Beliefs upon which the District's Mission are Based
We believe:
- all students can learn.
- schools and teachers make a difference.
- the 21st Century will reward workers who possess state-of-the-art technical and advanced academic skills.
- our district’s value is measured, in part, by our constituents' perception.
- the characteristics of our environment are constantly changing. Further, we believe our curricula and instructional deliveries have to evolve in order to stay relevant. Hence, our institutional culture must be of calculated risk-taking and innovation.
- the progress of students must be measured, in part, using standards developed by internal and external constituencies, as these guidelines help determine "how good is good enough."
- the purpose of education in a free society is to facilitate the development of each student and that each student has both the right and responsibility to make choices and decisions that foster the betterment of self and society.
Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools serves 16 school districts in Franklin, Fairfield, and Pickaway counties. It covers an area of 700 square miles, and is the seventh largest career and technical district geographically in the state.
The District has two main campuses — Eastland Career Center in Groveport and Fairfield Career Center in Carroll, with satellite locations at five of its associate high schools: Gahanna Lincoln, Groveport Madison, New Albany, Pickerington North, and Reynoldsburg.
Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools strives to offer high-tech, in-demand programs in order to better position students for a successful future. The District offers nearly 40 high school programs designed for students in their junior and senior year. In addition to traditional career and technical programs, such as Auto Technology, Welding, and Cosmetology, Eastland-Fairfield offers many programs designed specifically for students who intend to continue their education at a college or university. Currently, over 57% of Eastland-Fairfield students continue their education at the post-secondary level.
Included in the Eastland-Fairfield district are nearly 6,000 adult education students who attend classes offered by the Adult Workforce Development Center and its Lancaster and Columbus satellite locations. Seven full-time programs and many part-time programs are offered for adults.
Assisting the district in curriculum and equipment update assessments are hundreds of representatives from business and industry. Serving on advisory committees for the full-time adult and high school programs, these business professionals play an integral part in keeping the curriculum current with industry standards.
Bonnie Hopkins became Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools eighth Superintendent on October 1, 2009.
Ms. Hopkins has served the District for 22 years, beginning her career in 1987 as a Dental Assisting Instructor at Eastland Career Center. She was named Teacher of the Year in 1992 and assumed her first administrative position as a Trade and Industrial Supervisor in 1993. In 1997, Ms. Hopkins became Assistant Director of Eastland Career Center, and in 1999, she became Director of Fairfield Career Center, where she continued until being named Superintendent this fall.
Prior to entering the field of education, Ms. Hopkins was a practicing Dental Assistant and Dental Hygienist for 13 years. Her career path is unique, and she knows how important it is to identify options and look for opportunities in your career. She decided to prepare for a career in Dentistry because she had early experience and awareness in this field.
After six years working in a dental office, Ms. Hopkins went back to school to pursue a degree in Health Education. She always enjoyed learning and education, and she loved the health sciences, so this put it all together, combining her love of bio-sciences and education.
As her career developed, she recognized that there are many ways to “do school,” whether it is high school or college. “There is no cookie-cutter version to get to success,” says Ms. Hopkins, “but you have to work to get there. Learning never stops, and when you recognize this, you can see it as an opportunity to get you to the next step.”
“I believe every person is important, has dignity, and should have the opportunity to be educated to the fullest extent of his or her abilities, interests, and aspirations. This diversity among learners in public education inherently means that one size, one style of education does not fit all.”
Her advice to students beginning to plan for the future? Don’t be afraid of making a decision and going for it. Start with one thing, do it well, and it will lead you to other opportunities.
District Mission
District Mission: Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools will be a recognized leader in preparing youths and adults to become lifelong learners and productive members of society who excel as they either enter the workforce or transition to post-secondary training.