Students huddle around a computer in a classroom, their advisors-professional engineers from Microsoft-look over their shoulders. The students are diagramming plans for a robot. In the coming weeks, they will build the robot from scratch and run it through the paces of the exercise it will perform in regional and national competition.

"I like building robots. It's really fun," says junior Anthony Lilleburg, "You don't know anything about it when you start. We learn as we go. The mentors are just there to guide us. We're learning and creating."

Welcome to TEC High School, one of three small independent high schools on the Evergreen campus in White Center.

TEC is designed broadly around the concepts of technology, engineering, and communications. Though "tec" is in the name, it is definitely not a "technical school." TEC is a college-preparatory high school-and not one just for "computer nerds."

If you visit TEC classrooms, you will find students reading classic poetry aloud to their classmates, designing and constructing model buildings to demonstrate math skills, and working on learning projects in teams.

The students at TEC are a diverse bunch-not only in terms of culture and ethnicity, but in terms of career interests. There are students here that are interested in pursuing film-making, architecture, aerospace, marketing, and myriad other career fields. "Technology, engineering, and communications encompass more than most people know," says Principal Michael Sita. He reels off a long list of fields, from civil engineering to gaming, journalism and web design to environmental research. "I think an engineering or communications degree is the most useful, flexible, and lucrative degree a young person in the 21st Century can obtain," says Sita.

Junior Laurie Gonzales is considering a career in criminal justice or culinary arts. "I take Electronics and Principals of Engineering. I think actually that will help me in my career choice," she says.

Shelly Macer is a teacher for English Language Learner students at TEC. Most of her friends and family are in engineering or information technology fields so TEC seemed like a perfect fit for her. "I was very interested in working at a high school aimed at promoting engineering," she says. "Our students are stepping up to the challenge of being at a college-prep technology and engineering school. And our teachers are working overtime to create a positive, meaningful experience for students."

L to R: James Sok, a senior, celebrating his acceptance to Western Washington University with Ysidro Sanchez, Taylor Jackson, and Counselor Karen Kirchoff.

"Our teachers and our principal are VERY passionate about our kids learning and being prepared for college," echoes reading teacher Cynthia Traynor. Traynor tells about one of her students who started the year reading far below grade level. He hated reading, and at first resisted the class work. But by December, he began making progress. Recently, Traynor was assisting in another classroom when this young man raised his hand, volunteering to read aloud. "I about cried I was so proud!" she says. "He comes in every day now and gets right to work and is excited about reading."

Personalization and relationships are key characteristics of TEC. The school has only about 300 students, so teachers know their students as individuals. "I am lucky in that I have the daily opportunity to work with small groups of students, and really feel like I get to know and make connections with them," says instructional assistant Elaine Sauro.

"Our teachers hold students to high expectations and coach them to realize their aspirations," says Principal Sita. "We want each student to feel pride and self-confidence and to be fully prepared to imagine and pursue the most fantastic goals and dreams of their personal and professional lives."

Senior Mohamed Sambou is a prime example of what Sita is talking about. Sambou was just awarded a full-ride scholarship to Gonzaga University, where he will study mechanical engineering. "I found out about the scholarship from my counselor, and she told me to apply for it," says Sambou. "I'm very happy!" Sambou says his interest in technology drew him to TEC, and he likes that technology is emphasized in core academic classes.

The rallying cry at TEC is design, create, innovate. The idea behind the career theme is not to push teenagers to choose a career, but to allow them to explore interests and imagine possibilities that are very relevant to the new global economy. "We believe in the creative genius inside of every child," says Sita. "We want to help kids tap into their own imagination."

Left: Carey Gannaw Office Manager and Registrar, Right: Viki DiOrio Office Assistant		L to R: Student Lochelle Cox explains the modeling work being done in Introduction to Engineering with teacher Lindsey Duerre and Principal Michael Sita.