|
METROPOLITAN EDUCATION DISTRICT
October 27, 2022
CTE Newsletter Vol. 9 Issue 3
|
|
|
|
Hello Alyssa,
Regardless of what sector you work in, employees are the lifeblood of your organization. And just like any athletic team, you win together or you lose together. I am proud to be championing team MetroED, where our accomplishments are evident every day and revolve around our mission statement to prepare high school and adult students for future success in college and careers.
The community recognizes some of these achievements. This includes Silicon Valley Career Technical Education (SVCTE) center’s Mechatronics Engineering teacher Jim Burnham and Silicon Valley Adult Education (SVAE) High School Subjects Teacher Bill Collins, who were honored with the Curiosity in STEM Award and MetroED's Teacher of the Year, respectively, at the Santa Clara County Office of Education’s Teacher Recognition Celebration on Monday. Congratulations, Jim and Bill!
Much of what we are able to accomplish is also because our teachers think outside the box and find ways to evolve their curriculum. For example, Automotive Services teacher Tom Nemeth secured a grant for a Switch electric vehicle kit. Babak Falsafi, a new English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher with Silicon Valley Adult Education, is using the universal language of music to teach his students. Read all about these teachers throughout the newsletter.
I would be remiss if I didn’t credit our growth with the many learning opportunities that community members offer our students. Each week, their schedules are packed with guest speakers from the industry, field trips, training, student-led enterprise and class events. The year is truly in full swing with authentic, hands-on learning grounded in reality that is both functional and formative. Follow us on Facebook for posts about some of these exciting moments.
Thank you to those who have been a part of living our mission statement and helping us not just meet but exceed our goals. For those who want to get involved and support our efforts, visit our website here. Afterall, “Together We Thrive!”
|
|
|
Alyssa Lynch
Superintendent
|
|
In HVAC
SVCTE students are quite literally turning up the heat in Jim Falcone's Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) program. After cutting three-inch copper pipes, they worked on their soldering techniques. Jim said it tied into their three-day lesson about condensate pipes. For the pictured exercise, he said they would create this for a drain pipe in commercial use. Jesus Gonzalez from Liberty High School in San José Unified School District solders a copper pipe while HVAC instructor Jim Falcone watches.
|
|
In Electrical Maintenance
SVCTE students shine a light on their work and learning in Antonio Gutierrez’s Electrical Maintenance program. Some work on residential wiring while others focus on conduit bending and wiring. Orlando Viola from Andrew Hill High School in East Side Union High School District, Julio Hernandez from Pioneer High School in San José Unified School District and Jesus Rodriguez from Mount Pleasant High School in East Side Union High School District (from left). As a teacher in his first year, Antonio emphasized it is important to meet the students where they are at, recognizing they each learn at different levels and need a range of projects for their individual needs.
|
|
Fashion Students Have Heart for Art
SVCTE students from the Fashion Design and Textile Art program attended the Guo Pei “Couture Fantasy” exhibition at the Legion of Honor Museum on Oct. 14. The “Couture Fantasy” exhibition highlights Guo Pei’s most important collections shown on Beijing and Paris runways.
Students experienced first-hand a large selection of art mediums and gained inspiration for their original design projects. In addition, students gained knowledge of art periods, artists, and designers who have made an impact in society.
|
|
Student-run Cafe, The Hub, Opens
SVCTE’s student-run cafe, The Hub, opened up this month for staff and students on campus. Instructor Danielle Clark is dishing out sanitation, knife, baking, cooking skills and so much more in addition to real-life experiences for the students who are running a commercial kitchen and practicing their customer service skills. For more information about the Culinary Arts program, visit here and our September CTE Newsletter. Click here for more pictures!
|
|
|
Follow Us For More
Instead of waiting until you receive this publication in your inbox, we recently launched a #studentsinaction social media campaign. Search this hashtag on our Facebook page to begin learning more about the wonderful opportunities that MetroED offers to its students year-round.
|
|
|
MetroED News and Highlights
|
|
Regional Testing Center
The Regional Testing Center (RTC) is open 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday in room 10 at SVAE.
The RTC administers examinations from two testing providers: Pearson and PSI-HiSET. Pearson provides exams for teacher credentialing, GED, and other professional certifications. HiSET is another option for high school equivalency. The center is authorized to proctor over 2,000 different exam titles from more than 200 testing clients.
To register for Pearson exams, click here. To register for HiSET exams, click here. For California's High School Equivalency Eligibility Requirements, click here.
|
|
Jim Burnham receives Curiosity
In STEM Award
The accomplishments of Jim Burnham are quite literally on fire as he continues to light the spark of learning and inspiration for students in his Mechatronics Engineering program at SVCTE.
On Friday, Oct 7 the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) announced that Jim was chosen for the Curiosity in STEM Award, presented by The Tech Interactive. The award is given to a teacher who has demonstrated a passion for inspiring curiosity in their students. This teacher seeks out innovative opportunities to spark wonder and encourages students to take the lead in their own learning, fostering science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skill-building through inquiry and hands-on exploration. Read more.
|
|
SVCTE Receives $55,000 Grant for Switch Electric Vehicle Kit
Tom Nemeth, one of SVCTE's instructors for the Automotive Services program, is using his enthusiasm and expertise to ensure that his students receive a future-proof education.
“The future of EV (electric vehicles) is here,” he said. “Our students will be working on electric cars if they are in the business. So what we need to do is prepare them.”
Nemeth applied for a $55,000 grant through the Cerritos Community College District’s Advanced Transportation Technology and Energy Center, who awarded $1.5 million to recruit additional high schools to participate in the Zero Emissions Vehicle High School Pilot Project funded by the California Energy Commission.
The grant was recently approved, allowing SVCTE to purchase a Switch electric vehicle kit, which arrived Oct. 18. It can be assembled, disassembled and reassembled any number of times. The grant came with curriculum for Nemeth to use in his classroom. He also attended a comprehensive train-the-trainer workshop to receive the instruction needed to help his students assemble the vehicle. The Switch itself is a three-wheeled vehicle with a roll cage that is the length of a car and classifies as a motorcycle. Read more.
|
|
Superintendent Lynch meets with Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren
On October 13, Superintendent Alyssa Lynch, Chief Business Official Dorothy Reconose and Linda Goytia, board member with Campbell Union High School District and MetroED met with Esther Peralez-Dieckmann, district chief of staff for Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren. Superintendent Lynch provided an overview of MetroED, career technical education (CTE) programs, adult education and the state of CTE funding. We are looking forward to future conversations with Congesswoman Lofgren and her staffers in Washington, D.C.
|
|
SVAE ESL Teacher Babak Falsafi Using The Universal Language of Music
Even though he has only been with MetroED for five months, Babak Falsafi is thinking outside the box to teach SVAE students in his ESL class.
He is using the universal language of music to engage with his students and help them learn essential elements of the English language. During a recent visit, he played the guitar and had his students sing along with him to the A-B-Cs. As a classical guitarist who learns and practices new pieces outside of work, he admits it has been the perfect pairing of passions.
“I love what I am doing now, especially ESL,” he said. “To be able to share my knowledge of English with some of the English learners in my community is also a favorite part of working at MetroED.”
|
|
New to Our Leadership Team
|
|
Jaron Daquina
SVAE CalWORKs Site Supervisor
Jaron Daquina is the new CalWORKs
Site Supervisor. Jaron has worked as the CalWORKs Site Representative at SVAE for the past two years, where he supports adult students in SVAE.
Prior to joining MetroED he held positions in other districts and in the City of San Jose as an Education Specialist, Behavior Intervention Therapist, Senior Recreational Leader, Youth Development Specialist, and Educational Counselor.
Jaron holds a Bachelor’s in Sociology.
|
|
|
Positions Available at MetroED!
We are currently seeking applicants that would be an excellent fit for our team. The district pays full health benefits to eligible employees and their dependents, including dental, vision, and an employee assistance program. Click below to learn more.
MetroED Current Openings
|
|
|
Schedule an Upcoming Visit
|
|
|
|
|
Oct. 28 & 29
Nov. 11
Nov. 18
Nov. 23
Nov. 24
Nov. 25
|
|
|
SVCTE Haunted House
Veteran’s Day/Legal Holiday
SVCTE Fall College and Career Day
No Classes SVCTE/SVAE
Thanksgiving/ Legal Holiday
Local Holiday
|
|
MetroED Governing Board Updates
|
|
|
MetroED Governing Board Meeting
To see past meeting minutes and agendas, please visit our Agenda Online page. You can also view upcoming MetroED Governing Board meeting agendas and Governing Board Policies.
Next meeting: Wed., Nov. 14 at 6:00 p.m. | In-Person and via Zoom
|
|
|
|
|
|
