We are excited to kick off the 2024-2025 school year with fresh energy and enthusiasm for Career & Technical Education. This year promises to be one of growth, innovation, and hands-on learning opportunities. Below you will find important updates for CTE, information on student organizations, and highlights from the CTE Department.

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.

This month we are spotlighting our newest pathway, the Business, Marketing, and Finance Pathway! In these courses, our students will be gearing up to become certified small business owners, social media marketers, entrepreneurs, and even customer service specialists! Thanks to our dedicated instructors and project-based learning models, students will start gaining hands-on experience in real-world business settings. This year, we are planning to increase partnerships with local companies to provide robust opportunities for work-based learning for our students!

Chloe Ascencio, a sophomore in the Education & Training Pathway, is currently an active member of the CTE student organization known as TAFE where she holds the officer position of Secretary. She has competed at the Area, State, and National level! At Nationals, she received 3rd in the nation in Creative Literature and held a "Ted Talk" about Teacher Salaries. Following these achievements, she continues towards her goal of becoming a teacher by participating in the revolving observations and assistantships at the North Elementary, South Elementary, and the Early Child Center in FISD. During these rotations, students can assist in instructional support as well as classroom management! Chloe is also a Varsity cheerleader and member of Junior Catholic Daughters of America at her local church. We are very proud of Chloe's accomplishments and her leadership in the educational field!

• September 4: Clinical rotations with our partners at local healthcare centers officially begin.
• September 5: Preliminary testing date for TSIA2. Test results would be needed for students interested in dual credit courses or seniors applying for colleges or universities.
• September 14: ACT testing will be conducted for student who registered through www.act.org by the August 9th deadline.
• September 17: Deadline to order pig validation tags for FFA.
• September 20: Deadline to register for taking the SAT on October 5th. Students interested may register at www.collegeboard.org.
• September 26: ASVAB Test will be conducted in the FHS Library at 8:30am.
  

Marketing management is a fast growing field in the business industry, with an above average projected job growth of 6% through 2032. Our Business, Marketing & Finance Pathway prepares students for careers in this lucrative field by offering hands-on experience with real-world campaigns and certifications, such as Entrepreneurship & Small Business. The median salary in this field starts at $157,620 as of May 2023. This career also offers opportunities for students to utilize employable skillsets, such as decision-making, analytical thinking, creativity, and communication abilities. Opportunities abound for students to pursue higher education as well as further work-based certifications.

Ms. Macaluso is one of the instructors in our Welding Program of Study, entering into her 2nd year of teaching at Floresville High School. As she notes, she has always been passionate about her career, "I grew up welding with my dad and when I got to middle school, I took the welding course they offered there and continued with welding through my high school career. After graduating high school, I decided to continue in welding and attended Arclabs Welding School, obtaining certifications in different processes as well as my welding inspection certification." Her students consistently demonstrate high levels of skill and creativity. Ms. Macaluso also hopes to bring a sense of pride and fun to the classroom, "What I love about welding is the sense of community it brings, whether in working alongside other welders or teaching students, there's a camaraderie that develops through shared experiences and challenges. I hope to impart a strong sense of craftsmanship and pride in my students' work as well as the fun and joy that comes from creating something with your own hands. The most important thing I want my students to leave my course with is confidence in their skills and welding knowledge, and to carry a sense of pride in their craft." We are fortunate to have such a dedicated and enthusiastic teacher on our staff! We appreciate all she does and look forward to her students' successes throughout the school year!

Mr. Matthew Street has worked continually with our Information Technology students, helping to better prepare them through hands-on scenarios and real-world discussions. Students have enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about data networks, computer systems, and the IT industry. We deeply appreciate Mr. Street for providing our students with invaluable opportunities to gain insights into real-world scenarios. Your support and collaboration have made a significant impact on their learning journey!

We are always thrilled 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.

In March of this year, TEA refreshed CTE Programs of Study for implementation this school year. Changes were additive in nature and do not negatively impact students in a chosen Program of Study. A preliminary plan of these changes was released in October 2023. The changes will help to provide a more comprehensive set of pathways for students to choose from and enhance engagement across CTE clusters!

• 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.
• 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: What certifications are available for my student?

A. Our programs offer a wide range of certifications, including Adobe Professional Certifications, ServSafe Manager, IT Fundamentals, Educational Aide I, and Certified Clinical Medical Assistant. Each career pathway offers its own set of industry-related certifications.

Q: Can students switch pathways during the school year?

A: Schedule changes typically take place during the first weeks of school. We are recommending that students remain in their pathways in order to obtain all skillsets necessary for completing their IBCs successfully. Students may also visit with their counselor for scheduling information.

Thank you for your continued support of our CTE programs! We look forward to a year of growth and success for all of our students!

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.

CTE Coordinator

Salyna Guanajuato-Galvan

830-393-5370 Ext. 21008

sguanajuato1@fisd.us

CCMR Counselor

Kim Ackley

830-393-5370 Ext. 21009

kackley@fisd.us