Fairfield students highlight middle school career readiness at Ohio ACTE Student Showcase
Fairfield's representation at the ACTE student showcase. From left: Tech teacher Charles Webb, curriculum director Katie Streber, students Kaylee Miller and Emerson Zink and Fairfield Superintendent Kesia McCoy. (Courtesy of Nellda Friend.)
By Charles Webb
Technology Instructor
Fairfield Local School
Fairfield Local Schools was proudly represented this week at the Ohio ACTE Student Showcase as students Kaylee Hurless-Miller and Emerson Zink presented at the Ohio Statehouse. Standing in front of educators and leaders from across the state, the two shared why career readiness should begin in middle school and how Fairfield is making that happen.
Kaylee and Emerson spoke about the importance of giving students direction early. They explained that middle school is when students begin to understand their strengths, interests, and future possibilities. By introducing career exploration at this stage, students gain confidence and motivation that carries into high school and beyond. Their presentation focused on how Fairfield’s Design and Modeling, Business and Agriculture programs work together rather than standing alone.
Design and Modeling gives students hands on experience with problem solving, creativity, and building ideas from start to finish. Business classes help students learn communication, branding, entrepreneurship, and financial skills. Agriculture connects leadership, responsibility, and real world applications that reflect the community Fairfield serves. Together, these programs create a strong foundation that prepares students for both college and career pathways.
They also shared how this approach helps students develop skills that matter outside the classroom, including teamwork, presentation skills, and critical thinking. The message was clear. When students see how their learning connects to real careers, school becomes more meaningful and engaging.
Adding another layer of student involvement, the background chart used to explain Fairfield’s career readiness program was designed by freshman Zoey Niebling. Her work helped visually tell the story of how the program fits together and showed how students across grade levels contribute to the success of Fairfield’s career readiness efforts.
Fairfield Local Schools is extremely proud of Kaylee, Emerson, and Zoey for representing the district so well. Their professionalism, confidence, and pride reflected the strength of Fairfield’s middle school career readiness programs and the future focused culture being built for students.
This week's presentation was more than a showcase. It was a reminder that when students are given meaningful opportunities early, they rise to the occasion and lead the way forward.
Below, Fairfield juniors Kaylee Miller and Emerson Zink explain Fairfield's program to representatives from schools across the state. (Courtesy of Nellda Friend.)
