Plano ISD set to open Career & Technical Education Center in ’26-’27 school year
Toyota is helping to fund the center as part of its $250,000 investment in STEM education for Plano ISD
When Toyota Motor North America relocated its headquarters to Plano in 2014, it quickly partnered with Plano Independent School District to expand and strengthen science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. Toyota’s latest grant focuses on career and technical education, specifically STEM opportunities for high school students, with the goal of helping close the STEM skills gap.
“We invested more than $250,000 in cybersecurity and electrical engineering within the career and technical education space,” says Karlynda Brazeal, senior program coordinator in the Sustainable Development Division, Workforce Development. “In addition to the financial investment, we view this as a true partnership. We’ve leaned in to provide industry-informed expertise in these areas, particularly in curriculum development and course design.”
Plano ISD already offers a robust career and technical education program, but it’s about to expand significantly. Voters approved a $1.34 billion bond package in 2022 that included funding for a new, state-of-the-art Career & Technical Education (CTE) Center.
The two-story, 159,463-square-foot facility will serve students in grades 9–12, providing academic and technical training using real-world equipment and technology to prepare them for continued education and careers in essential and emerging industries.
Karen Buechman, director of CTE, is a 21-year veteran of the district. She began her career as an agricultural science teacher at Plano East Senior High School before moving into administration.
“After some time, I decided I wanted to serve students and teachers more broadly,” she says. “I became a CTE coordinator for about five or six years, then had the opportunity to step into the director role.”
Buechman, her team, and CTE campus principal Jean Laswell will oversee curriculum and programming, including STEM-focused courses and in-demand technical skills training.
Students will be able to choose from a wide range of career pathways, including architecture and construction; arts, audio/visual technology and communications; businep marketing and sales; culinary arts; hospitality and tourism; electronics and robotics technology; accounting; and more.
A portion of Toyota’s $250,000 investment is supporting the center, with a focus on robotics, hands-on STEM programming, summer programs, engineering and cybersecurity.
Toyota Cybersecurity General Manager Kell Rozman and his team played an active role in developing the program, reviewing the full cybersecurity curriculum to ensure it aligns with current industry needs.
“Often in education, there’s a lot of theory but not as much hands-on experience,” he says. “In the industry, it’s very hands-on, so it was important to incorporate practical applications and help students understand the technologies.”
Community and industry partners join Plano ISD Superintendent Dr. Theresa Williams for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Career & Technical Education Center.
After developing the curriculum, the team observed it in action and gathered feedback from students, allowing them to refine the program and identify necessary lab equipment.
Buechman says the goal is for students to engage in cybersecurity education over four years.
“We want students to take what they’ve learned in the first three years and partner with an industry organization,” she says. “Students would spend part of their day gaining real-world experience outside the classroom. All of our CTE courses are open to every student, and we aim to remove barriers so they can pursue what interests them most.”
Partnerships with the city of Plano and major corporations play a critical role in expanding opportunities for students.
“We look for partnerships that are mutually beneficial,” Buechman says. “That can look different for every organization and happen at different levels — from curriculum development aligned with state standards to ensuring our programs remain innovative, rigorous and forward-thinking.”
Collaborations between schools and industry can accelerate innovation, expand access and support long-term success for both students and the region — a key driver behind Toyota’s education initiatives.
“One of the things that drew me to Toyota is how we give back to the community,” Brazeal says. “We invest more than just financially — we invest in people. As a mobility company, it’s about more than cars. It’s about educational and economic mobility for students. I grew up in a low-income, rural community where opportunities like this weren’t available, so I know how life-changing this can be.”
Buechman is optimistic about the future of CTE education and its impact on students. She points to a guiding message often shared by Plano ISD Superintendent Dr. Theresa Williams.
“We’re preparing today’s learners to be tomorrow’s leaders,” Buechman says. “Our goal is to ensure that when companies are looking for talent, Plano ISD is the first place they turn.”
Plano ISD leaders anticipate the first phase of the CTE Center will open to students in October 2026.
Originally published in FWD>DFW, May 5, 2026. Written by Steven Lindsey.