More than 400 students from 11 school districts can now access cutting-edge, career-focused education at the new Table Rock Career Center, opened in the fall of 2024 at 20287 near the Reeds Spring intermediate school. This facility replaces Gibson Technical Center, which opened in 1974 and operated in Reeds Spring for 50 years.
“This facility will serve as a launching pad for dreams, equipping students with the skills they need to thrive in the modern workforce,” said Reeds Spring Superintendent Dr. Cody Hirschi.
The Reeds Spring School District celebrated this milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and public open house on January 22. During the open house, attended by many members of the community and members of Table Rock Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, attendees enjoyed tours of the facility given by staff and instructors.
During the event, the district honored Missouri Commissioner of Education Dr. Karla Eslinger for her role in securing additional funding for the project. Special recognition was also given to Omar Gibson, the former Reeds Spring Superintendent who established the district’s technical education program. The lecture hall at the new facility bears his name in tribute to his legacy.
The state-of-the-art center offers 12 career and technical education programs, equipping students with industry certifications and workforce readiness upon graduation. Programs also include several opportunities for internships and a variety of embedded credit programs and partnerships with Ozarks Technical Community and other area colleges for those desiring additional training.
● Automotive Technology
● Collision Repair
● Computer Technology
● Construction
● Criminal Justice
● Culinary Arts
● Early Education Careers
● EMT
● PLTW Engineering
● Graphic Design
● Healthcare Careers
● Marine Technology
● Welding Technology
This innovative facility represents a major step forward in preparing students for successful careers and fostering workforce development in the region. Highlights of the new center included greatly expanded lab space and new technical enhancements to classroom space, housed in several modules for the different career paths. Tour participants commented on many aspects of the updates and expansions, such as a small apartment included in the EMT training area to prepare students for the actual challenges of moving a patient from a bathtub or other tight space. Expansions in the marine tech and collision repair lab areas allow for a quality shop experience, preparing students for anything they might encounter on the job.
Several programs also work as win-win situations for the school district and community. For example, students learning construction trades have actually built homes in a nearby neighborhood; and students in the computer technology program provide repair and maintenance service on the district’s Chromebooks, giving them valuable practice while saving the district considerable expense.
“Let us remember that this is just the beginning,” Hirschi said. “Together, we are building brighter futures for our students and a stronger foundation for our community. Let’s celebrate this incredible milestone and look forward to the many successes that lie ahead!”
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