Tina Schmucker, the assistant director of career and technical education at Wawasee High School, talks to a class of marketing students. A self-proclaimed marketing nerd, she enjoys helping students become more educated consumers. Photo by Lilli Dwyer.

By LILLI DWYER
Staff Writer

SYRACUSE — “I firmly believe education gives you more options in life. I also believe education does not have to include college. CTE programs train our youth to become skilled in their chosen profession.”

These are the words of Tina Schmucker, who serves as the assistant director of Wawasee High School’s Career and Technical Education program. CTE classes are designed to let students earn dual credits or industry-recognized certifications in fields like engineering, welding, auto mechanics and culinary arts, just to name a few.

Schmucker grew up in Goshen and graduated from Goshen High School in 1992. A first generation college student, she went on to earn a bachelor of science from Indiana University Kelley School of Business, where she discovered one of her passions.

“I was always interested in business and actually thought I wanted to study finance, but then fell in love with marketing. I’m a self-proclaimed marketing nerd,” she said.

After graduating from college in 1996, Schmucker worked in the marketing department at DePuy Orthopedics until 2005. “I loved the people and the environment,” she recalled, “but I realized after my son was born that I needed to make a change. Everyone — except my husband — thought I was crazy for giving up such an amazing job to go into teaching but I took the leap. It has been a wild and crazy ride but I have not regretted the decision.”

Schmucker worked at her old school, Goshen High School, for 18 years. During that time, she also earned a masters degree in business education from Ball State University.

In her position at Goshen High School, Schmucker worked to place students in internships or match them with other opportunities that would help equip them for life after high school. She was well-prepared to take on the role of assistant director of CTE, which she accepted in May. She is responsible for supporting CTE students and staff, a job involving many different activities. Along with teaching, Schmucker helps students sign up for dual credit classes and provides career coaching. She also promotes the program’s offerings, visits partner schools to learn about their needs and develops opportunities for students to learn new skills.

Schmucker is also able to bring her love of marketing into her interactions with students because, she said, she sees it everywhere in everyday life.

“While watching a movie I see all the logos placed perfectly to sell products, the food they are eating, the places they visit,” she explained. “Well, except for the Taylor Swift movie that I saw this weekend. I noticed all the logos were removed from her dancers’ shoes. You better believe I’m sharing that with my students. No money, no free promotion. … I enjoy helping students realize how and why we respond to marketing so they can be more educated consumers.”

Overall, Schmucker said she has remained in the education field for so long because it is a rewarding experience for her.

“My most rewarding moments come from previous students who have achieved their goals in their career and take a moment to reach out to me and share their success story,” she said. “It usually comes with some version of ‘thanks for listening and believing in me.’ It’s so simple but so impactful.”

Outside of work, Schmucker enjoys spending time with her husband, her two children and their goldendoodle. She is also a runner and always planning her family’s next vacation spot, which usually includes a beach.