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