Growing a National Champion, The Wylie Way!

You may know of my love for Texas Tech University and my “hobby” of encouraging our kids to attend my alma mater.  I am proud of Texas Tech Red Raider and WHS graduate, Rance Smith.  Rance is a member of the Texas Tech National meats judging Champion Team. 

WYLIE ISD BOARD GOAL
We are grateful for Rance and proud that we have made a difference in his life, the Wylie Way.  Preparing students for a successful life beyond high school is a Wylie ISD Board Goal.  During the January board meeting, we updated trustees on our progress in meeting this board goal. Please join us in celebrating our success through one student’s journey.

HOUSE BILL 5
Rance took advantage of House Bill 5, legislation that changed graduation requirements to focus on equipping students with a career focus and one or more of five recognized “graduation endorsements.”  

CAREER EXPERIENCES
Wylie ISD and our high school campuses do a WONDERFUL job of helping our kids earn endorsements by offering students one of sixteen career experiences. From engineering to Fine Arts, to agriculture (which Rance chose) our kids have a vast array of choices that match their strengths and passions.

Rance chose Principles of Agriculture, with a focus on Animal Science.

ENGAGED
Competing in Wylie ISD isn’t limited to sports or fine arts.  Research says that kids who are part of a group or team are much more likely to be engaged and post better grades.  Rance had the opportunity to represent and compete for his high school in judging.  This experience allowed him to visit different universities. He also showed animals and participated in FFA.  

SETTING THE STANDARD
Rance and his fellow Wylie ISD high school students have embraced career experiences and earned endorsements like nobody else. A Raider or Pirate is TWICE as likely to earn TWO endorsements than their Texas high school counterparts. 

I HAVE A PLAN
Rance’s experience in high school prepared him for college. We want all students to have this same success.

Our objective is to help them to prepare for this decision, much earlier than ninth grade. We begin at kindergarten. 

Rance could have learned about what it takes to be a veterinarian during Map Your Future Monday. Each lesson is delivered each Monday by a Wylie ISD parent or graduate.  He could have learned about what it takes to be a veterinarian during Map Your Future Monday. Each lesson is delivered each Monday by a Wylie ISD parent or graduate.  

You can check out the videos here. 

Each Thursday, students, and employees are encouraged to wear shirts and discuss admission and enrollment and love for all things college.

Rance learned about Texas Tech on Think College Thursday and others too.  Wylie ISD graduates choose Texas Tech more than any other 4-year university. Bragging about your school makes a difference and we welcome you to join us.

GRIT & PREPARATION DAY
This nine weeks, we promote the Wylie Way values of Grit and Preparation.  On Tuesday, February 9 we will host our Grit and Preparation Day! On this day, kids will explore possible futures, learn about the grit necessary to achieve success, the Wylie Way! 

On this day, students will post their grit score and record their career goals in their achievement profile. Rance participated in Grit and Preparation Day, check out his results.

We will send parents a reminder email and encourage them to discuss the day with their kiddos. 

CAREER EXPERIENCE VIDEOS
My student advisory committee asked that we create career experience videos for 8th graders to view and discuss during their 8th-grade year. The requested advice from students currently in the program instead of adults.  You can check out all 16 videos here. 

ENDORSEMENT PREVIEW DAY
Following the theme that kids want to hear from other kids, we offer Endorsement Preview Day is conducted at each junior high for 8th-grade students. Before the official day, students have lessons in class that gets them thinking about which experiences they would like to explore.

High school students pitch their career experiences and answer any questions in hopes they will join their crew next year. 

#IHAVEAPLANWISD NIGHT
I Have a Plan Night is the parent’s opportunity to learn about career experiences. #IHaveAPlanWISD night may be considered the most well-attended parent event for high school that I have ever experienced.

You can check out our Career Experience Program Guide website. 

PROUD!
We are proud of Rance, proud of all our kids, parents, schools, and educators that deliver on the Wylie ISD Board Goal of “Preparing our students for a successful life beyond high school.”  Proud that we set the Texas standard for delivering on House Bill 5, the Wylie Way!