Beth Starrett Looks Forward to New Position
The Alliance Career Center (ACC) and the Alliance High School (AHS) career tech department have a new director, Beth Starrett. Coming from Canton City Schools (CCS), Starrett is ready to take on the challenges of her new position as director of career programs at Alliance City Schools.
Starrett has plenty of past experience working with career tech programs. During her time at Canton City Schools, she worked in their high school career tech department where she supported all the programs they offered. After four years in that position, she stepped into the administrative role of coordinator of the Adult Career and Technical Education at CCS.
“Career Tech Education marries my passions for education and business in a way where I can make a difference in the future of our area one student and/or family at a time,” Starrett said. “I feel very excited and blessed to serve this community and the greater Alliance area in my new role.”
Starrett has degrees in business administration and psychology from Baldwin Wallace, a masters in counseling and human development with a specialization in school counseling from Walsh University. She completed her aspiring leaders principal licensure from Cleveland State University and is currently working on her superintendents licensure from Miami University.
As the director of career programs, Starrett will oversee the AHS career tech programs including welding, auto technologies, JTC, media arts, interactive media, pre-medical professions, sports medicine, cosmetology and construction trades. She will oversee the adult education programs at the Alliance Career Center including welding, medical insurance specialist/medical billing, cosmetology, medical assisting, STNA and the Robert T. White School of Practical Nursing, which is directed by Bonnie Newton.
“Career Education, both at the secondary and adult levels, has been a priority of our community and will continue to be for many years to come,” said Superintendent Rob Gress. “As a district, we need to produce graduates who contribute to the local workforce and help our local businesses and industries. I’m excited about having Beth here in Alliance because she is totally committed to that goal and works tirelessly to create programs that benefit students and our community as a whole.”
Overseeing these programs will allow Starrett to combine her passions for education and business. In her role, she will be helping students to gain the best career tech education possible and assist in guiding them through their educational journey and into their new careers.
“I look forward to seeing our students graduate with skills and credentials in very short periods of time,” Starrett said.
In her short time at Alliance, Starrett has already had many positive interactions with the staff at both the ACC and AHS. Whether the students are at AHS or ACC, they will be trained by a staff composed of practitioners who have worked and trained in their respective fields. They tote a number of credentials which make them highly qualified to instruct their students and help them to receive their credentials.
High school students who take part in career tech education at AHS, and Marlington High School through their partnership with AHS, will graduate with a wealth of knowledge. The programs will allow the students to earn valuable credentials for careers or earn college credit at little to no cost before they graduate high school.
“I want people to know that some career tech programs prepare students for direct entry into the workforce at age 18, and that other programs prepare them for next career steps into further training at the college level,” Starrett said. “Career tech can be just the beginning of someone’s educational journey.”
While career tech education is important for students at the high school level, Starrett wants everyone to know that the Alliance Career Center is a great option for people looking to continue their education or pursue a new career. ACC is like any other college, it prepares students for a career. However, unlike many colleges, it does this in a shorter period of time and at a more affordable price while maintaining the same quality of education.
“Additionally, because you get done with school faster, you also start earning a higher wage sooner,” she said. “Just like college, financial aid may be available through FAFSA and many other sources.”
When Starrett isn’t working, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, cheering on the Indians, Browns, Cavs and Monsters and singing when she gets the chance. She volunteers on various local scholarship committees, for many local events and for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Starrett also enjoys taking in all the things Stark county has to offer, including dining, local golf courses, shopping and shows.