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Tech Update from Dr. Sebastian Kapala, Executive Director
February 20, 2025
Strategic Planning
We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new five-year strategic plan — an initiative for the 2025-26 school year designed to guide our institution toward continued growth and success. At the heart of this plan lies a renewed focus on our mission, vision, and values, ensuring that every decision we make aligns with the core principles that define our community.
One of the key elements introduced is our Portrait of a Learner, which outlines the essential skills, knowledge, and attributes we aim to instill in every Career and Technical Education student. By defining what our learners should look like at each stage of their journey, we ensure that our curriculum, programs, and support systems all work in unison to foster well-rounded individuals ready to thrive in an ever-changing world.
To achieve these aspirations, our plan is organized into goal areas that address critical components of our institution:
1. Student Success – Focusing on robust academic programs, personalized support, and comprehensive resources to elevate student performance and well-being.
2. Finance – Maintaining fiscal responsibility while investing strategically in initiatives that promote sustainable growth and strengthen our organization’s long-term stability.
3. Staff Development – Cultivating a professional culture that empowers educators and support staff through continuous training, collaboration, and leadership opportunities.
4. Outside Partnerships – Forging new relationships with community members, industry professionals, and educational collaborators to expand opportunities and resources for our learners.
We believe this strategic plan embodies our collective dedication to every learner’s success. As we implement these goals, we invite the entire community — students, families, staff, and partners — to unite in pursuit of a future where our institution continues to lead, innovate, and inspire. This exciting journey reflects our unwavering commitment to providing an exceptional learning environment that prepares each individual to thrive in a dynamic and interconnected world.
Dual Credit (Teacher of the Year)
I am proud to announce that Marissa Pastori received the College of Lake County’s Dual Credit Teacher of the Year award in recognition of her outstanding work and dedication as a Certified Nursing Assisting instructor at the Tech Campus. Her commitment to helping students earn both certification and college credit highlights exactly what makes the Tech Campus a remarkable place to learn and grow. We celebrate her achievements and deeply appreciate the positive impact she has on our students every day.
SkillsUSA
The Lake County Tech Campus is thrilled to announce that we have 215 SkillsUSA members for the 2024–2025 school year, making us one of the largest SkillsUSA chapter in the state. SkillsUSA is a national career and technical student organization serving over 395,000 middle school, high school, and college students, as well as professional members. These individuals are enrolled in training programs that focus on trade, technical, and skilled service occupations.
We are incredibly proud of our students' enthusiasm for SkillsUSA and look forward to supporting their continued growth and success.
Early Education and Teaching (EET)
We’re excited to announce a significant remodel of our Early Education and Teaching program, designed to enrich our hands-on learning environment and reflect best practices in early childhood education. This upgraded space will include modernized classroom areas and specialized instructional resources that enable students to engage in real-world teaching experiences, collaborate on lesson planning, and explore innovative teaching methods. By updating our facilities, we reaffirm our commitment to preparing future educators with the skills, confidence, and mindset needed to excel in today’s classrooms.
The Tech Campus Preschool
Serving as a training experience for high school juniors and seniors aspiring to careers in Early Childhood and Education, the Tech Campus Preschool provides children ages 3–5 with an engaging and supportive environment. We adhere to Illinois State Licensing Standards and operate two classrooms, an observation room, and a fenced-in outdoor play area.
Our preschool curriculum features developmentally appropriate, theme-based learning in a caring atmosphere. We focus on hands-on, sensory experiences that build foundational skills in pre-reading, writing, math, problem-solving, and oral communication. Art projects emphasize the creative process over the final product, promoting self-expression and exploration.
By offering small group instruction, we meet each child’s individual needs. The nurturing environment, combined with a low child-to-teacher ratio, fosters positive self-esteem. Our themes encourage curiosity and help children learn critical life skills such as cooperation, problem-solving, following directions, and respecting others. This holistic approach ensures children grow socially, emotionally, and academically during their time in our program.
We offer both morning and afternoon sessions on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday:
• AM Preschool Session: 9:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. (September–May) – $780.00
• PM Preschool Session: 1:05 p.m. – 2:50 p.m. (September–May) – Free
For more information, visit www.techcampuspreschool.org or call 847-543-6030.
e-Learning
The Tech Campus is fully prepared to transition to remote learning if necessary. While we aim to minimize interruptions, remote learning will most likely be utilized for inclement weather days to ensure students can continue their education without disruption.
FY 25 Enrollment Snapshot
We are thrilled to announce that we have received 3005 student applications, to date, for the 2025-26 school year! We look forward to seeing this new group of Tech Campus students pursue their chosen pathway over the next two years.
We are confident that our continued growth will be managed within the walls of Tech Campus for years to come. This is due to our innovative teaching models, hands-on and state-of-the-art facility, and effective capital plan to see us through Tech Campus's next ten years.
