Adam Pearish may be fairly new to Career and Technical Education (CTE), but he has jumped in with both feet to improve outcomes for the 12 school districts served by Area 31 Career Center in Indianapolis, where he works as a counselor.
“Career and Technical Education is important to me because it provides students with the tools they need to be successful in life,” says Adam. “Whether they enroll in a post-secondary institution, secure employment in the workforce, or enlist in the Armed Forces, the skills they learn in their CTE program translate far beyond the classroom.”
Since becoming the NTHS advisor at Area 31 last year, Adam has doubled the size of their chapter. By sharing the benefits of NTHS, he saw an enthusiastic response from students eager to be part of the organization. He notes that students enjoy being recognized for their hard work and value the sense of belonging NTHS brings to campus.
“Adam is one of the biggest CTE advocates I know,” says his nominator, NTHS Partnership Manager Teresa Mankin. “He works so hard for his students. His enthusiasm is infectious, and he genuinely cares about these kids. They are lucky to have Mr. Pearish in their corner.”
Adam’s advice for students is to never stop learning and refining their craft. “The skills you learn today will be with you forever, so immerse yourself now and enjoy the time with your peers and instructors.”
Outside of his work at Area 31, Adam loves spending time with his family. His husband, an assistant principal, shares his passion for education, making it a frequent topic of conversation in their home. Adam also enjoys cooking, baking, traveling, and spending time with his Corgi/Aussie mix, Freddie.