BIMONTHLY NEWSLETTER APRIL 2022 EDITION 5
A bimonthly newsletter highlighting the transformative power of Florida’s CTAE programs.
WELCOME letter We tell the story of Career and Technical Education (CTE) success throughout the state in the bi-monthly newsletter, to spread the message of the work you do every day. This month we will highlight several women in CTE and their impact. I wanted to share with you my background in the National Future Farmers of America Organization (FFA) and how Kaitlin Vickers it led me to where I am today. In 1969 the national FFA CAPE Industry Certification Manager organization voted for women’s membership in the FFA. In 2019 we celebrated 50 years of women in the FFA. Many years after the decision, I walked into an agriculture class and never looked back. I learned about the industry in our state, nation, and world. The Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) FFA was a significant part of my adolescent years, I participated in career and leadership development events and held various officer positions. My agriculture classes even helped me apply for my first job at a veterinary office and led me to pursue a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education. After college, I taught agriculture in Orange County for several years. I loved providing students with many of the same opportunities I had as a student. I still keep in touch with many of them to this day. In my current position as Career and Professional Education Act (CAPE) Industry Certification Manager, I have the pleasure of getting to know many of you throughout the state. Getting to hear your stories and see our programs in action has been inspiring. It takes a team to pull it all together and I truly appreciate all of your support in the endeavors of the division. I tell my story to remind others that the path to a career looks different for everyone and CTE can be life-changing for students. Hands-on learning in CTE and the intra-curricular experiences of CTSOs add so much to our students’ education through career exploration and work-based learning. I have deep respect for the work educators and staff do. I would not be the person I am today without CTE and agricultural education. As we finish out the third quarter of the school year, please remember that without your amazing CTE programs and stories, we wouldn’t have a newsletter to share, so please continue sharing with us! To reach Kaitlin Vickers please email her at Kaitlin.Vickers@fldoe.org. 2
TABLE OF contents 5|
Student sensation
The future of women in non-traditional pathways.
13|
College highlight
7|
Teacher highlight
Dedicated teacher leads Wakulla High medical academy.
14|
Cte trivia
8|
Program highlight
Pinellas Technical College holds manufacturing day event.
15|
Social media shoutouts
10|
Community service
26|
Upcoming events
12|
Awards & recognition
Future Farmers of America knock our socks off.
Continued investments in Florida’s workforce education.
3
Indian River State College breaks ground on new nursing facility.
Guess the celebrity who earned an education in CTE.
Institutions and partners across Florida sharing and promoting CTE.
Each observance serves as another opportunity to celebrate CTE.
Governor Ron DeSantis stands next to construction student Bess Granholm at a press conference in January
4
STUDENt sensation Bess Granholm is following in the footsteps of a long line of family construction workers. Bess is a student in Santa Fe College’s degree program for Building Construction, which her father and brother both attended. In addition, she serves as the president of the Student Builder’s Association.
the future of Women in Non-Traditional Pathways by DCAE Staff
The Building Construction program provides handson training opportunities like the building of a Habitat for Humanity home. This year, the college is finishing its 12th home. It’s scheduled to leave the Northwest Campus and be delivered to the family at the end of April.
Non-traditional pathways have opened the door for women across the state to pursue passions that interest them, even if they are not traditional. Our student highlights this month, Melissa and Bess, are doing just that – following their hearts and dreams of working in non-traditional pathways.
Upon graduation, Bess plans to transfer to the University of Florida and attend the Rinker School of Construction Management. Currently, only 14% of construction industry professionals are women. Women like Bess are paving the way for future generations of women to be confident in pursuing a career in a non-traditional pathway, like construction.
Melissa Martinez-Barbosa is a senior at Godby High School in Tallahassee, Florida. Melissa is an allaround phenomenal student, starting school in the United States at eight years old with English being her second language. Melissa defied the odds. She has worked diligently to overcome many obstacles and is changeing the perception of women in nontraditional fields.
On April 18, 2022, the Florida Department of Education is hosting a Non-Traditional Summit. The summit will address issues related to the enrollment and success of students in Career and Technical Education programs that train for work in fields non-traditional for their gender. For more information on the summit and its outcomes please contact Bruce Harrington at Bruce.Harrington@ fldoe.org.
Melissa is a member of the marching band and the National Honor Society. She also takes welding classes at Lively Technical College in Tallahassee, while maintaining a 3.8 GPA. She is in her third year of the welding program and plans to pursue a university degree upon completion. Melissa will be leaving high school with a diploma in hand and trade skills that will serve as the building block for her future. Among welders, 7.5% of them are women. Melissa hopes to set an example for other women who want to pursue a career in welding. She hopes that she can inspire others to courageously break stereotypical norms. 5
Kristi Lawhon, Teacher, Wakulla High School Medical Academy
6
TEACHER HIGHLIGHT young adults who have goals and aspirations. I have so much pride in my students when they are working in health facilities. My students are simply the best. They work hard, are not afraid to jump in, and are always respectful to others. I have previous students working in all aspects of health care... I feel blessed to be in this position and I hope that I am an inspiration to these students like they are to me.”
Dedicated teacher leads wakulla high medical academy By DCAE Staff
Have you ever had a teacher you just loved? Did they play a role in your life that you didn’t even know The focus of Wakulla High School’s Medical you needed? Academy is to integrate academic rigor with CTE. Students have clinicals in local nursing homes Meet the teacher we’re highlighting in April: Mrs. and nearby hospitals, and they gain hands-on Kristi Lawhon. People often associate Career and experience while learning what it means to work as Technical Education (CTE) with blue-collar work like a team. The program is not easy, but the students electrical or automotive jobs, but there are so many have a sense of accomplishment when they finish more pathways that exist within the realm of CTE. their senior year, and the program allows them the Health Science is one of these career pathways opportunity to see what it’s like to work in health – divided into three areas: counseling and mental care. Students also leave high school “job-ready” health services; family and community services; and can enter the workforce as they pursue their and consumer services. There are hundreds of college ambitions. programs across the state that prepare high school and postsecondary students for rewarding careers While some may choose a more traditional pathway in this diverse cluster. to become a nurse or doctor, other students have the opportunity to choose a path that leads Mrs. Lawhon has led the Medical Academy at to biomedical manufacturing or research into Wakulla High School for the past 13 years. Prior to diagnostic and laboratory technology. Students that, she graduated with her BSN from Florida A&M can begin to develop the skills necessary to University and worked as a nurse at Tallahassee pursue these careers in as early as ninth grade and Memorial Hospital and the Wakulla Health complete their high school education with on-theDepartment. She is one of the many examples of job experience that exposes them to the extensive women in CTE who have hands-on experience in career prospects in this area. the industry they teach. For more information on teacher resources and “I often get asked the question, why do you teach support, especially through our partners, like FACTE, when you could be making more money working please contact Niñafe Awong at Ninafe.Awong@ elsewhere?” said Mrs. Lawhon. “The answer is fldoe.org. simple. I love what I do. I love inspiring young people to reach for their dreams. I love watching the transition of meager underclassmen to mature 7
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT dedication to the Pinellas County Community. Dr. Prokop started a program called “Employ PTC” that connects with new partners and is growing daily. Career Rocket, an online job and student profile system is also providing a constant flow of employment information for students. These connections have led to greater community involvement and opportunities for both current and potential students.
Pinellas technical college holds manufacturing day event Submitted by Pinellas Technical College
PTC uses Career Rocket to boast over 500 potential employers. Employers contact us through our website and press the option “Employers Post a Job Opportunity” for more details. The technology tracks a student’s educational and professional accomplishments in a Career Rocket E-Portfolio. It is similar to a resume but with more competencysignaling information for those just beginning their careers. Employers have access to their Career Rocker accounts through a password set up in the system and a link to the site. Students can create their accounts and profiles to access the jobs on the board. Career Rocket provides a platform for individualized career planning no matter what stage of career readiness a student may find themselves.
Pinellas Technical College-Clearwater Campus (PTC-CLW) held a manufacturing day event partnering with local middle schools. Over 150 students had the opportunity to tour PTC programs and explore careers in Career and Technical Education (CTE) through presentations, discussions, fun swag, tours and some great food from their Culinary Department. Instructors and students were also available to connect with students about the programs. Many students said they enjoyed seeing opportunities for careers in areas that “inspire” them in the real world. One of the businesses from the PTCs Advisory Board, Kemco Systems, hosted 30 students on a tour of their facilities. Students were able to see the many different positions involved in the company like sales, accounting, engineering, shipping, receiving and more. The tour showed students firsthand how to weld and water pressure, and it emphasized all the safety measures needed to work in the manufacturing industry.
For more information on manufacturing programs at Pinellas Technical College-Clearwater Campus, contact A. Michelle Legg-Melton at legga@pcsb. org.
PTC-CLW has made connections with industry and community partners, a specific goal this year, with the theme of Pride and Professionalism. Director Dr. Jakub Prokop is very involved in the Central Pinellas Chamber of Commerce and was recently named their Director of the Year for his continued 8
Pinellas Technical College staff at Manufacturing Day Event
9
COMMUNITY SERVICE Future farmers of america KNOCK OUR SOCKS OFF
Southwest Middle School is also “learning to do and doing to learn.” The agriculture program is in its fourth year after a 40 year hiatus. The program has grown, and so has the interest in Career Development Events (CDEs), Leadership Development Events (LDEs), community service and love for learning about agriculture.
Submitted by Southwest Middle School
The Future Farmers of America (FFA) motto is: Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve. Southwest Middle School FFA chapter in Lakeland, Florida embraces the spirit of living to serve by incorporating community service opportunities throughout the school year. The middle school’s chapter officer team starts off the year planning how they can give back to the community by adding a service project each month. The chapter’s favorite community service project is called “Socktober.” At the first October “Socktober” event in 2020, they collected approximately 612 pairs of socks for + One More Child/Florida Baptist Children’s Home. + One More Child/Florida Baptist Children’s Home serves students of all ages, including many Southwest Middle School students. Through collections and donations, the chapter is proud of the socks they were able to donate. One student, Cooper Hufstedler, went above and beyond and collected 326 pairs of socks on his own!
When new students join the agriculture academy, they have an idea of what they will be learning. Some students enroll because they want to work with animals. Some are interested in plants, and many have siblings who have previously gone through the program. There are always some who got stuck with the class due to scheduling. The majority know nothing about FFA and the opportunities that await them through CDEs, LDEs, leadership and community service opportunities. There is something for every student. As the program continues to grow, it adds more opportunities for students to polish their skills in CDEs and LDEs. The chapter had a successful fall competing in opening and closing ceremonies, FFA creed and Tool Identification, and was voted Polk County Farm Bureau Agriculture Program of the year. For more information about the Agriculture pathway, reach out to Kaitlin Vickers at Kaitlin.Vickers@ fldoe.org.
During the October 2021 Socktober, the chapter’s goal was to double the number of socks donated from the previous year. Students worked hard by putting boxes at their parents’ workplaces, in their front yards and using their allowances to buy socks. The students collected over 1,600 pairs of socks! Agriculture teacher and FFA advisor Katrina Lynn said, “How could we have known when we started that the Cox sisters would collect 650 pairs on their own and Cooper would come through again?” She is proud of her students for achieving and going beyond their goals. 10
Future Farmers of America at Southwest Middle School
11
AWARDS & RECOGNITION Governor Ron DeSantis Awards $11 Million to Further Career and Apprenticeship Opportunities TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis and Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran announced nearly $11 million in funding for the 2021 Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant and Apprenticeship State Expansion Grant recipients. Read more: https://bit.ly/3m8CAcz
ICYMI: Governor Ron DeSantis Awards $2.3 Million for CDL Training and Workforce Education Bowling Green, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis awarded $2.3 million in funding to support rapid credentialing workforce and education programs, including Commercial Driver’s License and Logistics training. Read more: https://bit.ly/3sovCma
Governor Ron DeSantis Announces $89 Million for Workforce Education Initiatives, Bringing Total Investment to Greater Than $3.5 Billion Since 2019 GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced $89 million in funding for workforce education initiatives, including a first-of-its-kind Career and Technical Education (CTE) charter schools initiative. Read More: https://bit.ly/3L0M2d7
Governor Ron DeSantis Announces $10.5 Million in Funding to Expand Registered Apprenticeship and Preapprenticeship Programs TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis and Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran announce $10.5 million in continued investments to expand registered apprenticeship and preapprenticeship programs at 11 colleges across Florida. Read More: https://bit.ly/3NSGDpJ 12
COLLEGE HIGHLIGHT only provide more opportunities for incoming students, but will also assist the state in meeting the healthcare industry’s critical need for trained healthcare professionals.
INDIAN RIVER STATE COLLEGE BREAKS GROUND ON NEW NURSING FACILITY Submitted by Indian River State College
\ Healthcare is an ever-important industry, but it has seen immeasurable setbacks throughout the past few years. Between tough working conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic and increasing staff burnout, the healthcare industry is facing a workforce shortage and careers such as nursing and nursing assistants are at an all-time high demand. A study conducted by the Florida Hospital Association predicts that by 2035, Florida will be short nearly 60,000 nurses. Indian River State College (IRSC) is doing their part to face these staffing shortages and meet the industry’s growing need for talent. IRSC announced a new 50,000 square-foot nursing facility in January, which is scheduled to be completed by fall of 2023. Currently, IRSC has the capacity for only 300 nursing students, and with increased demand for programs within the healthcare industry, IRSC leadership knew it needed to expand their facility. Dr. Timothy Moore, president of Indian River State College, said the new classrooms will be equipped with simulated clinical settings to help prepare students with the technical training that comes with being a nurse.
Indian River State College Staff celebrate the college’s new nursing facility.
Indian River State College’s expansion will not 13
guess the
CELEBRITY Some of the very best designers and chefs received their education at CTE schools. Guess the celebrities below! Find the answers at the bottom of the page. 1. He studied fashion at the High School of Art and Design – a Career and Technical Education high school in New York City. a. b. c. d.
Steve Madden Ralph Lauren Marc Jacobs Michael Kors
2. He studied Culinary Arts at Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School – a public vocational high school located in Fall River, Massachusetts. Bobby Flay Emeril Lagsse Guy Fieri Gordon Ramsay
Answers: 1. c. Marc Jacobs 2. b. Emeril Lagasse
a. b. c. d.
14
SOCIAL MEDIA shoutouts
15
upcoming events April is Florida College System Month April is Financial Literacy Month April 27, 2022 is Administrative Professional’s Day
16