For generations, the pursuit of knowledge and skills has been central to human progress. Educators have continuously adapted teaching methods to address the ever-expanding range of subjects and the rapid evolution of technology and industries. In this dynamic landscape, institutions that offer unique and practical learning environments are crucial in preparing students for future success. The Arlington Career Center (ACC) stands out as a prime example of such an innovative institution, particularly renowned for its impactful summer programs.
Founded in 1972, the Arlington Career Center has long been recognized for its “learning by doing” philosophy. Its comprehensive programs are meticulously designed to equip students with the essential skills and knowledge needed to excel in both higher education and the professional world. While the specific offerings evolve with the times, the spirit of hands-on, career-focused education remains constant, much like the successful summer programs it has run over the years, including those offered in 2016. These summer initiatives have historically played a vital role in providing intensive, skill-based learning experiences outside of the regular academic year.
The story of the ACC is deeply intertwined with the vision of Tom Smolinski, a resident of Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads (GHBC) and the co-founder of the Career Center. Tom’s dedication to youth education and career development spans over half a century. His legacy was recently celebrated when he met with ACC graduates who participated in summer internships at Goodwin Living. This meeting beautifully illustrated the lasting impact of the ACC and its summer programs, bridging the past with the present.
Tom Smolinski’s Vision for Career-Focused Summer Education
Tom Smolinski’s appointment as the first principal of the Arlington Career Center was a testament to his proven track record in establishing successful educational institutions. Tasked by an Arlington County public school board advisory committee to create a career-oriented school, Tom brought his experience from Buffalo, NY, to Arlington. His responsibilities included designing the center’s programs and recruiting a dedicated staff to educate and mentor a large student body of over 1,200 individuals. From the outset, Tom envisioned a different approach to education, one that would resonate strongly with the concept of impactful summer programs.
Driven by an unconventional, energetic, and committed spirit, Tom aimed to revolutionize traditional teaching methods and public school education. Drawing upon his extensive background in education, he developed a facility that would tailor its programs, including summer offerings, to meet the specific needs and aspirations of its students. Tom actively sought out talented professionals and established a learning environment where students could immerse themselves in career-focused courses. These courses spanned a wide array of fields, from culinary arts and aviation technology to automotive mechanics, cosmetology, photography, and physical therapy, among many others. The summer programs mirrored this diverse offering, providing concentrated learning opportunities during the break.
“I had a clear vision of what I wanted to avoid for the career center,” Tom explained. “Many courses available elsewhere lacked passion in both content and instruction. My priority was to assemble a staff who genuinely cared about young people. Despite being new to Arlington and Virginia, my commitment was to invest in the potential of the local youth.” This commitment extended to creating enriching summer programs that would further this investment.
Paula Endo: Photography Expertise in Early Summer Programs
Paula Endo, co-author of Living Diversity: The Columbia Pike Documentary Project, was among Tom Smolinski’s earliest and most impactful hires for the Arlington Career Center. Recognizing her talent in photography and youth education through local recommendations, Tom brought her to the ACC to establish and lead the photography program. This initiative marked a significant milestone as it was the first photography course of its kind in Virginia’s public education system. Paula and her husband, Todd, new to the Arlington area, were immediately drawn to Tom’s enthusiasm for empowering young people, a passion that was evident in his vision for the ACC’s programs, including the nascent summer offerings.
“Tom and I connected instantly,” Paula recalled. “Although I’m not sure how he discovered my work, his offer to join the ACC was an immediate draw. I knew from the start that I would be working on something meaningful with people who cared.” Paula’s role in the summer programs, as well as the regular curriculum, was instrumental in shaping the ACC’s creative and artistic direction.
Paula described Tom’s leadership as both “unconventional” and “grounded.” She regards her time at the ACC as one of the most enriching periods of her life, marked by deep connections with her students. Paula found profound satisfaction in helping her students discover their voices and express themselves through photography and art. This approach was particularly effective in the more intensive environment of the summer programs, allowing for deeper student-teacher engagement.
“We made a conscious effort to link the skills we were teaching to aspects of the students’ lives that held personal significance for them,” Paula explained. “This element of care and personal connection was central to our relationships, both professionally and with the students. There was a strong sense of purpose in what we did. I am eternally grateful to Tom for giving me the opportunity to be part of it. It’s an experience that has indelibly shaped my life.”
After a fulfilling 15-year career at the ACC, Paula retired and later moved to GHBC in 2016. She was delighted to find that Tom was already a resident there, along with other former colleagues from the Career Center, creating a continuing sense of community and shared history.
Bob Lassiter and the Expansion of ACC’s Community Reach
The Arlington Career Center began as a project eagerly anticipated by many in the local education community. Tom Smolinski served as the school’s daytime principal, while Bob Lassiter took charge of managing the career center’s evening programs for adults. Bob, now also a resident at GHBC, played a crucial role in expanding the ACC’s reach and impact within the Arlington community, including supporting the growth of summer programs to serve a wider demographic.
Bob had been a dedicated employee of Arlington Public Schools since 1958, holding various positions, when he learned about the opportunity at the ACC in the late 1970s. Tom brought Bob on board to lead the night program and to develop community support services, notably the ACC’s public food services programs and the establishment of the first public library within an Arlington school. Bob’s contributions were essential in making the ACC a true community hub, offering resources and education to learners of all ages, especially during the summer months when the center could extend its services beyond the traditional student population.
Bob served as the night manager at the ACC for almost 50 years, retiring in 2022. He regularly visits Tom and his wife, Edie, to reminisce about their shared work, discuss the ongoing development of the ACC, and reflect on their collective achievements. Their conversations often touch upon the evolution of the summer programs and their enduring value to the community.
“Tom was always a kind and supportive leader,” Bob shared. “I valued the opportunity to meet and work with such a diverse group of people at the career center and to help launch new initiatives. We always envisioned the ACC as a place where individuals could learn and discover their paths in life simultaneously.” This vision was particularly evident in the summer programs, which offered a focused and exploratory learning environment.
A Summer Internship Bridge: Connecting ACC’s Past and Future
For over five decades, the Arlington Career Center has been committed to providing students with valuable vocational education and practical work experiences. Building on this strong foundation and leveraging the connections within its resident community, Goodwin Living, under the leadership of People Engagement Manager Zoe Marcuse, partnered with the ACC in the summer of 2023. This partnership created a unique opportunity for three culinary arts students from the ACC to participate in summer internships within the dining services at GHBC. This initiative echoed the spirit of ACC’s long-standing summer programs, extending hands-on learning into real-world professional settings.
Towards the end of their internship, these students had the special opportunity to meet Tom Smolinski and his wife, Edie. This meeting allowed them to connect with the history of their school and understand the founding principles that continue to guide the ACC’s mission, including its commitment to impactful summer education.
“When I started the career center, I thought it would be a short-term project, maybe a few years,” Tom reflected. “I never imagined I would spend nearly 30 years there, and certainly never thought I would one day meet ACC students interning at my own residence.” This unexpected connection highlighted the full circle of Tom’s career and the enduring legacy of the ACC.
Following the completion of their summer internships, two of the interns were offered and accepted positions as servers and cooks at GHBC. They expressed deep gratitude for the foundational work of Tom and others at the ACC, which paved the way for their current opportunities. The ACC’s summer programs, and the overall career-focused education, had clearly made a significant impact on their lives and career paths.
“If I hadn’t enrolled in culinary arts at the career center, I would never have discovered my passion for it,” said Daniel Knorr, now a server at GHBC.
Aidan Lahlou, a GHBC cook, added, “Meeting Tom was like meeting a figure from history. He and the ACC have created pathways for people like me to find what we’re meant to do and actually start doing it.” These testimonials underscore the profound and lasting impact of the Arlington Career Center and its summer programs on the lives of its students and the wider community.
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Timaeus Reed is a Marketing and Communications Specialist at Goodwin Living.
