Simeon Open House Showcases CTE Programs
By J. Coyden Palmer March 24, 2024
As more and more Chicago Public Schools do away with vocational and trade programs, one school on the South Side is sticking to its roots. Simeon Vocational Career Academy, 8147 S Vincennes Avenue, is one of the last high schools that maintains a healthy amount of Career and Technical Education (CTE) programming. In February, the school hosted a Black History Month Open House meant to attract potential students and answer questions from parents who could be looking for education options and career paths for their children. Long known for its winning athletic teams, the public may not understand that Simeon is really one of the last CPS high schools that offers a robust amount of CTE programs in the Black community.
“College is not for everyone and we need more people in the vocational trades,” said longtime electricity shop teacher Latisa Kindred. “My students are learning skills that can put them into the workforce immediately upon their graduation. They can get connected with people from the local union and get apprenticeships, which are a key to gain knowledge and expertise to help them advance their careers. My former students have gone on to work for ComEd and some have their own businesses now. It is very rewarding work for me.”
Instructors and students who are a part of the barber college at Simeon Vocational Career Academy pose for a photo during the Black History Month Open House. Photo by jcoydenreports.com
One of the Simeon electrical shop students explains the names of materials and tools used to complete a hands-on assingment to prospective students and their parents during a Career and Technical Education fair that was held on February 28th at the school. Simeon is located in the Auburn/Gresham community on the South Side. Photo by jcoydenreports.com
In addition to an electrical shop, Simeon also offers CTE courses in hair maintenance, culinary arts, information technology and construction. Current students enrolled in barber program at Simeon are getting hands-on training. They learn about the different textures and styles of hair, in addition to the basic health and safety protocols and principles of cutting hair.
Darnell Williams is the main instructor at the barber school. He said students start with the basics and eventually move up and start working on the hair of their peers. By the time they are seniors, they are cutting the hair of teachers, staff members and classmates. Those who successfully complete the program at the end of their senior year have not only a high school diploma, but their Illinois barber license as well.
Would-be students were able to ask questions at the fair, in addition to getting a tour of the facilities along with their parents and were happy to see the variety of careers offered by the CTE programs.
A Simeon student in the school’s barber college program works on the hairstyle of a fellow student in the lab. Photo by jcoydenreports.com
“What we have here is very unique and precious,” Williams began. “We are the only school in the city that offers this kind of opportunity for young men and women where they can leave this program and immediately start earning a living. During the pandemic, some may have forgotten that barbers and hair stylists were considered essential workers. Hair care is indeed health care if you think about it. Oftentimes, it is the barber or beautician who can see the first signs of a potential serious health problem like cancer.”
Students in Simeon’s barber college are often identified where they are in the program by the color smock they are wearing. Underclassmen wear black, juniors wear blue and the seniors wear gray. Williams said while most of the students are male, he also has female students in the program, which he believes is great for the program.
Chicago native and ex-NFL player Rodney Harrison’s mother, Barbara, was a longtime barber herself. She cut hair in a barber shop located on 83rd and State just a half mile from Simeon to help put her three children through school, according to her son, who now works as a sports broadcaster for NBC after retiring in 2009.