Every student has a story to tell, and Lisa Garrett is passionate about helping them write it. Her own career journey has been filled with unexpected chapters, and now, as Academy Coach at Fairdale High School, she's dedicated to guiding students as they write their own stories of success.

The long hallways of Iroquois provide a variety of opportunities for these students. From healthcare to engineering to welding to culinary, Iroquois Raiders are on the path to success. The varied opportunities at Iroquois are exemplified by the stories of two seniors: Annaea, headed for a career as a mason, and Aaliyah, with her sights set on becoming a pediatrician.

Fairdale High School recently hosted a successful Health Sciences Career Fair, notable for its student-driven organization and focus on providing real-world career insights. The event allowed 200 students from grades 10-12 to explore diverse opportunities in healthcare and develop essential leadership skills.

On March 26, 2025, students from The Academy at Shawnee visited Bowman Field for a unique and exhilarating experience, exploring the world of aviation through a visit to Flight Club 502. The day provided an opportunity for hands-on learning and exposed students to potential career paths in aviation.

For many young athletes, the idea of continuing their sport at the collegiate or professional level is a natural dream. Evan Parisek, a skilled soccer player from Fairdale High School, had every opportunity to pursue that path. However, as he approached the end of high school, Evan made a different choice.

Fairdale High School's diesel tech students recently had the chance to explore how the electric vehicle (EV) industry is transforming career opportunities in automotive technology. Hosted by Ford Blue Oval SK, the event showcased the exciting future of EVs and the evolving role of diesel technicians within this rapidly growing field.

The Academies of Louisville and Explore share a common goal: to provide students with a seamless educational journey from middle school to high school and then to the real world. Charger Day, a collaborative event between Echo Trail Middle School and Jeffersontown High School, brought this vision to life, showcasing how the pathways in Consumer Science, Business and Communication, and Engineering and Design align to create a continuous learning experience. Held on March 18, 2025, this innovative initiative allowed 7th-grade students to experience firsthand the opportunities available in high school, fostering a deeper understanding of their potential future pathways.

Valley High School recently held an innovative, student-led Showcase of Pathways, highlighting the critical importance of early career exploration for incoming freshmen. This initiative, held on March 18, 2025, emphasized the significance of choosing a pathway during the freshman year, setting the stage for focused skill development, hands-on experiences, and informed decision-making about future educational and career goals.

"This is a 'we' thing... not a 'they' thing," said Michael Gritton, Executive Director of KentuckianaWorks, during a panel discussion at the recent Louisville in Action. This Ford Next Generation Learning (NGL) Leadership Lab brought together educators and industry leaders from across the nation to witness firsthand how this collaborative spirit is revolutionizing secondary education in Jefferson County Public Schools.

When Cheryl Carrier, Executive Director of Ford Next Generation Learning (NGL), arrived for the inaugural Louisville in Action: A Ford NGL Leadership Lab, she was sporting shoes she had purchased on a recent trip to Palm Springs. While in Florida, Cheryl enjoyed one of her favorite hobbies: thrift shopping to transform vintage items into new, stylish outfits.