Career Technical Education Pathways (CTE)
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Helix EDGE - Career Pathways (CTE)
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Helix EDGE (Explore, Develop, Gain, Earn) is our career pathway program and is part of the Career Technical Education (CTE) program. The four pathways offer students the opportunity to take a series of classes that relate to a specific course of study and that lead directly to high-need, high wage, high-skill careers. The rigorous and relevant career and technical pathways are designed to connect high school classes to college, industry certifications and/or a career. This may help spark interest in a specific subject as a hobby, degree program or a future profession. We also integrate real-world educational activities, clubs, networking events, presentations from leaders in the field and more to create a well-rounded pathway program.
We are always looking for people to get involved and enrich our program and there are a number of ways to do that. You could attend a networking event, be a guest speaker or classroom judge, sponsor a scholarship and more. See the menu in the left nav of this page (or from a mobile device, click on the drop down arrow in the heading) to get involved!
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Environmental Sustainability-- NEW!
Our Classes
- Environmental Science & Sustainability 1C/2C– Concentrator Course (G-Elective)
- Environmental Science & Sustainability 3C/4C – Capstone Course (G-Elective)
- Exploring Sustainability 1C/2C - Intro Course (G-Elective)
- Electives:
- Environmental Justice Lit
- Environmental Policy
- Oceangraphy 1C/2C
- Contemporary Issues in Natural Resources (BIOL 112)
- Clubs:
- Environmental Club
- Student Office for Sustainability
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Patient Care
Our Program
- Helix has one of the most accredited and comprehensive Sports Medicine / Patient Care programs in the state. We have a state of the art space that is fully equipped with e-stim, ultrasound, rehabilitation equipment, whirlpools, concussion screening and baseline equipment (BTRACKS), and diagnostics tools.
- We have three nationally certified athletic trainers on campus, two of which are full-time employees of the school. We provide medical care after school every day for all athletes, no matter their sport or level of competition. We also provide medical coverage for most athletic competitions on campus.
- We have comprehensive emergency action plans, concussion and covid protocols, heat and lightning action plans, as well as Sudden Cardiac Arrest and Infections Disease policies. We baseline test all of our athletes so we are able to properly care for any concussions that arise. We also provide physicals on campus three times a year.
- We are proud to have partnered with PLNU and SDSU to provide educational opportunities for college Athletic Training students.
Our Classes
- Introduction to Sports Medicine – Concentrator Course (G-Elective)
- Advanced Sports Medicine – Capstone Course (G-Elective) (Medical Assistant Certification by exam)
- Anatomy & Physiology - Intro Course (G-Elective)
- Club: Aspiring Medical Professionals Club
Our Team
Kathryn Welch, MEd, MA, ATC
- Alumnus of Helix High
- Kinesiology, Athletic Training Degree from Penn State University
- Nationally certified Athletic Trainer
- Masters in Sport Management from University of San Francisco
- Masters in Education and Teaching Credential from National University
- In 15th year at Helix
- Former Director of the San Diego Sports Medicine Foundation
Andie Jimenez, MA, ATC
- Kinesiology, Athletic Training Degree from PLNU
- Nationally certified Athletic Trainer
- Masters in Education and Teaching Credential from PLNU
- In 8th year at Helix
Gabe Saltzman, ATC
- Helix Alumnus
- SDSU Graduate
- Former NFL Athletic Training Intern
Marisa Elbers, Mental Performance Coach
Awards
- National Athletic Trainers Association, Safe Sport School Award - This is a national award that assesses the services we provide to our students and our standard of care. We are one of only three schools in San Diego County to ever receive this award!
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Business Entrepreneurship
Our Classes
- Introductory Courses (Optional)
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- World History (Economics Focus)
- Marketing
- Concentrator Courses (Required)
- Elementary Accounting (Business 109) Dual Enrollment
- English for Business (BoT 110) Dual Enrollment
- Capstone Course
- Empowering Entrepreneurship
- Economics
- Club: Honeycomb by EDGE Business/Entrepreneurship
Program Highlights
- PAID Work! Join the Honeycomb Team
- Team Building (Field Trips, Escape Rooms)
- Dreams and Ducats Collaboration
- Slalom Consulting Strategic Partnership
- Networking Training
- Build Their OWN Business
- Hand-on Experiences and Training
Honeycomb
Honeycomb is the student-run business which is part of the business pathway. The students in this class learn accounting and business skills by applying them to a real-world business. They learn to use the equipment, create marketing plans, take orders, graphic design, printing, and record-keeping.
Our Team
Amy Hull
- Helix Charter High School Teacher 10+ Years
- Social Science Credential
- MSFE Graduate Degree
- Adjunct Professor at Grossmont College
- Former Water Polo and Swim Coach
- Current Senior and 2nd Grade Parent
- Role in Pathway
- Accounting Instructor
- Empowering Entrepreneurship and Economics Instructor
- Pathway Lead
- ‘Teacher Mom’
Julio Torres
- Helix Edge Lab Facilitator for 6 years moving into a teacher role
- BS in Computer Engineering
- Role in Pathway
- Technology Instructor
- Edge Lab
- Website Development
- Silkscreening
- Embroidery
- Digital Design
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Education
Our Classes
- Foundations & Cultural Perspectives of Teaching & Learning 1/2 – Concentrator Course, ED200
- Foundations & Cultural Perspectives of Teaching & Learning 3/4 – Capstone Course CD 153
- Child Development – Intro Course (G-Elective) CD124
- Club: Educators Rising Club
Our Team
Eric Ginsberg
Eric Ginsberg leads our Education Pathway and has been a faculty member in the San Diego State University School of Teacher Education (STE) for the past 13 years, Ginsberg has also taught English at Helix Charter High School in La Mesa for the past 22 years. In 2019, he was one of the teachers who launched a California Department of Education-funded program at Helix to form a future educator pathway to engage and equip students interested in the teaching profession. In the wake of a year of virtual instruction wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic, Ginsberg was eager to give his aspiring educators a real-life experience they would always remember. A field trip to his other campus turned out to be just the thing. “Through Helix Charter’s pathway, we want to help foster the development of a next generation of educators — especially at a time when the shortage of both substitute teachers and credential teachers is so dire,” Ginsberg said. “So we brought our community of future educators to the SDSU community of teacher education. It felt like it was an opportune moment to show them higher ed. I wanted to show them where they could be headed with careers in education.”
Above is an excerpt from the following article written by Michael Klitzing. Full article can be found here: http://sdsucoenews.blogspot.com/2021/12/local-high-school-students-get-taste-of.html
Amanda Dolphin
Mrs. Amanda Dolphin has worked at Helix Charter for 17 years as a French teacher, is the LOTE Department Chair, and has been a lecturer at USD in the Division of Professional and Continuing Education for the past 7 years. She is so excited to work in the Education CTE Program at Helix and help Helix students begin their journey to becoming effective educators!
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Biotechnology
Our Program
Biotechnology pathway students learn about biological concepts from the perspective of the biotechnology industry. Students have opportunities to apply the theories that they learn to a variety of lab experiences that mirror that type of work currently being performed within the industry. Students also begin to develop and refine a variety of workplace skills.
Our Classes
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Biotechnology 1C/2C
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Biotechnology 3C/4C
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Technology for Biology
Our Team
Our Biotechnology pathway is led by Dr. Kristina Mitchel & Melanie Harrington.
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