Gallup-McKinley County Schools Hosts Experiential Site Visit Showcasing College, Career, and Civic Readiness Initiatives

GALLUP, NM, UNITED STATES, October 31, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Gallup-McKinley County Schools (GMCS) recently hosted an Experiential Site Visit (ESV) for educators from across New Mexico and the nation, highlighting the district’s innovative College, Career, and Civic Readiness (CCCR) initiatives. The two-day event showcased GMCS’s strategies for integrating Career and Technical Education (CTE) with core academics to foster student engagement, belonging, and post-secondary readiness.

The visit featured classroom walkthroughs and student-led tours at Miyamura High School, Tohatchi High School, Ramah High School, McKinley Academy, and the Occupational Career Center. Guests were welcomed during an evening reception at the Hilton Garden Inn, where district leaders and community partners celebrated GMCS’s collaborative approach to student success.

Local partners—including DePauli Engineering and Surveying, Gallup Police Department, UNM-Gallup, and the City of Gallup Golf Course—were recognized for their active support of GMCS’s work-based learning programs. “We are committed to helping students gain valuable work experience in their related career pathways to help set them up for career success,” shared Sergeant N. Martinez-Collins from Gallup P.D.

On the first morning, district leaders outlined GMCS’s transformation into a sustainable Linked Learning model that connects classroom instruction with real-world experience. One visiting educator commented, “The integration from curriculum to community involvement demonstrated GMCS’s commitment to real-world preparation. Confident student ambassadors and engaged staff highlighted the district’s collaborative environment.”

At Miyamura High School, teachers demonstrated the “Schools of” model, organizing instruction into four career pathways with four-course sequences, cross-curricular projects, and end-of-year showcases highlighting student achievement. This approach blends academic and technical instruction, ensuring students gain both foundational knowledge and industry-specific skills essential for college and career success.

Ramah and Tohatchi High Schools showcased how smaller campuses can adapt the pathway model through their School of Business theme. Teachers integrate the district’s Graduate Profile and core values into instruction, guiding students in both academic and personal development. One visitor remarked, “The single-theme approach fosters coherence and relevance, especially in a smaller school environment.”

Throughout the visit, student ambassadors led tours, sharing their experiences and career goals. Their leadership reflected the district’s focus on equipping students with real-world skills, practical experience, and a strong sense of community connection.

Through collaboration with UNM-Gallup and Navajo Technical University, GMCS also offers dual credit programs, allowing students to earn college credits while in high school. These pathways prepare students for higher education and the workforce, positioning them competitively for future success.

Superintendent Mike Hyatt shared, “What makes Gallup-McKinley County Schools stand out is our community’s shared commitment to our students’ futures. The Experiential Site Visit demonstrates how we are connecting classrooms, careers, and communities to create opportunities that last a lifetime. Our students are the heartbeat of this work, and their success continues to inspire everything we do.”

Gallup-McKinley County Schools continues to emerge as a model district in New Mexico—advancing sustainable student success through the integration of CTE and academics, work-based learning, and strong community partnerships.

Jvanna Hanks
Gallup-McKinley County Schools
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