Professionals from across the state gathered at Dutchess BOCES June 16-20 to earn credits toward their Career and Technical Education Teacher Certification through a course offered collaboratively between Dutchess BOCES Educational Resources, SUNY Oswego and the CTE Technical Assistance Center (CTE TAC) of NY. It is the first time it has been offered in Dutchess County.
While this week-long course was open to CTE instructors across New York, many of our own Dutchess BOCES staff took advantage of this opportunity to earn credits. Small Engine Repair teacher Peter Hruscik said, “It is so beneficial to me that I am able to take this course right here at Dutchess BOCES. I have a lot of obligations at home which makes it difficult to travel to remote locations. With any luck, courses 444 and 323 will be offered here as well. I have had a great experience so far.”
Rebecca Green, executive director of educational resources, said the agency is looking to create a stronger partnership with CTE-TAC to offer more programming.
Mike Woods, director of CTE TAC, shared his perspective on the valuable experience CTE 316 offers instructors. “One of the most powerful parts of Train & Sustain is seeing new CTE teachers realize they’re not alone. As they begin to understand the certification process, they also start connecting the learning to their own classrooms and labs at their BOCES. That shift, from overwhelmed to empowered, is energizing.”
Throughout the week, lessons and assignments included writing a personal mission statement, learning to align common industry standards to curricula, drafting unit and lesson plans and more!
On Monday, June 16, local industry professionals and BOCES partners were invited to the course to tell instructors exactly what they look for in students and new professionals. “It’s in the details,” said Jesse Jackson III from The Culinary Institute of America. He spoke to the importance of sharing what details the industry notices and values.
Jennifer Hilton from Westchester Modular Homes agreed, “The small things count. I always tell students to set up their voicemail, make sure their mailbox isn’t full and check their emails regularly.”
CTI Principal Nick Millas said, “To have such valuable education not only available to our teachers, but made convenient and accessible to them…it’s amazing.”
