Pathmakers: Stories of College, Career, & Everything in Between

Maryland State Department of Education

For decades, the educational narrative told students there was only one path to a successful life. Not anymore. Welcome to Pathmakers: Stories of College, Career, and Everything in Between, created by the Maryland State Department of Education. We will be showcasing the massive, systemic transformation of College & Career Pathways in Maryland. Hosted by Chuck Wallace, this series dives deep into how the state is breaking down the traditional walls between core academics, postsecondary education, and the workforce. We are moving beyond outdated silos to build a modern, flexible system where every student has the agency to choose their own adventure, whether that leads to a university, a registered apprenticeship, or directly into a high-wage, in-demand career. You will discover how Maryland is aligning classroom standards with real-world employer needs, ensuring that every student, no matter their zip code, graduates with a competitive advantage and a clear sense of purpose. Whether you are an educator rethinking the learning paradigm, an industry leader looking to build a local talent pipeline, or a parent navigating the modern skills-based economy for your child, this podcast is your guide. Subscribe to Pathmakers today, and join us as we chart a new path for every learner.

Episodes

  1. Jul 2

    Designing Automatic Access in Education

    Join Chuck Wallace on Path Makers as he unpacks the critical shift from compliance-driven monitoring to outcome-driven collaboration in Maryland Public Schools. In this episode, Chuck is joined by Jeff Wyatt and Dr. Tatum Williams, Performance Specialists from the Division of Special Education’s Secondary Transition team. Together, they break down the fundamental difference between simply tracking educational inequity and actively designing access so that all students—including those with disabilities—are automatically included in Career and Technical Education (CTE) and advanced academics. You’ll hear how embedding Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) into technical coursework, aligning advising practices, and fostering true interagency collaboration is empowering students to leave high school with real, industry-recognized credentials. If you are an educator, counselor, or school administrator looking to bridge the gap between special education and career readiness, this episode offers a practical blueprint for ensuring every student thrives. Be sure to like, subscribe, and leave a comment! Learn more at marylandpublicschools.org. Host: Chuck Wallace Guests: Jeff Wyatt, Secondary Transition Performance Specialist  and Dr. Tatum Williams, Secondary Transition Performance Specialist Time Stamps:  00:00 Intro 01:31 Shift from Monitoring to Design 03:30 What Designing Access Means 06:55 Aligning with Readiness Endorsements 09:40 The Post-Secondary Success Campaign 12:27 State Agencies Transition Collaborative 16:47 Counselors and Special Educators 20:19 Engaging Families with Clarity 22:45 Role of Career Connected Learning 26:49 Equipping CTE Educators 28:53 Career Coaches and Counseling 34:55 The Ultimate Operational Blueprint 37:21 Closing

  2. Jun 11

    Pathmakers Episode 2: Career Clusters Part 2 - Maryland’s New CTE Experience

    In Part 2 of our deep dive into Career Clusters, we move from the "why" to the "how." Host Chuck Wallace welcomes back Dan Hinderliter (Advanced CTE), Marquita Friday, Sally Irwin, and Scott Nichols to unpack Maryland's innovative CTE Flex Model. This new approach moves away from rigid, four-course sequences and empowers students to "choose their own adventure" based on their unique career goals. Listeners will discover how the new model uses two foundational core courses followed by flexible options like Advanced Placement (AP), Dual Enrollment, or "Career Connected Learning"—such as apprenticeships and school-based enterprises. The panel discusses how this shift not only increases student agency but also expands equity by freeing up program capacity. From "curriculum agnostic" standards to post-secondary crosswalks, learn how Maryland is building a system where every student can design a future that fits them. Host: Chuck Wallace, Coordinator of Career Technical Student Organizations, MSDE Guests: Dan Hinderliter, Associate Director, State Policy at Advance CTE  Marquita Friday, Director of School Support, MSDE  Sally Irwin, Coordinator of School Support, MSDE  Scott Nichols, Coordinator of School Support, MSDE Timestamps: 00:00 Intro and Recap  01:08 CTE Flex Model Explained  02:22 Choosing Your Adventure  03:55 Career Connected Learning  05:38 National Alignment and Personalized Pathways  08:25 Ensuring Equity and Consistency  11:19 Streamlining Local Implementation  13:12 Post-Secondary Crosswalks  15:15 Episode Recap and Closing

  3. Jun 4

    Pathmakers Episode 2: Career Clusters Part 1 - Future-Proofing Student Success

    In Part 1 of this two-part special, we explore the massive shift occurring in Career and Technical Education (CTE), both nationally and within Maryland. Host Chuck Wallace is joined by Dan Hinderliter from Advanced CTE, along with MSDE leaders Marquita Friday, Scott Nichols, and Sally Irwin, to discuss why the 2002 "iPod era" framework is being retired in favor of a modern, interdisciplinary approach. The group breaks down the move from rigid academic silos to dynamic "cluster groupings" that reflect the reality of the modern workforce. Listeners will learn why Maryland is streamlining over 80 programs down to 48 high-quality pathways, how "backwards mapping" from industry credentials ensures relevance, and why shifting from strict curriculum to flexible standards empowers local school systems. This episode lays the foundation for understanding how Maryland is ensuring every student graduates with a competitive advantage. Host:Chuck Wallace, Coordinator of Career Technical Student Organizations, MSDE Guests:Dan Hinderliter, Associate Director, State Policy at Advance CTE  Marquita Friday, Director of School Support, MSDE  Sally Irwin, Coordinator of School Support, MSDE  Scott Nichols, Coordinator of School Support, MSDE Timestamps:00:00 Podcast Intro and Welcome  01:27 Updating the National Framework  04:20 Breaking Down Career Silos  05:30 Cross-Cutting Career Clusters  08:40 Maryland’s 14 Clusters  09:58 Aligning to Industry Needs  11:32 Industry Recognized Credentials  14:06 Local Advisory Committees  16:39 Streamlining to 48 Programs  20:55 National Perspective on Maryland  22:20 Closing

  4. Apr 30

    The Blueprint for Career Success in Maryland

    In the inaugural episode of Pathmakers: Stories of College, Career, and Everything in Between, Maryland State Department of Education’s Assistant State Superintendent Richard Kincaid and Chief Growth Officer at Bluekit, Dr. Rick Fernandez explore the critical transformation of Career and Technical Education (CTE) in Maryland. They address the historical "disconnect" between traditional academic core subjects and career pathways, revealing how the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future is creating a single, connected set of opportunities for all students. By shifting from silos to a systems approach, educators can move beyond rigid scheduling to focus on student growth and agency. Listeners will learn how Maryland is positioning itself as a leader in the skills-based economy by aligning classroom standards with the real-time demands of industry. The conversation highlights the "gold standard" of registered apprenticeships and the importance of early career identity starting in kindergarten. By removing structural barriers, such as scheduling constraints and the "college-only" mindset, Maryland is ensuring that every student has an equitable path to a family-sustaining career. Host:Chuck Wallace, MSDE Coordinator Guests:Richard Kincaid, Assistant State Superintendent, Division of College and Career Pathways, MSDE Dr. Rick Fernandez, Chief Growth Officer, BlueKit Timestamps:00:00 Podcast Intro and Welcome 02:29 Defining the Change in Maryland 05:04 The Blueprint and Critical Reform 08:37 System Alignment and Innovation 14:20 AI Implementation and Critical Thinking 18:10 Re-centering the Educator’s North Star 22:58 Reframing College as a Pathway 27:30 Industry ROI and Value Propositions 32:53 Career Identity and Mentorship 36:47 Cross-cutting Sectors and Strategic Partnerships 41:59 Retiring Myths: CTE is Academic 43:29 Equity Guardrails: All Means All 46:52 Empowering Teachers through Externships

  5. Apr 24

    Pathmakers: Stories of College, Career, & Everything in Between Coming Soon!

    Our first episode goes live on Thursday April 30th!

  • 5 Episodes

About

For decades, the educational narrative told students there was only one path to a successful life. Not anymore. Welcome to Pathmakers: Stories of College, Career, and Everything in Between, created by the Maryland State Department of Education. We will be showcasing the massive, systemic transformation of College & Career Pathways in Maryland. Hosted by Chuck Wallace, this series dives deep into how the state is breaking down the traditional walls between core academics, postsecondary education, and the workforce. We are moving beyond outdated silos to build a modern, flexible system where every student has the agency to choose their own adventure, whether that leads to a university, a registered apprenticeship, or directly into a high-wage, in-demand career. You will discover how Maryland is aligning classroom standards with real-world employer needs, ensuring that every student, no matter their zip code, graduates with a competitive advantage and a clear sense of purpose. Whether you are an educator rethinking the learning paradigm, an industry leader looking to build a local talent pipeline, or a parent navigating the modern skills-based economy for your child, this podcast is your guide. Subscribe to Pathmakers today, and join us as we chart a new path for every learner.

Information