The CTAE Connector

As we embrace the holiday season, I am filled with gratitude for the incredible support and dedication that each of you brings to our Career, Technical, and Adult Education (CTAE) programs. This time of year reminds us to be present and appreciate the many blessings we have, including our business and industry partners, our robust educational system, and the outstanding efforts of our school-based and district CTAE staff.

Our collective commitment to providing high-quality education and career opportunities for our students is truly inspiring. It is through your unwavering support that we continue to empower our students to achieve their dreams and build a brighter future. As the new year approaches, it brings with it new opportunities for growth and success. Thank you for being an integral part of our community and for your continued dedication to our students' success. Wishing you all a joyful and peaceful holiday season and a prosperous new year.

Each and every day, we are "Preparing Today for Tomorrow's Workforce," and we can only do this with your support and dedication to our students and schools!

Please feel free to contact us at 813-794-2204 and follow Pasco County Schools!

Stay safe, keep it simple, and be well,

Lori Romano, Ph.D.

Director, Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education

Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative (WREC) is a member-owned electric utility headquartered in Dade City, Florida. Established over 77 years ago, WREC serves more than 230,000 customers across Citrus, Hernando, Levy, Marion, and Sumter counties. WREC's mission is to provide safe, reliable, and affordable electric service while enriching and strengthening the communities it serves. The cooperative is dedicated to promoting energy efficiency and supporting local initiatives through various programs and services. One of WREC's notable community programs is Operation Round-Up, where members can round up their monthly bills to the nearest dollar. The extra funds are used to assist families facing catastrophic events, though they are not used to pay electric bills. Additionally, WREC offers scholarships through its Educational Foundation, helping local high school seniors pursue higher education. WREC also engages with the community through educational outreach, such as participating in the Great American Teach-In and hosting career expos for high school students. These efforts demonstrate WREC's commitment to fostering education and community engagement. Overall, Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative plays a vital role in both powering and empowering its community in West Central Florida.

Thank you, Withlacoochee River Electric, for playing a vital role in both powering and empowering our community and Pasco County students!

17 students were inducted as founding members into the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) here at Wiregrass Ranch High School.

The National Technical Honor Society is an educational non-profit that exists to honor, recognize, and empower students and teachers in Career & Technical Education. As the honor society for Career & Technical Education, NTHS serves over 100,000 active members annually in both secondary and postsecondary chapters across the country.

Since its founding in 1984, nearly 1.2 million students have become NTHS alumni. NTHS honors the achievements of top CTE students, provides over $300,000 in scholarships annually, and strives to help connect education and industry to build a highly skilled workforce.

Submitted by Jennifer Schweigert

Pasco County Cattlewomen held their annual Burger Bash event in Dade City. Pasco County Schools was represented by Culinary Arts students from Anclote High School, Dr. John Long Middle School, Fred K. Marchman Technical College, and Land O' Lakes High School. These students put their culinary expertise to the test as they competed to construct the perfect burger for a panel of judges while using a charcoal grill.

We are proud of the representation of Pasco County Culinary Arts at this community event. Congratulations to all teams who participated!

River Ridge High School held a Badges of Honor event in November. The event allowed students to learn more about potential career paths in their community. Partners such as Pasco County Fire Rescue, Pasco County Sheriff's Office, Pasco Corrections, and Pasco-Hernando Fire Academy were in attendance.

Students were able to try on industry grade gear, test equipment, and speak directly to professionals about what it takes to be successful in these careers. This event exposed students to careers in fire and low enforcement, helping them make informed decisions about their future paths. Community Engagement helps make events like this possible.

Thank you to all of our business partners for providing these unique experiences to our students.

The Innovation Station (previously STEM Bus) is Pasco County School’s mobile career-connected STEM experience that exposes students and community members of all ages to STEM and CTE Education. Our Innovation Station is equipped with Stem Pilot Edustations that allow students a simulated flight experience, as well as STEM challenges that are aligned with elementary and middle school Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). This opportunity has been instrumental in fostering teamwork skills and revealing potential career pathways for students' future endeavors.

Thank you to Deer Park, Gulf Side, and Cypress Elementary Schools for providing this unique and engaging experience to their students in December.

Submitted by Taylor Constantino

Pasco County Schools held two Pasco Pathways Expos at Gulf High School and Cypress Creek High School. Pasco Pathways is an initiative by Pasco County Schools that offers a variety of educational programs and innovative options for students. It includes career pathways and technical education programs designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed for various occupations. These programs are aligned with current labor market demands and cover a wide range of industries, from agriculture and engineering to health sciences and digital media. Students can enroll in these programs based on their interests and career goals, and they may also apply for school choice options if they live outside the attendance zone of a specific program. The goal is to provide students with robust educational experiences that enhance their employability and prepare them for future careers.

Thank you to all of our schools and staff members who participated in this event! A huge thank you to Cypress Creek High School and Gulf High School for hosting these educational events.

Mr. Daniel Mitchell, Director with SMARTstart, visited Angeline Academy of Innovation to present

Davina Horowitz, business entrepreneurship student, with a one-year membership to the SMARTstart incubator program for her 1st place win at the Young Pasco Entrepreneurship Competition in April 2024. This membership will provide Davina with access to the tools, resources, and mentorship needed to take her invention to the next level.

Submitted by Chad Mallo

On November 12, the Innovation Station attended the Community STEAM Night at Centennial Elementary School. Students, staff, and community members engaged in a paper rocket STEM challenge where they were guided to use the steps of the scientific method to construct a working paper rocket using only a straw, paper, and tape. This challenge sparked curiosity and innovation while exposing students and community members to STEM education. Attendees also had the opportunity to engage in flight simulation where they took on the roles of Pilot and Co-Pilot as they worked together to land their plane.

Thank you, Centennial Elementary School, for allowing the Innovation Station to be a part of this innovative experience!

Submitted by Taylor Constantino

Pasco County Schools Career and Technical Education (CTE) Department prides itself on the Work-Based Learning options available to all students. Work-Based Learning (WBL) is an interaction with industry or community professionals in real workplace settings, or simulated environments at an educational institution that foster in-depth, firsthand engagement with the tasks required of a given career field, that are aligned to curriculum and instruction. Work-Based Learning is broken down into three separate areas- Career Awareness, Career Exploration, and Work-Based Learning.

• Career Awareness begins as early as elementary school. Elementary students are exposed to career exploration through Guest Speakers, Great American Teach In, and Career Fairs.
• Career Exploration begins in middle school where students are given the opportunity to attend Business and Industry Tours and Field Trips.
• Work-Based Learning is implemented through a more hands on approach. Students in Secondary and Post-Secondary programs participate in Internships, OJT, Simulated Learning, and more.

For more information regarding Work-Based Learning, please reach out to

Angel Hernandez at ahernand@pasco.k12.fl.us.

Fred K. Marchman Technical College hosted Project Prosper this semester. Project Prosper is a non-profit organization based in Tampa Bay, Florida, dedicated to empowering recent immigrants and refugees by providing financial literacy education, no-interest loans, and financial coaching. They aim to help these individuals integrate into the American financial system and achieve financial stability.

For ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) students, Project Prosper collaborates with various local organizations to offer support and resources. They provide financial literacy classes in both English and Spanish, which can help ESOL students better understand financial concepts and practices in the U.S. Additionally, they offer small no-interest loans and matched savings programs to help build credit and financial security.

By addressing language barriers and offering tailored financial education, Project Prosper helps ESOL students and other immigrants navigate the complexities of the financial system, ultimately aiding their integration and success in their new communities.

Submitted by Lori Steele

The Veterinary Assisting programs were invited to a unique educational experience at Busch Gardens. The trip was organized by the Busch Gardens park staff and the District CTAE team. This experience offered a special behind the scenes look at various aspects of animal care in three interactive sessions. Students spoke directly with veterinarians and technicians to give insights into veterinary practices within a theme park setting.

The Nutrition Center Manager lead a discussion about the park's animal nutrition program, and students toured the center to understand how dietary needs are managed for diverse species. Students also visited behind the scenes at the Hippo Barn, where animal care staff demonstrate husbandry and enrichment. This trip offered Pasco students a valuable real-world view of veterinary care, animal nutrition, and behavior management in a professional setting.

Submitted by Nikki Sundsmo

New Port Richey Downtown Main Street, Inc. hosted an exciting field trip for our Business Academy students, including those in Accounting, Law, and Small Business classes. Thanks to the incredible support of local businesses and dedicated volunteers, the tour and scavenger hunt were a resounding success!

Students had the opportunity to tour the historic Hacienda Hotel and New Port Richey Theatre, gaining insight into their history and operations. They also visited several local businesses, where they asked engaging questions about the challenges and successes of starting and growing a business.

The experience was not only educational but also a lot of fun for both students and volunteers. Everyone had a fantastic time!

Submitted by Jennifer Biedler

We are thrilled to announce that all 11 students in the Management & Human Resources program have successfully completed the Florida Ready to Work Soft Skills Training and earned their credentials. This comprehensive training program equips students with essential skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and professionalism, which are crucial for their future careers.

The dedication and hard work of these students have paid off, and they are now better prepared to meet the demands of the modern workplace. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and look forward to seeing them apply these valuable skills in their professional journeys.

Submitted by Jennifer Schweigert

Heather Lively, Senior Instructor and CBIZ-MHM Teaching Fellow, with Ethan Phillips, of CBIZ-MHM, graciously provided a wonderful presentation to our Accounting Principles I and II students on November 19, 2024. They created an inspiring atmosphere. Students enjoyed the presentation immensely. It was very informative and inspiring for my students.

Submitted by Donna Fraser

Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) Trinity Hospital hosted students from the Patient Care Technician program at Fred K. Marchman Technical College, Biomedical students from Wendell Krinn Technical High School, and the Academy of Medical Arts students from J.W. Mitchell High School. The immersive experience was invaluable to our students as they were educated on surgical tools used by medical professionals for diagnosing and treating. Students also had the opportunity to build relationships with community stakeholders and promote the various health science programs available across Pasco County.

Submitted by Siddhesh Muley and Taylor Constantino

The Perry Initiative's Perry Outreach Program (POP) is a one-day, hands-on career exploration event designed to inspire high school students, particularly young women and all gender identities, to pursue careers in orthopaedic surgery and engineering.

Participants in the program engage in six mock orthopaedic surgeries and biomechanical engineering experiments, providing a practical introduction to these fields. The program also includes mentorship opportunities with local medical professionals and engineers, allowing students to learn directly from experts in the field.

The Perry Initiative aims to address the underrepresentation of women in these fields by providing early exposure and support at critical educational junctures. The program is held at over 45 locations nationwide throughout the year, making it accessible to many students.

Dr. John Long Culinary Arts students put their technical skills to the test as they were assigned to create a Thanksgiving Meal. Students first designed a digital menu, followed by execution of the Thanksgiving Dinner. These photos depict the delicious Thanksgiving meal the Culinary Arts students prepared.

Submitterd by Chrysten Pickney

Students at Pine View Middle School showcased their coding expertise by using the Scratch platform to create a marble run activity and integrate Micro:bits. This hands-on project allowed them to apply their programming skills in a fun and interactive way, demonstrating their creativity and technical abilities.

Submitted by Stephanie Steffens

The Tampa Bay Electrathon is an exciting STEM-focused racing event where teams design, build, and race electric vehicles. These vehicles, known as Electrathon cars, are lightweight, single-person, electric-powered, and designed to be energy-efficient. The goal is to complete as many laps as possible within a set time using a limited amount of electrical energy.

Participants get hands-on experience in engineering, problem-solving, and teamwork. The event promotes sustainable technology and innovation, making it a fantastic educational opportunity.

Three students, Santiago Zapata, Shawn Elliot, and Wojciech Wasiolek-Godyn, from Kirkland Ranch participated in this event, and came out on top with the first place prize in car #555.

The next Electrathon will be held at Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation on December 14, 2024.

Submitted by David Kocher

To share information about your program that you would like considered for the CTAE monthly newsletter (photos, awards, events, certifications, etc), please use our monthly CTAE MachForm or email Taylor Constantino (taconsta@pasco.k12.fl.us).

Email: lmromano@pasco.k12.fl.us
Website: http://www.pasco.k12.fl.us/
Location: 7227 Land O' Lakes Boulevard, Land O Lakes, FL, USA
Phone: 813-794-2204
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pascoschools/

If you are interested in becoming a CTAE Business Partner for the 2024-2025 School Year, please submit your information through this Mach Form.