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Student Success Stories

Tori Shane

A man with short dark hair and a beard sits at a desk with pencils, a calendar, and office supplies. Counselor and the name Shane are visible on a desk sign. White string lights hang in the background.

Tori credits their CTE experiences for preparing them not just academically, but personally and professionally.

“My CTE experience prepared me for life as a whole. When I entered college, I felt ahead of my peers— I already understood the coursework and the standards.”

Smyrna High School Graduate

Class of 2015

Introduction

Tori Shane, a 2015 Smyrna High School graduate, serves as a School Counselor at ASPIRA Charter High School. Their journey into education began through the Early Childhood Education (ECE) pathway, led by educator Valerie Coll. What started as a scheduling coincidence became a defining experience that shaped Tori’s career and commitment to helping young people.

CTE Journey

Placed in the Early Childhood Education pathway by chance, Tori quickly discovered their passion for teaching and mentorship. Over four years, they completed all five pathway levels while earning six college credits and their Assistant Preschool Teacher Certification. As the first student to pilot the courses at Smyrna High School, Tori helped design experiences for future students, completed over 600 volunteer hours at Tender Loving Kare, and earned two Silver medals at the Delaware FCCLA State Conference.

Career Impact

Tori earned an Associate of Arts in Early Care & Education, a Bachelor of Science in Early Care & Education Studies, and a Master of Education in Secondary School Counseling. Their excellence has been recognized with Educational Support Professional of the Year at Smyrna High School and Intern of the Year (2025) from the Delaware School Counseling Association.