The Cheatham County School District is continuing to invest in its students’ futures-and the results are starting to speak for themselves. At the heart of that progress is the district’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, which has grown into a robust pipeline for students looking to step confidently into the workforce or further education after graduation. From automotive tech to medical sciences and agriculture, the district is building real-world opportunities that go far beyond the classroom.
At a recent school board meeting on February 5, held at the Cheatham County School District Educational Annex in Ashland City, the spotlight turned to the agriculture and veterinary science programs at Sycamore High School (SHS). Principal Deborah Wenning and agriculture science teacher Beth Waynick gave board members an inside look at how SHS is using its CTE offerings to give students a head start on meaningful careers.
Right now, the school offers a strong lineup of agriculture-related courses-Agriscience, Small Animal Science, Large Animal Science, and Veterinary Science. But what really sets the vet science track apart is its work-based learning component. Through a partnership with Wild Things Veterinary Clinic in Pleasant View, students aren’t just learning from textbooks-they’re stepping into real clinics, working with real animals, and gaining experience that counts.
Waynick shared that students in the program are paid $12 an hour and can earn up to 160 hours of paid work experience. That time also counts toward the 300 hours needed to qualify for a Certified Veterinary Assistant license.
And the hands-on experience? It's the kind of stuff you don’t forget.
“We’ve seen some cool things in the vet’s office this year,” Waynick told the board. “I’ve had students assist in surgical procedures, whether it be things like spaying and neutering, and I had a student assist in, I think it was a kidney stone removal in a lizard.”
That’s not your average high school lab assignment.
Looking ahead, the program is set to shift gears in the fall with a transition to horticulture. It’s a move that aligns with Waynick’s own background and opens the door to a wider range of opportunities for students. From landscaping the school grounds to learning floral design and working directly on the school farm, the horticulture track is designed to keep students engaged and hands-on.
Waynick also highlighted the strength of the school’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter, which currently boasts around 100 members. That kind of participation speaks volumes about the interest and enthusiasm students have for agriculture-related fields-and it's a testament to how relevant and exciting these programs have become.
The Cheatham County School Board holds its regular work sessions on the fourth Thursday of each month and its regular meetings on the first Thursday. But as this latest update shows, the work happening between those meetings-inside classrooms, clinics, and on school grounds-is where the real momentum is building.