Create Relevancy in Student Learning!

Four years ago I stepped into my first CTE classroom and was blown away by what I saw. Students from all walks of life and academic success levels immensely engaged in activities building, making, designing, and producing projects in a hands-on, team environment. This experience sparked a passion in me when I saw how this type of learning and teaching began to make sense to students who might not perform as well in the traditional academic course work. These students were discovering their strengths, interests and skills that would motivate them to pursue careers that they might not otherwise even know exists.

Career Technical Education delivers "Relevancy" in the classroom and is key to driving student engagement in education. One of the ways the CTE Foundation is improving this learning in the classroom is by supporting industry-grade tools for students to build their technical skills. CTE courses require far more in the way of tools and supplies than the average course and can range between $100 - $250 per student, per year. Sometimes a classroom will have only 1 piece of shared equipment, such as a welder or 3D printer, forcing students to slow the progress of their projects and learning. Many of our dedicated teachers reach in to their own pockets to purchase supplies, unwilling to hamper student learning by lack of resources.

Another way we are bringing relevancy to the classroom is by getting students out to local work sites to experience first-hand a day-in-the-life of an employee in one of Sonoma County's high-growth industries. Renting a bus to transport students can cost up to $800 per trip, which when added to the cost of needed supplies often means that opportunities to get out in to the field for real hands-on learning are left untapped.

We can fix this!

CTE Foundation's Tools and Transportation Fund provides these much needed resources to our CTE classrooms across Sonoma County. We need to raise $20,000 to fund supplies and transportation needs planned for 2017 - Key teaching tools that build employability skills and prepare students for the rigors of college and career.

Please consider making a year-end donation to benefit our students and teachers. Donations made in the month of December will be matched! One of our Board members has agreed to match ALL donations made by December 31st. We really want to earn these matched funds!

Bring career technical education alive – support our students – support our local economy – double your gift by donating today!

Just a small donation will go a long way to helping me meet my goal for CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION SONOMA COUNTY!

If you prefer to mail a donation to CTE Foundation, simply send it to us at 1030 Apollo Way, Suite 200, Santa Rosa, CA 94507.