Parent Testimonials

"As parents, we could not be more impressed with the Greenville County Schools, Career and Technical Education (CTE) Innovation Center. Both our son and daughter absolutely love their experiences in the program, and it has been incredible to see how engaged, excited, and inspired they have been throughout their time there. The Innovation Center is truly an exceptional environment—innovative, forward-thinking, and focused on preparing students for the real world. The director, Katie Porter, is phenomenal: engaging, intelligent, personable, approachable, and incredibly professional. Mrs. Porter and Mr. Michael Stone create an atmosphere where students feel valued, challenged, and encouraged to explore what they are capable of achieving. The administrative staff, and teachers are equally impressive, bringing tremendous knowledge, enthusiasm, and real-world experience into the classroom. Their ability to make learning exciting, relevant, and meaningful is one of the things that makes CTE so special.
As parents, we absolutely love what the Innovation Center represents for our children and for the future of education. Our son completed the CTE emerging automotive technology program and thanks to his hard work and the CTE’s partnership with BMW, he was exposed to the BMW Rising Scholars program, our son applied and was selected as 1 of 35 out of several thousand applicants by BMW. He is completing his senior year half a day at high school and half a day working at BMW.  Our daughter is participating in the aerospace technology program at CTE and through her hard work was one of only three other students selected to participate in a discovery flight where she piloted a Cessna with an official flight instructor at the downtown Greenville airport.  Both of these opportunities would not have been possible without their attendance at the CTE. The state-of-the-art equipment and facilities are truly next level, but even more impressive are the instruction, teaching practices, and opportunities students receive. CTE goes far beyond traditional classroom learning by giving students hands-on experiences, exposure to modern technology and industries, and the confidence to apply what they learn in practical settings. It is evident that tremendous thought, expertise, and care go into creating this experience for students. We are incredibly grateful that our children have had the opportunity to be part of such a remarkable program, and we wholeheartedly believe the CTE Innovation Center is setting a new standard for what career-focused education can and should be."
Stuart and Amy Reynolds

"Looking back, I can honestly say that I have nothing but wonderful things to say about the CTE Innovation Center and its staff. I have rarely encountered a group of educators who are as caring, knowledgeable, charismatic, and genuine as the teachers and staff there.
The experience had a tremendous impact on my daughter. She was able to explore subjects in ways that went far beyond what is typically possible in a traditional classroom. In fact, her experiences at the Innovation Center helped her discover a passion for aerospace and influenced her career goals. She was given the opportunity to explore aerospace engineering in depth, which ultimately inspired her to consider becoming an engineer.
The facility itself is remarkable. The specialized equipment, technology, tools, and materials available to students provide learning opportunities that simply cannot be replicated in a traditional classroom setting. More importantly, the environment encourages students to explore, create, collaborate, and develop confidence in their abilities.
I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities this program has provided my daughter. Throughout her time at the Innovation Center, she was encouraged to grow not only academically but also as a leader. She had opportunities to serve as an ambassador for the school, participate in volunteer activities, represent the program, and discover her strengths and abilities. She was also able to earn certifications that she can include on her college applications, helping her stand out as a well-prepared and motivated student.
As parent, I am extremely thankful for the dedication and commitment of everyone at the CTE Innovation Center. Their investment in my daughter's education has made a lasting difference in her life and has helped her envision a future she may not have otherwise considered.
Thank you to everyone at CTE for believing in our kids, giving them the tools to succeed, and inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders. Because of your program, we will have another young woman pursuing a future in STEM!"
Susana 

"We have been thoroughly impressed with CTE!  Our son is in his second year at CTE in the Cybersecurity curriculum with Ms. Reeves (Teacher of the Year)
It's so amazing seeing our son get certifications (OSHA, Comptia Tech+, etc) as a high school Sophomore/Junior that most people get after starting their professional careers.  This year our son will be working towards a Comptia Security+ certification.  I was required to get this certification while supporting the U.S. Navy and our son will have it before completing High School.  The curriculums offered at CTE are extremely relevant in todays workplace and we are so blessed to have our son in one of these curriculums.
The Staff at CTE is amazing!  Always kind and courteous nad extremely knowledgeable in their respective areas!
We are looking forward to another great year at CTE!!
Thank you for all you do!! "
Bill Caudle

"The Aerospace Technology Program at the CTE Innovation Center has empowered our daughter to pursue her dream of working in the aerospace industry. The knowledgeable and supportive instructors, administration, and staff create a welcoming environment where students engage in hands‑on learning every day and build real‑world skills. Our daughter leaves for school excited to learn, collaborate, problem-solve, and think creatively—skills that will serve her well in her future career. We’re incredibly grateful for how the Innovation Center has invested in her and helped increase her knowledge, skills and confidence."
- Kevin & Lindsay Howell