Billy J. Carroll CTE Leadership

08/31/2026

One of the things I enjoy most about Career & Technical Education is seeing learning move beyond the classroom.

Our September issue of Tech Times highlights several examples of that happening across Moss Point CTE from Culinary Arts students serving our community, to Welding students creating a special piece for the Rotary Club of Moss Point’s 99th anniversary, to FFA students launching a new fishing club, and Business Marketing & Finance students gaining practical banking experience with a community partner.

These opportunities may look different, but they all support the same goal: giving students meaningful experiences that help connect what they are learning today with where they can go tomorrow!

As CTE leaders, our work is not only about programs, equipment, certifications, or test scores. It is also about creating opportunities, building partnerships, and helping students see possibilities for themselves.

I’m proud of the work taking place at the Moss Point Career & Technical Education Center and grateful for the teachers and community partners who continue to make these experiences possible. Take a look at our September issue of Tech Times and see some of our students at work!

08/28/2026

Some weeks remind you that leadership is rarely just one thing. This week included spending time in classrooms, encouraging our staff to keep building relationships with students, celebrating the work happening in our programs, and welcoming the Rotary Club of Moss Point as they celebrated 99 years of service to our community.

There were meetings, emails, plans, problems to solve, and plenty of things happening behind the scenes too. 😂 But at the end of the week, the part that matters most is knowing that all of that work is connected to creating better opportunities for students.

That’s one thing I’m continuing to learn about leadership: the big results usually come from being consistent with the small things every day. Another week in CTE is in the books. Keep building!

08/27/2026

Today, we had the opportunity to welcome the Rotary Club of Moss Point to the Moss Point Career and Technical Education Center as they celebrated an incredible 99 years of service to our community!

One of the things I enjoy most about CTE is building relationships with organizations that care about our students and the community we serve.

Partnerships like this go far beyond hosting an event. They help connect our students and programs with community leaders, create opportunities for service and mentorship, and remind our students that the skills they are learning can make a difference right here at home.

We were honored to be a small part of today's celebration and look forward to continuing to strengthen our relationship with the Rotary Club of Moss Point.

Congratulations on 99 years of service!

08/26/2026

08/25/2026

A lot of the work that goes into building strong CTE programs happens outside the classroom too. The MS ACTE Summer Conference in Biloxi was a great opportunity to learn from other CTE educators, share ideas, make connections, and take a closer look at what is happening across Career & Technical Education in Mississippi.

One thing I’ve learned in leadership is that you can’t expect your programs to keep growing if you stop growing yourself. Conferences like this give us a chance to step away from the day-to-day work, learn something new, and come back with fresh ideas that can help our teachers and students.

And getting to do it alongside a great group of CTE educators makes it even better! The goal is always the same: keep learning, keep improving, and keep creating better opportunities for students!!

08/21/2026

CTE in the news!

The high school vocational centers of the past are long gone, but the mission of preparing high school students for future careers has never been stronger. And as they say, if you aren’t first, you are last, and there can only be one first place winner.

08/21/2026

One of our goals this school year is simple: be intentional about building rapport with our students.

Relationships don’t replace good teaching, high expectations, or accountability, but they make all three more effective.

Students are more likely to ask questions, take risks, accept correction, and work hard when they know the adults in the room genuinely care about them and want to see them succeed.

Building rapport doesn’t have to be complicated. Learn their names. Ask how they’re doing. Notice when something seems off. Celebrate the small wins. Show up consistently. Let students know that they are more important then the grade they earn in your class.

As leaders and educators, we can’t assume relationships will just happen. We have to make time for them and be intentional about building them.

Sometimes the strongest connection to a student begins with something as simple as, “How are you doing today?”

08/19/2026

This is one of those stories that reminds me why CTE matters…

Jerrick Dubose graduated from Moss Point High School in 2017. While at MPHS, he completed multiple Project Lead The Way and Engineering courses at the Moss Point Career & Technical Education Center.

Jerrick says those experiences gave him an early introduction to the world of engineering. By the time he reached college, many of the terms, hardware, software, and problem-solving skills he encountered were already familiar. That foundation gave him confidence as he worked through challenging college courses and even helped some of his college classmates along the way!

And he certainly didn't stop there!

Jerrick went on to Mississippi State University, where he earned:

🎓 B.S. in Computer Engineering
🎓 Minor in Business Information Systems
🎓 M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Today, Jerrick works full-time as an Electronics Engineer with the US Air Force Civil Engineers. His journey with USAFCE actually began as a college intern in 2020 and eventually led to a full-time engineering career.

His next goal? Becoming a Professional Engineer!

This is what we mean when we talk about creating pathways for students.

A CTE class may be where a student first discovers an interest, learns a skill, or realizes, I can actually do this. Years later, that experience can become part of a college degree, a career, and an entirely different future!

Jerrick, I’m proud of everything you’ve accomplished, and I’m excited to see where the journey takes you next! By the way - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

This is why CTE matters!!

08/19/2026

The Moss Point Career and Technical Education Center is celebrating a major accomplishment.

08/19/2026

My journey in education didn’t start in an administrative office. It started in the classroom.

For 15 years, I had the opportunity to teach students in areas like engineering, computer science, and technology. Those years taught me a lot, not only about teaching, but about students, relationships, expectations, and the difference a good program can make in a young person’s life!

Eventually, my journey took me from the classroom into Career & Technical Education leadership.

Today, I have the opportunity to serve as a Director of Career & Technical Education and work in workforce development. My role looks a lot different than it did when I was teaching every day, but the purpose really hasn’t changed!

It’s still about students!!! It’s about creating opportunities, supporting teachers, building strong programs, connecting schools with industry, and helping students see that there are many different paths to a successful future.

I’m grateful for where this journey has taken me, but I’m also grateful that I spent so many years in the classroom first. Those experiences continue to shape the way I lead today.

There’s still a lot to learn, a lot of work to do, and a lot of opportunities to create. And I’m excited about what’s ahead!