In an effort to place its students on a road to success, Goodrich ISD is in the process of adding options for education and in career development.
Every graduating student at Goodrich ISD in the 2025 class will do so with one or more Career and Technical Education (CTE) certificates. Some of those are industry-based welding certificates where students can go directly to work, others are computer-based certificates, and then there are a few in floral design, as well as CNAs. Three students are on their way to Tulsa Welding School.
“When you think about how small we are, we're really turning out a lot,” school counselor Kari Rhodes said. “We are making sure that our kids are set up in a CTE pathway and our teachers are pushing them. It is definitely a group effort. That's really the main thing, is letting kiddos know that even though you're in a small town like Goodrich, it doesn't mean you can't come out with something in your back pocket to be successful.”
The number of dual-credit college courses taken are also on the rise at Goodrich. The socioeconomic makeup allows for the courses to be paid in full without costing the student or district.
“I came here two years ago, and we had a few kids in dual credit, but we started working very close with the Lamar (University) campus in Livingston and we have become good partners with them,” Rhodes said. “This year for all of the seniors, if they weren't already college ready, we put them in a college-prep class with our English teacher and math teacher. Once they completed that college prep class in partnership with Lamar, then they were eligible for English 1301 and college algebra. We have 50% of our class graduating with three or more college credits, for a total of 96 hours just this academic year. That is just our seniors. We also have juniors in dual credit.”
Rhodes said the Lamar campus in Livingston has “bent over backward” to help.
“You can imagine as a small school counselor, there is a lot on my plate. (The representatives at Lamar) are ones that are, ‘We will work with you; just let us know.’ They have been very supportive on meeting deadlines and getting our kids qualified.
“There are definitely the teachers and administrators in place to believe in our kiddos now. It is just saying, ‘There is a life outside of Goodrich.’ There is nothing wrong with coming back to your hometown. I grew up in Shepherd and got out of my hometown, but went back. You just have to know that there is more out there. It was kind of a heartwarming moment for me when I was sitting down with a kid and he was like, ‘I can't afford college and I can't afford trade school. I am just going to go straight to work.’ A classmate was sitting beside him and said, ‘There is money out there. She will help you find it.’ For kids to realize that you can – I've always told kids, don't let money be the deciding factor on your potential.”
Rhodes was a high school counselor at Shepherd for nine and a half years. She stepped away for a while, but Goodrich superintendent Daniel Barton, who had worked with Rhodes brought her over to the south Polk County school district.
Each high school student is now in a pathway for graduation. Rhodes said the majority are in CTE, while others are following an art path. More opportunities have been added each year.
“From day one of walking in here, I've always said how wonderful it is that numbers are so small you will be able to sit down and make a plan with every single kid. I don't feel like we've gotten there yet, because there is still a lot of paperwork stuff I'm trying to get in place, but that is my ultimate goal for Goodrich. When every kid walks across the stage, we can say, ‘This is what they are doing.’ We will get there.”
