The Role of CTE in Education, by Summer Major, Agriculture Teacher at Lebanon High School

Think back to the last time you did the following: took your car to a mechanic, had your hair cut, went to the farmer’s market, planted a garden, landscaped your house, took your child to daycare, took your animals to the vet, went hunting and/or fishing, visited a website, went to the bank or an accountant, went to the doctor, ate in a restaurant, built something out of wood, saw EMS personnel at work, baked a cake or cooked a meal, and the list could go on and on.  Chances are you have done many of these things pretty recently and some of them every day or pretty often.  So what does all of this have to do with education?  The answer….Everything!!!  All of the instances above include skills that are taught in our CTE (Career Technical Education) classes on a daily bases.  CTE provides students with a wide range of high-wage, high-skill, and high demand careers! 

Often times CTE and “core academic subjects” are separated, which in reality it only makes since for us to be together!  The goal of CTE is to prepare students to be college- and career-ready by providing academic skills, employability skills and technical, job-specific skills.  CTE teachers are able to take what the students learn in English, math, and science and help them apply it to everyday life and future careers.  We help make a well-rounded student, which is one goals of the newly passed Every Student Succeeds Act. 

A key factor for CTE classes is CTSOs (Career Technical Student Organizations).  CTSO’s like FFA, HOSA, FBLA, Skills USA to name a few extend teaching and learning through innovative programs, business and community partnerships, and leadership experiences at the school, state, and national levels.  Within these organizations, members have the opportunity to attend conferences, meet people in the industry, learn and use soft-skills, and are eligible for thousands of dollars in scholarships.   

Did you know….

                *Wilson County’s CTE graduation rate is currently 99.28%

*Students may earn certifications… CPR, First Aid, AED, Teen CERT Certification Hunter’s Safety, Boating Safety, OSHA Certification, ASE (Automotive Service of Excellence), Serve Safe,

Hours toward their state cosmetology license, prepares students to take Microsoft Office Specialist and some Adobe Certifications.

*Students may earn college credit for Greenhouse Management, Agriculture Business/Finance,   Intro to Criminal Justice, and Early Childhood Education Services

*A ratio of one CTE class for every two academic classes minimizes the risk of students dropping out of high school. (ACTE)

  

If you’re not familiar with the CTE programs at your local high school, I encourage you to check them out!  Each school may be a little different, so ask them questions about their programs or how you can work together on your specific subject or with a specific student.  You will find that CTE teachers have a passion for their content area and a love for their students.  They have a way building relationships with their students and teaching life lessons that you can’t learn out of a book.