Fox Valley Career Center provides opportunities for students from several school districts

MAPLE PARK – During the early hours of a frosty winter morning, Rick Burchell opened a door to a room filled with plants for the horticultural program, smiling as he took in the view.

It was just a glimpse of what a school day can look like at the Fox Valley Career Center, located on the campus of Kaneland High School. The trip to the horticultural program was the first stop of a two-hour trip through the center provided by Burchell, the center's director.

In another area, there were vehicles waiting to be repaired. In one room, an instructor showed off a structure that uses solar power to operate a series of lights that lead to Kaneland’s football field. A different area featured a day care center that was full of activity, with toddlers being dropped off.

The Fox Valley Career Center has a mission of providing “quality career and technical training programs” and aims to “equip our students with the appropriate technical and academic skills needed to enter the workforce and/or post-secondary programs and to be successful.”

The center accepts students from Batavia, Burlington Central, Geneva, Kaneland, St. Charles East, St. Charles North and West Aurora high schools. Many students from outside the Kaneland district will spend part of the day at the career center but also will spend time at their home district school. The center utilizes an area inside of Kaneland High School and also makes use of a school building that previously was known as Kaneland Middle School. Burchell said the center opened in 1968.

As Burchell and Vernon Alexander, the center’s assistant director, spoke about the center and what it offers, they both displayed proud smiles. They described a place at which students can earn college credits at a low cost. They spoke of success stories, where some who might struggle in a traditional classroom setting will thrive and find a solid career path. Alexander, who has been with the center since 1994, spoke of former students who “come back and pay it forward” by remaining involved and sharing the expertise they have learned in their chosen fields.

They talked about sacrifices, of students shifting schedules, waking up especially early or taking summer classes to be sure they can take advantage of the opportunities offered at the center. And if a student doesn’t enjoy a class, Burchell considers that a victory, too.

“Part of learning is deciding what you don’t like,” he said, adding it’s ideal to receive that information before entering college.

On the trip through the center, Burchell opened many doors, and behind each was a story and a different scene. There were teachers eager to talk about success in their classroom. There were students, busy at work.

Danielle Wukitsch, a computer technology instructor, talked about a project that involved students sending a tweet to make a pot of coffee.

“We have a lot of hands-on stuff,” she said. “There are a lot of projects.”

Jay Markuson, an electrician and small engines instructor, beamed as he showed the structure that helps light the path to the football field. He said students will leave knowing how to do the job.

“The kids are here because they want to be here,” Markuson said. “It’s a different mindset. … These are life lessons.”

In another class, Jennifer Charles, a law enforcement instructor, said students are surprised to learn about all of the possibilities for a career in the field. They might come in thinking they could become police officers, but there are careers with the state police, SWAT teams, U.S. marshals and more.

Burchell showed off the fire training area, which is outside and fenced in. There are burned-out vehicles used for practice. He said all of the equipment is donated.

In classes for fire training and emergency medical technician training, students were working with “patients” that actually were dummies set up for practice.

Elburn resident Emma Shaw, a student in the class, called it a challenge, saying many students “don’t make it,” adding those in the class work hard at it. Others in the class, Montgomery resident Alexander Ochoa and St. Charles North student Nick Morici, said they intend to be firefighters and paramedics.

“It’s been what I thought it would be,” Morici said. “It’s a good experience.”

In another class, aspiring nurses listened to instruction in one part of a large classroom. In the other part, there were beds set up for training.

Gabby Englin, a student from Batavia, said it’s a more “hands-on” experience than traditional high school classes. Kaneland student Elle Tattoni, said there is an additional sense of responsibility.

“It’s different from high school,” Tattoni said. “It shows you how it’s going to be in college.”