Four years ago, the Carroll County Area Technology Center was focused on rebuilding.
Today, it stands as the third-ranked ATC in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
The transformation didn’t happen through flashy initiatives or shortcuts. It happened in classrooms, one relationship at a time, led by teachers who believe their job is bigger than certifications and test scores.
The state’s rankings are based on clear measures of college and career readiness: the number of students participating in co-op placements, the number passing dual credit courses, and the number earning industry certifications in their chosen fields. By those standards, Carroll County’s students are outperforming most vocational schools across Kentucky.
One key difference, Brooks believes, is the teachers.
Every instructor at the Carroll County Area Technology Center is certified to teach at least one dual credit course, a rare distinction among the state’s 50 ATCs. Some teach multiple dual credit classes, giving students the opportunity to earn college credit before they graduate high school. The staff has also streamlined its co-op system, ensuring that students who secure jobs related to their coursework can seamlessly transition into meaningful, real-world experience.
Industry certifications have climbed steadily each year. Teachers continue to push themselves and their students, constantly refining their programs and raising expectations. “They’ve worked hard every single year and gotten better every single year,” Brooks said. “Most of them feel like they’re just getting started.”
Yet for Brooks, the numbers tell only part of the story.
“Per our mission statement since the beginning, character has been the focus,” he said. “I don’t want somebody to leave here and be an excellent welder but not be a good person. I’d rather you be a mediocre welder and learn to be a better person, be respectful, on time, someone who’ll be a good dad someday or whatever you choose to be.”
That philosophy has shaped the culture of the school.
Brooks arrived four years ago to a building that was essentially starting fresh. Every teacher has joined since he became principal. Instead of trying to “fix” anything overnight, he chose to observe, build relationships and clearly define a shared mission: make students better than they were when they walked in the door.
The teachers embraced that mission.
“They care about what they’re doing,” Brooks said.
Many of them took pay cuts to teach at the ATC. They collaborate, share advice, and celebrate each other’s students earning certifications. They hold high standards while balancing compassion for students who often come from difficult circumstances. They remind one another that their work is connected to something bigger than a paycheck.
“The difference between a great teacher and one who’s burned out is feeling like your work matters,” Brooks said. “They know this is important. Even if it only changes one or two kids.”
Beyond the classroom, the staff has strengthened partnerships with local businesses, colleges and community leaders, ensuring that when a student lists Carroll County ATC on a job application, it carries weight. The goal is not just employment, but a good reputation for both the school and its graduates.
“The more good people in the community, the better it gets,” Brooks said.
After two weeks of snow days delayed the announcement, Brooks finally gathered his staff for a small pizza celebration. Many thought they were being called in for trouble.
Instead, they learned they were part of something historic.
The ranking is icing on the cake for Brooks. The real success is found in the classrooms, where teachers are shaping not only welders, healthcare workers, business professionals and technicians. They’re helping shape good people.
Being third in the state isn’t the finish line for the ATC staff. It’s an accomplishment the staff is grateful for and its motivation to continue improving.