February is
National CTE Month!
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In honor of National CTE Month, we asked our students WHY CTE?
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Jamarione Evans
Senior at Benton Harbor High School
CTE Hospitality & Food Management
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What do you enjoy the most about your CTE class?
I love being a part of this class because I really enjoy cooking, and this class allows me to do that.
Do you feel like taking a CTE class will help you attain your future goals? How?
This class is preparing me to be successful in my future endeavors which entails becoming an interior designer. Before entering this class, I didn’t know that interior design falls under the Hospitality Industry. With this knowledge, I believe the Hospitality Industry will allow me to get my foot in the door to be prosperous in my chosen field. The exposure that I receive, allows me to broaden my knowledge and horizons within the realm of this field. I love this class, and it is highly recommended.
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Jaren Christ
Senior at River Valley High School
CTE Accounting at River Valley High School
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Why did you take this CTE class?
I have taken some tough classes over the years - Advanced Placement and whatnot - and Accounting sounded like an interesting class. I thought it would be fun to take a class that perhaps taught me how to handle my finances a bit better. Having worked at the gift shop at Warren Dunes State Park for a few years, I've always had my hands in things like inventory, cash, and sales. Yet, this class is more interesting than I thought it would be and I have learned so much more.
What do you enjoy the most about your CTE class?
Although there is a lot of bookwork and some of the concepts are repetitive, I really enjoy the projects that we tackle in class. There is a lot of real-life, hands-on application of the work - and it makes a lot of sense to me. Accounting is more fun and a bit easier than I thought it would be!
Would you recommend this CTE class to other students?
Absolutely I would. Taking this accounting course has helped me both personally and professionally. I have also learned how to be more patient with my studies - sometimes sitting there for hours completing the work. In the end though, the work is extremely satisfying.
What are your future career plans/goals after high school?
While nothing is set in stone, my plan is to head into conservation work - perhaps serving within our state's Department of Natural Resources. However, after taking this class, I can see a path that takes me more into the financial sector. I'm still contemplating everything though at this point.
Do you feel like taking a CTE class will help you attain your future goals? How?
Even if I stay on the path of conservation work, it seems as if every organization - public or private sector - needs folks in finance, writing checks and paying bills. Maybe I'll end up pursuing both vocational areas!
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Kaylee Shuler
CTE Program: Marketing
Instructor: Laura McGee
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Bridgman High School would like to recognize Kaylee Shuler as our CTE Student of the Month! She has enrolled in several CTE classes including Accounting and Marketing 1, 2 and 3. She is an excellent student and a great problem solver. She sets goals for herself and sets the bar high when it comes to work in the classroom.
Kaylee has been a member of DECA for four years and is our co-president this year. She has really used her leadership skills in our organization by encouraging other students with her kind words and has met many of her goals. Last year, she wrote and competed in a 10-page Integrated Marketing Campaign Event with another team member and made it to international competition. Kaylee is a hard worker, positive, and open-minded. She is competing this year in the Merit Award Program.
She is also involved in sports where she is able to use her leadership skills. She is a member of the varsity softball team and has been on the All Conference, All Region, and All District teams freshman and junior years. In her junior year, she made it on the All State team for being the number one shortstop in D4. She is also a member of the National Honor Society.
We are so proud of our Bridgman Bee, Kaylee Shuler!
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Liam Allen
CTE Program: Graphics Arts
Instructor: Julie Beam
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"Liam Allen has been in Graphic Arts for the past two years. He has done exceptional work with both a high level of skill and creativity. He shows great attention to detail in his work. He also chooses subjects that are unordinary—such as the book cover design shown in the photo." Mrs. Julie Beam, Instructor.
"Graphic Arts is one of the best classes I’ve ever taken. Whether I get a job in Graphic Design or not, I learned some valuable skills I could use in other fields I’m considering, like Web Design. I couldn’t have done it without my Graphic Arts teacher, Mrs. Beam, who taught me how to use the software, enabled my creativity, and made suggestions when necessary." Liam Allen
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Berrien Springs High School |
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Submitted by: Tom Hall, Program Instructor
Berrien Springs High School
Emergency Services Programs Collaborate on "THE Big Event "
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THE Big Event is a collaborative effort between the Fire, EMT and Criminal Justice programs to promote scene safety and situational awareness. In addition, it focuses on forcible entry, fire streams, and ambulance equipment placement and use. Students will also be exposed to resume and interviewing skills and demonstrates for non-Emergency Service students how to help on an emergency scene instead of being a hindrance.
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These collaborative efforts and CTE programming inspires students to think, learn, achieve, and care in a global community in both relevant and meaningful ways that prepare students for their future. February is CTE month, and we celebrate the dedication of our Berrien Springs staff, Rich Albers, Brandi Narregan, Tom Hall, Jen Natzel, and Jeff Mitchell, and the success of all students enrolled in these programs. |
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Submitted by: Chris Inman, Program Instructor
Brandywine High School
Photo by: Leader Publications/Kelsey Hammon
Brandywine Manufacturing Academy
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Brandywine Manufacturing Academy is a program designed to prepare students for a career in machine tool fields such as Tool and die or mold making. This class meets three hours first thing in the morning and simulates employment in the industry as well as teaching the necessary fundamentals that align with state guidelines and company expectations and input. The students learn invaluable skills that prepare them for a career in industry. These skills include print reading and mill and lathe operations. They also learn finishing operations including grinding and polishing that offers experience in part finishing. The students use critical thinking and problem solving as they work through a variety of individual and group-based projects. For example, students build 3-D elephant or star puzzles made of aluminum. When complete, the puzzle is in the shape of a star or elephant and are held together through the different shapes of the pieces of the puzzle. From start to finish, students utilize their knowledge and understanding of many key concepts associated with manufacturing including time management, project management, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. The class is focused on teaching employability skills as well as core industry standards. Through a partnership with Lake Michigan College, students who enroll in this program, have the opportunity to earn college credit towards their manufacturing career at no cost to them. This unique joint effort towards student success and employability has developed opportunities for apprenticeships and employment through several local companies. Currently, the employment opportunity has become extremely viable with more job openings than there are individuals to fill them. This is a great time to begin a career in a manufacturing trade. The Manufacturing Academy at Brandywine is devoted to the success of its students through education, preparedness, and opportunity.
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Submitted by: Bob Taylor, Sports Medicine Program Instructor
Buchanan High School
Take a Look at What's Happening in Our Sports Medicine Program
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Students in the Sports Medicine program had a busy first semester covering various health occupations related to sports medicine, sports psychology and medical history. They also tried their hand at facility design where they made their own training rooms from blueprint to construction. Students also participated in a lesson where they traced their feet on small canvases and then drew in all the bones of the feet. This lead to an introduction in understanding foot and ankle taping techniques.
During the second semester, students will hear from a podiatrist who will talk about biomechanics, a nurse that will teach suturing techniques and a physical therapist that will discuss physical assessment evaluations. The class will culminate by learning everything from the foot up to the head and finish the year with CPR, AED and First Aid exposure.
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Submitted by: Jennifer Tomshack, Marketing & Communications Director
United Way of Southwest Michigan
Coloma Student featured in United Way Advocacy Alert
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While it takes some kids a while to figure out what they're good at, Luke Dillenbeck has always known he has a mechanical mind - a simple knack for how things work. "I grew up tearing engines apart and putting them back together, modifying them to do what I wanted," he said. "That kind of thing clicked with me right away and always came naturally to me.".
And while it also takes some kids time to find their professional niches in life, Luke is discovering his potential career paths earlier than others as well.
A 17-year-old senior at Coloma High School, Luke is already working as an automotive technology intern at Coloma Motorsports. As the youngest worker on staff, he does a little bit of everything, he says, from winterizing boats swapping out motors on four-wheelers. He loves being outside, doing hard work, and getting lots of hands-on experience. It is, he says, "the perfect job."
Best of all, in addition to getting paid, he's also earning class credit toward his automotive technology course at Coloma High School which is part of Berrien County Career & Technical Education.
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Submitted by: Fred Frazee, Aviation Instructor
Countryside Academy
Countryside Academy Aviation Program Students Attend AirVenture
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In July of 2021, 10 Countryside CTE Aviation students spent 7 days at AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. This general aviation convention is the largest in the world, attracting over 100,000 participants each day for a week. Students, along with staff and parent chaperones, pitched tents among 40,000 fellow campers, each anxious to be close at hand to the overwhelming array of aircraft, displays, demonstrations, and workshops. There is a daily airshow exhibiting the world’s most famous aerobatic pilots. Students agree that the best of the airshows is a nighttime spectacle of aircraft, lights, and fireworks; culminating in the celebrated ‘Wall Of Fire’. There were helicopter rides, full motion simulators, warbirds, tours, vendors, seminars, college recruiters, heroes and legends. The students weathered storms, ate like kings, walked miles, and biked more.
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Submitted by: Carrie George, CTE Director
Niles High School
Work Based Learning Opportunity in Action
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Austin Beckman, a junior in the Niles Automotive Technology program, is currently involved in a CTE work based learning program with Campbell Ford in Niles. The partnership was formed when Austin Davies, the Service Manager and Marvin Dawson, the Fixed Operations director at Campbell’s joined the Niles Automotive program advisory committee. Austin Davies is a former graduate of Niles High School and was a completer of the Automotive Technology program, he serves as Austin Beckman’s on-the-job mentor. Austin spends 2.5 hours, Monday through Thursday on the service floor at Campbell’s assisting in servicing customer vehicles. On Fridays, he works with his high school auto instructor, Gary Kind, on preparing for his student ASE Certification test.
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Submitted by: Devinnie Wysocki, CTE Director
New Buffalo High School
Construction Trades Students Helping in the Community
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New Buffalo Area Schools Construction Trades program is building wheelchair ramps to provide residents improved access to their homes. Big C Lumber, The Pokagon Fund, The Harbert Community Church, as well as private donners, contributed to cover the $2,600 cost per ramp. "It is important for our students to not only learn about building, but how they can contribute to their community through doing important projects for people," said CTE Director Devinnie Wysocki. Each ramp had been built in sections and transported to each home for installation. The students that contributed to this service project are from our morning and afternoon, Building Trades class: Garrett DeHaven, Hunter Carrington, Cody Williams, David Fairchild, Matthew Fidler, Christopher Mejia, Emily Knowlton, Nuija Kanaci, Kaden Parmley, Andrew Flick, Chris Marr, Matthew Ventimiglia, Ethan Orrison, Wesley Fryback, Jimmy Foster, Brady Lewis and Romario Arana. CTE students are from New Buffalo, Lakeshore, Bridgman, Buchanan, and St. Joseph school districts.
Robert Hughes, Instructor of the Construction Trades program, stated that some of the students using their experience in construction trades will go into apprenticeships, trade schools and universities. This year, our CTE students will be observing the new construction going on at the high school, at the adjacent STEAM building, in addition to building a 1,400 square foot home.
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Submitted by: Jim Berry, CTE Director
St. Joseph High School
St. Joseph High School CTE Teachers
Present at ACTE’s National Conference
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On Friday, December 3, 2021, two CTE teachers from St. Joseph Public Schools presented at ACTE’s CareerTech VISION conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. Matt Culver, a Commercial Art teacher, and Julie Beam, a Graphic Arts teacher, offered a session called, “The Journey of an Idea: From Art & Design to Industry.”
Session participants were given strategies to help students develop original ideas, including inquiry-based learning. Both teachers offered concept mapping fundamentals to help students invoke unique thoughts. Many high quality student examples were shared during the presentation as well as CTE Advisory Committee success stories. All participants engaged in a doodling exercise, received handouts, and identified a powerful way to approach student work through a client and consumer lens.
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PA56 Nondiscrimination Statement
It is the policy of the PA56 Consortium members that no person on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, weight, height, marital status, gender expression, judicial record, disability, and/or any other legally protected characteristic shall be bullied and/or discriminated against. This includes exclusion from participation in, benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any state or federally funded program or activity for which the Berrien Regional Education Service Agency or any member of the PA56 Consortium is responsible, or for which it receives state or federal financial assistance from the Department of Education. In addition to the above statement, arrangements may be made to ensure that language skills are not a barrier to admission or participation in Career & Technical Education programs within the Berrien County PA56 Consortium.
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Berrien Regional Education Service Agency
PO Box 364
711 St. Joseph Avenue
Berrien Springs, MI 49103-1583
(269) 471-7725
The views and perspectives shared in this
publication do not necessarily reflect those of the Berrien Regional Education Service Agency, affiliated schools, staff or board members.
To receive this newsletter electronically,
You may unsubscribe at any time by using the UNSUBSCRIBE link below.
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Lyrica Gee, CTE Intern
For additional information on Berrien County Career and Technical Education, visit our website at: www.berriencte.org
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