So far during CTE Month we’ve covered some of what’s happening at the State level and on the Hill. Today, we’ll take a look at how schools, employers, students and educators are celebrating CTE Month on the ground.
CTE Site Visits
Earlier this week, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) held a site visit at Cardozo Education Campus, 
serving students grades 6-12 with world-class Career Technical Education (CTE) programs of study in Washington, D.C. One program, the TransSTEM academy, which includes Project Lead the Way curriculum, creates opportunities for work-based learning in both the classrooms and off campus. One of the only schools in the country, Cardozo includes a FLEX-ACE lab, which replicates a test-range control room and operations center with state-of-the-art computers, flight simulators and a miniature air-traffic tower. Additionally, the academy partners with a multitude of employers at the national and local level to provide students with job shadowing, internships and mentors. The site visit included representation from the program’s alumni, national partners, Hill staff and students themselves.
Career Exploration
In addition to site visits, CTE Month is a perfect time to help students plan for their futures and to highlight how CTE programs of study can get them there.
Speight Middle School in Stantonsburg, North Carolina focused on career exploration at the middle school level. All rising freshman were required to complete a career self-assessment and research a career based on their assessment results. Educators assisted and monitored the research, which students then translated into a project to be showcased at the school’s first annual career fair. Eight graders will present their projects to their younger peers and community partners who will judge the event.
Dinwiddie High School in Dinwiddie County, Virginia held its annual Career & Industry Day with over 40 vendors including local and state police, medical professionals, culinary & event planning employers, Amazon, Walmart, Veterinarians and more. The event was expected to attract almost 1,000 students.
CTE Month in the News:
While CTE has been a hot topic in the news lately, there are still plenty of misconceptions about what CTE is and how it prepares students for successful careers. Getting the local media engaged during CTE month is a way to communicate the impact of your CTE program, and raise up the voices of your students, educators and partners who make your program great.
The Frederick News Post in partnership with the CTE Advisory Council in Maryland will publish a series of four articles written by journalism students that highlight successful CTE alumni during the month.
A Future Business Leader of America educator in Montgomery, Alabama won the local news station’s Golden Apple Award after nomination by a student.
Janet Goble, CTE Director in Canyons School District in Utah, was featured on the local news talking about the many ways schools prepare high schools students for careers.
CTE Month on Social Media
The #CTEMonth hashtag is still going strong on Twitter, where schools are highlighting their awards programs, featuring learning happening in the classroom, and honoring their CTE students and educators.
Students teaching students! #mentor #ctemonth #welding @YHSCrimNews pic.twitter.com/Vgeg7SUojX
— CTE YUHSD (@YUHSDC) February 19, 2016
Feb. is #CTEMonth! #Redmond High comp sci students learn to code while building robots: https://t.co/jiyh1gut2r pic.twitter.com/sIRHlC8zOK
— Lake Washington SD (@LakeWashSchools) February 19, 2016
#CTEMONTH Iowa High School Students visit @CollegeStVocCtr checking out #Jumpstart Pathways pic.twitter.com/l1pHgb0KQ2
— L. Albers (@CollegeStVocCtr) February 19, 2016
CTE Star Student Luncheon @ChestateeHigh today. Thnx to our wonderful students & teachers. #ctemonth @Hall_Schools pic.twitter.com/2uPj9LiBT9
— CHS WBL (@chs_wbl) February 19, 2016
Katie Fitzgerald, Communications AssociateÂ
Tags: CTE Month