to when J. Clarence Reed initiated the district’s vocational training, now called Career and Technical Education (CTE). He served Garland ISD for more than 30 years. Dr. Phil Gilbreath took over for Reed as just the second CTE Director in the district’s history. He has served GISD for 50 years.
At the GRCTC, there are many types of careers that a high school student can go for; for example, they have Business, Dental, Pharmacy, EMC, firefighter, Electrician, Mechanic, Welding, Culinary, Robotics, Vet, and many more. There are so many opportunities that a high school student can achieve at the GRCTC and it is a great opportunity for them too so they can have an idea of what they want to do after high school, it also gives them a little push because if they don’t end up liking what career they chose after high school they will have their other degree that they got from the GRCTC. As a former student at the GRCTC who is taking business classes, I think that GRCTC is a great opportunity for incoming high school students to know and acknowledge the GRCTC.
Attending the GRCTC was such a great opportunity for me to deep dive into what I want to do for my future and get ready for my future, as I am taking a business class at the GRTC I have fulfilled on getting certified for doing taxes, and I am going to carry on and thrive to reach on getting my degree for the business industry.
Having an opportunity to have “early access” to learn more about the things I want to do after high school is so important to me because it will show me that I can succeed in something I never thought about and if my plan A does not work well I have a plan B for my future.
Not only in business, but the other students that attend the GRCTC are also taking the opportunity to thrive and succeed in their classes at the center. Not only do you take classes and have an “advantage,” but you get to meet new people that go to other GISD schools or have new friendships with people that even go to the same school as you but in a different grade.
Meeting new people at the GRCTC is like a refreshing start because you make friendships there, you meet other people who aren’t taking the same career class as you, and you make a great connection with them. I would recommend that incoming students try and join the GRCTC because it is a very good opportunity for someone, and not only that, but it would help you have a backup plan for your future.