1. Technology, Life and Careers (TLC): The First Step Toward CTE Engagement
Mike Woodard, TLC Teacher
Marshall Ranch Elementary
Peoria Unified School District

2. Over 36,000 students 34 Elementary Schools 8 High Schools
93% graduation rate
98% among CTE Concentrators
Mission Statement: Preparing students to meet their future potential
Vision Statement: Every student, every day prepared to shape tomorrow

3. TLC In Middle School/Junior High
Is it important to understand today’s technology at an early age?
Is it important to teach students good decision making skills – how to think critically and make good decisions?
Is it important to identify what individual students enjoy doing – to find their passion for a potential future career?

4. TLC In Middle School/Junior High Provides …
Critical knowledge of technology; how it works and how to use it responsibly
A foundation for good decision making in Junior High and in the future
A glimpse of a wide variety of potential careers
7th and 8th grade

5. TLC in Middle School/Junior High
Increases Awareness and Participation in High School Career and Technical Education (CTE)
Keeps students interested and engaged
Provides a pipeline of students for the future
Helps students identify potential careers
Increases participation in clubs and organizations

6. Technology Word PowerPoint Excel Access Search Engines
Internet Safety Week

7. Technology Literacy
Assessments
Lab Activities

8. Employability Skills Interviewing Resume Writing
Soft Skills Development
Workplace Standards
Practice Job Interviews

9. Key Career Categories

10. Transition To High School
Career Exploration Day
MyLife Day
Pre-registration for 9th grade
AZCIS

11. How To Make TLC Engaging: Use The Technology
“All About Me” PowerPoint
“Personal Budget” in Excel
Morning Announcements (MRTV)
Typing.com
“Paint”
Learning.com

12. How to Make TLC Engaging: Provide Hands-On Activities
Shark Tank
Digital Photography Contest
Programming Drones and Cars
Hydroponics/”Grow Your Own”
Public Service Announcements
Soft Skills Presentations

13. How To Make TLC Engaging: Software, Kits, Events
Code.org (Computer Programming)
RoomSketcher (Interior Design)
“Ed Heads” (Medical Surgeries)
Smithsonian Motor Works
Electronic Snap Circuits
Skype Teleconferences and Activities

14. How To Make TLC Engaging: Guest Speakers
Military (Veterans)
Police
Fire
Parents as a Resource
Local Business as a Resource
Students
Automotive
Nursing
Sports Medicine

15. How To Make TLC Engaging: Think Creatively
Culinary (Cake Decorating, Foods of the World)
Fashion (Fashion Show and Clothing Brands)
Cosmetology (Movie Makeup)

16. How To Make TLC Engaging: Personalized Learning
Provide Options
Find activities that fuel their passion
Provide additional support
Continue to challenge and add rigor
Provide contacts at the high school and at local businesses
Always have a “next step”

17. How To Make TLC Engaging: Student Organizations
Future Business Leaders of America
Health Occupations, Students of America
SkillsUSA

18. How To Make TLC Engaging: TLC Teachers Care and Share
Quarterly Induction Meetings and Training
Sharing Is Caring
What Works and What Doesn’t Work
Best Practices
A Community

19. How To Make TLC Engaging: Work With CTE Teachers and Business Advisory Council
Understand the businesses that
will have the largest job growth
Identify the skills businesses
will need from future employees
Determine how students can get a
jump on obtaining those skills
- TLC
- CTE
- Dual Enrollment
- Trade Schools
- West-MEC
- Internships
Develop a plan for future studies
and obtaining real world experience

20. How To Make TLC Engaging: Collaborate with Core Subject Teachers
Turn a book report into a PowerPoint presentation
Turn a book report into a video
s/Filing/Organizing
Science = Drones
Social Studies = Fake news, states vs. fed (it’s happened before but without the technology)
Teach Math in everyday life
Interest rates
Personal budget
Using credit cards
Buying a car

21. How To Make TLC Engaging
Use The Technology
Provide Hands-On Activities
Offer Online Educational Games
Provide Guest Speakers
Think Creatively
Personalize Learning
Offer Student Organizations
Share Best Practices with TLC Teachers
Work with CTE Teachers and Advisory Committee
Collaborate with Core Subject Teachers
Promote the Program (Increase Awareness)

22. TLC In Middle School/Junior High Provides …
Critical knowledge of technology; how it works and how to use it responsibly
A foundation for good decision making in Junior High and in the future
A glimpse of a wide variety of potential careers
7th and 8th grade

23. TLC in Middle School/Junior High
Increases Awareness and Likely Participation in High School Career and Technical Education (CTE)
Keeps students interested and engaged
Provides a pipeline of students for the future
Helps students identify potential careers
Increases participation in clubs and organizations

24. Forging Students Into Everyday Heroes