Distrotek, Kathleen High School

Vital Information
Distrotek
1100 Red Devil Way
Lakeland, FL  33815

Lead Teacher:  Malinda Pough
Phone:  (863) 499-2215
Fax:  (863) 499-2766

Areas of Interest:  Distribution/Supply Chain Management, Business


Student Focus
Dante

Dante "Teddy" Bomar

I decided to join the Distrotek Academy because I would like to receive my bachelor's degree in Business. I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do with the Business degree, but I have narrowed it down to management. The classes in the academy have helped me learn some valuable principles in business and terms that are used in the business world. Rooms to Go, which is the sponsor for Distrotek, will also help pay for me to receive my degree. I feel that being in an academy is more in-depth than a traditional high school path. In the traditional path, students are only focused on getting the needed credits to graduate. In an academy, you have the opportunity to focus on a specific area of interest, and get more exposure in that field. It also builds character, makes you more accountable and have a better sense of responsibility. I currently have a 3.0 grade point average and it has remained the same being in the academy. My attendance has improved tremendously, since I entered the academy, because I am excited about coming to school. After graduating from high school, I will attend college to receive my bachelor's degree and continue to receive my master's degree.

Distrotek Overview

What is Distrotek?

Distrotek is a career academy located at Kathleen High School and sponsored by Rooms-To-Go. The program inspires students to seek positions in Management and Supervision. Rooms-To-Go is part of the warehousing & distribution industry which occupies over 22 million square feet of space in Polk County and is one of the county's fastest growing industries. Distrotek is a step toward meeting the industry's need for well-focused, well-qualified and well-trained supervisors and managers.

What Will Students Learn?

Distrotek students will be challenged to reach high levels of achievement in English, writing, business computing, science and math. Students will also take a solid core of Business Management and Supervision courses which will introduce students to the activities in a distribution center and train them to:

  • Build and maintain effective relationships
  • Implement effective recycling techniques
  • Maintain quality and safety standards
  • Manage employees in a warehouse
  • Build successful goals
  • Set productivity goals
  • Enforce policy

Mission

"The mission of Distrotek is to provide an exciting and effective program for students to become aware of and become successful in the various opportunities in Distribution Management.  Distrotek will provide a career path rich in the possibilities of excellent earnings and personal fulfillment.

John Zapata,
Senior Vice President of Distribution
Rooms-To-Go