A Full Circle Moment: Recent GISD Grad Joins Future Ready Complex Staff

After graduating from Georgetown High School (GHS) in May of 2024, Jayden Pettigrew has stepped back into the halls of Georgetown ISD (GISD), this time as a dedicated staff member. Having spent his entire educational journey within GISD from the time he was in PreK at Cooper Elementary, Pettigrew has brought a unique perspective and a sense of familiarity to his new role at the GISD Future Ready Complex (FRC). 

Pettigrew working a machine at the Innovation Center

“During my time in school, I had an insane amount of opportunities to explore different interests, and I experienced many changes,” Pettigrew said. “When I reached graduation, I had decided to wait on college, and I was unsure about what my path would be.” 

That was, until, Pettigrew began spending time at the GHS Eagle Innovation Center (EIC) – now housed at the FRC and known as the district’s Innovation Center – to access equipment for his art projects his senior year. The more time he spent there, the more he got to know EIC Facilitator Mr. Robert Thomas.

“Mr. Thomas got to know my skill set, and he asked me to spend a class period as his aide,” Pettigrew said. “I helped run all the machines, learned how to use the 3D printers, and I even got exposure to the drone program, which eventually pushed me to get my Part 107 drone license.” 

Pettigrew’s hunger for knowledge and ability to learn new technical skills inspired an idea in Thomas: He would offer Pettigrew a job at the new Innovation Center. 

As one of the very first staff members at the FRC, Pettigrew has assisted Thomas in managing the Innovation Center and getting new machinery up and running. He supports student learning, offers technical assistance to CTE programs, and has even designed and 3D printed doorstops for custodial staff at the FRC.

A custom doorstop Pettigrew created for custodial staff

“We love working with other programs and collaborating with teachers and staff across the district,” Pettigrew said. “There’s always a learning opportunity in it, and we get to be really creative with our ideas.”

Under the mentorship of Thomas, Pettigrew has grown both as a technician, and as a businessman and communicator. 

“Jayden has been an incredible asset and thought partner here at the Innovation Center,” Thomas said. “I love watching him grow every day and impact the next generation of learners – it speaks volumes about the opportunities here in GISD and the value of continuity in education.”

Pettigrew is on contract with the district through December, but he hopes to extend his time with GISD beyond that. 

“I get to work in this incredible building and watch students learn complicated things all day that I don’t even understand,” Pettigrew said. “Everyone's on their own pathway, and it’s like, the coolest thing ever.” 

Pettigrew is unsure what the rest of his future holds, but for now, he has found his own pathway here, again, in GISD.