- April 5, 2025
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Ashlyn Machiela and Colby Cronk work in the greenhouse. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
Joe Rizzo, Colby Cronk and Ashlyn Machiela. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
Bryson Ortega, Tatiana Watkins and Isabel Velez at the culinary flagship. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
Students had samples of the food they'd prepared. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
Jordan Shutter and Joshua West work on a tin can robot. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
Raymond Cate and Darian Miroshnik share their can robot with Dr. Earl Johnson. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
Freddy Gimbel and Brandon Mooneyhan perform some maintenance on the 3D printer. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
Kaylee Lynn and Mikayla Maldzhiev and the EV3 mindstorm project. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
Chickens and hens at the farm house. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
Chloe Long, a student in the culinary flagship. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
BTMS Principal Bobby Bossardet shares the school's classroom to careers accomplishments. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
The Flagler County Education Foundation had its second Classroom to Careers tour on Wednesday, Sept. 25 — this time at Buddy Taylor Middle School, where the agronomy and entrepreneurial leadership flagships lead the way.
The tour started at the culinary classroom, where students learn to create dishes in a realistic work environment.
"The soft skills that the kids learn with project-based learning and hands-on experience will benefit them when they go to high school."
BOBBY BOSSARDET, principal, BTMS
They had samples of their creations for visitors to enjoy.
"We made a carrot cake," instructor Canna Mittelman said. "Some of our students have never heard about it."
In an innovation and robotics class, students were building robots with aluminum cans, making 3D prints, and testing products in small groups.
Agricultural flagships students handed out bags of fresh rosemary, thyme and mint as gifts.
They also have chickens, a greenhouse and a garden to care for and grow.
Some of the ingredients the culinary flagship uses come straight from the school's garden.
To finish the tour, BTMS Principal Bobby Bossardet shared the success stories of teachers, students and the connections that are positively impacting school life — for instance, the school's connection with the University of Florida, which has inspired students to commit to study there.
The school district hopes the flagships promote economic development in the county and increase the percentage of students achieving a successful career right out of high school.
Each program is aligned with a career cluster, and includes standards designed to be responsive to business and industry. The tours are open to anyone interested in getting a closer look at the Classroom to Careers programs.
Flagler County Education Foundation Executive Director Joe Rizzo said partnerships are critical to the program, and that the Education Foundation invites the community to mentor, donate and be part of students' success. For more information, email rizzoj@flaglerschools.com
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