VITAL POLICY – Focus on Jefferson County CTE Education, Network Systems
Amazing would be a good starting point in the vocabulary terms needed to describe the Network Systems Program at Jefferson County High School. In looking at the overall program, it is obvious that it is not just a classroom-based experience for students. It is a complete real-world experience that challenges students with knowledge and hands-on applications.
The effectiveness of courses taught by Instructor Jeremy Dalton is made obvious by the level of success that students achieve in competition with other students at the region, state, and national levels. At these competitions, students are measured by a wide variety of challenging exercises designed by industry experts, all of which are designed to identify the best of the best.
When students walk into Dalton’s classroom, it is no ordinary environment. It consists of a Network Systems Training Lab, a student-built “Smart House” trainer, Computer Science, and MEPS area. MEPS is the acronym for Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Systems, a variety of systems that are now integrated and systematically controlled by networks.
“Through my Network Systems pathway, I can teach students relevant real-world skills. Students have the opportunity to master IT disciplines that will not be replaced by A.I. in the future. Areas of expertise gained include Computer technician, Help Desk, Internetworking, IOT, Cybersecurity, Telecommunication cabling, including fiberoptic. We stress the importance of soft skills and customer service, some of the most important aspects of any career. We are also proud to have produced 12 SkillsUSA state medalists and 5 SkillsUSA National medals in our 1st 2 years of competition. Our 2024 BXTN Electrical team places 3rd out of 20+ teams. This all-female team consisted of SkillsUSA telecommunications members and was led by Mattee Caldwell, the 2024 State winner.” – said Jeremy Dalton, Network Systems Instructor.
The training is anchored by 4 levels of coursework, Computer Science Foundations, Computer Systems, Networking / Dual Enrolment Networking, and Work-Based learning.
To see the extensive number of program standards required by the Tennessee Department of Education, a link is provided here. Information Technology
The student competitions, leadership training, soft skills, and hands on student contests are conducted by the student youth organization SkillsUSA and Builders Exchange of Tennessee.
Network Systems at Jefferson County High School is sponsored by industry stakeholders including 5 Rivers Communication and PDS Consulting, both of Morristown.
2024 Program accolades include the following.
1st place Internetworking: Devin Rivard
1st place IOT (Internet of Thinks /Smart House): Thomas Youse
1st place Telecommunication Cabling: Mattee Caldwell
Teacher Advisor Jeremy Dalton
1st place Computer Information Technology Services Eli Jones
1st place Cybersecurity (Team of 2) Sebastian DiGristine and Riley Chavez
From Jefferson County 2023 Gable Dunn Post Secondary IOT Champion (Pellissippi State) Teacher Adviser Jeremy Dalton
2nd place IOT (Internet of Thinks /Smart House): Thomas Youse
2023 SkillsUSA State Leadership Conference:
3rd place Computer Programming Thomas French
2st place Cybersecurity (Team of 2) Sebastian DiGristine and Riley Chavez
Teacher / Adviser Jeremy Dalton
1st place Telecommunication Cabling: Thomas Youse
1st place IOT (Internet of Thinks /Smart House)Gabe Dunn
1st place Internetworking: Kevin Lam
2023 SkillsUSA National Leadership Conference:
1st place Telecommunication Cabling: Thomas Youse
2nd place IOT (Internet of Thinks /Smart House): Gabe Dunn
3rd place Cybersecurity (Team of 2): Sebastian DiGristine and Riley Chavez
Network Systems sent an all-female team consisting of SkillsUSA telecommunications members and was led by Mattee Caldwell, the 2024 State Telecommunications winner. The Team places 3rd in the completion defeating many teams that concentrated on electrical path od study.
Builders Exchange of Tennessee 2024
Eric Sears
Marley Borden
Mattee Cladwell
Jeremy Dalton is in his fourth year of teaching at Jefferson County High School. The Career and Technical Education Department is under the expert direction of Missy Hayes.
