Redefining Success: Career, College, and Community at Dover Area School District
In this episode, host Julian Fitzgerald sits down with Emily Miller, the newly appointed Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE) at Dover Area School District in Pennsylvania. With a unique background spanning corporate America, classroom teaching, and now CTE leadership, Emily shares her passion for creating real-world pathways to success for students of all ambitions.
From the urgent demand for skilled electricians and partnerships with major employers, to hands-on projects like student-built submarines and the changing face of vocational ed, Emily gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how her district is connecting students, community, and industry. Whether you’re an educator, policymaker, parent, or simply someone interested in the future of education, this conversation is packed with practical insight, and inspiration about what it takes to prepare the next generation for thriving careers in both traditional trades and emerging tech fields.
Key Moments:
05:44 Hands-On Skills Boost Engineering Careers
07:31 Early Career Opportunities in Digital Entertainment
10:33 Community Service Through CTE Partnerships
15:02 Flexible CTE Course Selection
18:22 Career Shift to Education Reform
19:49 Evolving Views on Vocational Training
22:32 Alternative Pathways to Success
26:07 "Pathways to Success After High School"
30:36 Dover CTE Best Practices Insight
33:50 Expanding CTE Programs Vision
35:58 AI's Role and Human Necessity
41:33 Comprehensive Education for Innovation
44:12 Promoting Collaborative Career Education
Why You’ll Love This Episode:
If you’ve ever questioned how schools can expand real opportunities for every student, this episode with Emily Miller will resonate deeply. As Dover Area School District’s new CTE director, Emily shares how hands-on learning. Whether it’s building submarines, designing with CAD, or earning industry certifications, gives students confidence and purpose beyond graduation. You’ll hear about powerful partnerships with local employers, career signing days, and the balance between traditional trades and future-focused fields like cybersecurity and AI. Emily’s perspective blends practical solutions with inspiring stories of students finding their path, showing how CTE can truly transform lives. Whether you’re an educator, employer, or parent, this conversation will open your eyes to what future-ready education looks like.
Connect with Emily Miller:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-miller-4489826/
Company Website: https://www.doversd.org/
Connect with Us:
Host’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julian-fitzgerald-r-471155149
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cxmmunity
Company Website: https://www.cxmmunityfoundation.org/
This conversation is a blueprint for how education can actually meet the moment.
Subscribe to District Dialogue wherever you get your podcasts to hear from the educators and innovators shaping the future of learning.
Thanks for tuning in and welcome to the dialogue.
From the urgent demand for skilled electricians and partnerships with major employers, to hands-on projects like student-built submarines and the changing face of vocational ed, Emily gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how her district is connecting students, community, and industry. Whether you’re an educator, policymaker, parent, or simply someone interested in the future of education, this conversation is packed with practical insight, and inspiration about what it takes to prepare the next generation for thriving careers in both traditional trades and emerging tech fields.
Key Moments:
05:44 Hands-On Skills Boost Engineering Careers
07:31 Early Career Opportunities in Digital Entertainment
10:33 Community Service Through CTE Partnerships
15:02 Flexible CTE Course Selection
18:22 Career Shift to Education Reform
19:49 Evolving Views on Vocational Training
22:32 Alternative Pathways to Success
26:07 "Pathways to Success After High School"
30:36 Dover CTE Best Practices Insight
33:50 Expanding CTE Programs Vision
35:58 AI's Role and Human Necessity
41:33 Comprehensive Education for Innovation
44:12 Promoting Collaborative Career Education
Why You’ll Love This Episode:
If you’ve ever questioned how schools can expand real opportunities for every student, this episode with Emily Miller will resonate deeply. As Dover Area School District’s new CTE director, Emily shares how hands-on learning. Whether it’s building submarines, designing with CAD, or earning industry certifications, gives students confidence and purpose beyond graduation. You’ll hear about powerful partnerships with local employers, career signing days, and the balance between traditional trades and future-focused fields like cybersecurity and AI. Emily’s perspective blends practical solutions with inspiring stories of students finding their path, showing how CTE can truly transform lives. Whether you’re an educator, employer, or parent, this conversation will open your eyes to what future-ready education looks like.
Connect with Emily Miller:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-miller-4489826/
Company Website: https://www.doversd.org/
Connect with Us:
Host’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julian-fitzgerald-r-471155149
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cxmmunity
Company Website: https://www.cxmmunityfoundation.org/
This conversation is a blueprint for how education can actually meet the moment.
Subscribe to District Dialogue wherever you get your podcasts to hear from the educators and innovators shaping the future of learning.
Thanks for tuning in and welcome to the dialogue.
