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"Agriculture Classes at my High School were part of my inspiration to become an Agriculture Teacher. Through career technical education I was taught the skills to work in a floral shop, my agriculture teachers taught me leadership and personal development. I am an agriculture teacher today because of my belief in career technical education.” — Amy Thomsen
"I was the kid in high school who was involved in drama, music and advanced placement classes. When I was required to take Agriculture my freshman year of high school, I went kicking and screaming...I was NOT a farm kid! Little did I know that the class would change my life. I got involved in the FFA, took agriculture classes all four years of high school, and went on to study Agriculture Education at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. I have now been teaching high school agriculture for four years! I love reaching out to a variety of students, ranging from the kids who wouldn’t be in school if it weren’t for a vocational program like agriculture to the overachievers who remind me of myself in high school. While I am a product of a college and advanced placement/honors classes and understand the value of a quality, rigorous education...THIS IS NOT THE ONLY OPTION! It is important that the landscape of education in California changes drastically to ensure a stable work force and economy in California.” — Joia Jones
"As a former student of my high school agriculture program, I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for my high school agriculture teacher and my career technical opportunities. Born in Queens, New York and raised in Buena Park, California - agriculture has become my career and life.” — Alex Flores
"Our company has supported Career Tech, Regional Occupational Programs and other vocational programs through out the state. We have provided equipment donations, scholarship funds and a school to work program. Bridgestone Firestone has been heavily involved trying to maintain high school and community college automotive programs throughout the state. We have several employees that started in these program and have become very successful with our company.” — Bridgestone
"I took CTE classes in high school and they gave me direction to follow my career path into agriculture education. Not only is agriculture essential to live, it’s traditional values are ones to be retained. My career choice was shown to me through CTE classes and I hope to share that with others.” — Anna Canon
"I am an agriculture teacher today because of my agriculture teacher and all the things that he provided to his students what a blessing Mr. Bill Hasenbeck was to me and everyone he came in contact with.” — Larry Wright
"I am a product of a high school agriculture program. I learned respect, hardwork, and dedication.” — Shay Williams-Hopper
"There is no doubt that I would not be where I am today without the impact my CTE courses made on my life. All students in our state deserve access to a diverse selection of CTE courses.” — Kristopher Elliott
"I was an active member of the FFA while in high school. I credit that experience with helping me to make life long decisions, particularly my choice to become an agriculture teacher. It taught me responsibility, speaking skills and leadership. I am forever indebted to my high school agriculture teachers for all the time they spent outside of class time to advise and coach me in my FFA activities.” — Debbie Benson
"Easy — I would not be the person I am today if it were not for the real connections I made with significant adult role models I encountered through my career tech courses. I owe my life to those individuals.” — Laurie McCormick
"I participated in the agricultural education program in the Kern High School District. Even though I did not come from an agricultural background, I found the program to be the most valuable in exposing me to my chosen career area.” — Robert Flores
"I was an agriculture student all throughout high school. I attended Cal Poly majoring in agriculture, all the while working in the agriculture industry, mainly working on farms and ranches. Now I spend my workday training our young people how to be productive, build character in themselves and have a strong work ethic for a sustainable and fulfilling future.” — John Coon
" I enjoyed agriculture so much in college I became an Ag Teacher. I saw the difference my dad was making in students lives through agriculture and I thought what a great way to reach young people.” — Danelle Ariaz
"I was one of the unlucky students that never had CTE in private school. Now I teach CTE and feel fortunate to have this experience daily.” — Jim Knapp
"20 plus years as an agricultural mechanics teacher. 4 years of high school shop in the 1970’s.” — Mark Perkins
"I had great experience in high school ag classes with my teacher Mr. Craig at Wasco High. He motivated us to do our best and to be leaders in what ever we do.” — Sam Rodriguez
"One of my valuable experiences in my young adult life as a high school career. If it were not for my agriculture teacher I would not be were I am today. My CTE classes have giving the experience which have giving the knowledge to teach students today.” — Nolan Kee
"If it wasn’t for my HS drafting teacher, I would have been a drop out.” — Artie Lindauer
"I graduated HS, taking all the shop classes and all the general prep college classes. I went to Jr college and graduated CSULB to teach. I worked and paid my way through construction jobs. 30 years of contracting found me hiring people who could not read a tape measure or follow simple work directions. Went back, got a credential and taught construction classes at high school till the administration cut the program out because of NCLB requirements. I found a new job at a middle school and have been here three years. But guess what? because of the testing my school is facing PI next year and my program will probably get cut again.” — Jeff Seiver
"We recognize the importance of CTE and are trying to make it a requirement for graduation from our institutions so that our students can successfully transition back into the public sector and get jobs that can lead to a successful crime free life style.” — Nick Caporusso, Division of Juvenile Justice
"I am a former student of cte and am now a teacher of cte in Orland.” — Jerrod Lloyd
"I am a career technical teacher. I am tired of seeing my students fail or drop out of school because they have no interest in college prep academics. My students graduate and often have no direction for success, very little job training, and no idea where to go to get it. My students feel like failures because college is not for them. We have to start doing better by our kids if California is to prosper.” — Rich Grider
"Currently, I am a graduate student at Fresno State researching my thesis on Water Management Education, which encompasses a broad view of water management. I’m attempting to creatively articulate the story (stories) associated with CTE focused on water technology to educate to attract young people and convince school administrators, and policy setters that all children deserve relevant education, including something like 80% of U.S. citizens who do not obtain a four year degree.” — Diane Miniel
"I graduated from Corning Union High School (1986) where I took classes in Agriculture, Automotive, and Woodshop. I graduated from Shasta College (1989)where I earned AA Degrees in Agriculture and GE. I graduated from CSU, Chico (1991)where I earned a BS degree in Animal Science and Ag Business. I returned later to earn Teaching credentials in Agriculture education (1999). I graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo (2001)with a MS in Agriculture Education. To say the least, CTE has been my educational life. I have taught Agriculture at the High School level now for 12 years. I have taught welding at Feather River College for six years. Throughout my educational experience I have seen the educational pendulum swing and have been frustrated with it for most of my professional career as an educator.” — Norman Oilar
"As a former student that was inspired by my Ag/Wildlife classes at Petaluma High School in California, I never dreamed that one day my daughter would be involved in FFA at Santa Rosa High School. This is her second year participating in FFA and it has become her goal to be either a large animal veterinarian, or to work in the animal protective services field. As a freshman, she didn’t enjoy school and it showed in her grades. Once she enrolled in some of the agriculture classes and discovered her true ‘passion’ her grades improved to nearly a 4.0 and she LOVED going to school! We have fully supported her and the agriculture program at Santa Rosa High School by participating in every event possible. I am very proud to say, that not only has she received her Greenhand Degree, her Chapter Degree, and her State Degree, but she has been honored with the title of FFA Chapter Sweetheart for 2008-2009. If it hadn’t been for these very important agricultural programs at Santa Rosa High School, I believe that she would not be having as much success in high school as she’s had. I commend our two wonderful instructors for lighting the flame of passion of agriculture and animal science for our daughter - thank you Mrs. Piehl and Ms. Etcheverria, from the bottom of our hearts!!" — Tena Hanford
"Growing up in the agriculture world taught me a lot of lessons about life. But it wasn’t until I entered the FFA program in high school that I truly discovered my full potential. It was an experience I wish everyone could enjoy. It was amazing what it did for me, and my fellow peers. I saw the jocks the band geeks and the preps all come together for a common goal and I know it changed many peoples lives for the better. Even though I am out of high school both my mom and I are members of the organizations booster team to help ensure the continued growth and improvement for many generations to come.” — Samantha Piehoff
"After nearly failing out of Jr. High, I was not even thinking of college. I was lucky to spend 4 of the best years of my life in the FFA and Agriculture. I went from a very close 2.0 in Jr. High to a 3.5 in High School and was excepted to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. I majored in AgEd and became an Ag Teacher.” — Scott Wonnell
"As a former automotive student and present instructor, I have been successful because of the available programs. Today, however, a sea change has taken place as a result of the ROP being denied the ability to teach adults. Many adults are not ready to go to college but still want to obtain skills. Hybrid automotives has been impacted by the recent piece of legislation that restricts ROPs from teaching adults. As the instructor of the first hybrid automotive program in California at the ROP level, it was frustrating to see my evening class closed because I could not have adults in the class. The number of high school students taking the class was not enough to keep it going. The adult students were told we do not teach adults and so they must go elsewhere. But where? Some are not ready for the JC and others want to learn about hybrid automotives at the ROP level. The loss of my program this semester closed the only hybrid automotive technician program at the ROP level in Southern California. So who is going to fix these complex vehicles when the State discourages adults from learning about this field in the ROP?" — Greg Del Vecchio
"High school students now come to our community college auto program with no previous hands on skills. Most have never used measuring instruments nor have they used fasteners in a school environment because no industrial technology courses were available to them in our local high schools. Out of 12 local feeder high schools, only three have automotive programs, with one teetering on closure, and another which may close after the instructor retires. Many high school students need to repeat math and English courses, leaving no room in their schedules for learning important career skills that could get them good paying entry-level positions our industry partners want filled. As a consequence post-secondary programs such as ours need to remediate the CTE skill sets that most CTE students used to acquire in high schools ten years ago!" — Drew Carlson
"I am a product of a high school agriculture education program. If not for my agriculture teachers, I would not have applied to college. Luckily, they convinced me to attend. It was a difficult decision for me. I had a job, I was making a wage about 4 times the minimum wage and I felt that college would not be cost effective. I had learned enough in my high school education program to make a good living. After college I was employed in a variety of agriculturally related careers, everything from cattle to watermelons to meat processing. After a few years I returned to college and obtained a teaching credential. I have not been a high school agriculture teacher for 20 years. It has been the toughest job I have ever had - and the most rewarding!" — Joel Briggs
"I had many experiences that led to my decision to become an educator. In high school my Agriculture instructors in both Animal science and Welding showed real life application to different sciences. I was hooked with an industry that produced actual results on a daily basis. Since those days I have watched how countless students make the decision to go to college only to drop out or worse successfully complete. In the end they find that they must return to a jr. college or tech school to learn a trade. The fact is America is loosing the trades that make this great country run. We sell out to every country in the world to find skilled labor. While the unemployment rate keeps climbing.” — Nick Dreesmann
"I am a product of CTE. As a high school student at Princeton High in Princeton, CA I was actively involved in the Agriculture program there. The practical experience that I learned in High School allowed me to land high paying jobs while I attend college. I am now an Agriculture Teacher at St. Helena High School and I am doing my part in passing along the same quality education that I received because of Career Technical Education!" — Randy Mendes
"My Industrial Arts teacher had a huge impact on my life. I went to college, but worked in the trades for years. It has helped me with my consulting business. It has also given me my occupational passion. Fighting for vocational education.” — Mark Smith
"I am the president of Teichert Construction where I lead approximately 3,000 employees in infrastructure construction. While I credit much of my success to the BS in Civil Engineering that I received, I also credit almost an equal portion to the hands-on experience that I gained through high school and college. I worked in a gas station through high school, and for a contractor in summers during college. My lessons were not really the specific work I performed, but putting things into practice and having to deal with all sorts of people. That’s real life. I believe that we need to maintain a high level of academic rigor, combined with these real life, hands-on experiences. A focus only on preparing all kids to college simply makes no sense. I believe that we need to find a balance in our K-12 that provides equal access to all levels of continuing education, contains core courses aligned with a-g standards without restricting CTE to only theory, and most importantly allows students to design their careers.” — Doug Urbick
"I had a great experience with my high school woodworking class and it has helped me become a successful businessman/cabinetmaker" — Steve Coldicott
"I was an agriculture student all through high school and have been teaching high school agriculture for over 30 years. Daily I see the positive impact on my students and I see the impact on their children, many of whom are my students now.” — Bill Loveridge
"I became an agriculture teacher because of the great opportunities agricultural education created for me in high school. I was able to learn skills which provided a living for me as well as helped pay for my college education, travel across the United States, and make life long friends through my involvement in the FFA and CTE.” — Jake Dunn
"I am a teacher, in a continuation high school. Our students that participated in a city sponsored fork-lift driver training got good jobs right away. We need to reach ALL of our students with the skills to get a good job. Even those going on to college often need to work their way through school. We need trained workers to help boost our economy, keep jobs in the USA, and keep America strong.” — Suzanne Fritsch
"I am proud to be a product of the CT vocational education system. Learning a marketable skill in addition to academic skills has made my life all the richer and supported me quite comfortably until I decided to enter the teaching profession myself as a CTE teacher.” — Darren Willis
"As a teacher I have developed a passion for instructing and educating students of the importance of being life long learners, developing a skill, working or interning, creating a base of references through the educational institutions, community service, or employment experience.” — Susan Liston
"I was a member, state offier, and national officer of FBLA in Southern Oregon before moving to Southern California to attend Pepperdine University. I continued my CTE involvement supporting DECA, FBLA, and HOSA throughout California and founding a business that is now 18 years old dedicated to advancing student and educational development—especialy in the area of CTE. This work has led to positions on the Board of Directors for HOSA, DECA, and FBLA and opportunities to help manage projects as a conultant for clients ranging from Disney and Carl’s Junior to the White House and Aspen Institute. I owe my success, network, and opportunities to CTE!" — Ryan Underwood
"I’m the former National President of DECA and owe a tremendous amount of my success to my marketing education advisor and the huge head start that DECA gave me in my career in nonprofit management and law. I’m excited to be leading California DECA as State Advisor and look forward to expanding the opportunities for marketing and business education and all of CTE for the thousands of California students who deserve the same high quality experience I enjoyed through CTE.” — Brycen Woodley
"As a high school student in New Jersey I participated in the business prep curriculum and art program in addition to the college prep program. The business courses and art program kept me engaged - the academic courses were just something I had to do in order to go to the classes I liked! My first job out of high school was running a blueprint machine at an engineering company. My business skills got me the job. My second job was Secretary to the Superintendent of Schools in a large New Jersey District - business skills again. I went on to graduate from college with a BA in Speech, Communication and Theatre and worked as a Public Relations and Marketing professional for many years. I returned to college to get my MS in Special Education and have been very concerned about the career prospects for my students - and all students in California. Not everyone wants to go to college right after High School. Sometimes students need a break before continuing on. We must prepare our students to be productive citizens as young adults.” — Donna Hall
"My CTE courses in high school motivated me to become a teacher of agriculture and promote premier leadership, personal growth, and career success!" — Laura Goss
"As an Agriculture Instructor, I have witnessed first hand what CTE has provided students. It helps to provide job and leadership skills to our students. Without CTE, many of these students would wander aimlessly through high school without a sense of direction or purpose. Even one drop out is too many!" — Cheryl Reece
"I am a construction tech teacher at Petaluma HS. I have had the privilege of being at several meetings and conferences that have been hosted by Get-Real. I feel that they along with CITEA are the most crediable voice for CTE in the state of California.” — Gene Karas
"When in high school, the auto shop and welding shop teachers I had were outstanding. I found two places that I enjoyed going to each school day and was very sucessful. After working in industry for 10 years I went back to college and got my teaching credential. I truly enjoy teaching young adults and helping them find their place in the metal manufacturing business.” — Mark Feuerbach
"Although I currently teach college career technology, I also am a life-time credentialed K-12 mathematics teacher with work experience in industry who taught mathematics as well as architectural drafting and design classes in high school. I had to fight counselors to allow college bound students who planned to become architects to enroll in architectural drafting and design courses. All students need vocational training, all students benefit from applying skills. My industrial arts students who did not plan to go to college would tell me that they never realized they needed math until they took needed to apply these skills when designing buildings. Career technical classes prepare students for life and reinforce skills learned in academic courses. These classes need to be required. Thank you for fighting the needed fight. Students need you.” — Colette Marie McLaughlin, PhD
"I did take Home Economics courses in high school and because of my interest and success, I chose to teach in this field.” — April Weaver
"I was first introduced to the Machinist Trade in HIGH SCHOOL; in the 60’s. I completed an apprenticeship and retired as a senior manager in one of the largest machine shop in California at Mare Island Naval Shipyard. After retiring I started teaching High School. My shop is a Haas Technical Education Center (and I am HTEC Council Member), I am a SkillsUSA Advisor and on the National Education Team for Precision Machining and PHS will soon be the first NIMS acredited high school in California. And one of my classes was cut last year!" Dan Sunia
"In 1968 - 70 they called it wood shop & i loved working & creating. After 1 year of college It wasn’t for me. After working for a few different contractors I hooked up with my brother & started a small general contracting firm. 33 years later it’s a lot bigger & still going.” — William McDevitt
"I am a Parent of 4 children. Three of our kids are actively involved in Ag Classe and FFA at High School. My Husband was also actively involved in FFA and competed on FFA teams at the college level. The boys are competing on Ag. Mechanics teams and my Daughter was a State winner for the Farm Business Management team. I believe in the Career path classes and organizations like FFA. They prepare the students for the real world and the Morals, Values and Ethics that come from the FFA organization is wonderful.” — Mike and Cindy Bordessa
"We are an association of over 100 Northern California small to midsized manufacturers. Our story is simple: we support the California Tooling and Machinists Apprencticeship Program and we proide hundreds of jobs to young people who want to learn a trade and make a good career in manufacturing.” — Dick Herman
"Having attended a ‘Vo-Tech’ school in Coatesville, Pennsylvania from 1966-1969, the knowledge gleaned from those 3 years helped me to start and operate a solar construction company, licensed in Southern California for 29+ years.” — Allen Robert Carrozza
"I am a middle school counselor who has fought for ten years for the inclusion of CTE in the middle school curiculum. I welcome the opportunity to join others in this urgent mission.” — Michael Gangitano
"I am a retired teacher. I had many students that needed a career path diferent from the college track.” — Ted Bunch
"I am aspiring to become an agriculture teacher thanks to the wonderful teachers at Orland high school who encouraged, mentored and inspired me. With out CTE I would not be the confident person I am today.” — Christy Baviere
"The Vocational Agriculture program at Petaluma High School provided me with the relevant hands-on instruction for me to secure employment in the Ag Mechanics field. When I decided to go to a 4-year school after working in a welding shop for 2 years, the real world experience allowed me to work my way through college doing what I love as opposed to asking would you like fries with your order? My vocational training, along with the on the job training, allows me to bring those real world experiences into the classroom to provide realistic training to the students in our Mechanized Agriculture program at Merced College. The combination of Mr. King and Mr. DeJong, the Petaluma Vo-Ag program, and the FFA...the student leadership portion of the program...provided me with the tools to pursue my career goals and love what I do.” — Darol Fishman
"I was a student of Career and Technical Education in high school. I took classes in agriculture, drafting, and architectual design. As a result of my time in those classes I not only graduated from high school but I also continued my educational career by graduating with a Bachelor’s degree and teaching credential from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. I am currently an agriculture teacher at my alma mater, Foothill High School, trying to provide my students the same education and inspiration I received from my vocational teachers in high school.” — Clay Freeman