On this episode of Career High, host Jeremy Smith talks with Brad Jones, Principal of Seaman High School in the Seaman School District near Topeka, Kansas. Brad shares what makes Seaman feel like a small town inside a large school, and how the district builds career connected learning through hands-on programs, internships, and real world partnerships.
Brad explains that Seaman is a blue collar, hard working community where many families and staff are multi generation graduates. The school anchors its identity in the “3 A’s” Academics, Arts, and Athletics. He also shares one of Seaman’s most unique features. It is home to the oldest high school bank in the nation, established in 1927, where students can open accounts and learn how money works through a real bank environment.
Brad also shares a standout leadership move. He created a “Be a Kid Again” professional development day where students taught teachers in CTE and elective classrooms. Teachers rotated through sessions like welding, ceramics, drumline, and floriculture. The goal was to break silos, elevate student voice, and help staff see learning from the student seat again.
Key Moments
04:22 Why a student bank matters
06:41 Floriculture and real event work
08:32 "Career Paths vs. Reality"
11:33 "Career Insights Through Reflection"
15:39 Encouraging Conversation Over Cellphones
18:30 "Phone Etiquette and Practice"
21:24 "Embracing Career Flexibility"
23:48 "Connections Shape Career Paths"
26:25 “Tradition is peer pressure from dead people”
28:22 "Teachers Learning Outside the Box"
Why You’ll Love This Episode
This conversation is full of practical ideas that are easy to apply. You will hear how Seaman builds career exploration into the school day, how real partnerships create real options, and how student-led learning can strengthen culture for both kids and adults. Brad also offers a refreshing reminder. Students do not need to have it all figured out. They just need chances to try.
About Career High By Pega6
Career High is the podcast that spotlights principals transforming high schools into launchpads for real-world success through career-connected learning, industry partnerships, and innovative pathways.