CTE CONNECTIONS CHRONICLE "WHERE EDUCATION MEETS INDUSTRY"

Dr. Whitney Oakley, Acting Superintendent

June-July 2022 • Volume 2 • Issue 21

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.

Career & Technical Education in Action

Career & Technical Education in Action

Community and partnership engagement is pivotal to the success of CTE, and authentic partnerships require that each organization’s goals are met. GCS recognizes that today’s workforce requires solid academic, technical, and professional/soft skills that businesses and industries desire. That’s why we have prioritized career readiness and aligning our work with employer needs. Click to see our second Signature Career Academy (SCA) and Builder’s Vibe Community Night Out in action as we expand the workforce.

Builder's Vibe Community Night Out

CTE Milestones, Gaps/Growth & Future Objectives:

• 127 CTE students were placed in summer internships in partnership this summer in partnership with 27 businesses within the Triad, earning an hourly wage of $15.00 per hour.
• 32 CTE teachers externed this summer in partnership with 10 businesses within the Triad to stay abreast of industry trends, enhancing CTE instruction.
• The SCAs are highly recognized innovative school design spaces and visited/toured by local, state, and national stakeholders.
• Over 20+ comprehensively trained CTE Pathway Innovators (teachers) for the 2020-2022 school year serve as direct, content-specific support and program aficionados for other CTE and collaborators with core teachers.
• GCS CTE published several handbooks to help guide and streamline departmental best practices and procedures, including but not limited to a CTE Teacher Handbook, Comprehensive Work-Based Learning Manual, and the GCS CTE Partnership Guide.
• The CTE Department expands computer science by partnering with Technology Education and Literacy in Schools (TEALS). TEALS is a Microsoft Philanthropies program that connects classroom teachers with tech industry volunteers to create sustainable Computer Science (CS) programs.
• GCS CTE creates precise course sequences for all CTE pathways in GCS for parent/guardian awareness and student ease in completing one or multiple CTE pathways that are accessible by clicking here.
• GCS CTE and Greensboro/High Point Business Chambers conducted seven Get into Industry Tours. Tours included 33 external partners (in government, business/industry, or education) and 26 GCS staff members in various departments to increase knowledge of today's business and industry trends; place students in positions to fulfill industry needs; satisfy a student's career ambitions, and improve workforce and economic development in Guilford County and beyond.
• Approximately 96 Healthcare Professional Pathway students and counting have become certified nursing assistants to impact the healthcare field as doctors, technicians, surgeons, and researchers.
• Students enrolled in the Drone Technology pathway at Western will begin training to prepare to take the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 107 – Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Remote Pilot License exam.
• 100% of the pathway students in the Veterinary Assisting Course obtain certification at Southern Guilford High School!
• CTE reevaluates its recruitment strategy by expanding monetary incentives for hard-to-fill positions in Healthcare, Aviation, Manufacturing, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and IT positions by offering potential candidates a $10,000 signing bonus or $4,000 annual stipend.
• In the summer of 2022, over 60 GCS CTE students in middle and high school will compete nationally in over twelve Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs).

CTE Prepares Students for Enrollment, Employment, Enlistment, or Entrepreneurship!

During the North Carolina (NC) Career and Technical Summer Conference in Winston-Salem in the Twin City Quarter, NC Superintendent Catherine Truitt shared the Top Five Most Valuable Industry Credentials in NC:

1. CompTIA Security
2. NC Nurse Aide I &II
3. NC Early Childhood Credential Equivalency
4. National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER)
5. ProStart National Certificate of Achievement (Food Preparation)

GCS-CTE is aligned and offers all the career pathways for students to obtain these credentials giving our students leverage in pursuing their future endeavors today, tomorrow, and beyond…

CTE Cybersecurity Summer Camp Connects Students with Innovative Industry Partners

This month, students attending the CTE Cybersecurity Summer Accelerator Camps at Northeast High School and The Kearns Academy visited Core Technology Molding. Core Technology Molding specializes in 3-D printing and precision injection molding used in a wide array of industries: aerospace, medical, automotive, gaming, and more! Students learned about their manufacturing and supply chain processes while participating in engaging and experiential activities to help them understand how materials are produced and distributed. Special thanks to the camp facilitator and CTE Business Advisory Council Member, Mrs. LaTonja Fant of SSCI Inc., for connecting students with innovative industry partners. We are confident the Summer Accelerator Program will be a catalyst for the future endeavors of GCS students!

CTE Teacher Highlight

GCS Nominee for the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) CTE Teacher of the Year Award

Mrs. Joy Brooks, a Business, Information Technology, and Marketing Education teacher at Hairston Middle School, is GCS’ first annual North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) CTE Teacher of the Year Nominee. Mrs. Brooks embarked upon a new curricular journey in her classroom during the 2021-22 school year, using the Paxton Patterson curriculum to create student workstations that cultivated critical thinking, collaboration, and innovation. Mrs. Brooks is a teacher mentor and advocates on behalf of those she supports, both students and teachers.

Lee A. Williams II, Principal, Hairston Middle School, affirms, “Mrs. Brooks has helped to revitalize the CTE department at Hairston Middle School. Her desire for students to obtain college readiness and technical skills has created a buzz among our students and staff. As we think about what the future holds for our students, I believe that every beautiful young mind that engages with Mrs. Brooks will have an advantage that will make them more globally competitive.”

The state winner will be announced on October 14, 2022. We look forward to Mrs. Brooks bringing home this prestigious award.

Career & Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs)

Student Reflections: HOSA- Future Health Professionals International Leadership Conference

Shaylah Patillo, a CTE student at The Signature Career Academy at Smith Biomedical Technology and Specialized Health Sciences, and her CTE instructor Ms. Shalinda Witcher attended the 2022 HOSA-Future Healthcare Professional International Leadership Conference in Nashville, TN. During the three-day conference, Shaylah participated in a series of competitive and leadership events, educational symposiums, and interactive sessions that allowed participants to expand their knowledge and understanding of the medical field. She also participated in a Medical Law and Ethics competition. Shayla Patillo reflected on the opportunities she was able to engage in during her time at the conference stating, "I was able to network and meet fellow HOSA students, advisers, and healthcare providers from all around the world, including countries and U.S territories like South Korea, Puerto Rico, and Samoa." One of the highlights of the conference was the career expo, where medical schools, healthcare industry professionals, and innovative companies from all over the world gathered to share information with HOSA participants and advisers. She learned about the numerous scholarship, college, and internship opportunities and explored new interactive software. We look forward to seeing all of Shaylah's future accomplishments!

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