DJJ officers speak to SGTC Criminal Justice Technology class

South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) Criminal Justice Technology students in Teresa McCook’s Juvenile Justice class recently welcomed three representatives from the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). Those officers were LaRhonda Jackson, Juvenile Program Manager, Travis Mansfield, High Intense Team Probation Officer, and Ameatrice Gibbons of the Intake Office. Each officer explained his or her role at the DJJ, including their day-to-day duties, the local court system, and the operations of the Department of Juvenile Justice. They also explained the requirements and qualifications for each of their positions at the DJJ, and the application process. Students had the opportunity to ask questions about the caseloads of DJJ Intake and Probation officers. “I always try to have guest speakers who are currently involved in the field of Criminal Justice to talk to my students so that they have the opportunities to learn about what positions may await them when they graduate with their diploma or degree,” said SGTC Criminal Justice Technology instructor Teresa McCook. “The current officers bring a wealth of knowledge to the classroom that isn’t included in any textbook, and it gives my students the chance to ask questions so that they can learn more about these positions to see what might be a good fit for them.” Hands-on learning is an important part of SGTC’s mission of workforce development, and many program instructors invite industry leaders to their classrooms to speak to students about real world application of what they’ve learned in the classroom. For more information about the Criminal Justice Technology program, contact Teresa McCook at 229.931.6940 or tmccook@southgatech.edu.