Area 18 Career & Technical Education is a collaboration of eight high schools across Adams, Wells, Jay, and Blackford counties. Area 18 offers students hands-on, career-focused learning experiences that prepare them for success in college, the workforce, and the military. Through partnerships with local schools and industries, Area 18 provides a diverse range of programs—from health sciences, engineering, and advanced manufacturing to education professions, welding, and computer science. Each pathway integrates rigorous academic instruction with real-world training, certifications, and dual-credit opportunities. This gives students a jump start on high-demand and high-wage careers. Whether students aspire to build, heal, code, serve, or lead, Area 18 equips students with the technical skills, professional knowledge, and confidence to succeed.
Vision
Provide cooperative school districts and students with support to grow Area 18 CTE Cooperative programming and opportunities for students’ career success.
Mission
Area 18’s mission is to serve all cooperating Districts equally and inclusively through Career and Technical Education programs.
Area 18 Administrative Board
Joel Mahaffey
Superintendent, Adams Central Community Schools
John Trout
Superintendent, Huntington County Community School Corporation
Mike Springer
Superintendent, Chair, Norwell Community Schools
Chad Yencer
Superintendent, Blackford County Schools
LTC (Ret.) Jeremy Gulley
Superintendent, Jay Schools Corporation
Michelle Clouser-Penrod
Superintendent, South Adams Schools
Dr. Brad Yates
Superintendent, LEA, Bluffton-Harrison MSD
Kimberly Hiatt
Superintendent, North Adams Community Schools
Dr. Trent Lehman
Superintendent, Southern Wells Community Schools