Since the inception in 2018, the five public school districts in St. Charles County have been bringing the CAPS Associates together to learn and develop professional skills and guiding principles to give them real-world preparedness. Over 1.5 million young adults graduate from US colleges every year, yet 14 million jobs requiring these skills and principles will go unfilled over the next ten years.


Our Guiding Principles

Below are five key guiding principles that unite, define, and guide the caps experience:

  1. Profession-based Learning

    Instructors develop real-world, project-based learning strategies through collaborations with business and community partners. These interactions enhance the learning experience, preparing students for college and career.

  2. Responsiveness

    CAPS supports high-skill, high-demand careers through ongoing innovation in curriculum development, programs and services based on local business and community needs.

  3. Self-Discovery and Exploration

    Students realize their strengths and passions by exploring and experiencing potential professions. This allows them to make informed decisions about their future, while learning to exhibit leadership.

  4. Professional Skills Development

    Unique experiences allow students to cultivate transformative professional skills such as understanding expectations, time management and other essential business values. These skills are critical to providing students a competitive advantage in their post-secondary education and professional careers.

  5. Entrepreneurial Mindset

    Instructors create an environment where creative thinking and problem solving is encouraged. An innovative culture is key to fostering entrepreneurial learning and design thinking.


Our Mission and Vision

Mission

Empower students to discover their mission.

Vision

To immerse St. Charles County high school students in professional environments through an engaging curriculum that is driven by passionate industry leaders and delivered by visionary instructors, providing students with invaluable experiences and insights to guide their future studies and careers. CAPS graduates will have highly developed professional skills and a competitive advantage in post-secondary endeavors.

CAPS students being presented new electronic equipment in a classroom

Staff

Administration

Erica Land

St. Charles County CAPS Director
erica.land@scccaps.org
636-443-4077

Katie Cannavan

CEA Coordinator
katie.cannavan@scccaps.org
636-443-4952

Instructors

Daniel Sacre

Healthcare
daniel.sacre@scccaps.org

John Omoresemi

Technology/Engineering
john.omoresemi@scccaps.org

Dr. Dan Tripp

Business
dan.tripp@scccaps.org

Brooke Theodorakos

Healthcare
brooke.theodorakos@scccaps.org

Meet our Board Members

Dr. Wade Steinhoff

Chair
Superintendent of Orchard Farm School District

Susan Sams

Vice Chair
Owner of SAMS Carpenting

Brian Bishop

Member
Superintendent of Wentzville School District

Rene Cope

Member
Executive at Boeing

Scott Drachnik

Member
President/CEO of Economic Development Center of St. Charles County

Dr. Paul Myers

Member
Superintendent of Fort Zumwalt School District

Dr. Kenneth Roumpos

Member
Superintendent of Francis Howell School Distict

Dr. Jason Sefrit

Member
Superintendent of City of St. Charles School District

Jerry Stauder

Member
Owner of Stauder Technologies

Ex-Officio Members

Dr. Katie Brettschneider

Assistant Superintendent of Wentzville School District

Dr. Connie Buckman

Assistant Superintendent of Francis Howell School District

Dr. Earl Draper

Assistant Superintendent of City of St. Charles School District

Dr. Jennifer Waters

Assistant Superintendent of Fort Zumwalt School District

Keith Klostermann

Assistant Superintendent of Orchard Farm
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CAPS Network

The CAPS Network is a 501c3 nonprofit organization focused on paving the education-to-employment path through profession-based learning. Programs that affiliate with the CAPS Network share best practices and connections with professional partners, post-secondary institutions, teachers and students.