Wimberley Mac owner, Scott Baker, mentors Antonio Guel, a WHS student who is gaining meaningful experience in the high school’s practicum program, while Stephanie Breedyk, the CTE supervisor, looks on.
Wimberley Mac owner, Scott Baker, Antonio Guel, practicum student and Stephanie Breedyk, WHS teacher and the school’s practicum supervisor.
Business opens shop for WHS apprentice
Innovative opportunities for Wimberley High School students to learn and develop career-ready skills before graduation keep one teacher always thinking of new programs and collaborating with community members. Stephanie Breedyk, M.Ed., is the Career Technology Education Practicum Supervisor, and an energetic champion of high school students whose ambition takes them beyond classroom learning.
“Stephanie is amazing at pushing students to explore new opportunities and step out of their comfort zone,” said Scott Baker, owner of Wimberley Mac.
Baker, an Army Veteran, is an enthusiastic partner in the WHS Practicum program, making space, training, meaningful work and certification opportunities available to two WHS seniors, Antonio Guel and Ahron Arroyo. During this afternoon, Guel is on shift, quickly beginning work by emptying a trash can, checking the mail and even painting a new sign, along with greeting and helping customers.
“Mr. Baker has inspired me to start my own business someday. I have learned so much here, especially how to properly communicate with customers,” said Guel.
Guel admits he is timid and tends to be an introvert, so beyond the extraordinary experience of learning the inner workings of running a tech company, every day he becomes more comfortable with the daily interactions that are a requirement for his position at Wimberley Mac.
“I love it,” Guel said. “I really enjoy working on devices and making sure to help customers, so they can head home happy. Part of helping them is making sure I have communicated properly with them to understand their expectations and problems they may be having on their devices,” he added.
Guel’s contributions to Baker and his business get an A+.
“Antonio is truly an enigma for his young age. He comes in and finds things to do without any guidance. I am so excited that he is on my team here. He is definitely an asset and I’m confident that his strong work ethic combined with the experience and certifications we provide him, will set him on a path to success in whatever he chooses to do in the future,” said Baker.
The students will receive industry certifications—(ACMT) AppleCare Mac Certified Technician and AppleCare iOS Technician and (AMiT)—upon completion of the practicum, a hallmark of the program at WHS.
“Scott is the perfect example of how the CTE practicum program works at Wimberley High School. He provides students with their own space to work, positive role modeling and a very clear vision of what a career in the technology field looks like. He goes above and beyond in making this a productive and motivating experience for Antonio and Ahron,” said Breedyk.
Presently, 54 WHS students are learning and working in businesses in the area. Breedyk’s goal is to grow the program. She wholeheartedly welcomes local business, non-profit, government and other community leaders to partner with Wimberley ISDsurely propelling their workplace to a new level by investing in a WHS Texan student.