Ryne Koeppel

Background

About Ryne Koeppel

Not all high school students need to (or should) attend college. Pursuing educational opportunities in Career & Technical Education allow students to determine which area is most appropriate for their future. Students are able to enter employment with minimal debt and beneficial work experience which assists them in becoming successful and contributing members of society. My role as an FCS teacher in our Career & Technical Education department is to assist students in learning important life skills in an less intimidating environment. Students learn valuable core class knowledge in a hands-on approach. For example: Foods and nutrition allows students to work on their English skills by reading recipes, following multi-step directions, researching appropriate recipes for limited ingredients and nutritional requirements, and determining key vocabulary and action terms along with their appropriate definitions. Students use Math skills in determining ratios of ingredients, adjusting recipe requirements to meet proper yield, and calculating nutritional components of foods. Students also utilize Science skills in adapting recipes with substituted ingredients, creating new recipes to meet nutritional guidelines for groups with special dietary restrictions, and determining proper ratios of ingredients to create ideal food items. Pathways is a career and college readiness program. Students complete self-assessment evaluations, complete research to assist in future career/educational choices. We discuss the decision of attending post-secondary education or job training/certifications. Students create resumes and cover letters, practice interview techniques and etiquette are studied. Finally, students are challenged with a budgeting project. I am currently employed at Pekin Community High School. I am proud to be facilitating students in learning valuable life skills like confidence, teamwork, creativity, time management, and so much more.