This summer was extremely productive in the Career and Technical Education Department. This summer, 112 Career Academy Students rising seniors completed summer internships related to their academy focus. We also supported 11 non-Career Academy internships with our business partners. We would like to acknowledge and THANK the teachers who came in over the summer to help pave the way for a smooth school year ahead. Nine teachers (Brian Radaker, Tara Cushman, Lynda Kelly, Kevin Davenport, Ali Pressel, Michael Costello, Kathi Sinardi, Ryan Badger and Eric Hurst) came in during the summer to work on curriculum projects. Seven teachers worked with the Accountability Dept. on their District Final Assessments (Brian Radaker, Tara Cushman, Lynda Kelly, Jacki Soto, Kevin Davenport, Catherine Farina and Harold Rutledge). Additionally, teachers, Career Specialists, the CTE district Program Specialist and the CTE Director also attended Professional Development during the summer. Special events also included a presentation by Ali Pressel (CHS) at the Environmental Systems Research Institute (Esri) national conference in San Diego, CA in June. The topic covered how her business partners have helped teach GIS skills to her students. Charles Moseley (BTHS) and Michael Costello (PVHS) attended a 3 day training on Microsoft Database Fundamentals. Several teachers and Career Specialists also attended the Florida Association of Career and Technical Education state conference in Orlando in July. Kathy Mignerey, district Program Specialists presented on the new Program of Choice application process developed by our school district IT and CTE staff.
Congratulations to the following schools for their summer accomplishments:
PVHS Academy of International Business & Marketing sent 13 students in June to the FL Business Leaders of America national competition in Anaheim, CA.
SAHS St. Johns County Aerospace Academy sent 5 students from June 22 – 24 to the Technology Student Association national competition in Anaheim, CA. The team came in 8th place in Video Game Design.
CHS Academy of Emerging Technology sent students to compete at the Future Business Leaders of America National conference in Anaheim, CA in June. Students received 2nd in Management Information Systems, 4th in Network Design and 6th place in Public Speaking out of 13,000 competitors.
Our new CTE Director, Emily Harrison met with the Industrial Development Authority to discuss the Career Academies of St. Johns County Schools and how those programs prepare students for both postsecondary education, meet current industry needs in our county and provide opportunities for their future in the workforce.
Lastly, 98 teachers and staff from area high schools, middle schools and First Coast Technical College attended CTE Back-to-School trainings prior to the school year opening.
As the school year has begun, we turn our attention to the classroom as well as our business and advisory meetings. Each Career Academy has a Business Advisory Board that meets four times per year. Those meetings have begun and we are looking forward to working with our students, teachers and community to make our programs the best in the country!
