So I had a pretty slow weekend this past Veterans Day. Naturally, I watched a lot of Food Network to pass the time. On two separate shows, there were featured contestants that had been considered "at-risk" youth. They both credited vocational culinary programs as something that had helped get them off of the streets and on a path that had helped them discover their passions and get them on the right path. These programs are often underplayed and students are steered away from these classes in lieu of the core classes. President Obama has responded to the benefits of this program by recently announcing an additional $1 billion investment into the Carl D. Perkins Act fund, with an attention to engineering and healthcare. Unfortunately, much of this funding is going to focus on educating post-high school students. Currently at a 22% rate of unemployment rate for youth in our country, we need to rethink our current vocational programs and prepare our youth for the workforce. Many students who graduate from high school will not attend a four-year university, and we need to prepare them for their transition into adulthood.
As teachers, we will hopefully have a pretty good understanding of our students and recognize the ones that will not enter the university route. We need to encourage students to think about their future and work with our fellow teachers to make sure that we are guiding productive members of society. Teachers involved in the CTE programs at schools often have contact with business leaders in the area and know of jobs that are open or about to open. We also need to instill in our students that taking a vocational route is not something to be ashamed of. What would this world be like if it weren't for our plumbers, electricians, garbage people, and agricultural workers? We would be covered in waste, in the dark, surrounded by garbage and hungry.
I agree with you Jenny that vocational programs are important, and that people should not be ashamed of participating in these programs. I, like Maria have been told that working in agriculture is something that I should not be doing and to attend a university in order to have a better future. My father worked in agriculture for a period of time until he broke a disk that left him disabled. Obviously this experience has made him think negative about agriculture work, therefore pushing my brother and I to stay in school and to get degrees.
ReplyDeleteI don't necessarily want to push my students into thinking that going to a four year college is the only thing to do, but I want to push them to do more. Whether it be going to vocational school or community college. As long as my students are thinking about continuing to learn I am happy.
One thing that frustrates me, and drives me crazy is how custodians, plumbers, agricultural workers, etc. are often get looked down on. People usually call them mean names and think less of them to their face! They are people and deserve to be treated with respect. Maybe if people talked to them and got to know them instead of judging them they would learn more things. I know I have learned some good cleaning tips from some custodians I talk too. Moral of my rant, get to know people before you judge them.
I agree/disagree with both Yuri and Jenny! I believe that students should be pushed to strive for a higher education which is initially attending a four-year university because this route will lead for greater success than attending a vocational school. I know that if it wasn't for my parent pushing to attend a four-year university, I would have never had the opportunities that I am offered here at WSU. If it wasn't for my parents pushing me to attend WSU, I would have never had the opportunity to study abroad. I would have never had the opportunity to stimulate my mind. All of these opportunities have been presented to me because of my attendance at WSU. For some students, vocational school is a great option but in my opinion attending a four-year university is the best option. One of the reasons why I wanted to become a teacher was because I wanted to be that teacher that motivates his students to strive for a higher education. Since I come from a disadvantaged background, I struggled to get myself to a four-year university due to the lack of knowledge of college applications, scholarships, and the overall essence of college. Both of my parents last year of schooling was eighth grade and all they knew was work. They had no clue of what college entailed. I had to research everything that was meant by the word university. I never knew what a residence hall was or how I would pay for college. All I knew was that earning a bachelor's degree would lead me to success. Throughout my educational struggles, I have learned ways to assist the disadvantaged youth in my community, in particular, to strive for a higher education and that is why I want to become a teacher. My point is that vocational school isn't a bad option but for some students but it is important to show students that a four year university can provide many opportunities. I believe it all depends on the student and their goals. My goal is to increase the number of Latino students in higher education and the way I could achieve that goal is attending a four-year university. Some students may have different goals which may lead them to a vocational school route.
ReplyDeleteTo change topics, in high school, one of my favorite classes was a cooking class because there I learned real world things such as making my own meals, washing dishes, and importance of cleaning. If it wasn't for this class, I would have been starving in college. I learned how to make many foods ranging from tacos to cakes. Like mentioned in previous comments, these classes/schools should not be looked upon because they are really helpful in t he real world.
Before coming to WSU, all of you know I spent 14 years working on a farm west of Pullman. It took quite awhile to prove to my family that I could make a living without a college education. I wasn't getting rich but becoming a teacher will be a pay cut. I had insurance, retirement, and bonuses, but I worked much longer hours and was very hard on my body. I feel that I will be able to connect with the students who don't feel that college is the path for them. I can tell them that it wasn't for me either. I can explain what they can expect from a "blue collar" job. They can plan on working longer hours and being hard on their bodies but their is opportunity to be successful. Union welders and plumbers make upwards of $50 an hour which would be between $80,000 and $100,000 a year. That's really good pay for having a trade education, plus their education is significantly cheaper than what we are paying. Also, as I have shown, it is never too late to go back to school and change your profession.
ReplyDeleteI agree to a certain extent because I feel that there should be clubs, activities, or any extra curricular activity available for students because that is where a lot of them finally connect with something and they find out what they like and possibly what they want to do. This doesnt have to just be sports or auto shop or cooking classes, it can be anything, but just having the options for students to turn to is of huge importance. It is a little disheartening to hear that certain things are getting cut such as music, sports and even PE but I think that things are hopefully changing for the better and as a whole we can finally see the importance of these activities for the youth and everyone in general.
ReplyDelete-Nick Harteau
I agree with what you're getting at Jenny, I think there is too much emphasis put on the idea that every student needs to attend a four year university. Programs such as these allow students to discover different ways of continuing their life journey. Having different options available to students is crucial because it allows them to see that there is more to life than just attending school. I also think these classes can function as an outlet for students and a way for them to connect with other students who they might not have ever met. Even if a student doesn't continue on with the vocation it is there teaching life skills that they may not have the opportunity to learn any where else.
ReplyDelete-Christine Sweet
I guess I don't see it as choosing the college or the vocational route. When I was in high school, I decided what I wanted to be. I wanted to be a teacher. So I looked at what I needed to do in order to get there, and that was go to college. Hence, my choice of college.
ReplyDeleteI would encourage my students to do the same. What I see instead, is that students are pushed into college even if they don't know what they want to do, and then waste years and thousands of dollars because someone told them they would "figure it out." I also see people graduating from high school, getting a minimum wage job, and never leaving it. Both of these things make me sad. I want my students, as well as my own children someday, to be able to create a plan for after graduation: how they will support themselves, what they want to accomplish, and what they think they want to be. If that leads them to a job, to vocational school, or to college, then that's okay.
I was extremely focused on sports in high school. This took up pretty much all of my time outside of school. Fortunately my basketball coach was also in charge of the school Deca program. He tried to get me to involved in Deca but he was unsuccessful. He argued that one day I wouldn't have sports and I needed a plan for later in life. I ignored this reasoning and now I am kicking myself. My friends who participated in this program used it to begin thinking about life after school because of it. Unfortunately I missed my opportunity in high school to participate but its not too late for our students. I believe these types of programs are a great way for students to get real life experience before they actually get there. I support programs like these because of the benefits they provide for students. Right on Jenny, this post was needed. We, as teachers, need to make students aware of the benefits and opportunities that these programs offer to students.
ReplyDeleteSteven B
I strongly support vocational programs in the high school. The students in Bothell, Washington are very interested in auto motor based hobbies including racing. The Auto club was one of the most popular clubs at the high school and the students competed at the state level. These students are still still involved in their hobbies and many of them hold jobs in car shops. Vocational programs provide opportunities for students to turn a hobby into a job and furthermore a career. I do not believe college is for everyone but further education is important. If my students choose something they are good at and and take the necessary steps to master that skill, I am equally proud. Another program the high school should offer is job prep programs. Bothell high School recently created contracts with locals businesses to hire students and teach them proper work skills. I think this is also a great opportunity for students because it brings the community together with the school and also provides the opportunity for students to acquire certain skill sets. I will encourage my students to open to their eyes to all their options and opportunities. I will tell my students 'find a positive hobby and become good at it'.
ReplyDeleteHannah Slominski