More CTSO stories from FFA, DECA, and FEA

Dear Colleagues:

My inbox is bursting with your stories about the incredibly inspiring young people, advisors, teachers, and business partners participating in your CTSOs and the innovative projects and partnerships they're helping to advance in your communities.

I'm thrilled to celebrate CTE Month by sharing more of those stories with you. I plan to send another message next week, so if you don't see your CTSO here, send me a story! You can email me directly, or share your students' accomplishments with our large readership on our Facebook page or Twitter feed.

FFA: Julie Woodard of the National FFA Organization shared updates from FFA chapters across the country, including this story from Connecticut describing a partnership that has united FFA members with students in the agriculture and culinary programs at the Wamago Agricultural Science and Technology Center and truly created "farm to table, seed to plate" learning opportunities for all, including special needs students. A blog post written by Samantha Stotland, senior and FFA member, and Jamie Fischer, culinary instructor at Wamago, describes this great pairing:

What happens when you mix agriculture classes with a culinary arts program? Something tasty and unique. FFA members and students in the agriculture program at the Wamago Agricultural Science and Technology Center in Connecticut have joined forces with the school's culinary arts program to produce the perfect partnership.

Throughout the course of the year there are numerous opportunities for students to experience solid models illustrating the different departments working together. The idea of "from farm to table" and "from seed to plate" naturally helps to encourage collaboration. Recently, agriculture students who were also culinary arts students planned, prepared, and served the food for a State Agriculture Education Advisory meeting and luncheon. The students utilized herbs grown in the school greenhouse, potatoes that were grown from a student's garden and maple syrup that was harvested from trees on the school's grounds and processed in the school's evaporator by agriculture and culinary arts students. The main entree of smoked pork came from a local farm that has close ties to Wamogo and where agriculture students have conducted their SAE placements. The meal was planned and prepared by Culinary Arts and served by the students that are dually enrolled in both the culinary and agriculture programs.

Read the full blog post about this innovative partnership.

DECA - Oregon: Bob Reinhardt, DECA Advisor at Cascade High School in Turner, Oregon, shared some thoughts from Ron Johnson, a Cascade DECA Business Professional Member. Mr. Johnson is a retired financial executive, entrepreneur, and small business owner who is now an adjunct professor and instructor in Business Management at Portland State University in Portland:

Cascade DECA gives its members an unbeatable opportunity to learn and apply the essential skills necessary for a successful business career. And even more important, it teaches important lessons about giving back to your community and building relationships that lead to life-long friendships. Analyzing business problems, competing to find the best solutions and building self-confidence are all essential for success in today's competitive business world.

Watching Cascade DECA members mentoring others, assuming the responsibilities of leadership and leaving a legacy of pride and accomplishment for those who come after them. Cascade DECA is more than just another extracurricular activity. It isn't limited by its classroom or school building. It's a vital part of everything that is our community. Whether it's a float in the Aumsville Corn Festival Parade or contributing to Doernbecher Children's Hospital, Cascade DECA leads the way. It's an experience that builds character, strengthens values, and prepares every member for the challenges and opportunities waiting for them.

DECA and Future Educators Association (FEA) - Arizona: Deb Moore, Marketing teacher and DECA advisor at Raymond S. Kellis High School in Glendale, Arizona (and an ACTE 2011-2012 award winner for Outstanding Teacher in Community Service!) let us know how RSK students in her DECA chapter and FEA are supporting a major Special Olympics event:

The Raymond S. Kellis High School Unified Special Olympics team will showcase their talents at the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) State Basketball Semi-Finals at Jobing.com Arena on Thursday, February 21st. The kids and coaches alike are thrilled to showcase their abilities and skills while playing a regulation basketball game in the arena atmosphere.

Two students playing a major role in promoting and participating in the event are Alec Romero, DECA President at Raymond S. Kellis, and Diana Bermuda, a member of the Future Educators Association and Kellis' President of Best Buddies, an organization dedicated to promoting friendships, employment, and leadership opportunities for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

Unified Sports brings together students with intellectual disabilities (athletes) and regular education students (partners) in order to play alongside one another and learn from one another through sports. This game will be played in front of 30 state representatives who are looking to create Unified Programs in their respective states. Arizona is the leading state in the country for Unified Sports, and RSK and our Unified Sports Program is one of the leaders in the state. We are trend setters and will continue to lead the path for other programs to look up to and learn from.

Happy CTE Month!