My rst 3 months as Director at the Research and Curriculum Unit (RCU) have own by, and there is still so much more to learn. We are diligently working to focus our resources on what matters most as we provide assistance to our K–12 and community college clients. I think we all know the challenges we face in Mississippi in improving the “readiness” of our students to compete for jobs in the economic conditions of today.

A colleague of mine used to say that “the main thing is to keep the main thing, the main thing.” Focusing on the “main thing” is important since the RCU is no different than every other education agency in managing reductions in funding over the last year. This era of funding uncertainty is leading us toward diversi cation of services. Thus, you may hear about the RCU working on education-related projects around the state outside of those strictly targeting CTE and workforce training programs. I was lucky to inherit a very talented staff of education professionals when I assumed this job in October, and we will expand the scope of services as we move forward.

We have made a few personnel changes at the RCU as a result of a reorganization aimed at im-proving services. Combining the curriculum development group with the assessment group into one team is already helping us be more ef cient and timely as we improve the quality of services we offer. I invite you to visit our staff Web site at http://info.rcu.msstate.edu to see the changes.

When funding for the secondary Redesign program ended, we found ourselves in a situation with some original programs and some redesign programs. However, it is time to move forward with consistent curriculum options for all programs. We are actively engaged with the MississippiDepartment of Education (MDE) in planning this major curriculum conversion project for the new scal year along with our regular postsecondary revisions and the continuous process of updating items for MS-CPAS2. We have plans to expand our eLearning opportunities for professional development and as curricula resources.

Lastly, in order for our unit to move forward, I need your input. If you have any unmet needs or feedback in how we can improve our services, please contact me. One of my 2011 goals is to touch base with as many deans, directors, and coordinators as possible by phone or webinar. (Remember, budgets are tight, so we are not traveling as much.) Thank you for what you do to prepare Mississippi’s future workforce.

Sincerely,

Julie Jordan, DirectorResearch and Curriculum Unit

A Message from the RCU Director

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CTE Courses offered at William Carey CollegeRetired Agriculture TeacherSelected for Educator Award

Mississippi Career Cluster and Pathway Taskforce Meetings: Education with a Purpose

Students Take Advantage of a LocalHot Spot

Life is Better with Art in it

CTE Students Rank on TopPublicizing your Programs

WINTER • VOLUME 11 • ISSUE 1

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CTE Degrees offered at William Carey UniversityWilliam Carey University is now offering undergraduate and graduate programs in Career and Technical Education (CTE). Both

programs are useful for any person interested in developing their skills as professional educators. Potential students include

individuals who are interested in teaching their trade to others in secondary, post-secondary, military, or industrial settings.

With the closure of the Technical and Occupational Education program at the University of Southern Mississippi, William Carey

is the only university offering degrees in this eld in the lower half of the state.

The undergraduate program accepts twenty-four (24) hours of technical credits toward the undergraduate degree. Courses

support educational requirements for the Vocational Instructor Program (VIP) program and have been approved by MDE. The

undergraduate program is offered in both online and face to face formats. The graduate program is fully online and is offered as a

30 or 36 hour program depending on the student’s interests and goals.

For groups of 10 or more, the CTE program courses

can be offered at your location in a face to face or hybrid

format. If you are interested in more information

about these programs, or are interested in bringing

these courses to your area, please contact Dr. Karen

Juneau, Associate Professor and Chair of Career and

Technical Education at kjuneau@wmcarey.edu.

Retired Agriculture Teacher Selected for Educator AwardLAS VEGAS – Lee J. James of Weir, Miss. is one of only six individuals nationwide who received the National

Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) Lifetime Achievement Award on December 3rd at the NAAE

annual conference in Las Vegas.

During his 31 year teaching career, James had a goal to find a place for every student in agricultural

education, and to motivate each student to excel in his or her area. By teaching a wide variety of agriculture

classes including production agriculture, horticulture, agriculture mechanics, environmental science and

leadership, James made sure each student would find something in which he or she was interested. His

students succeeded both in the classroom and in FFA, where he had 11 state of cers, 46 junior state of cers, 58 pro ciency

award winners and many state and national Career Development Event (CDE) contestants.

Outside of the classroom, James was dedicated to advancing agricultural education through professional development, serving

as an of cer in multiple organizations. Starting in 1999, James served as the NAAE Region V Secretary for three years and as the

NAAE Region V Vice President for an additional three years. He also served as the NAAE President during 2006-2007. Because

of his dedication to agricultural education, many organizations have bestowed James with outstanding teacher awards. Most

recently, James received the 2006 Mississippi Teacher of the Year Award and the Choctaw County Teacher of the Year Award.

Each of the six regional Lifetime Achievement award winners received a plaque and recognition at the NAAE convention in Las

Vegas. Ford sponsors the Lifetime Achievement Award as a special project of the National FFA Foundation. NAAE is the

professional association for agricultural educators. Its mission is “professionals providing agricultural education for the global

community through visionary leadership, advocacy and service.” The NAAE of ce is located in Lexington, Ky.

It is really a very exciting time in career and technical education in Mississippi,

and being a new program, CTE at Carey is well suited to adapt to changing ideas and

trends in career and technical education.

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As Career and Technical Education (CTE) moves to the forefront of education reform, policy makers, industry members,

and education practitioners at the state and local levels gathered together in October and November to revise and update

the Mississippi Career Cluster and Pathway Model. Cluster taskforces were established by the Mississippi Department of

Education, and members consisted of secondary CTE instructors and administrators, postsecondary instructors, industry

representatives, professional organization representatives, and MDE leaders.

During these important meetings, stakeholders examined Mississippi economic data and industry trends and issues to

recommend improvements to CTE pathway programs and courses that will support economic development and prepare

students for a skilled workforce. Additionally, the taskforce members made recommendations aimed to motivate and assist

students in meeting their career and academic goals. Each member made an exerted effort to make suggestions on how to

better provide a comprehensive education experience that is relevant and meaningful to young people.

Each taskforce met in a face-to-face environment and held follow-up webinars to analyze current and future employment

trends and projections. Each taskforce examined related industry certifications and standards. Then, the committee

proposed improvements in curriculum and assessment content, educator licensure guidelines, and instructional equipment

and materials that will prepare students for the future labor market and boost a smoother transition for students from

secondary to postsecondary classrooms.

During the month of December, MDE

leaders hosted Mississippi Career Cluster

and Pathway online webinar meetings. The

purpose of these webinars was to

communicate the taskforce recommendations

and solicit input from all state stakeholders

at the secondary and postsecondary levels.

After each webinar, secondary and

postsecondary instructors were encouraged

to complete a Mississippi Career Cluster

and Pathway Validation survey. Comments

from this survey will be used to finalize

the Mississippi Career Cluster and Pathway

Model . In Januar y 2011, face-to- face

administrator meetings will be held to

communicate the final Mississippi Career

Cluster and Pathway Model.

Education with a PurposeMississippi Career Cluster and Pathway Taskforce Meetings:

For more information, please contact the related program supervisor listed above.

Cluster Meeting Area ContactAgriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Wilbur Chancellor

wchancellor@mde.k12.ms.us

Lee Jamesljames@mde.k12.ms.us

Architecture and Construction Andy Simsasims@mde.k12.ms.us

Business Angela Kitchensakitchens@mde.k12.ms.us

Health Sciences Bill McGrewbmcgrew@mde.k12.ms.us

Human Sciences Diane Differentdifferent@mde.k12.ms.us

Manufacturing Andy Simsasims@mde.k12.ms.us

Middle School Literacy Courses Theresa Jonestjones@mde.k12.ms.us

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Kendra Taylorktaylor@mde.k12.ms.us

Transportation Sam Davissdavis@mde.k12.ms.us

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Students Take Advantage of Local Spot to Practice White’s Creek Lake became the classroom

for Computer Graphics Technology

students to practice learned skills. While

at the lake, students worked in groups

to complete photography assignments.

Students were required to search for “that

perfect shot” to demonstrate skills that

included close-ups, portraits, nature, and

motion shots. Students reported that White’s

Creek Lake was a wonderful backdrop for

this lesson. Computer Graphics Technology

students are Raishaunda Brantley, Miranda

Cissna, Summer Douglas, Keven Fonseca, Craig Grif n,

Bridgett Jackson, Shaquila Johnson, Horacio Leal,

Andrew McKay, Jeremy McMinn, Baily Palculict, Tori

Pate, D.J. Rambus, Juwan Roby, Tynisha Saffold, Keshay

Townsend, Dalton Turner, Drake Walker, Leah Watson,

Lindsey Williamson, and Miranda Williamson.

Student Examples

Attitudes captured in a Single Shot: Summer Douglas, Bridgett Jackson, Miranda Williamson, Tynisha Saffold, Raishanda Brantley, Miranda Cissna, Lindsey Williamson, Horacio Leal, D.J.

Rambus, Andrew McKay, Craig Grif n, and Drake Walker

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Life is Better with Art in it

Pictured above: Hope Wright, Shalondria Bryant, Leah Watson, Shadi Payton, Shanekwa Gee, Brittany Bryant, Chekeydra Allen, Summer Douglas, Lindsey Williamson, Miranda Williamson, Bianca Yates, Raishaunda Brantley, Bridgett Jackson,

Tynisha Saffold, Horacio Leal, Ms. Traci Bokros, Andrew McKay, Drake Walker, Craig Grif n, and D.J. Rambus

Traci Bokros, high school representative for the Arts Institute of Tennessee - Nashville, recently visited Computer Graphics

Technology students at the Webster County Career and Technology Center. Although the Arts Institute (AI) offers programs

in the areas of design, media arts, fashion, and culinary, Ms. Bokros focused her informative and interactive presentation on

opportunities available for CGT students in design and media arts.

She introduced classes to the skills one would gain in both program areas. In the design eld, AI students acquire skills and

experience in drawing, design, layout, composition, illustration, color theory, and typography as applied to package

design and advertising. Students are trained using industry-related technology and software, some of which are currently

used in the Computer Graphics Technology classroom.

The media arts program is designed for students who want to turn their passion for communication, creativity,

and technology into a profession. Media arts is sectioned into ve categories: animation and special effects, audio, visual and

digital media, game design, photography, and Web design and interactive media. Students in these elds gain fundamentals

in areas such as color theory, video editing, storyboarding, scenic layout, 2-D and 3-D animation, texture mapping,

typography, and digital manipulation. Students are trained on the latest industry-related equipment and software.

Ms. Bokros explained that upon completion of the associate and bachelor degree programs, students leave with completed

portfolios of their work, with interviewing and networking skills, and with industry insights that are necessary for entering

today’s job market.

CGT students viewed numerous

AI student-created materials such

as magazine layouts, logos, short

animated films, and voice-overs.

Ms. Dionne Hodges, Computer

Graphics Technology instructor,

received the Arts Institute’s newest

2011 calendar, which contains

artwork that expresses the slogan

“Life Is Better With Art In It!”

Pearl/Rankin Career and Technical Center Marketing

students come out on top again! They are the top

students for Mississippi in Virtual Business Challenge

Retailing as well as Sports Marketing. The top team in the

retailing game consists of Keera Crump, Ashton Swartzfager, and Xiandria Long. These three students are enrolled at Northwest

Rankin High School. The top team in the sports marketing game includes Jamieon Davis, Daniel James, and Robert Tolar. Jamieon

and Robert are from Brandon High School while Daniel attends Florence High School.

The Sports Track of the DECA VBC encourages DECA members to test their skil ls at managing a football

franchise individually or as a team. This competition is a free event for due-paying DECA members. Participating members

utilize a competition version of the Virtual Business–Sports classroom software, which is currently being used in over 4,000

classrooms in 50 states and Canada. Virtual Business is a software program that was created by Knowledge Matters. The initial

feasibility research was funded by a U.S. Department of Education SBIR Contract.

The Retailing Track of the DECA VBC encourages DECA

members to test their skills at managing a retail convenience

store. This competition is a free event for due-paying DECA

members. Participating members utilize a competition

version of the Virtual Business–Retailing classroom software,

which is currently being used in over 4,000 classrooms in

50 states and Canada. Virtual Business is a software program

that was created by Knowledge Matters. The initial feasibility

research was funded by a U.S. Department of Education

SBIR Contract.

Publicizing your ProgramsMatt Howell

Grenada Career and Technical CenterIn a time of budget cuts and high public scrutiny, it is easy to become bitter and disheartened about our future as educators.

Often the complaints of low pay and long hours drown out the chance to see opportunities for growth, both personal growth

and growth for our programs.

Every year in Grenada, we have a Downtown Jubilee. This is nothing more than a celebration of civic pride and a chance to

come together as a community. There are food vendors selling things like foot-long corn dogs and lemonade. The school

show choirs sing and dance in the square. Local craftspeople come and display their handiwork. There are programs to honor

servicepeople, local police, and re ghters. It is a typical, small town get-together where kids, parents, city of cials, and normal

everyday citizens meet each other and simply say “Hi.”

As well as our city was represented at last year’s Downtown Jubilee, one aspect of our community that I noticed was not

represented was our schools. With everything going on at the festival and the large number of people that were going to be

there, I proposed to my administrator Dr. Cliff Craven that the Career and Tech Center have a booth at the upcoming

CTE Students Rank on Top

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Downtown Jubilee. He agreed that it would be a good

opportunity to show off our programs and meet some people

who may not know about the Career and Tech Center. With

Dr. Craven’s approval, I set out to organize.

My main focus was to promote and advertise what we offer

students at the Grenada Career and Technical Center. The best

way to do that is to simply SHOW the people. I asked that each

class (seven in all) prepare a plastic board that advertises what its

class teaches, pictures of the students, and anything else that shows

the general public why its class is an important one. With the

teachers and their students preparing their class materials, my

next step was to get promotional materials together that cover

the entire center in a form that the people could take with them. I

decided on two paper materials, a Z- Fold pamphlet and an 8.5-in.

by 11-in. full color folded lea et. These would list all the classes

and descriptions, as well as have essential contact information. The teachers’ names and the phone number to the Career

and Tech Center would be listed for any future contact the people may need. I wanted one handout with contact details and one

handout to catch the eye.

One thing that people, kids especially, want when they visit a booth is something to take away with them. I located some

promotional materials from years past: carpenters’ pencils, two types of ball-point pens, and some rubber bracelets. I simply

went looking around the Career and Tech Center and found everything I needed. I knew that the free things did not need to be

fancy. They just needed to have our Career and Tech name on them…and they all did. So, we spent zero dollars on the

give-away items for this jubilee.

On the day of the Downtown Jubilee, I arrived at 7:00 a.m. and signed in. I drove to my booth location and proceeded to set up

my booth. After the awning, banner, and table were in place, I set up the boards that the teachers and kids made as well

as the promotional materials. As the day went on, more and more people came in and wanted me to tell them about the

Career and Tech Center. It was surprising to me the number of people who did not know about what we offer. I took great

pride in telling them about our programs and what we offer to our students. Many people left my booth with a better

understanding of the Grenada Career and Tech Center; more importantly, many kids and parents learned about the Career

and Tech Center. Hundreds of people walked away from my booth reading our materials, with a pen in their pockets and

a rubber bracelet on their wrists.

Your programs are only valued by people who know about your programs. If a person in your community does not know about

your programs, he or she does not care about your programs and what they can offer to students. You and your center should

use every opportunity to educate the public about what you do. You will be surprised by the number of people who would have

been your allies much sooner if they only knew about your programs. If I learned one lesson while manning and organizing this

booth it is simply this: It is my responsibility as a teacher to do what I can to ensure that the value of my program, as

well as the other programs at the Grenada Career and Technical Center, are known by every member of this community.

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The Mississippi Department of Education, Of ce of Vocational Education and Workforce Development does not discriminate on

the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, or disability in the provision of educational programs and services or

employment opportunities and bene ts.

The following of ce has been designated to handle inquiries and complaints regarding the nondiscrimination policies of the

Mississippi Department of Education.

Director, Of ce of Human Resources

Mississippi Department of Education

359 North West Street, Suite 359

Jackson, MS 39201

601.359.3511