Angleton CTE Center: Pioneering Education, Fostering Community, Innovating Industries Together

AIA Continuing Education Provider

1 LU / HSW

Room: D135-136

Audience: Architects

Call to Action: Attendees should utilize takeaways from this session to effectively plan and collaborate with designers, community organizations, and vendors to create a CTE Facility that empowers students and engages the community.

Abstract: The Angleton Career, Technology, and Engineering (CTE) Center stands as a testament to the power of strategic planning, community investment in education, and synergistic collaboration between the members of the project team. Over the past two decades, Brazoria County has witnessed remarkable growth, with Angleton ISD at the forefront of educational innovation and community engagement. Through meticulous planning, Angleton ISD identified the need to expand student capacity while equipping them with the skills necessary to thrive in evolving industries. The creation of the CTE Center not only addressed the immediate need for enhanced educational facilities but also fostered a sense of wellness and community cohesion. By offering cutting-edge programs in Welding, Agriculture, Information Technology, and more, the Center became a hub for both academic and vocational growth. One of the key components of these programs was the specialized furniture and equipment each requires. Special focus was placed on coordination between the design team, the community, and the furniture vendors to ensure that the finished school offered the latest and greatest in terms of furniture and technology for these programs. Its physical design prioritized intellectual, social, and occupational wellness, creating an environment conducive to holistic student development. Moreover, the Center's integration within the community proved instrumental in strengthening ties between Angleton ISD and local businesses. Through certification programs and direct service offerings in areas like Vet Tech and Cosmetology, the Center became a vital resource for both students and the broader community. Ultimately, the Angleton CTE Center not only transformed educational practices but also elevated Angleton ISD’s standing in the eyes of local industries. The specialized attention to furniture and equipment and the meticulous coordination between the design team and vendors proved to make a tremendous impact on the finished school. What began as a response to growing educational needs evolved into a beacon of educational excellence and community collaboration, shaping Angleton into a highly specialized and marketable district.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Implement FFE coordination strategies for their next CTE project.
  2. Engage vendors earlyin design, before CDs to make correct selections and make sure infrastructure supports it.
  3. Understand how to engage community organizations to invest in CTE programs and engage the community to give back.
  4. Teams will get to know how to select appropriate program equipment for best outcomes.
Sofia Dusek
Sofia Dusek
Principal, PBK

Sofia is a licensed architect with more than 16 years of experience in the industry. During her tenure at PBK she has overseen the planning, design, and successful completion of multiple K-12 bond programs. With a passion for planning, communities, and design Sofia is a proud member of the Angleton ISD Education Foundation Board of Directors, the Goose Creek CISD Career Academy Advisory Board and the AIA Houston Chapter Urban Design Committee. In her free time, Sofia enjoys spending time with her husband and two dogs, traveling, cooking, and painting.

Phil Edwards
Phil Edwards
Superintendent, Angleton ISD

Phil is a veteran in the educational world with more than 30 years of experience as a public school administrator and teacher. Phil has spent more than 20 years in school administration, and he stepped into the role as superintendent for Angleton ISD in the summer of 2018 after leading Kemp ISD for three years as superintendent. He has brought with him a strong understanding of educational administration and fiscal operations as well as an understanding of curriculum and instruction, including instructional technology and data analysis. Believing that students must be continuously challenged, Phil promotes an atmosphere of constant growth and improvement, and he makes sure that students are given the appropriate support in which to be successful in learning.

Elizabeth Giusti
Elizabeth Giusti
Associate Principal, PBK

As a project manager, Elizabeth’s role is to oversee the design and production team, coordinating with all client stakeholders, contractors and consultants, to ensure delivery of schematic and construction documents. She is a valued member of the PBK Team.

Core Competency

Design of Educational Facilities
Acts as a resource to the design team in providing ongoing guidance and support to ensure that the emerging and ultimate design aligns with the established community vision, education goals, future programming, written design standards, best/next practices and education policy. 

LearningSCAPES 2024

October 16-19 | Portland, Oregon

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