Merry Christmas from your CTE Team
December 2021
CTE Pathways Specialist Team
Hello and welcome to your new CTE Pathways Team:
Todd White- Arts, Media and Entertainment
Michelle McLean- Allied Health
Alissa Zertuche- Environmental Engineering
Shannon Beni- Hospitality and Tourism
The Four Pathways:
Arts, Media and Entertainment- Photography, Graphic Design and Live Broadcast
Allied Health- Dental, Fitness and Exercise Fields
Environmental Engineering- Environmental Science, Construction and Automative
Hospitality and Tourism- Resort and Recreation Management and Culinary Arts
We are here to support you and your students, and are working hard to create engaging opportunities for all of our students K-8th grades.
Michelle McLean
Alissa Zertuche
Todd White
But what does CTE even mean ?
Wondering what CTE really means ?- check out our LTUSD website:
http://sths.ltusd.org/Teacher_Pages/career_technical_education/cte_website
At South Tahoe High school we currently have four CTE pathways- areas of technical education- which provide students with hands on experience in technical fields.
Questions from a Curious Teacher ?:
What does CTE even mean ?
CTE means 'Career Technical Education', and until very recently has been a term designated to high school programming.
How does CTE relate to elementary and middle school ?
In the last few years a number of school districts throughout the country have began to bring the CTE pathways down to the elementary levels- to allow students to explore their strengths, skills and talents and create a higher level of self awareness of what careers will interest and fulfill them in their future.
How will CTE involve my classroom and school ?
Each specialist will bring their knowledge direct to you and your students- expect STEAM activities and PBL opportunities. Students will meet, speak and work with professionals from each pathway through; guest speaking, hands on activities, assemblies and larger events. Connections to our community will be pivotal to our programming.
Why does this matter for my students at the elementary and middle school level ?
CTE programming puts an emphasis on career-readiness, which is great for the middle school level, and provides students with in-demand skills and technical experience. But more importantly it teaches 'soft skills' including; critical thinking, problem solving, communication, social and emotional awareness, and teamwork all within the context of having fun.
Is this program the same as the STEAM program ?
The CTE programs will include elements of STEAM but the focus is on the four pathways. Unlike the STEAM program we will not be providing activities related directly to the NGSS, though some activities will include science. We will also not be providing weekly lessons at one specific elementary school site. We hope to provide your students with activities once a month. Our mission is to provide districtwide events to both elementary and middle school students.
CTE Activities
For the last few months we have been getting ready to provide fun and educational 'hands on' activities for all of our students. We have been piloting a number of CTE activities at each of our elementary schools focusing on; engineering, social and emotional health, and dental awareness.
In the New Year you can expect activities in your classrooms but we will be focusing heavily on; bringing CTE education outdoors; involving local professionals and businesses; and bringing new, districtwide, fun and engaging community supported events direct to your schools.
Allied Health
Engineering
Dental Health
Environmental Science
Social and Emotional Health
Environmental Science
Can't Wait to Meet You
Look out for us at your school starting Jan 2022. To contact us directly with questions or ideas please email:
Our Mission
Our team is here to create a direct pathway between the existing CTE programs at the High School to the middle and elementary levels by ; introducing career and technical pathways and education to K-5 ("Discover") and 6-8 ("Explore") in fun and engaging ways.
1. At the elementary level students will 'discover' their unique interests by promoting self-awareness through intentional learning in the fields of; art and design, environmental science and engineering, sports and health, and tourism and recreation.
2. At the middle school level students will 'explore' diverse learning opportunities and interest mapping to connect them to their future career possibilities with the support of local partner groups.
We will be providing hands on activities related to each pathway through a number of districtwide events at each school site.
Coming up in the New Year
Feb- 5th Grade Snowshoeing Project Based Learning Month
March- Career Week
We will be in touch !