Clarke Central High School Work-Based Learning Coordinator Brook Thompson talks to a student in the CCHS Administrative Suite on Dec. 5, 2025. Thompson started working at CCHS in 2023 and has worked to help provide students with hands-on experience since. “My primary focus is on building business partnerships and supervising the students who are in WBL jobs and internships, but I have this secondary role of supporting (the Career, Technical and Agricultural Education department) and helping students develop employability skills while they’re still enrolled in their CTAE classes,” Thompson said. Photo by Adah Hamman
CCHS Work-Based Learning Coordinator Brook Thompson has implemented several initiatives during the 2025-26 school year to expand the program.
Since the 2025-26 school year began, Clarke Central High School Work-Based Learning Coordinator Brook Thompson has made it her mission to expand the program, a goal she hopes to carry into the spring semester.
Work-Based Learning is an opportunity for Clarke County School District high school students to gain work experience through local jobs and internships. To participate, they must be at least 16-years-old, in good academic standing and have completed a Career, Technical and Agricultural Education course.
“There have been hundreds of businesses that have partnered with CCHS since (WBL) started. There are currently 63 WBL hosts this semester, (including) businesses hosting (Cedar Shoals High School students),” Thompson said. “There are (jobs and) internships for each (CTAE class) where students can use the skills that they learn in that class in the work setting.”
Thompson has helped organize various initiatives to encourage students to submit an application for WBL, where they describe their previous work and volunteer experience, and list two teachers who can complete a recommendation form on their behalf.
“Job shadowing is something that I set up with the CTAE teachers for students to get a glimpse of what it’s like in that career that relates to their (class),” Thompson said. “We also have a web page where we list our (job and) internship opportunities. (There’s) a description of what the duties are and how much the student will get paid.”
“I think every kid should leave school with work experience, a professional network and a better understanding of what steps they want to take to get the career that they want, and (WBL) helps with all of those things.”
— Brook Thompson,
CCHS Work-Based Learning Coordinator
CCHS junior Carmen Carranza works as an intern at the Hilsman Health Center through WBL and is in the process of completing the Healthcare Science Patient Care Pathway at the ACCA.
“I (knew) people who were in WBL, and they told me about their experiences and said they really enjoyed it. So, I decided to fill out the (application) and contact (Brooks) to see if I (could) get in,” Carranza said. “(Through WBL), I have gained a lot of communication skills by interacting with patients, doctors and nurses.”
In the future, Thompson envisions the WBL program growing and providing more students with real-life work experience.
“It’s my hope that more students will seamlessly transition from completing their CTAE pathway to (WBL), and that (the program) will continue to (partner with) more businesses that align with (those) pathways,” Thompson said. “I think every kid should leave school with work experience, a professional network and a better understanding of what steps they want to take to get the career that they want, and (WBL) helps with all of those things.”
