CTE Monthly Newsletter
December 2024
CTE Monthly Newsletter
January 2025
CTE Basics
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.
🎊 📰 Some Good News 📰 🎊
We are very excited to announce and celebrate our student achievements that have been occurring over the past few weeks!
In the news for January:
- In mid December, our Floresville FFA students competed in the State Leadership Development Events (LDE) competition. The two teams advancing from the Area Competition competed in the events of FFA Broadcasting and Ag Advocacy at Huntsville, TX. Only 24 teams across Texas advanced to the State LDE Competition. Our FFA teams both advanced to the final round of their events. The Floresville FFA Broadcasting team, consisting of Mackenzie Seesengood, Halle Orth, and Matthew Moczygemba, placed 6th in the finals - marking the 4th time the team has qualified for State and the 1st time it has placed in the Top 10! The Floresville Ag Advocacy team, consisting of Kambri Angle, Nicole Lee, Nicole Pfeil, and James Marlow, placed 2nd in the final round - this marks the 8th time the team has qualified for State and the 7th time that it placed in the Top 10 teams! The exceptional hard work of our students cannot be overstated! We are very proud of their accomplishments and dedication and are very thankful for the encouragement and support of our sponsors and families! All of our students represented their teams, organization and school admirably! Congratulations to each of our students! 🥇
Program Highlight: Education & Training 📝
To kick off the new semester, we are highlighting our Education & Training pathway! This program is centered on our Teaching & Training courses!
This pathway offers students an in-depth understanding of the careers and instructional practices within the field of education, as well as the developmental factors associated with child development. Students begin the pathway exploring the foundational elements of educational environments, pedagogy and cognitive development in children. As student progress in the advanced courses of the pathway, students are able to gain hands-on knowledge of education practices through field-based observations as well as engagement in the role of a teaching aide in classroom as well.
Currently, our Education & Training pathway instructors partner with district elementary campuses to allow more opportunities for students to work directly with classroom teachers and students. Students visit campuses several times each week across the advanced courses and gain experience in applying principles and theories to the learning process, as well as demonstrating effective conflict-management, instructional and assessment techniques. Upon completion, students earn their Educational Aide I certificate.
Careers that are also examined include educational aide, secondary/elementary teacher, teaching assistant and educational administrator. Instructors for these courses are highly knowledgeable and enthusiastic in their efforts to provide robust environments for students to enhance their understanding of the educational field. This pathway also opens doors to the Texas Association of Future Educators (TAFE) Chapter, a CTE Student Organization at FHS! This organization focuses on creating opportunities for students to demonstrate comprehension of all components involved in the teaching profession. We are sure to see great things from all students engaged in this pathway!
Student Success Story: Meet Raymon Gutierrez 🏆
Raymon Gutierrez, a junior in the Automotive & Collision Repair Pathway is currently in the 4th level course of the pathway, Automotive Technology II: Automotive Service. He has been active in the program since beginning with Automotive Basics, earning two industry-based certifications, specifically ASE Automobile Certification in Brakes and Engine Repair. Raymon's goals include earning more ASE certifications through the Automotive program and attending a technical trade school to strengthen his craft.
Raymon consistently maintains high achievements in his Automotive courses and is looking forward to pursuing a career as a Master Technician or Automotive Engineer upon graduation.
Raymon's dedication serves as a wonderful example for others to continue working hard in pursuit of your goals! We look forward to his great achievements in this field!
Upcoming Events & Deadlines📅 👈
- January 3: Student Holiday and Staff Trade Day
- January 6-7: Student Holiday and Staff Professional Development/Work Day
- January 8: First Day of School! Semester II Begins!
- January 10: EMS Presents! EMTs from Acadian will be onsite presenting to Health Science students on first responder actions, patient care and proper equipment use in hands-on demonstrations!
- January 13: FFA Monthly Meeting in the FHS Cafeteria at 6:30pm.
- January 14: TSI Testing taking place.
- January 15: FAFSA Night!
- January 16-17: 8th Grade Course Selection - CTE Programs of Study and opportunities will be discussed during these presentations as well!
- January 18: Wilson County Expo Center - Commercial Heifer Show at Carr Ranch at 9:00am
- January 20-25: Wilson County Expo Center - Schedule below. Stop by to see CTE students and their hard work!
- January 20: Rabbit show at 9:00 AM; Poultry Show at 3:30 PM
- January 21: Pig Show at 12:30 PM
- January 22: Lamb Show at 10:00 AM; Goat Show at 1:00 PM
- January 23: Ag Mechanics Show at 12:00 PM; Steer Show at 3:30 PM
- January 24: Breeding Beef show at 9:00 AM
- January 25: Auction Sale at the Floresville Event Center at 12:30 PM
- January 20: District Holiday
- January 24: Floresville North Elementary Career Day! CTE Programs will be presented to students as well during the event!
- January 28 & 30: Parent Night at Floresville High School from 6:00pm-7:00pm in the FHS Cafeteria.
- January 29: Practice Health Science IBC.
Career Spotlight: Business Professor ⚡
Postsecondary education careers are trending in an upward pattern across many different disciplines, such as Business, Engineering, and Nursing. College professor positions are expected to increase at a faster than average growth rate of 13% within Texas alone between 2020-2030. This specific area in business projects annual openings across the United States to remain near 8,700 until 2033. As of 2023, the average salary for a Business Professor at the college level in Texas was $99,610.
This career choice does require a college degree from an accredited college, typically a doctoral degree, to earn higher levels of salary within the field. Most colleges provide PhDs in the a variety of business areas, such as Management, Accounting, and Marketing. However, universities may also offer a DBA, Doctor of Business Administration, instead. Both degrees would open doors toward this career. Skill sets within this profession include being detail-oriented, analytical, as well as high written and oral communication abilities. This career boasts many different and unique experiences, from working directly with students to traveling the world to collaborate with universities abroad as well!
Teacher Spotlight: Mrs. Tara Poerner⭐
Mrs. Poerner is one of four instructors in our Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources Program of Study. She is currently in her second year at Floresville High School, but has been teaching Ag since 2016. Growing up on a ranch, she has always had a love for animals and has been involved in FFA (Future Farmers of America) since she was in 3rd grade, raising market swine as an SAE project, competing on the Livestock Judging Team and the Radio Broadcasting Team for Floresville FFA. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Sam Houston State University.
All of these experiences have led Mrs. Poerner toward her career in teaching Ag, as she notes, "I entered the field of Ag Teaching because Agriculture and helping students learn more about the industry that feeds, clothes, and serves as the backbone of our country has always been a passion of mine. I was blessed to have many influential people in my life, like my grandparents and parents who were also educators, as well as my Ag Teachers Mr. Jarzombek and Mr. Billings, to learn from and help me decide that teaching was a profession I should pursue. The one thing I love most about teaching Ag is seeing the "light bulb" kick on for kids, and watching them make those real world connections. It warms my heart to see these kids thrive and succeed in their FFA journey, and it's my job and honor to ensure that they know they are always supported and motivated to succeed!"
Mrs. Poerner has received the Agriculture Science Teacher Association of Texas' Outstanding Young Teacher Award, a Texas FFA Honorary Lonestar Degree, the Texas FFA Foundation "Pay It Forward" Award, and a Floresville Fab award! She also currently runs a show cattle operation with her family!
Mrs. Poerner remains passionate and dedicated towards building strong academic environments to foster positive learning experiences amongst her students. She states, "I hope to bestow a sense of confidence, self-reliance, noble character, how to have a servant heart and mentality, how to be a good steward of agriculture, and the importance of developing the future of our industry. It's important to me that my students know that in my classroom, they are in a safe, stable, and secure place to learn and grow, and have fun while learning about agriculture! I want these kids to know that their choices today will greatly affect their success tomorrow. Success is 100% more attitude and aptitude, and through hard work, determination, confidence, and a good sense of stick-to-itiveness, they are capable of accomplishing anything they set their mind to! Keeping a positive outlook on life and your future can be difficult as a teenager, and it is my duty and privilege to help these kids develop and instill a positive mindset throughout their high school journey!"
She is a valued member of the CTE Faculty and we are very proud to have her working alongside us and our students!
Industry Partner Spotlight: Propel Career Academy🤝
For the start of the new year and new semester, we would like to showcase our partners at Propel Career Academy.
As a leading, accredited trade school located in San Antonio, TX, Propel has been a supportive and active with our Welding program here at Floresville High School. Representatives from the school have provided presentations and facilitated discussions with both our welding students and instructors throughout the Fall semester - allowing students to gain clarity on career paths within the field of commercial welding, as well as plan for postsecondary credentials in the welding profession. Students were also able to receive first-hand feedback on welding practices during visits from Propel as well!
Allowing our students to envision their future in this profession and build plans toward their postsecondary goals is a vital element in connecting education to real-world applications. We truly value and appreciate the mentorship, motivation and expertise shared with our students and program.
Thank you for your continued support and dedication towards education and student success!
Tips for Community Members: How to Get Involved🤝
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:
- 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!
- 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!
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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!
Tips for Families: Supporting CTE Students
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.
Resources for Students & Families
- 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!
Frequently Asked Questions🙋
Q: Do the courses in a program of study need to be offered in a certain order?
A: Course order will be determined by recommended and required prerequisites in the TEKS. Courses should progress in content specificity and rigor.
Q: What is a program of study?
A: Programs of study are course sequences that prepare students with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in their chosen career. These sequences embed relevant, real-world experiences and culminate in a postsecondary credential that will prepare students for a high-wage, high-skill, in-demand career. The courses contained within statewide and regional programs of study are determined by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) per the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V).
Thank You!
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
Mrs. Kim Ackley
CCMR Counselor
(830) 393-5370 Ext. 21009