Taylor ISD has tapped a new Career Technical Education (CTE) Specialist to spearhead the district’s career‑readiness programs, including leading the brand new CTE wing at Taylor High School, to build on the district’s successes.

Veteran Taylor ISD educator Steven Vigil will transition from leading Taylor Middle School to steering district‑wide CTE efforts. He will align programs with student and family needs, sharpen program oversight, and grow partnerships with industry and community leaders to open more career doors for Taylor ISD students.

This role will work closely with Taylor High School, Legacy Early College High School, and Taylor MS to increase student engagement, family outreach, and alignment of CTE offerings across the district.

Vigil will be vital to the growing CTE program that already has ten career pathway offerings. Throughout his 15 years with Taylor ISD, Vigil played a pivotal role in transitioning Legacy ECHS to a full-day early college model, served as an assistant principal at Taylor HS where he worked closely with the CTE department for five years before transitioning to Taylor MS principal.

“We are excited to add this position at a critical time for our CTE program, when student interest is rising and our programs are growing. Tasked with expanding flagship alliances, like our Samsung partnership, this position will centralize programs that connect students with meaningful careers right after graduation. The role will also scale our offerings so students have CTE experiences from middle school on, building the program of the future,” Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Garcia-Edwardsen said. “Steven Vigil has grown with Taylor ISD for more than 15 years. He knows our students and families well, having served at three campuses. We’re excited to bring someone into this position who already has experience in our district and with our CTE program.”

As Taylor ISD prepares to launch its state-of-the-art Electronics Technology Pathway with Samsung, this role will be essential to inform students and families about the unique opportunity they have in the growing semiconductor industry right here in Taylor, TX.

The role is funded in large part by Samsung grant funds, allowing Taylor ISD to create a robust CTE program that benefits students not just interested in the semiconductor industry, but those interested in culinary and hospitality, automotive technology, healthcare, veterinary sciences, welding, and other pathway offerings.

Outside of course coordination and family engagement, Vigil will connect with existing CTE and workforce partners, including Samsung, Temple College, Texas State Technical College, and many more to further develop opportunities available to our students as the school district serves an increasingly growing student population in Central Texas.

“Our students are already learning skills needed in high-demand fields, and this role will further ensure our students are future-ready right here in Taylor by equipping and empowering them to step confidently into a career or college campus once they graduate,” said Dr. Garcia-Edwardsen.