School counselors from across the county came Wednesday to gain a deeper understanding of the Career and Technical Institute to support students in their home districts with knowledge of the opportunities available for young professionals.
After enjoying breakfast made by culinary and restaurant management students, the counselors heard from Principal Nick Millas about CTI building goals, classroom and program enhancements and updated CTE vernacular.
The goals include continuing to improve retention, creating more authentic learning experiences, establishing a culture of leadership and character and instituting the Science of Reading in all programs of study. Millas discussed the importance of these goals and the positive impact on students.
“One thing that stood out to me was the focus on retention and what the trends have been with the programs,” shared Jennifer Soltish from the Wappingers Central School District. “Today’s meetings help us better promote the programs to our students.”In smaller groups, the counselors then heard from two industry partners, as well as a current and former student about how work based learning sets students and businesses up for success.
“It’s a win-win all around,” shared Jennifer Hilton from Westchester Modular Homes, explaining how the students learn valuable skills and the business benefits as well.
“Being able to hear from the students about their experience here was awesome and I loved seeing how their internships impacted them. It gives me more information to encourage my students that might be nervous to put themselves out there in that way,” shared Kelly Kozlowski from Dover Union Free School District.
In the enrollment essentials session, counselors discussed and gave feedback on the enrollment process, seat allocation and more with Millas and CTI guidance counselors.In addition to these sessions, counselors had the opportunity to visit the new state of the art esthetics classroom, where they learned about the program and industry certifications, or the culinary classroom, where Chef Gabriel Ross talked about how career and technical education teaches students to develop grit as he cooked up a snack for attendees.
“Meetings like this are so important because it gives us face time with many counselors at once so that we’re able to hear their feedback and suggestions to better ourselves and our processes,” shared CTI guidance counselor Deanna Pillius. “Ultimately our goal is to support them in supporting the students so that we’re able to effectively work together as their counselors.”
