Cale’s Journey
Cale’s Journey: Classroom to Career
Cale's Journey: Classroom to Career
By M. Churchwell
With the right support, every student can reach their full potential.
- NADINE HANEFIELD, SERVICE CAREERS TEACHER
Cale Mackey loves dogs, and he loves school. Cale graduated from high school in 2020 and completed Nadine Hanefield’s Service Careers program at GPTC in 2023. Cale flourished in Mrs. Hanefield’s class where students learn and practice general housekeeping and custodial skills. According to Cale’s mother Jennifer, however, the most significant impact of the Service Careers program is the confidence and pride in his abilities Cale developed during his two years with Ms. Hanefield.
Cale has recently moved to an intermediate care facility for adults with developmental disabilities. He is thriving and has become interested in gaining more independence both financially and socially. Out of this desire the idea for Puppy Puppy Puppy by Cale was born. Puppy Puppy Puppy specializes in natural dog treats including cookies, pup cups, and jerky. They also have accessories and merchandise available. Cale works for the company and is closely involved in manufacturing, packaging, and delivery. This job combines Cale’s passion for animals, the skills he learned in his GPTC program, and his talent for building relationships.
Jennifer says Cale’s strong work ethic and desire for independence are a direct result of his relationship with Mrs. Hanefield. She says Mrs. H, as her students and families affectionately call her, has an unbelievable ability to motivate and encourage students to grow and improve. She and Cale’s father are immensely grateful to Mrs. H for seeing Cale’s potential and realizing he is capable of so much more than others may assume. They say because of the Service Careers program and Mrs. Hanefield’s influence, Cale has far more opportunities for independence and happiness than he would have had otherwise.
In the Service Careers program, among several essential objectives, students learn chemical safety, kitchen skills and safety, laundry services, and customer service. Cale has put all of these skills to use in his work with Puppy Puppy Puppy.
Cale is directly involved in creating the treats from preparation to creation and even clean up, including laundering the aprons and towels. When the treats are ready, Cale assembles and packages customer orders. Finally, he delivers orders to his furry friends and their families, which is by far his favorite part of his job. The joy is palpable as Cale greets and interacts with each of his four-legged customers and their owners.
Cale is naturally gifted at building relationships, and when combined with the practical and life skills he learned in his Service Careers program, he is a stellar employee. His mom says, “He is killing it!”
He is capable of so much more than most people realize. This program brought out all of his talents.
- JENNIFER MACKEY, CALE'S MOM
Cale’s story is a powerful example of how the right educational environment, combined with a dedicated teacher, can change lives. Through the skills he learned in the Service Careers program and the confidence he gained from Mrs. Hanefield’s mentorship, Cale has not only found a career he loves but also gained a sense of independence and pride in his abilities. Cale's mom says Mrs. Hanefield's influence even extends to the rest of his family. She says Cale made so much progress in his GPTC program that her eyes were opened to just how much he was capable of. This realization allowed her to step back and let Cale spread his wings.
Puppy Puppy Puppy by Cale is more than just a business—it’s a symbol of Cale's hard work, determination, and the impact that career tech education can have on students with special needs. Cale’s journey from the classroom to his career is an inspiration and a testament of Mrs. Hanefield's belief that "with the right support, every student can reach their full potential."
