State program highlights CTE opportunities for educators

hen Amy Fink, an English teacher at Maple Hill High School in Rensselaer County, searched for summer teaching opportunities, she never thought she’d find a position that would benefit her and her students. But that’s what the Schodack Faculty Association member found after applying for a project coordinator position with the Summer Career Development Ambassador Program.

The pilot initiative was launched jointly by the New York State Department of Labor and the NYS Education Department to help grades 6–9 educators better understand and explore future career options with their students.

Fink was one of 30 educators hired statewide to participate in the four-week paid program that operated in nine of the DOL’s 95 statewide career centers. Participants included classroom educators, guidance counselors and work-based learning coordinators.

“We wanted a nice balance of educators and we wanted to start early,” said Dana Politis, DOL’s associate commissioner for workforce development. Educators hailed from a range of districts, small and rural to large and urban, and represented a spectrum of socioeconomic need and student diversity.

“By the time students reach high school they’re often rushing to make decisions and the narrative is that college is the only option,” Politis said. “We want kids and parents to know what’s out there early on, especially since so many industries are emerging.”

Participants toured regional businesses, attended job fairs, learned about apprenticeship and internship programs, and met with regional representatives from DOL’s career center network. Christine Bosco, a Career and Technical Education teacher at the Onondaga-Cortland-Madison BOCES, appreciated that site visits highlighted regional job opportunities.

“We visited businesses specifically in our area and learned about their needs and multiple career pathways they offer, including job training and internships,” said the OCM BOCES Federation of Teachers member. “We can bring that back to our students.”

“I thought I knew what was out there, but this program made me realize that I really didn’t,” said Rawle Shewprashad, Newburgh TA, a Newburgh Free Academy CTE teacher, who termed the Carpenters Union Local 279’s apprenticeship program “incredible” after touring their facility. “They pay for everything, train students, give them tools and give them a job.”

As an educator in a Title 1 district, Shewprashad was also impressed with the assistance DOL career centers provide job seekers. “There’s lots of poverty and unemployment in my area, parents and adults in students’ households need this information.”

Technology teacher Mike Amante, New Hartford TA, hopes to secure classroom speakers and arrange visitations and field trips with his students through the connections he’s made. “I’m now aware of some businesses I didn’t know existed,” said Amante noting that without the DOL link it would be difficult to establish those relationships. “It’s great to have DOL resources available and to know that they’re backing us as we get students ready to enter the future workforce.”

Educators developed and presented lesson plans promoting career exploration and career-related skill development at the program’s conclusion with an eye toward incorporating the plans into their classroom. Shewprashad’s presentation focused on helping students launch LinkedIn pages, and Fink hopes to organize a trades job fair at her school.

“Now when students come to me and say, ‘I don’t know what I want to do,’ I have regional contacts in career centers and industries, and I know software programs to help them research — I have more ideas now,” said Fink.

Visit nysut.cc/careerambassador for information about the NYSDOL Summer Career Development Ambassador Program. In addition to pay, participating educators received a certificate of completion from NYSDOL and Continuing Teacher and Leader Education credit.