CTE teacher Ellen Strahan goes above and beyond to be a mentor inside and outside the classroom.
In 2013, Strahan started the business class and participated in Skills USA along with placing numerous times at the regional, state, and national levels. In 2020, she took over work based learning.
When in the classroom, she still teaches Work Based Learning (WBD). She works with juniors and seniors to get them a job and mentors them to be successful employees.
“I kinda do a little interview before sending them into the workforce because I know what the employers are looking for,” Strahan said.
Every Monday the students meet in her classroom to talk about how everything is going at their jobs and anything else she can help them with.
“I help get the students ready for the workforce,” Strahan said.
Strahan builds relationships with the employers, as well, so they can work together to help the students be the best they can be.
Not only does Strahan build relationships with students at school, she is a wedding coordinator outside of school, so she builds relationships with the bride and groom, as well as their families. She ensures that their day is stress free and they have the best day ever as she calls her business “Be My Guest”. She has been coordinating weddings and other events for 15 plus years. She mainly focuses on being there the day of to make the flow easier on everyone. The work starts months in advance so she can talk to the DJ and other people to make sure everyone is on track the day of.
Strahan is also a realtor at Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Traditions, with her husband Glen Strahan. She says they are a real estate team. Strahan enjoys helping people look for houses and find their dream homes. She also enjoys meeting new people and becoming their friends. Strahan wants her clients to be pleased with her services she has provided.
“I want them to refer me to their family and friends. A referral is the best compliment,” Strahan said.
Along with all of that, Strahan is also the George, Green Baptist Association Bible Drill Director.
Outside of work she gets to spend time with her husband at home and also her four children, eight grandchildren, and one great grandchild.
At the end of the day, Strahan wants to know she did the best she could have possibly done.
“At the end of the day I want to know I have done my best whether it was for the employer or student and that they will have learned something from me. As a realtor and wedding coordinator, I give them the best of what they need of me,” Strahan said.
A couple mottos that Strahan lives by are “No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, show up, and never give up” and “Broken Crayons still COLOR.”
