High School to Highway: Paving Pathways for Future CDL Drivers with Guest, Keely Gant

In this episode of the NCLA Podcast, Rachael Mann is joined by Keely Gant to discuss an innovative initiative, "High School to Highway." Keeley Gant, Director of Career and Technical Education at the Educational Service District 123 in Pasco, Washington, provides leadership support for four surrounding small rural school districts of North Franklin, Kiona Benton, Dayton, and Columbia School Districts.  In this role, she brings a collaborative career-connected learning approach focused on developing student readiness for career, college, and life.  Keeley’s experience in education originated when she served in Admissions and Recruitment at Washington State and Boise State University.  She later transitioned to Workforce Education at Columbia Basin Community College where she began to focus on alignment of CTE curriculum between the secondary and postsecondary systems for articulation of early college credit and pathway design.  It was her work in partnership with her K12 colleagues that led her to her current role as CTE Director, where she has been able to utilize her experience in higher education to build career pathways starting at the middle, through high school and on to postsecondary education, training, apprenticeship, military or direct employment.  Keeley is passionate about helping students achieve their career dreams through personalized pathways for success.  By strategically aligning students’ secondary education and work-based learning experiences through a seamless transition to postsecondary education and training, Keeley aims to connect students to high-wage, high-demand careers in their areas of interest.  In response to the increasing labor market demand and workforce shortage, North Franklin School District’s Commercial Driver’s Prep course has provided many students in Connell, Washington the opportunity to do just that.