It was a proud and personal moment during East Lansing High School’s graduation ceremony, as Craig Barnes, Welding Technology Instructional Assistant at Wilson Talent Center, presented student Ava with her diploma.
As a dedicated mentor through Ava’s journey in the welding program, Craig’s presence at the ceremony highlighted the strong bonds formed in CTE classrooms—where students are supported not just as learners, but as future professionals and people.
This special recognition shows the lasting impact of hands-on instruction, trust, and encouragement. Way to go, Ava—and way to make a difference, Craig!
Recent Stories:
What happens when educators from different schools and communities get in the same room? Ideas travel. Questions get bigger. Practice gets stronger. Recent professional learning opportunities in early childhood literacy and secondary mathematics show how collaboration helps knowledge move across classrooms, schools and communities throughout the Ingham ISD service area.
Seven Wilson Talent Center students are taking their engineering and construction skills beyond the classroom through the ACE Mentor Program at Mayotte Group Architects. Over 15 weeks, they’ll explore careers across the building industry while tackling a real-world design challenge: creating a brand-new elementary school.




