He may be retired, but former Superintendent Tom Murphy still has accolades to receive.
Murphy, on his last day on the job June 30, received word that he was selected for the Distinguished Service Award for 2010 from the Washington Association for Career and Technical Education.
He will be officially presented with the award on Aug. 8 at a conference in Spokane.
Murphy has a history of supporting the Career and Technical Education programs in the district.
He created a CTE administrative position in 1999, and during lean budget years from the state, he supported the development of 15 new CTE programs.
Federal Way School Board member Amye Bronson-Doherty wrote a letter of support for the nomination, saying: “Not only does every high school offer an extensive menu of CTE options, but Truman Career Academy affords every student the opportunity to participate in career internships.”
In the past, Murphy lobbied with Legislatures for more funding for CTE, and even testified before committees on topics such as CTE funding and graduation requirements.
Career and Technical Education in Federal Way
CTE classes are available at all of the five high schools, although courses can vary from school to school.
Generally speaking, there are four different types of CTE pathways: Agriculture and Science; Business and Marketing Education; Heath and Human Services; and Technology and Industry.
These pathways include a myriad of classes including Horticulture, Web Design, Sports Medicine, Graphic Design and Culinary Arts.
Some programs are specific to only one school.
The Construction Apprenticeship Preparation Program at Thomas Jefferson is a partnership with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, the Lathing and Acoustical Union, Home Depot, Washington Women in Trades and local architectural and design firms. Students can earn college credit with the program and may qualify for an apprenticeship upon completion of the program.
There are high performing automotive programs at Decatur and Federal Way. Decatur has a horticulture program that gives students science skills as well as business lessons as the students run a greenhouse, selling their products to the community. Students earn college credit for the program as well.
The ProStart Culinary Arts program is at Federal Way and Thomas Jefferson high schools, and by finishing the two-year program, students can earn an industry recognized certificate.
Federal Way, Todd Beamer and Decatur high schools offer the sports medicine program.
The district also is a member of the Puget Sound Skills Center. Murphy was a chair on the PSSC Administrative Council.
PSSC is a partnership with other area schools that offers a variety of CTE programs, including those not offered at the high schools: Welding, dental assisting, fire services and criminal justice training.
