Improving Numbers in CTE Classes/Events Rationale: Do we need to have students college or career ready?

The answer is no….. Today's students need to be college AND Career ready. CTE is a way to get them there.

My Objective Explore ideas, tidbits and some random thoughts about getting schools, school boards, students and staff, to drink the Koolaide CTE has to be sold. We believe but we are all here. Everybody has to believe

Who the heck am I? Teacher 14 years. LHS and Wahpeton Coach for 19 years…(more success than I deserved) National Guard Officer 26 years. OIF Veteran Motivation specialist Syndicated columnist Principal 7 th year Entertainer 2014 Principal Of the Year

Recruit Young Every junior high student should have an intro CTE course(Ag,FACS,COMP APP) Rotate them through this opposite study skills (English and Science teachers love this) Reward their work and display this. Junior high students still like rewards. Some high school students will be motivated as well. We need more prizes. Gamer mentality…why do we keep playing?

Recruit Old Get parents who were in the CTE programs to come in and speak. You can do this through the counselors office. (They want more to offer to students to get them excited about careers. This makes scheduling easier!) Invite the board to sit in on a class or event.

Recruit Often Get the press at every event. Nothing is too small so have the school English department write the story and submit to the paper. Invite the editor to speak at a banquet (you will get coverage) Start thinking life skills…find your buzzwords Ask every teacher to your events. Not by you as an advisor but have a student. i.e. FFA banquet…”please come watch me recite the creed”

Recruit a Stud Recruit the center of influence. “If you want a circus you gotta have some animals.” Be at everyone's events. You aren’t too busy. Never ever use an excuse that people will use to avoid yours. Don’t be afraid to give a kid a chance to excel.

Continued Recruitment Strategies Provide childcare at your events Invite people in to the school Give some awards at remote sites. If I can get the press to not travel far I have a better chance of getting the press to cover my events. Lunchtime awards at school. Record you records and achievements.

Teachers Please READ Sell the Common Core to others. You have more differentiated instruction than many traditional core courses. Show this. Math…this is in many CTE courses. Science is also. If you can demonstrate this to teachers and students they will use the examples you give them. You want to be a household word in your schools. Ensure that your students read…

Instruction Molasses classes vs revival classes. Everyone answers every question. Don’t just tell….do. No more than 15 minutes of notes ever. My hands need to be involved. I'm a doer. Small groups…include the shy ones and have every student have some chance for success every day. (the daily two)

Homework If your gonna make them do it, be there to see them through it. (my own) You are their best resource. Remember to teach for depth and not horizontal. If it isn’t fun they are done. Be ready to explore options for different learners. If you want to build a client base you better sell. Rigor is for you’re “A” students. Success is for everyone who puts in the effort to pass. Whose fault is it when students fail?

Retain If you have them one year, be sure to have them every year. No stupid traditions. (who eats last) Be selective when putting groups together. Teach leadership to students. This is a life skill. For example the army blanket rule. People want to belong to something. CTE provides many opportunities for our students to do this. Find courses students want. Do not base this on teachers alone.

Conclusion If we do what we have always done we will get what we always got. Outside the box ideas (try try try) If you can use one idea today was worth the trip. Ask away…I'm an idea guy.