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AUGUST 2025
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CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION SPOTLIGHTS
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CTE Program Spotlight: Mechanical Drafting, Machining, and Welding at Carlinville High School
Carlinville High School (CHS) is working closely with postsecondary institutions and manufacturing employers to develop programs that mimic current manufacturing environments. The CHS programs are evolving to create a high-tech, employee pipeline for local manufacturers and create a smooth transition for students into postsecondary education.
Some of the impressive work that has been accomplished at CHS has come from its manufacturing program. CHS vocational building hosted its first-ever college fair in 2023. Nine colleges, with campuses spread throughout the United States, sent representatives. The fair has grown in numbers each year since. CHS can offer six dual credit courses in manufacturing, including two in drafting, two in machining, and two in welding. The program was able to purchase a new Computer Numerical Control (CNC) plasma table, which is the same brand and has the same software as a local truck bed manufacturer. Students in mechanical drafting and machining courses are using industry-level software called Mastercam and Gibbscam, both of which are used by two local manufacturers. The Boilermakers Union Local 363 rep is a regular visitor to the welding classes at CHS. He provides specialized welding demonstrations and insight into curriculum development and employment opportunities in the region.
CHS works closely with industry partners and has developed relationships with local businesses and colleges. Sanks Machining and Southwestern Illinois College donated a Haas VF4 CNC mill. Machinery and materials are donated to CHS by Rankin Technical College, Cope Plastics, and Cisco Steel. Gibbscam Software is donated. Continued support has come from Martin Tillou of Port CNC since 2021. The Eschbacher family donated Aladdin Steel for the CAD and machine shop project. These many contributions allow the CHS manufacturing programs to consistently update the department's equipment and keep pace with the industry's ever-changing demands.
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Vienna High School Health Occupations program graduates share a smile at the pinning ceremony.
CTE Program Spotlight: Health Occupations at Vienna High School
Sherie Smith, nursing instructor at Vienna High School, recently pinned 23 new nurses graduating from the Vienna program. The pinning featured remarks from Principal John Giffin, Shawnee Community College Dean of Allied Health and Nursing Mandy Hannon, Max Hook with a scholarship presentation, and Superintendent Dr. Joshua Stafford. Vienna’s program is regulated by the Illinois Department of Public Health and designates graduates as certified nurse assistants. The program has become a launching pad for numerous students into various medical careers.
High school juniors completing the program included Tori Bailey*, Gabrielle Buretz*, Braden Harner*, Chloe Hook*, Abby Jones*, Joscelyn Morrow*, Ava Moore*, Nevaeh Nagy*, Savannah Oslay*, Jada Rooney, Evelynn Ross*, Bryan Stepp*.
High school seniors graduating from the program included Gentiana Adili*, Karina Botello*, Suhmer Daubert*, Jackson Ethridge*, Jessica Goddard*, Allison Murrie, Payton Palmer*, Mikala Schultz*, Kristen White*, Danika Whitehead*, and Job Winterrowd*.
Students marked with an * indicate that they completed an ISBE-approved CCPE in health science.
“It has been my experience that one would be hard pressed to walk into a hospital or medical facility in Southern Illinois or Western Kentucky and not run into a Vienna graduate. That means a lot whenever it's your loved one receiving care. Knowing that these young adults will be transitioning into successful careers caring for our region is extremely rewarding,” said Dr. Stafford.
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CTE Program Spotlight: Health Occupations Youth Apprenticeship at Dakota, Durand, Freeport, Orangeville, Pearl City, and Pecatonica High Schools
A total of 97.7% of CareerTEC Health Occupations Youth Apprenticeship (HOYA) 1 students passed the IDPH Nurse Aide Competency written exam last year. This is the best mark over the past 10 years for students from these schools. Students took the exam in May or June 2024 at Highland Community College in Freeport.
To prepare for the exam, HOYA coordinator and Year 2 instructor Lori Steele had a daily review with practice testing for the last three weeks of May 2024. Former HOYA 1 instructor Renee Boshela-Siegner assisted with the first online test through the Southern Illinois University Nurse Aide Testing site. Ms. Steele added several other online links, as well as three separate paper tests. After each paper test, she reviewed with the students and provided rationale of correct answers and placed a focus on critically thinking through each question.
A student must successfully complete the Basic Nursing Assistant course with a score of 80% or better to be eligible to take the IDPH Nurse Aide Competency written exam. Students also must have 40 hours of clinical, on-the-job training and 120 hours of classroom theory. During the clinical hours (after school or on Saturdays), students needed to pass 21 individual skills before they could test. Upon passing the state competency exam, a student is added to the IDPH Health Care Worker Registry and becomes eligible to work as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).
The HOYA program also continued to grow its job shadow possibilities in the 2024-25 school year. While our in-house programs are expected to provide at least four job shadows per year, our HOYA program averages between 10 to 12 annually.
We have at least six new Freeport Health Network (FHN) departments agreeing to participate in job shadows for our students this year: podiatry, allergy, ear, nose, and throat (ENT), ophthalmology, general surgery, and pulmonology. FHN Specialty Suite also offered rheumatology and endocrinology; however, those departments are not in the office on Wednesdays and all job shadows are on Wednesdays.
New HOYA 1 instructor Amanda Miller also has helped CareerTEC get back into Monroe Clinic. Ms. Miller, still a part-time ER nurse at Monroe Clinic, has a signed agreement from the hospital’s Obstetrics Department.
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Brayden Zissler (right) was named the 2024-25 CareerTEC Overall Outstanding Student.
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CTE Student Spotlight: Brayden Zissler of Pecatonica School District
CareerTEC is proud to announce Brayden Zissler as the 2024-25 CareerTEC Overall Outstanding Student. Utilizing information provided by nominating teachers, CareerTEC Director Brian Greene interviewed 19 outstanding students to select the overall winner. Young Zissler, a Pecatonica High School junior, is a student in the Careers in Business (CIB) 1 program. “Brayden is a driven, self-motivated, and academically conscientious student,” CIB instructor Elizabeth Hazzard wrote. “… He naturally assumes a leadership role in the classroom, consistently helping other students. He has a quiet confidence about him.” Zissler is active as the FFA chapter president while also working at Farm & Fleet. He will be taking CIB 2 next year. He has his own lawn care business with 20 clients and serves another 10 clients when they vacation.
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Cadet Ensign Jayla Nelson (left) and Illinois Congresswoman Robin Kelly.
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CTE Student Spotlight: Jayla Nelson of Bloom Township District 206
Cadet Ensign Jayla Nelson is a remarkable young leader who exemplifies the dedication, discipline, and drive necessary to succeed in both academic and extracurricular pursuits. As she prepares to enter her senior year at Bloom Township High School, Jayla is already paving the way for a distinguished future. In her role as the administrative officer of her NJROTC unit, Jayla has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership skills. Her involvement in the Color Guard, Drill, and Academic teams speaks to her commitment to excellence and her ability to balance multiple responsibilities. Jayla is vice president of the National Honor Society at Bloom and has a 3.83 GPA. Her position as the historian in Bloom's Drama Club shows her versatility and passion for the arts. Additionally, her active lifestyle and passion for sports -- including volleyball, hapkido, and taekwondo -- demonstrate her well-rounded character and her ability to thrive in diverse environments. Jayla’s dream of attending the Naval Academy to major in political science and ultimately earn a commission
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CTE Teacher Spotlight: Sarah Valerio, Crete-Monee High School
Sarah Valerio has been a dedicated and dynamic member of the Crete-Monee High School staff for over 20 years who has long demonstrated excellence in her work an as educator. However, in 2023 she embarked on a transformative new chapter — one that has left an indelible impact on her school and the future of education itself.
When the vision for an Education Pathway CTE Program was born,designed to expose students to the field of education and inspire them to consider careers as future teachers,there was no better person to lead this initiative than Mrs. Valerio. Her passion, professionalism, and natural ability to connect with students made her the ideal choice to bring this vision to life.
In just two short years, Mrs. Valerio has grown the program to serve approximately 50 students, many of whom had never considered a future in education until joining her classes. Dynamic lessons, career exploration, leadership opportunities, and intentional mentorship have enabled Mrs. Valerio to cultivate a thriving community of future educators. Her dedication and the success of the program have not gone unnoticed. In recognition of her efforts, Mrs. Valerio was named a top 30 finalist for the prestigious Golden Apple Award — a testament to her exemplary leadership, innovation, and impact.
In the first year of leading the Education Pathway, Mrs. Valerio guided numerous students to compete in the National Educators Rising Competition in Washington, D.C., where several of them placed in the top five nationwide in their respective categories — an extraordinary accomplishment for a newly established program. This has not only reignited Mrs. Valerio’s own passion for teaching; it also has sparked a renewed sense of purpose among her students. Her influence has been both contagious and transformative, inspiring young scholars to view education not just as a career choice, but as a calling.
Mrs. Valerio embodies the heart and spirit of CTE education. She is a model educator whose enthusiasm, dedication, and student-centered approach make her more than deserving of this recognition.
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CTE Business Partner Spotlight: Steve Lefaver
Steve Lefaver has coordinated and planned the regional Apprenticeship Expo with the Valley Education for Employment System (VALEES) since November 2019. The expo brings over 500 VALEES students from southern Kane County and parts of DeKalb and Kendall Counties to Painters District Council 30 for an event during which students learn about the various construction trade unions and their apprenticeship programs. Mr. Lefaver also delivers a classroom-style presentation of 30 minutes to every school group that helps orient them to the expo. He explains "the learn while you earn" model of apprenticeships and answers their questions. The expo was hosted virtually in the 2020-21 school year but has taken place in-person every school year since 2019-20.
We would love to include monthly nominations for specific spotlight areas during school year 2025-26. Celebrating students, teachers, programs, and business partners is part of what we hope to do in this newsletter. Submit your nominations using the links below. New submissions are always being accepted to include in the Spotlight section.
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The Illinois State Board of Education is the State Education Agency for Illinois. Our mission is to provide each and every child with safe and healthy learning conditions, great educators, and equitable opportunities by practicing data-informed stewardship of resources and policy development, all done in partnership with educators, families, and stakeholders.
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