WV BOCES students demonstrate their ready-to-work skills

After moving through a brief agenda during its regular monthly board meeting on October 19, the Warwick Valley school board transitioned to a work session, where the high school principal and administrators of CTEC and BOCES had students talk about some of the skills they’re learning as they prepare for the world of work after graduation.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Leach said, “This is a big night for us,” as he enthused over the district’s partnership with CTEC/OU-BOCES.

Recognizing that students learn in diverse ways with various strengths, Leach added, “Our definition of intelligence is unique in each and every student...as a fingerprint.”

Career and technical education, he continued, helps fulfill the mandates of WV’s Portrait of a Graduate: “We say ‘college and career ready,’ not just college.”

Director of CTEC at BOCES, Kathy Smith, gave an overview of the program to the board.

What is CTEC?

CTEC prepares students for careers and employment, and post-secondary education. Students participating in the program learn skills and have work-based opportunities in fields such as cosmetology, video production, and criminal justice, among other fields, and train with teachers who are professionals in their field.

Smith emphasized that CTEC students incorporate academic subjects into their programs: for instance, cosmetology students learn English, science, and math as part of their program; video production students take English and math; and those who take the criminal justice program have English, science, math and social studies as part of their course load.

Multiple pathways to graduation

Credits required for graduation are the same for students in the career and technical education program as they are for those who are college-bound: 22 credits; also, the CTEC students must pass one Regents exam in English, math, science, and social studies, plus one alternate assessment. Further, all pathways assessments must be approved by the New York State Education Department (NYSED).

CTEC students must pass their required classes and also must meet industry standard requirements.

Teachers introduce their students

Three CTEC teachers gave the board an overview of their subject area, as well as a snapshot of what they cover in class, before their students made their remarks.

Criminal justice

Eduardo Avila, like all CTEC teachers, has relevant work experience: while he has a military background, as well as law enforcement experience, he is pursuing a PhD in criminal justice.

Avila explained that his students learn how the justice system works; they are also given hands-on experience in security. Students also obtain college credit for SUNY Orange.

Cosmetology

“I love being a teacher here...I feel blessed,” said cosmetology teacher Casey Vitello. “It’s not an easy class,” She noted that kids also learn about the science part of this subject, such as why hair changes color.

Video production

Dan Ciccone was in broadcast television for 35 years before he was recruited to work in the district. He recalled one of his first meetings with the administration: “I thought I was giving advice, not realizing I was interviewing.”

Ciccone teaches studio production in the CTEC program, and has 20 students this year “It’s like juggling cats, but I enjoy the challenge.” He noted that some of his former students have come back to help in his class.

Year one is where the students begin to acquire the skills needed to succeed in the field; the second year, he added, is where they take ownership and learn “people skills.”

Students’ POV

Kyra, a senior at the high school, said that she’s learned about the war on terrorism, and will be studying about narcotics next. She’s also done security work with her classmates, and is learning about forensics. “I really enjoy the program: It’s taught me a lot about life; it’s also taught me about respecting my peers.”

Kyra added that she has submitted her ROTC application, and wants to go to college. She’s also interested in working with the FBI.

Anthony Velazquez, also a senior, is a nursing assistant. He explained that CTEC could help him academically. Nursing, he said, is where he “can help people.”

Some of what he’s learned so far: CPR; the Heimlich Maneuver; stopping bleeding; taking blood pressure; sterile technique; among other subjects.

Senior Chase Carter is studying carpentry; thanks to the family business, “I went in knowing a little more than anyone else.” A highlight of what his experience so far: he’s learned how to build a deck.

Madison Salisbury is training on heavy equipment. She was born on a horse farm. “Even though I’m not mechanically inclined, I can do brakes, rebuild a small engine, and do trenches [for trenching out pastures]. It’s helping me be more independent on my path to owning my own farm.”

Principal Georgianna Diopoulos noted that these kids have learned both technical skills and “soft” skills, such as working with peers and communicating with customers.

Leach said that, “It goes without saying that the district is proud of these kids, and the CTEC/BOCES teachers: they’ve all accomplished a lot.”