Don't Forget about CTE (Career & Technical Education)

Nicole Reynolds , M.Ed

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With the back to school season underway, I reminiscence about my former days as a CTE Business Education teacher. You see many times the only advocates we had for our content area were former admin who were CTE teachers or the CTE department. Career and Technical Education courses are more than just electives. We develop skill sets through project based learning that further develop students to become college and career ready. I often wonder are parents and community members truly knowledgeable about the courses offered in the CTE realm and the benefits their children can gain from it as early as the 6th grade.

CTE programs are more than just workforce development for future employment pipelines to potential companies. They are the bridge between academic and career. You see with quality designed CTE programs students can identify and discover their career goals and transferable skills. I like to think there is a misunderstanding about the"elective" courses. We are not just an "Easy A" or easy grade to boost your GPA. CTE courses are the gateway to high school internships and work based learning skills. CTE classrooms can expand beyond the classroom with student organizations such as FBLA and DECA where students can display their skills in develop marketing ads, writing business plans, completing accounting tasks and more.

My hope is that educators in other content areas learn more about CTE and collaborate with a CTE teacher to co-teach a lesson or partner together in various units. You will be surprised how much you can do together. Remember don't forget about CTE . Career and Technical Education. Tweet me on @sassyeducation to show me how you and your team collaborated with a CTE teacher!

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