The CTAE Connector
From the Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education
December 2021 • Preparing Today for Tomorrow's Workforce
Winter Wishes
It's hard to believe we are wrapping up first semester this week!
At the December 14th School Board meeting, Cypress Creek High School senior Nicholas Vreeland was recognized as Pasco's U.S. Presidential CTE Scholar nominee. Nicky has been a standout student at CCHS' Academy of Engineering. (Pictured L-R in photo: Superintendent Kurt Browning, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Kim Moore, CCHS Principal Carin Hetzler-Nettles, Nicholas Vreeland, Kim Vreeland, Brent Vreeland, Pasco County School Board Chair Cynthia Armstrong)
For the second year in a row, Pasco County Schools' Outstanding Senior is a CTE student! Read more about Wesley Chapel High School's Lana Guzman in the article below. We are proud of all of our career, technical and adult education students, and know they deserve recognition for their achievement in all aspects of their educational journeys.
Our district CTAE team has been busy with a number of initiatives and projects, including:
• Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment
• Pasco Pathways (school choice)
• Early Release Day professional development for CTAE teachers
• FLDOE Desk Audit
• Spring College/Career Fair and Trades/Career Fair
We have partnered with high school and middle school administrative teams to plan their CTE course offerings for the 2022-2023 school year. These program and course advisement meetings continue to strengthen alignment and create meaningful career pathways for students across the district.
As always, we are "Preparing Today for Tomorrow's Workforce" and we appreciate your support of our students and schools!
Please feel free to contact us at 813-794-2204, join us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @PascoCTE!
Stay safe, keep it simple and be well,
Lori Romano, Ph.D.
Director, Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education
CTE Student Named Pasco's Outstanding Senior
Pasco County Schools is proud to announce that Lana Guzman of Wesley Chapel High School has been selected as the districtwide 2021-2022 Outstanding Senior.
The award is given based on academic record, service, leadership, citizenship, and commitment to school and community. Each Pasco County high school selected an Outstanding Senior nominated by the student body, faculty, and staff. The Outstanding Seniors from each school were then interviewed by a panel, which selected one senior to represent Pasco County.
Lana is a well-rounded student who has been heavily involved in Future Farmers of America and the agricultural programs at Wesley Chapel High and in the agricultural industry at the state and national levels. In addition, she has volunteered at the Glazer’s Children’s Museum, the local library, and at her church.
In her letter of recommendation, Wesley Chapel High School agricultural teacher Erin Farquhar wrote that “Lana is a caring student who has a way of making everybody she meets feel welcome and accepted. She is an outstanding student who continuously challenges herself by taking the most rigorous courses offered. Lana has been able to successfully complete all of her roles at WCHS while maintaining a job and participating in community activities.”
ICT Digital Tools Successes!
Katherine Mandelberg - Charles S. Rushe Middle School
John Cox - Chasco Middle School
Kolton Martin - Pasco Middle School
Michaela Sampson - Pasco Middle School
Veronica Loudermilk - River Ridge Middle School
We look forward to seeing even more student success and certifications at all of Pasco's middle schools during the second semester!
GHS NJROTC Places in Competition
- submitted by John McGuire, NJROTC Instructor
Hudson High School JROTC State Champions!
The JROTC corps was also chosen to present the colors at the Tampa Bay Lightning game on January 15th, 2022!
PHS Honors Veterans
National Campaign to Expand Cybersecurity Workforce
We want to hear from you!
• Please share information about your program that you would like considered for the CTE monthly newsletter (photos, awards, events, certifications, etc.).
• Don't forget that you can email Pam Willoughby (pwilloug@pasco.k12.fl.us) with news and photos you want posted on our social media platforms at any time throughout the month.
Growing Bigger and Better at CENMS!
- submitted by Alpha Lewis, CENMS teacher
Wesley Chapel Wildcats Tour PHSC iPAC
Vintage Busses + Modern Design = Awesome Rides @ MTC!
- submitted by Linda Bourne, Marchman Technical College Commercial Arts Instructor
Toys Inspire Design Challenge
- submitted by Leith Taylor, JWMHS Digital Design teacher
Bulls Charge Toward Microsoft Certification!
Her Legal Aspects of Business students developed their court room skills in a mock trial. They utilized the classroom space as a court room.
- submitted by Donna Fraser, WRHS Business teacher
Weightman Wildcats Build Soft Skills
They've also applied collaboration skills to make a free-standing structure using only 20 pieces of spaghetti and one yard of masking tape. Their creations had to hold a jumbo marshmallow.
Finally, they showed respect for fellow scholars and for the campus by cleaning up trash and leaving positive chalk messages on the walkways.
- Submitted by Jenna Eyers, TEWMS Business teacher
MTC Early Childhood Education Students Earn Praise
"Krista is using skills she is learning to mentor her new co-worker."
"Amanda is doing an amazing job. She can multi-task especially when we are short-staffed. I can always rely on her. She helped lead the class when I was out of the building."
"Kari takes initiative to step in where needed, and is making excellent progress with the EC skills!"
"Brittany has continued to show so much growth in her ability to teach! Super proud of her!"
"Katie has been doing a great job with classroom control and engaging the children."
- submitted by Katie Chefero, Marchman Technical College instructor
AHS Chef Sets Her Sights on the Future!
- submitted by Chef Luis Rodriguez, Anclote High School teacher
LOLHS Chefs Learn from Their Community Partners
- submitted by Chef Jeremy Blythe, Land O' Lakes High School instructor
Coyote Criminal Justice Students Explore Equestrian Opportunities
- submitted by Jessica Herzek, CCHS Criminal Justice teacher
ESOL Students Build Community While Learning
Then, students worked in pairs to create a game/activity for 10 specific assigned occupations. Everyone had a joyful time playing each other's game. Students continued to practice the teacher's favorite quote: "The best way to learn is to teach." Teaching each other builds confidence and proficiency. As a family, we like to celebrate success and to support one another.
At the end of October, students surprised their teacher, Rebecca Sandy, with a beautiful floral arrangement and gift card. The floral arrangement was made by Isabel Amortegui. On the 29th, we said farewell to Linda Hatley, our beloved secretary. ESOL students sang to Linda and wished her well in 7 different languages. Ingrid Costa made Linda an amazing decorative Christmas tree with all of the students' names to remember us well, and Gabriela Chabolla made Linda a balloon bouquet.
Finally, the afternoon class came together to surprise Joanna Cervelli with a baby shower. Of course, the teacher arranged some special English learning games. Fun was had by all. We headed into November with exuberance, expectation, and thanksgiving!
- submitted by Rebecca Sandy, Adult Education ESOL teacher
Meet Program Specialist Jennifer Batchelor!
June 2020
What was your position and where did you work before joining CTAE?
Career Specialist at Wiregrass Ranch high School
What's your favorite thing about working for CTAE?
I enjoy working with a team that communicates well together and shares a passion for educators. There are some amazing things going on in our schools, and being here, I have the opportunity to watch it all!
Throughout my years in education, I have seen so many students struggle trying to decide on a pathway after graduation. In my current position, I enjoy making connections with resources and people in our community to help them with that decision!
Where did you grow up?
Florida Girl! Born in Brevard County, raised in Seminole County, and lived on Florida's West Coast for 28 years!
Which teacher inspired you most when you were growing up?
Mrs. Carlton - 3rd grade
Where did you attend college or post-secondary education?
USF and Saint Leo University
What do you like to do in your free time?
I enjoy spending time with my husband and my three adult daughters whenever I can! I like to go to the beach, hiking in the mountains, kayaking, and traveling.
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CTAE Teachers Lounge
The CTE Teachers Lounge is a closed group for Pasco County CTE educators. Think of us having a virtual teachers lounge where we can share ideas, thoughts, and even a little humor in our days. Please join and become part of our online community!
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Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education
Email: lmromano@pasco.k12.fl.us
Website: http://www.pasco.k12.fl.us/cte/
Location: 7227 Land O' Lakes Boulevard, Land O Lakes, FL, USA
Phone: 813-794-2011
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pascoschools/
Twitter: @PascoCTE