CTE Electives
Taft High School is proud to offer all the courses listed below. Each course offers a chance for industry-based certifications. Courses do need to be taken in order according to your chosen endorsement. Please see the 'Endorsements' page for more information.
For any questions about the course, please email the teacher of that course.
For any questions about the course, please email the teacher of that course.
Accounting & Finance: The Accounting and Financial Services program of study teaches CTE concentrators how to examine, analyze, and interpret financial records. Through this program of study, students will learn the skills necessary to perform financial services, prepare financial statements, interpret accounting records, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. This program of study will also introduce students to mathematical modeling tools.
Certifications offered: Microsoft Office Specialist Excel
Teacher: Jose Martinez
Certifications offered: Microsoft Office Specialist Excel
Teacher: Jose Martinez
Computer Science: This program of study explores the occupations and education opportunities associated with researching, designing, developing, and testing operating systems-level software, compilers, and network distribution software for medical, industrial, military, communications, aerospace, business, scientific, and general computer applications.
Certifications offered: College Board AP Computer Science Principles Exam, MTA, Intro to Programming using Java, Java SE 8 Programmer I
Teacher: Jonathan Otto
Certifications offered: College Board AP Computer Science Principles Exam, MTA, Intro to Programming using Java, Java SE 8 Programmer I
Teacher: Jonathan Otto
Construction Science: The Carpentry program of study explores the occupations and educational opportunities related to constructing, installing, or repairing structures and fixtures made of wood, such as concrete forms (including frameworks, partitions, joists, studding, rafters, and stairways). This program of study may also include exploration into installing, dismantling, or moving machinery and heavy equipment according to layout plans, blueprints, or other drawings.
Certifications offered: 10-hour OSHA Construction Safety and Health
Club: Woodshop
Teachers: Jackie Alcastromco & VannessaRenee Gleye
Certifications offered: 10-hour OSHA Construction Safety and Health
Club: Woodshop
Teachers: Jackie Alcastromco & VannessaRenee Gleye
Cosmetology: The Cosmetology and Personal Care Services program of study introduces students to knowledge and skills related to providing
beauty and personal care services. CTE concentrators may learn about or practice managing personal care facilities and coordinating
or supervising personal service workers.
Certifications offered: Cosmetology Operator License
Teacher: Dalila Lopez
beauty and personal care services. CTE concentrators may learn about or practice managing personal care facilities and coordinating
or supervising personal service workers.
Certifications offered: Cosmetology Operator License
Teacher: Dalila Lopez
Culinary Arts: This program of study introduces students to occupations and educational opportunities related to the planning, directing, or coordinating of the activities in front of the house or back of the house, including but not limited to management, food and beverage service, or food science. The PROSTART program prepares students for careers in the restaurant and foodservice industry.
Certifications offered: Food Handler, ServSafe Food Manager
Clubs: Cake Decorating Club & Culinary Arts
Teacher: Chef Shawn Bingham, Melissa Carreon, & Courtney Williams
Certifications offered: Food Handler, ServSafe Food Manager
Clubs: Cake Decorating Club & Culinary Arts
Teacher: Chef Shawn Bingham, Melissa Carreon, & Courtney Williams
Cybersecurity: The Cybersecurity program of study includes the occupations and educational opportunities related to planning, implementing, upgrading, or monitoring security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Additionally, students may explore responding to virus security breaches and the administration of network security measures.
Certifications offered: IT Fundamentals, IT Specialist Network Security, Netowrking, CompTIA Network+, and Security+
Club: eSports
Teacher: Jennifer Schmerber
Certifications offered: IT Fundamentals, IT Specialist Network Security, Netowrking, CompTIA Network+, and Security+
Club: eSports
Teacher: Jennifer Schmerber
Engineering: The Engineering program of study focuses on the design, development, and use of engines, machines, and structures. Students will learn how to apply science, mathematical methods, and empirical evidence to the innovation, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of different manufacturing systems.
Certifications offered: Solidworks
Engineering Promo: Video
Teacher: Paul Schraer
Certifications offered: Solidworks
Engineering Promo: Video
Teacher: Paul Schraer
Fashion Design: This program of study applies art of designing clothing and lifestyle accessories created in the cultural and social influence at a specific time.
Certifications offered: American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences- Fashion Textiles and Apparel, Fashion- Southwest Airlines- Profesional Communication
Club: Fashion
Teacher: Gloria Aparicio
Certifications offered: American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences- Fashion Textiles and Apparel, Fashion- Southwest Airlines- Profesional Communication
Club: Fashion
Teacher: Gloria Aparicio
Graphic Design: The Graphic Design and Multimedia Arts program of study explores the occupations and educational opportunities associated with designing or creating graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. This program of study may also include exploration into creating special effects, animation, or other visual images using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media, for use in computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials.
Certifications offered: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign
Graphic Design Promo: Video
Website: Taft HS Graphic Design Gallery
Teacher: Jennifer Paul
Certifications offered: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign
Graphic Design Promo: Video
Website: Taft HS Graphic Design Gallery
Teacher: Jennifer Paul
Health and Wellness: The Health and Wellness program of study introduces students to knowledge and skills related to promoting physical, emotional, social, and mental health and wellness. Students who choose this program of study may learn how to assist patients in planning for their health and wellness, respond to crises, and advise, provide education or counseling, or make referrals. CTE concentrators may also focus on addressing barriers to access health and wellness services.
Certifications offered: none
Teacher: Tracy Benavides
Certifications offered: none
Teacher: Tracy Benavides
Photography: The Commercial Photography and Multimedia Arts programs of study explore the occupations and educational opportunities associated with designing or creating photography and multimedia to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. This program of study may also include exploration into creating special effects, animation, or other visual images using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media, for use in computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials.
Certifications offered: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign
Teacher: Jennifer Paul, Tanner Wright
Certifications offered: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign
Teacher: Jennifer Paul, Tanner Wright
Robotics: This program of study examines autonomous robotic systems like self-driving vehicles and automated systems like those used in factories. Students will use a variety of hardware types and software programming languages to complete assignments and projects. Students study the physics and mathematics of mechanical robotic components, including gear systems, lift systems, drive systems, and pneumatic & hydraulic systems.
Certifications offered: Solidworks
Club: Robotics
Teacher: Paul Schraer
Certifications offered: Solidworks
Club: Robotics
Teacher: Paul Schraer
Teaching & Training: The Teaching and Training program of study prepares students for careers related to teaching, instruction, and creation of
instructional and enrichment materials. The program of study introduces CTE concentrators to a wide variety of student groups and their corresponding needs. It familiarizes them with the processes for developing curriculum, coordinating educational content, and coaching groups and individuals.
Certifications offered: CPR with AED & First Aid for Infant, Children, and Adult
Club: TAFE (Texas Association of Future Educators)
Teacher: Tracy Benavides & Jessica Merrikan
instructional and enrichment materials. The program of study introduces CTE concentrators to a wide variety of student groups and their corresponding needs. It familiarizes them with the processes for developing curriculum, coordinating educational content, and coaching groups and individuals.
Certifications offered: CPR with AED & First Aid for Infant, Children, and Adult
Club: TAFE (Texas Association of Future Educators)
Teacher: Tracy Benavides & Jessica Merrikan
Web Development: The Web Development program of study explores the occupations and educational opportunities associated with designing, creating, and modifying websites. This program of study may also explore integrating websites with other computer applications, and converting written, graphic, audio, and video components to compatible web formats by using software designed to facilitate the creation of web and multimedia content.
Certifications offered: Microsoft Office Specialist Word, PowerPoint, & Excel; CompTIA+, Internet and Computing Core IC3
Teacher: Scott Davis
Certifications offered: Microsoft Office Specialist Word, PowerPoint, & Excel; CompTIA+, Internet and Computing Core IC3
Teacher: Scott Davis