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critical from guidance, career counsel- facilitate field trips, internships, extern- Conclusion
ors, and mentors. Structured Learning ships, and guest speakers. Our key
Experiences provide students with partners have been representatives CTE programs can help close skills
essential workplace experiences to from Hackensack University Medi- gaps, provide students with a high
support career planning. Additional ex- cal Center, NY-Presbyterian Hospital, quality secondary education, and pre-
periences to support students should Rutgers Biomedical Device Center, pare students for rigorous post-sec-
be targeted towards non-traditional Quantum Concepts, and New Jersey ondary plans. To design the programs
populations in the field such as fe- Institute of Technology (NJIT). most appropriate for your district,
males in STEM. At Northern Valley, we Step 6: Training and Professional identify the needs of your population
host Girls in Engineering and Technol- Development and determine what you want gradu-
ogy camps, Society of Women Engi- ates of your high school to be able to
neers (SWE Next), Women in STEM CTE programs are most success- do upon graduation. CTE program-
days, and Family STEM Nights to ful with buy-in and training for key ming is about skill development and
support and recruit students. staff members. Teachers should be skill transfer. Design experiences to
bring students to the desired outcome
Step 5: Add Community Support trained in the CTE model, differenti- and involve all stakeholders in the pro-
ated instruction, project and problem
An active Advisory Board is an integral based learning, collaborative planning, cess. Strive for CTE program approval
part of a CTE program. Community student-driven learning strategies, etc. from NJDOE and most importantly, get
members from industry and higher Staff members should also be trained students excited about their future!
education guide curriculum decisions in SLE to properly supervise students
and program development. They also in field experiences.

References and Resources
https://www.state.nj.us/state/planning/docs/dfplan_industrysectors.pdf
www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/subject/stem.htm
www.acteonline.org
https://careertech.org/
https://www.nj.gov/education/cte/

About the Authors
Jennifer Cusmano is completing her fifth year as the Supervisor of Science and CTE Coordinator for
the Northern Valley Regional High School District. Prior to this, she spent 12 years in Randolph Town-
ship Schools as a teacher, lead teacher, and supervisor. Jennifer is also an adjunct college instructor,
has published articles, and presented at conferences to state, regional, and international audiences on
science and CTE education.

David A. Janosz, Jr. is a supervisor in the Northern Valley Regional High School district and has over
twenty years of experience designing and implementing STEM education programs at all grade levels
P-12. David is a past President and former Executive Director of the New Jersey Technology and Engi-
neering Educators Association and has made presentations to various local, national, and international
audiences.
April Vella has been the Supervisor of Mathematics for six years after teaching high school math-
ematics for 19 years at Northern Valley Regional High School District. She has presented at math and
educational leadership conferences over the years. As part of the STEM team of supervisors, April has
been visiting and hosting schools and international guests to develop the Northern Valley programs and
support others in learning about and designing CTE, SLE and STEM programs.

Educational Viewpoints -46- Spring 2019