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CTE Connections Chronicle "Where Education Meets Industry"

October 2021 • Volume 2 • Issue 14

Dr. Sharon L. Contreras, Superintendent

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.

Northeast Signature Career Academy of Computer Information & Science

Fannie Mae CTE Student Pre-Apprentices Build Communities & Careers!

In October, Fannie Mae CTE Student Pre-Apprentices were on-site with Jim Sandknop of Community Housing Solutions in Greensboro, rebuilding a home destroyed by the 2018 tornado. Students and teachers from Grimsley High School (John Hensley, CTE Instructor), Southern Guilford High School (Bruce Lockwood, CTE Instructor), and Weaver Academy (James Adkins, CTE Instructor) installed new windows, doors, and insulation; taking their skills learned in the classroom and applying them to industry-relevant work. Students in the CTE Carpentry Pathway have the opportunity to impact affordable and fair housing practices and the community positively; rebuild affordable single families homes; gain technical skills; attain industry credentials in plumbing, carpentry, electrical, etc., and properly plan and prepare for advancing within the profession. Our pre-apprentices are paid $15.00 per hour through the Fannie Mae Safer Together Green Housing Project, a $500K contract with Fannie Mae’s Sustainable Communities Division which works to address the affordable housing crisis in America. In North Carolina, over 1 million households pay more than 1/3 of their income to pay for their housing. The initiative addresses a real-world problem with a real solution by preparing students for the construction industry and equipping them with the knowledge and technical skills to address oppressive and inequitable systems, breaking barriers for generations to come!

October 2021 CTE Champions

John "Tim" Hensley, CTE Carpentry Pathway Teacher at Grimsley High School.

CTE CHAMPION – JOHN HENSLEY! During the 2020-21 school year, Mr. Hensley’s students earned a total of 322 industry-recognized credentials, 316 from The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCEER) and six from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)10-Hour in Construction. He is an active Skills USA advisor. He is a part of the Fannie Mae Professional Learning Community, which provides apprenticeship experiences for students and educates them on affordable housing, geospatial technology, and weatherization principles. He is also an advocate and supporter of the Tiny House Development of Greensboro, helping construct homes with students to combat homelessness within the veteran population of Greensboro. Additionally, Mr. Hensley has also been nominated for Teacher of the Year through CareerSafe.

(Left to right) Officer Buchanan and Carolyn Harris, CTE Public and Safety Pathway teacher at Northern Guilford High School.

CTE CHAMPION – CAROLYN HARRIS! According to her school-level administrator, Ms. Carolyn Harris at Northern Guilford High School takes pride in her students every day! She is always challenging them with creative lessons and activities. Public Safety and Emergency Management students are exposed to a variety of careers within the Public Service realm. She has been an exceptional addition to our CTE staff! She informs students and parents of secondary and post-secondary career and education opportunities, and she consistently promotes CTE courses, programs, and events.

Congratulations to both Mr. Hensley and Ms. Harris on being the October 2021 CTE Champions!

Western Guildford High School Focuses on College and Career Plans!

During Senior Night, influential college and career representatives were able to connect with the Class of 2022 and their parents. The juniors and seniors had special presentations from Say Yes Guilford, several GAP Business Partners from Blue Ridge Companies, Machine Specialties, Inc., Ziehl-Abegg, and Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC). Students were prepared with assistance from guidance counselors, English teachers, and a plethora of information and opportunities to make informed decisions during North Carolina College Application Week and beyond. Western Guilford is preparing Each Student’s Path. Each Graduate. Each Day!

College, Career & Life Ready

The Middle College at UNCG conducted mock job interviews for Health Science II students. Students learned the value and importance of professional skills, in preparation for multiple paths to success; be it immediate employment, a two or four-year degree, entrepreneurial venture, or military pursuits after high school. To prepare for their interviews, students conducted research on careers ranging from Biopsychology to Neonatal Nursing, making them aware of the endless career opportunities that Health Science can lead to. CTE prepares students to become well-rounded citizens of their communities and always prepares them to obtain high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand careers!

(Left to Right) Ciara Dawson, Julia Smith, Mykaila Brown, Kaili Wright-Baldwin, Maya Walker, Holly Gaston, Serenity Barnes

Making Discoveries Today for a Brighter Tomorrow!

In partnership with Say Yes Guilford, YouScience, will administer to all students in grades 7 and 8 the YouScience Youth Discovery assessments. The power of YouScience Discovery lies in their performance measures of aptitudes and the ability to connect natural talents with real-world careers. Their proven science cuts through social noise and biases to create more access and equity, because while there might be a skills gap, there isn’t a talent gap. Students have the natural talent to excel in high-skill, high-wage, high-demand careers. It’s our job to help them see, and pursue, those opportunities.

YouScience is a more precise way for students to learn more about themselves, explore high-demand careers that align with their interests and strengths with their future career goals merging innovative aptitude and career discovery tools to revolutionize the way students, educators, and employers view talent and possibility. Students will engage in career assessments and learning style profiles to provide teachers and counselors with valuable data for individualized career planning and guidance. Through feedback from counselor and principals, GCS has recommended additional improvements to the YouScience tool that were immediate changes or in-progress. Click the link below to learn more about YouScience and the important impact it will make on the lives of students https://www.youscience.com

A CTE Alumni Puts His Career in the Fast Lane

Patrick Camden, a 2020 GCS CTE graduate (Northern High School) whose automotive interests were sparked at Weaver Academy through his CTE teacher Mr. Bobby Dove, is on a path that leads to endless career opportunities! At only 19-years-old, he is earning college credit and a salary through the Ford Automotive Student Service Educational Training (ASSET) program at GTCC. CTE truly does prepare all students for high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand careers. For information on Patrick's story and the Ford Asset program, click here.

GCS-CTE Get into Industry Tours (GIIT) Continue...

(Left to Right): Get into Industry Tours at the City of High Point, Harris Teeter Distribution Center, United Parcel Service (UPS)

Expanding and strengthening business and industry partnerships and school-to-work opportunities shape the work of GCS-CTE Get into Industry Tours (GIIT), a model of education and industry engagement that furthers the district’s commitment to fostering relationships that more strongly align GCS CTE programs with local industry needs. GCS-CTE Get into Industry Tours (GIIT) is designed to increase the CTE department's (district/school-level) knowledge of today's business and industry trends; place students in positions to fulfill industry needs and satisfy a student's career ambition. In partnership with the Greensboro and High Point Chamber of Commerce, GCS is committed to fostering relationships with businesses/industries that provide a clear investment and sustainable return. A GIIT model allows for a common language amongst both entities to improve workforce and economic development in Guilford County and beyond. We will meet with corporate leaders, learn about the company, tour the facility, and rethink how we bridge education and industry for Each Student's Path.Each Graduate.Each Day! The tours also allow various GCS Division/Departments to reimage their department’s scope of work from a company's point of view based on their processes, procedures, and productivities!

GIIT groups comprise eight to 10 attendees: five to six represent business/industry and higher education. GCS leadership and elected officials make up the remaining slots. A GIIT model allows participants to develop a common understanding and language of how to improve workforce and economic development in Guilford County and beyond.

  • September 2021 – Harris Teeter Distribution Center (with a focus on Global Logistics)
  • October 2021 – City of High Point’s IT Department (with a focus on Cyber Security Professionals)
  • October 2021 – UPS Corporation (with a focus on Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering)

Quick Snapshot of Immediate Wins:

  • Secure school-to-work placements
  • Coordinate student internship experiences
  • Share employment opportunities with our Adult Education Program.
  • Revisit the Career & College Programs (CCP)/articulated program(s) with GTCC to increase CCP enrollment and Dual Two Program enrollment (adults).
  • GCS staff incorporates new ideas into one’s individualized scope of work to improve effectiveness and efficiencies within the department.
  • Companies "Get into Signature Career Academy Tour" to view the state-of-the-art spaces.

Quick Snapshot of Long-Term Wins:

  • Create courageous and customized programs for students to enter the field before 18 years of age (look at corporate incentives, insurance tax breaks, etc.).
  • Create employee sharing within GCS and Industry
  • Create Company Retiree Recruitment into GCS’ Signature Career academy Programs
  • Create a GCS ApprenticeshipNC Program
  • Create a Quad with City Greensboro/City of High Point, Business/Industry, College/University, and GCS to create a standalone Innovation Training Institute/Hub. Intensive training, stackable credentialing, and placements directly into industry with opportunities to fast track advancement. Begin to look at City/Municipal barriers.

Coming Soon...November is National Career development month!

“The Future of Work: The Role of Artificial Intelligence and Automation”

The National Career Development Association (NCDA) celebrates career development every November. Educators can contribute with career-related activities like the NCDA sponsored 56th Annual Poetry and Art Contest. The theme for this year is “Are the Robots Here? “The Future of Work: The Role of Artificial Intelligence and Automation.” Career and Technical Education is relative to every subject and career aspiration; this contest provides an opportunity for students to look forward to the possibilities! The contest divisions areas include • Primary - grades K-2 • Intermediate - grades 3-5 • Middle - grades 6-8 • Senior - grades 9-12 • Adult Student - ages 18 and older, enrolled in school • Open Adult - ages 18 and older (not enrolled in school).

All schools should send their 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners to Starr King (kings3@gcsnc.com) before November 30th. For more information about the Poetry and Art Contest click here.

Suggested Resources from NCDA to celebrate NCD Month

More information about the NCD Month, visit NCDA.ORG

GCS CTE STAFF

Dr. Eboni Camille Chillis • Interim Chief Innovation Officer & CTE Executive Director

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