Rules For Posting To This Blog and Weekly Blog Question

1. Only use your first name (no last names, addresses, IM screen names, etc.)
2. Show respect and consideration of others when posting and commenting. This includes individuals, students, organizations, political parties, colleagues, etc.
3. Check all posts for spelling and grammar errors before posting.
4. Protect the privacy of others. Gain permission from other people before you write about them. Avoid sharing someone else's last name. Use job titles or pseudonyms when writing about experiences with your co-workers or students.
5. Watch your language. Use politically correct and non-offensive language.
6. Make sure you write about things that are factual.
7. Keep your postings education-oriented. Avoid discussing plans for the weekend, etc.

FINAL BLOG POST - OUR "DAILY TRIPLE" (DUE 12/1).
This week I would like you to use your imagination. You have just won the lottery and will leave your teaching post immediately to travel around the world. As you leave your keys you meet your replacement. You are asked to give this new teacher just ONE piece of advice. What would that be, and why? Enjoy your world expedition!

Blog Post - Week 7
This past week in my own teaching I felt a little disconnected which prompts my question to you, "What was the moment (or moments) when I felt most disconnected or disengaged as a teacher - the moment(s) I said to myself, I'm just going through the motions here?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 6
For the past couple of weeks you have experienced asynchronous online learning (doing modules by yourself). Previously this semester you have experienced synchronous online learning (all together in the Collaborate room). Which do you think is more effective and why do you think that? Which do you like better, and why?

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 5
This week we have what we call "open mic." You can write a post about anything related to your teaching that you would like responses from your classmates.

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 4
Here is this week's question: "What was the event that most took me surprise this week - and event that shook me up, caught me off guard, gave me a jolt, or made me unexpectedly happy?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 3
Please write a post about the following question, "In thinking about my past week teaching what is one thing I would do differently, and why?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 2
Please write a post about the following question, " In thinking about my teaching activities this past week, of what do I feel most proud? Why?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 1
Describe something you used in your program in the first weeks of school that you learned in the summer NTI program. How did it work? Did it get you off to a stronger start than last year?

Monday, January 28, 2013

The History of CTE.....

I would like it written that CTE matters. As a teacher in an urban high school with %99 of the students eligible for free lunch, I see first hand the need for technical and workplace skills.  While I am a personal advocate for post secondary education, I know that college is not for everyone.. With that being said, having the opportunity to graduate from high school with workplace skills and knowledge should be seen as a advantage for students entering college and/or the workforce. If I take the data from my own school, currently only 17% of the seniors are on track to graduate. Of course a lot of them are completing credit recovery this semester, and there are some whose summer school credits have not been added to their transcripts.  The data however suggests that a greater number of students will be ready to enter the workforce than to enter a four year college program.  So my focus has been and remains to prepare students for a career after graduation.  I want my students to feel ready and capable of providing quality health care to patients throughout this country whether they choose to be a CNA or go on to nursing school.  My ultimate goal is for students to be able to take the CNA exam and start work immediately with the comfort of knowing that they can support themselves financially.

3 comments:

Sherri said...

Akisa, your school statistics are sobering. I hope that you take the time to dwell on the life change that you are responsible for.What an awesome responsiblity we all have to gauge the needs of our students and help guide them in to a future that works for them. Whether it's work ready or college prepared we have the potential for giving them both. What a great calling!

Unknown said...

I can really relate to what you said about supporting CTE. I, too, as a teacher in a local high school find that at many of them will not attend college. My parents realized that college is not for everyone; but pushed the need for a career. From experience I know having technical and/or workplace skills is as essential as a degree. The first question employers ask: What experience do you have? Yes, the numbers show our vocational programs are preparing students to enter the workforce; but then I do realize not everyone is interested in attending college.
I completely agree, we must prepare students for careers before they graduate high school. Our students need to be encouraged and given the sense of value in order to pursue their dream for their future. Leaving high school and going into the “real” world is scary enough, but knowing one can provide for themselves is essential for the youth in our country.

Unknown said...

I agree with Sherri's comment that the statistics are sobering. I think that we must hope that as CTE has changed so will the still overwhelming stereotyping of this form of education. Neither of my parents went to college and of course they pushed us to go. My father got technical training because he was not interested in college. This training paid off in a big way because he ended up out in the workforce at an early age and climbed "the ladder" earlier. He made a salary I only dream of making and I went to college! I share this with my students and ecourage them all to acquire some type of hands on skill as a backup plan in case they change their mind about college. The courses we offer prepare them for either path and that is the beauty of what we teach!