Career & Technical Education (CTE) provides opportunities for students to gain career-focused experiences and certifications through specific industry pathways. Pathways serve as the sequence of courses for each Program of Study that students will follow throughout high school. Floresville High School currently offers 9 CTE Clusters and 13 Programs of Study, consisting of 55 different courses.

Programs of Study currently include Animal Science, Plant Science, Agricultural Technology & Mechanical Systems, Graphic Design & Interactive Media, Digital Communications, Marketing & Sales, Teaching & Training, Exercise Science, Wellness & Restoration, Diagnostic & Therapeutic Services, Culinary Arts, Cybersecurity, Welding, and Automotive & Collision Repair.

As we take time this month to celebrate our CTE programs, we are very proud to announce and highlight student achievements over the past few weeks!

Happy Career & Technical Education Month!

In the news for February:

• Earlier this week, our Floresville TAFE team competed at State and we are thrilled to announce that several students have advanced to Nationals and will be heading to Orlando, Florida! The students advancing are senior, Devin Guzman, in Public Speaking, sophomore, Chloe Ascencio, in Creative Lecture (TED TALK) and sophomore, Brinley Baggs, in Public Speaking. We are proud of everyone in our TAFE team and wish the competitors good luck as they travel to Nationals! 🎉
• At the end of last week, our Floresville SkillsUSA Welding Team competed in the SkillsUSA District Competition. Students placed in several competitions, earning 2nd place in Welding Applications, 2nd and 3rd place in Welding Fabrication, and 1st place in Opening & Closing Ceremonies! Our Welding Team in the OCC Competition advanced and will be heading to the State Competition! We are so proud of all of the student teams that competed at district and represented our school and community with pride! We wish lots of luck to the student team and sponsors as they prepare for State. Congratulations to our Welding Team! 🥇
• Our welding students also received first hand experiences using new virtual welding practice techniques. These techniques allowed students to practice using different tools while also viewing live feedback on their welds. A representative from Eagle Welding visited with our welding classes to introduce the virtual system and teach students about technology is integrated into the welding field. Thank you to our guest speaker for bringing such dynamic learning opportunities to our students! 👨🏻‍🏫
• Once our new semester was underway, our Health Science team also received a visit from some guest speakers from Acadian Ambulance Services. Their team of speakers discussed careers within the emergency services field while also delivering real-world EMT scenarios that our Health Science students helped to resolve. We truly appreciate the time and support of all of the representatives from Acadian. The students were thoroughly engaged and learned a lot from each part of the presentation! 🚑
• During the Career Day event at Floresville North Elementary, our CTE students had the opportunity to present to the elementary students on their chosen Programs of Study. CTE students answered questions, discussed skills they have learned and led presentations on our Arts & A/V, Welding, Education & Training, Culinary Arts, and Health Science programs. All of our students represented themselves and the high school campus well and did phenomenal jobs sparking interest in CTE pathways and careers! 🍎
• The HOSA Competition took place earlier this month and our students represented our Health Science program with pride and enthusiasm! During the competition, Andrew Briones placed 2nd in Occupational Therapy and advanced to State! Congratulations to Andrew! Truly a fantastic accomplishment and we look forward to cheering him on! 👩🏻‍⚕️
• Our Floresville FFA team, competing in the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo throughout the month, showed this week in the Purebred Gilt Show. Wesley Kotzur showed in the Spotted Gilt class, placing 8th in a class of over 30 pigs! Congratulations to Wesley and his family! We are looking forward to much more news to come from our stock show events across the state! 👏

In this month's edition, we are highlighting our Manufacturing pathway! This program includes one of our most dynamic pathways, Welding!

This program offers the opportunity for students to discover paths that lead toward careers such as welders, metal fabricators, production supervisors, and industrial production managers. Students are able to receive classroom instruction in addition to the hands-on projects and techniques completed in the welding workshops. Learning content from workshop safety to welding fabrication, our experienced instructors lead our students through practical skill application and professional certifications while also emphasizing creativity and pride in their craft! Certifications that are offered through this pathway include AWS D9.1 Sheet Metal as well as AWS D1.1 Structural Welding.

Students in this pathway are also encouraged to join the Welding Team in Skills USA! This month our placed in the top three across several categories within the competition, with our Opening & Closing Ceremonies team advancing to State! All of our students continue to demonstrate exceptional ability and we could not be prouder of our students and staff in our Welding program!

Ayris Bracken, a senior in the Culinary Arts Pathway, is in the final year of the Culinary Arts Program of Study. She has not only earned her ServSafe Manager Certification through the pathway, but she remains highly involved and interested in community events as well. Ayris serves as the CTE Ambassador for the Culinary Arts program and also presented to the elementary students during the Floresville North Elementary Career Day event!

Looking forward to seeing all of the great things to come from Ayris as she moves on to post-secondary adventures at the end of the school year!

• February: CTE MONTH 🥳
• February Stock Shows:
• San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo
• Live Stream: https://www.sanangelorodeo.com/p/livestock1/live-show-streams
• Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo
• Live Stream: https://www.fwssr.com/p/participate/cowboy-channel--fwssr-livestreams
• San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo
• Live Stream: https://www.taylorfort.com/live
• February 13: Snack Day
• February 14: Professional Development
• February 17: President's Day (Student Holiday)

Professions within the entertainment field are trending up at a faster than average rate of 7% to 8% across the United States. In Texas alone, this position is expected to grow to 12% between this year and 2030. As of 2024, the average salary for a film director in the state of Texas is $61,380, however, nationally the average salary would be $82,510.

While this profession does not require a degree, most individuals do possess a Bachelor degree and post-secondary education. Other careers in the area of the arts include Film Editor, Producer, Art Director, Talent Director as well as Media Technical Manager. Careers within the Arts also provide outlets for creativity, independence, and stress tolerance. So many different avenues to pursue in this area!

Mrs. Troutman is our instructor for the Forensic Science and Anatomy & Physiology courses, both courses are part of CTE as well. She has been with Floresville ISD since 2021 and has taught Forensic Science for a total of 2 years and Anatomy & Physiology for 18 years. Mrs. Troutman also has experience teaching a variety of different courses, including Medical Microbiology, Pathophysiology, AP Environmental Science, Dual Credit Biology and Engineering Design & Problem Solving!

Prior to her career in education, Mrs. Troutman worked in the medical field, petrochemicals and as a marine biologist. Teaching was not always her first career choice, but it was a great one, as she notes, "Why did I enter a field that I said as a child, I will never be a teacher... because my husband in all of his wisdom recognized that this is where I belong, my calling. I love learning new things!

What is best about education: I love interacting with students, sharing new aspects of science, and the discovery of learning, watching students grow! And, when they come back after graduation and share their life experiences." Part of her background included her post-secondary education, in which she earned a BS in Biological Sciences at the University of Houston - Clear Lake, a MEd in Educational Administration & Supervision at the University of Houston - Victoria, and a MS in Biological Sciences at Texas A&M Commerce.

During her career, Mrs. Troutman has received multiple awards and recognition, including the Dream Maker Award, Baylor College of Medicine Medical Microbiology Study Award, Shared Vision & Goals Leadership Award, Leadership Excellence Award. All of her awards have only strengthened her interest and passion for teaching. When considering what she would like to impart to her students, she states, "Ask questions about everything - answers don't magically fall out of the sky into your brain. Discover the world around you, you might just learn something exciting. Do - Life is a banquet, enjoy and experience! I want students to know that I care and they can always reach out for help and are welcomed with open arms. My place is a safe haven to learn, grow, and be yourself. When I do not know the answer to something - we can find out together. Learning provides a power that no one can take away."

Mrs. Troutman is a valued member of the CTE Staff and we are beyond thrilled to have her on board and working with our community and students!

This month, we extend our deepest gratitude to our incredible industry partner, Eagle Welding Supply, for their unwavering support and commitment to our students and instructors. Their dedication to bridging education and industry has been truly invaluable, and we are beyond grateful for the time and expertise they have shared with our welding program.

From visiting our classrooms and serving as guest speakers and presenters to introducing students to the latest advancement in welding technology, their involvement has provided our students with real-world insights and hands-on learning opportunities that go far beyond the textbook. Additionally, their willingness to assist in training and development opportunities, as well as their support in maintaining workshop equipment, has been instrumental in ensuring our program remains strong and effective.

Their generosity and investment in the future of our students make a lasting impact, inspiring the next generation of skilled professionals. Eagle Welding Supply has continued to be a valued partner in education and workforce development - we truly appreciate all that they have done and continue to do!

We are always happy to work with community members and to build opportunities to showcase our programs and our students' achievements!

If you are not sure about how to get involved, here are some suggestions:

1. Become part of our Advisory Committees : Community members with industry experience can serve on advisory committees. These committees will meet several times throughout the school year to provide guidance on curriculum, industry trends, and relevance of programs to workforce/labor market needs. These meetings are a fantastic way to begin building a pipeline for highly-qualified future employees as well!
2. Guest Speaking: Industry professionals can volunteer to speak in classrooms about their career experiences, trends in their industry, or specific hard/soft skillsets. These presentations provide students with real-world insights and can inspire them to explore different career paths!
3. Job Shadowing: Community businesses can offer job shadowing experiences to students, allowing them to observe and understand various careers. This helps students make informed decisions about their future path and build connections with local businesses.
4. Internships & Apprenticeships: Community members and businesses can host students as interns or apprentices. These hands-on experiences give students practical skills and workplace knowledge while allowing businesses to mentor and shape future talent in their industries.
5. Program Sponsorships or Donations: Local businesses and individuals can sponsor CTE programs by providing financial support, equipment, or materials. This funding can help enhance the program's capabilities, provide scholarships, or support student-led projects and competitions.
6. Mentorship Programs: Community members can mentor students by offering career advice and personal development. This one-on-one support can make a significant impact on students' confidence and career readiness.
7. Volunteering for Events or Competitions: Members within the community can volunteer to help organize, judge, or support CTE-related events, such as Career Fairs, skill competitions, or expos. These events highlight student achievements and bring together students, families, educators, and businesses.
8. Worksite Tours: Businesses can open their doors for worksite tours, giving students a chance to explore different workplaces and industries. This helps students visualize their potential future careers and better understand workplace environments.
9. Partnership Development: Local businesses and industries can work with schools to create formal partnerships. These partnerships might include co-developing curriculum, offering professional development for teachers, or creating pipeline programs that prepare students for specific careers within specific companies.
   
10. Advocacy & Awareness: Members of the community can help advocate for CTE programs by raising awareness of their value and impact in preparing students for the workforce. This advocacy could involve speaking at school board meetings, engaging in social media campaigns, or participating in community forums.

By engaging in these roles, community members can help enrich CTE programs, create stronger connections between education and industry, and ensure that students are prepared for successful careers!

Encourage your student to set goals for their CTE journey. Whether it's earning a certification or exploring an internship, help them stay motivated by discussing their progress regularly. Also, connect with your student's teachers to stay informed about class projects and opportunities for growth.

• Instructional Support: Flex Time can be used for each course to assist students with content. Ask your CTE teacher about these times if you need help with content, assignments, or projects.
• Scholarship Opportunities: Use the link below to begin reviewing scholarship opportunities for CTE students throughout the school year. Scholarship information will be reviewed and revisited each month.
• Career & Technical Student Organizations: Students have the opportunity to join CTE-based clubs and organizations to better hone their trade and expand their networks within their desired career path. Some of these organizations include: TAFE (Texas Association of Future Educators), FFA (Future Farmers of America), BPA (Business Professionals of America), and Skills USA. Talk to your teacher about memberships and important CTSO dates!

Q: Are CTE programs offered at the middle school or elementary school?

A: Middle school programs are available, however, their extension depends on each school district across the state. The elementary level does have curriculum and concise activities as well that can be used in those younger grades, but that is also dependent on each district.

Q: Does a completer need to have completed all levels of a pathway?

A: No. Students can still be completers if they have at least 4 credits, including a Level 3 or Level 4 course within their program of study.

Thank you for your continued support of our CTE programs! We are continually striving to bring together our community and our students to build an atmosphere of authentic learning and fellowship. We are proud of our educators and our students for their dedication, creativity, and enthusiasm!

Feel free to reach out to our department if you have any questions about our Programs of Study, certifications, or are interested in partnering with our programs! Contact information is provided below.

Mrs. Salyna Guanajuato-Galvan

CTE Coordinator

(830) 393-5370 Ext. 21008

sguanajuato1@fisd.us

Mrs. Kim Ackley

CCMR Counselor

(830) 393-5370 Ext. 21009

kackley@fisd.us