Dr. Whitney Oakley, Superintendent
September 2022 • Volume 3 • Issue 1
The CTE "Why?"
Career and Technical Education (CTE) prepares all students for high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand careers. The experience begins with career inspiration in Pre-K, awareness in elementary school, exploration in middle school, and preparation in high school. CTE equips students for post-secondary education and immediate employment opportunities to compete worldwide successfully.
• Featured Articles •
Southern Guilford High School (SGHS) Youth Hunter Team Featured in N.C. Wildlife Magazine
The Youth Hunter Education Skills Tournament debuted in 1978. Since its inception, participation has grown tremendously. Competition areas include shotguns, riflery, archery, orienteering, and written hunting skills categories. Once only pursued by students with hunting backgrounds in rural areas, now students without hunting experience in more urban areas show interest.
Recognized for its diversity, the Southern Guilford High School (SGHS) Youth Hunter Team was featured in N.C. Wildlife Magazine. Of its 23 team members, 10 are girls, and only five or six members have hunting experience. This team is led by Mr. Brad Hensley, who teaches CTE Agricultural Education, co-advises FFA, and has coached Hunter Safety Teams for 13 years. This team has a female archery coach, Ms. Jessie Emory, an SGHS 2018 graduate.
This year’s competition featured 60 shooting teams from 31 schools with a crowd of more than 1,000 competitors and spectators. SGHS scored the highest in riflery in the school’s history.
Click here for the article WINC-July-August-BestShot.pdf (ncwildlife.org).
CTE Students Earn 7,091 Industry-Recognized Credentials
During the 2021-2022 school year GCS CTE students earned a total of 7,091 industry-recognized credentials; this is a 139% increase from the 2020-2021 school year. Earning an industry-recognized certification or credential while in secondary schooling ensures students graduate from high school as globally competitive societal participants ready for enrollment, employment, enlistment, and/or entrepreneurship. Career and Technical Education is the ultimate classroom experience. Students are career ready at whatever entry point they choose to engage in the workforce. CTE is the bridge between education and industry. Through the successful completion of CTE career pathways, students can obtain industry-recognized credentials, attain college credits, and earn in high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand careers.
Preparing for and earning an industry-recognized certification is a great way to expand knowledge, skills, and increase workforce, career advancement, and overall post-secondary opportunities. An industry-recognized certification or credential helps students and businesses:
- Certifications verify mastery of skills
- Certifications can expose individuals to diverse career prospects
- Employers regularly use certifications as selection criteria for hiring, promotion, and/or salary increases
Briton Wertz: A CTE Teacher at Southern Guilford High School and a Firefighter
Ms. Briton Wertz, a Health Science pathway teacher at Southern Guilford High School, was recently featured in the Elon University Newsletter, Today at Elon. Ms. Wertz gives her community praise for her successful life outcomes. She now shares these life experiences with her students, inspiring them to use their interests, passions, talents, and career aspirations toward the collective good of their communities. Ms. Wertz's career is an example of how CTE offers opportunities that create flexible career pathways throughout one's lifetime. Check out the two new CTE pathways in Firefighter Technology and the Emergency Management Pathways being taught in GCS below. To read the full story on Ms. Briton Wertz, in the Today at Elon Newsletter click here.
Firefighter Technology Pathway Course Sequence
Emergency Management Pathway Course Sequence
GCS Awarded the 2022 Empowered District EVERFI Seal
Guilford County Schools was awarded the 2022 Empowered District Seal from EVERFI. EVERFI is an educational platform that certifies students with skills needed for life, such as financial literacy, social-emotional learning, and college & career readiness. This EVERFI Empowered Seal designation is awarded to K-12 districts and schools that are exemplary in whole-child education. To learn more about this special recognition, click here.
• Business & Industry Spotlight•
Guilford Apprenticeship Partners (GAP) Honors Two GCS CTE Leaders, Ms. Christina Sapusek (Apprentice Champion) & Ms. Keesha Sinclair (Educator Advocate)
In August, at this year’s GAP Graduation and Signing Ceremony, two GCS CTE leaders were honored. Ms. Christina Sapusek received the Apprentice Champion award. She credits GAP for providing students with life-changing career opportunities. Ms. Keesha Sinclair received the Educator Advocate award, and she praises GAP for connecting CTE students with guaranteed employment after high school graduation with free college tuition and health benefits. Both Ms. Sapusek and Ms. Sinclair are Career & College Managers (CCMs). CCMs serve as school-level CTE leadership with intentional work assisting CTE students in pursuing their post-secondary aspirations and instructional coaching in the CTE classroom. To read the full article in the 2022 Sept./Oct. Issue of the Huami Magazine, click here.
National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), Drives Home Motor Sports Careers
This month, High Point Central High School students took part in an exciting visioning experience at the zMax Dragway as a part of the YES Program, hosted by the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). It is the only full-time education program in motorsports that provides quality programs and activities for schools and youth organizations nationwide. The NHRA YES program focuses on the importance of goals and continued education while allowing students to learn about and explore various motorsports career opportunities. NHRA YES Program Partners: Ford, Western Tech, Pep Boys, and Mac Tools also offer scholarship opportunities to students to support their continued educational goals. To learn more about the NHRA's YES Program, click here.
Meet the New CTE Team Members!
Recently, the CTE District office welcomed three new staff members to the CTE District Team. Kanika Lawson is our new Work-Based Learning Coordinator who will be facilitating student apprenticeships, internships, co-ops, and job shadowing opportunities. Mr. Tom Basham is a former GCS CTE teacher who is utilizing his expertise to improve teaching and learning in CTE as a Curriculum and Instructional Management Coordinator. Finally, we welcome Gerena Bray as the new CTE Administrative Assistant, helping to sustain and support overall operational processes. As CTE continues to stay abreast of worldwide industry trends, we strive to provide exceptional and strategic support to all CTE students and staff.
A Look Ahead...October 2022
SAVE THE DATE: Future Day Career Expo
Wednesday, October 19, 2022 at the Greensboro Coliseum
Guilford County Schools (GCS) Career and Technical Education Department (CTE) will host a career awareness event exposing students to current and future careers. The Future Day Career Expo is being piloted at 14 Restart Schools in GCS, focusing on grade 5 students. The event will take place on Wednesday, October 19th, at the Greensboro Coliseum from 10 am-12:30 pm. The Future Day Career Expo will ignite inspiration, generate career awareness, and begin the exploration of CTE career pathways through middle school exploration and high school preparation.
GCS CTE Staff
Dr. Holly Pore • CTE Executive Director
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