Jessica Romak is the career and technical education (CTE) and career readiness coordinator for Van Buren Public Schools. In this role, Mrs. Romak oversees the development and implementation of CTE programs at Belleville High School, as well as preK-12 career preparation opportunities and programs throughout the Van Buren Public Schools District.

During her tenure, two new CTE programs have received State of Michigan approval. An aviation program has begun, with an FAA Part 107 Drones program currently under State of Michigan review for approval.

Plans are also underway to submit applications for additional programs. Significant progress has been made in developing a cohesive, district-wide Educational Development Plan (EDP) implementation program, helping to support Belleville High School’s Career Purpose Pathway initiative.

CTE programs are beneficial to all students, regardless of their chosen postsecondary path. Students enrolled in state-approved programs are expected to earn an industry-recognized credentials, giving them an advantage over their peers in the workforce, and this can also earn them college credit. For example, students in the marketing program earn multiple credentials, including Microsoft Office certifications and Communications for Small Business. They can also earn up to six credit hours.

Mrs. Romak came to Belleville High School as a U.S. History and advanced placement U.S. History teacher in 2018 after 14 years in another district. She shares that despite feeling secure in her previous position, her motivation for seeking out Van Buren Public Schools came after hearing the keynote address at the 2017 MACUL Conference in Detroit. The keynote speaker, Sir Ken Robinson, is an international advisor on education, creativity and innovation. Sir Ken Robinson’s address focused on how standardized testing was doing more harm than good and how it had made education lose its purpose of nurturing the social, personal, economic, and cultural needs of students.

His message touched a chord with Mrs. Romak.

After 14 years teaching predominantly advanced placement students in an upper-middle-class district nearly an hour from home, Mrs. Romak felt inspired to attempt to make a difference closer to home with a broader group of students.

A 2000 graduate of Romulus High School, she also completed her student teaching at Belleville High School in 2004. Returning to Belleville felt like an opportunity to make a larger impact than classroom teaching alone could provide, and she believed Belleville High School was the right place to make that transition.

In 2022, Mrs. Romak was the first instructor of the Teacher Cadet program, a CTE course that immerses high school students into the art of teaching preschool. In addition to classroom instruction, students regularly work within a classroom at the Early Childhood Center in preparation to earn their Child Development Associate (CDA) or Michigan Youth Development Associate (Mi-YDA). These credentials allow students to pursue careers as preschool teachers or afterschool program coordinators after high school graduation.

In 2024, Mrs. Romak became the CTE and career readiness coordinator and has worked to expand the CTE programs and opportunities for student success. Under her leadership, Belleville High School has added FANUC mechatronics and cosmetology to its growing CTE offerings, which already included accounting, business management, marketing, and teacher cadet. Additional programs are also being explored, including digital multimedia, which is currently awaiting final decision from the State of Michigan for a $400,000 grant to purchase state-of-the-art equipment.

Students have also been provided with numerous opportunities to explore their career pathways both inside and outside the classroom. These include the expansion of the monthly Purpose Pathways Panels, career exploration field trips, Community Career Day, and increased awareness of career-readiness camps and internships.

One of the accomplishments Mrs. Romak is most proud of is the launch of the aviation program at Belleville High School. Through a consortium with Wayne RESA, Belleville High School began teaching the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Introduction to Aviation curriculum in the 2025-2026 school year. The district has also applied for CTE approval from the State of Michigan to offer an FAA Part 107 Drones course beginning in the fall of 2026. The program will allow students the opportunity to earn their Part 107 certificate, enabling them to legally fly drones commercially and enter a rapidly growing job market.

There are also plans to expand the aviation program to include private pilots licensing and avionics, drawing from surrounding districts who are not able to provide these opportunities.

It is an exciting time to be a Tiger! If you or your student have any questions about CTE programs or Career Readiness opportunities, visit the Van Buren Public Schools website https://www.vanburenschools.net/ to explore the many opportunities available.