Page 18 - Heart of Brevard Fall 2019
P. 18

Today’s CTE:
Preparing Tomorrow’s Workforce
By Steven R Hicks Ed D I I I am am going to break a a a a a a a a a few rules here First I I I am am biased Secondly I’m a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a second-year teacher in in a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a Career and and Technical Education (CTE) program a at Viera High and and cannot imagine doing anything else But having said that that I also have long held a a a a a a a a a a a a a a strong belief that that we need to teach the trades in in our schools more now than ever before Name an an occupation Whatever field you choose chances are there is a a a a a a a a a a a class or even an an an an entire course of study that will will give you relevant experience experience with the latest technology You will will gain knowledge experience experience and confidence as you explore careers from the inside out In the the May 2018 issue of Space Coast Business I I wrote an an an article about the the CTE program in in in fin in Brevard Managing personnel and finding qualified talent is always a a a a a a a a a a a hot topic in fin in in in industry For that article I I I spoke with Janice Scholz the director for CTE who who said “No matter where I I I I go and and who who I I I I talk to to I I I hear our skilled workforce is is aging out and and and there is is nobody standing in in in in line to take those jobs ”
Our district is is is meeting this challenge head on by offering more than 45 high school CTE programs or or certifications Last year 30-percent of BPS graduates earned industry certifications in in CTE/STEM courses – the the second highest in the state Some schools have have CTE classes some have have entire academies dedicated to their particular areas
of concentration At Viera High I I teach Adobe products like Photoshop and Illustrator with the end goal of o students becoming Adobe Certified Associates but we also offer fashion and interior design services Television Production Technology and Early Childhood Education among others In fact we recently introduced a a a a CTE Exercise Science program to help prepare students for the wellness
and fitness marketplace and its various components such as instructing
or or coaching groups or or individuals
in in exercise activities
and the fundamentals of an individual’s health and wellness
VHS teacher Megan Heronemus shows
a Sports Medicine program student how to properly wrap a a sports-related injury Students
enrolled in the program will participate in in internships field trips and hear from many guest
speakers Viera High’s brand new wellness
center is is state-of- the-art and and will only be utilized by our CTE Exercise Science students students Then at the the end of their third year students students will have the the opportunity to take a a a a a a a a a certified medical administrative assistant exam to become CMAA-certified Megan Heronemus the the teacher responsible for initiating the the idea of a a a a a a sports medicine program a at VHS and its development said “In
a a a a a a a a a a a a community that is is rich in healthcare occupations this program will serve as a a a a a a a a a a a a catalyst for students to to enter the the the healthcare field of their their choice or or go on on on to to to college to continue their their medical education ”
Carrie Humphrys Viera’s CTE department
chair said “We are excited to develop this new program within the booming Central Brevard Medical Community Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs aim to to meet community needs by preparing students to to enter the local
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