As a Career and Technical Education (CTE) teacher, I experience a slightly different set

of advantages, disadvantages, and responsibilities in the classroom than a core content

teacher. Beginning my first year as a business teacher, I only considered the
advantages: extreme flexibility in curriculum design, freedom from standardized tests, a
variety of courses, and the ability to pass on real-world knowledge that students will use
in their adult lives. I soon came to realize that these advantages came with a matching
set of challenges, some of which I am still trying to navigate.

About CTE
The Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act of 2006 supports CTE by
providing federal funding to secondary and postsecondary education programs in all 50
states. The reauthorization of the act in 2006 changed the language from vocational
education to career and technical education. This broadened the scope of education
supported by the act, bringing business and technology courses firmly into the mix. At
the local level, I have the opportunity to apply for grants from a Perkins fund to build the
business departments curriculum and resources.

Career Pathways. By understanding the 16 career clusters and the various career
pathways within each, CTE instructors give students a chance to explore a variety of
career options, while helping them navigate career paths which match their interests
and talents.

Responsibilities of CTE Instructors

As a business teacher, my focus is on the career clusters related to business
management, marketing, and finance. For students with an aptitude and interest in
business related careers, I can help them explore potential career paths, along with
their future education requirements.

However, there are business skills required to be successful in any career. I link
business skills and courses to a variety of career clusters outside of my immediate
focus. For example, when teaching Microsoft Excel, I use several examples related to
the agriculture industry. Because my husband and I farm and raise livestock, I give the
students real world examples of the softwares use in farming. Likewise, core principles
of finance are used in the decision-making process of all industries.

Link to the Community. CTE instructors can act as a link between students and
employers. We must understand the skills required by employers and work with them to
prepare students to enter the workforce or guide them to appropriate post-secondary
education. While many core content instructors gauge their success on students
standardized test results, CTE instructors should measure success based on the
career-readiness of their students. It is difficult to track students post-graduation, but
forming relationships with local employers and postsecondary institutions can help us
check on the success and struggles of our high school graduates.
My First Years Experience
CTE wasnt a familiar term prior to the start of my school year. I had the opportunity to
begin teaching immediately with a limited license due to high need in my area.
Unfortunately, that meant that I missed out on having a mentor in my subject area
during my student teaching to explain insider terms - such as CTE. The high school
guidance counselor was particularly helpful in teaching me about my role as a CTE
instructor by suggesting local CTE trainings, helping me write Perkins grant proposals,
and introducing me to local business professionals who want to partner with the high
school to prepare students for the workforce.

Professional Development. In November, I attended a Perkins Articulation Agreement

Meeting for business education. Representatives from high schools and colleges in the
region met to discuss articulation credits which colleges would accept from high
schools. Colleges stated their minimum requirements and high schools took notes and
received clarification. I began to understand CTE at this meeting. I also began to
develop a network of other business teachers in my area, who have given me ideas for
curriculum and classroom resources.

In January, I was invited to attend a New CTE Teacher meeting at a local community
college. The goal of the presenters was to provide support and resources for new
teachers. Although this meeting didnt present much new information, it did expand my
CTE support network. We were also given the book Your First Year in CTE: 10 More
Things to Know, which has helped me connect pedagogy strategies learned from my
Winona State course to CTE curriculum.

Jobs Fair. Our school guidance counselor is coordinating a jobs fair with local business.
The businesses will be available to interview students at the school for internships,
summer jobs, and full time jobs for our seniors. Along with the agriculture and industrial
arts teachers, I am working with my students to present the opportunities for which
businesses will be interviewing, and matching potential students with employers. The
jobs fair is May 5th, so we are in the process receiving information from the local
businesses. Im looking forward to meeting these local professionals and speaking with
them about their workforce needs.

Challenges. My greatest challenge throughout the year has been the lack of
content/curriculum support available to me. I chose to accept a full time teaching
contract in a rural school district in lieu of co-teaching in an established program.
Although my co-workers and administrators were friendly and helpful, they couldnt offer
content specific advice. There was also a lack of resources for several courses that I
was expected to teach. I put many hours into search for and developing curriculum.
Even after I decide on and present my materials, I do not have anyone to evaluate its
effectiveness but me.

Another challenge is the amount of different preps within a school day. I like variety, but
I am slightly overwhelmed. This semester I teach 7 out of 8 class periods with 4 different
preps. At this point, I cannot foresee a future in which Im not work several additional
hours in the evenings or on weekends.

Applying Perspective
My primary goals as a secondary teacher are to increase financial literacy, improve
communication skills, and develop critical thinking/problem solving strategies in each of
my students. My responsibilities as a CTE instructor compliment these goals. I want my
students to make connections among all their areas of study. I want them to show
curiosity and passion for something...anything. I want to help them experience success.


Friday, May 5, 2017