As my colleagues eagerly took notes, one of my students, Ethan, confidently led a presentation on how educators can effectively incorporate AI into their classrooms. Ethan, a high school junior aspiring to become a secondary history teacher at our Academy for Teaching and Learning, shared his well-researched findings with our school staff.
At Morris County Vocational School in New Jersey, where I teach, students like Ethan delve into research on key educational issues and learn how to create impactful professional development initiatives to support our staff. Ethan offered practical strategies and resources for teachers to enhance their teaching practices. Through this project, he gained valuable skills such as designing professional development sessions, evaluating sources, and effectively communicating research findings to an audience.
When people hear that I work at a Career Technical Education (CTE) school, they often assume that we cater to academically or behaviorally challenged students. However, this is an outdated perception of CTE programs. In recent years, CTE schools have evolved to provide students with a well-rounded educational experience that prepares them for the workforce by developing skills relevant to their chosen careers.
The students I teach at the Academy for Teaching and Learning are passionate about pursuing careers in education. They go through a rigorous application process during eighth grade, which includes an admissions test, submission of transcripts, teacher recommendations, a personal video, and a lottery due to high demand. These students are motivated, dedicated, and eager to explore the field of education.
As a teacher at a CTE high school and an alumna of the same program, I have witnessed firsthand the benefits of this type of education. It not only provides industry-specific training but also equips students with essential skills like professionalism, record-keeping, and effective communication that are applicable across various fields.
High schools, regardless of their model, need to address the gap between the skills demanded by employers today and the skills students possess. CTE programs inherently focus on bridging this gap by raising critical questions. Can students think on their feet? Do they have the ability to apply learned concepts to real-world projects? What skills will be essential for their success in the future? These questions drive my approach to preparing students for careers in education and integrating CTE skills into teaching, enhancing the learning experience for students.
To minimize the skills gap, high schools can adopt practices from the CTE model. Here are some ideas:
Develop Authentic Learning Opportunities
At our school, we emphasize creating authentic learning projects for students, which have proven to be immensely beneficial. Authentic projects incorporate various skills, have a real audience beyond the classroom, and address real-world issues. Starting small, I introduced my students to a multimedia challenge from the New York Times Learning Network, where they shared their high school experiences through different mediums. This project sparked engaging discussions and allowed students to explore the purpose of education creatively.
Building on this, I designed projects where students hosted roundtable discussions on education books, participated in community learning events for elementary schools, and submitted entries for various challenges and contests. These projects not only enriched their learning but also exposed them to real-world applications of their skills.
Invite Guest Speakers for Diverse Perspectives
Guest speakers play a crucial role in deepening student learning and connecting classroom lessons to real-world scenarios. In our CTE program, guest speakers offer insights into the industry students are pursuing. For instance, I invited a local behaviorist to guide students on creating behavior management plans based on observations from our preschool program.
Guest speakers bring industry-specific knowledge, discuss best practices, and help students implement practical solutions, enhancing their learning experience.
Integrate Subjects for Meaningful Learning
Interdisciplinary connections allow students to explore topics from multiple perspectives, leading to a deeper understanding. CTE programs facilitate interdisciplinary connections by emphasizing real-world applications and transferable skills. For example, I took my students to a local museum to create a curriculum based on historical events viewed through art and English lenses, encouraging them to provide feedback on the museum’s education program.
Teaching at a CTE high school has challenged me to deliver authentic and engaging experiences to my students, keeping my passion for teaching alive. By equipping students with a strong foundation of skills, CTE education prepares them for success in an ever-evolving workforce.
