Fresno Unified School District
Year in Review
Table of Contents
Introduction
This book contains a collection of highlights from CTE programs throughout the school year. To see even more student accomplishments and opportunities, visit the Career Connected newsletter page.
What Career Technical Education Means for Students
Fresno Unified’s Career Technical Education (CTE) program provides academic and technical skills, knowledge, and training essential for students to succeed. CTE provides students with real-world, hands-on skills that align with the current workforce and future economy. While building marketable skill sets, CTE provides students with a sense of purpose and pride in practical accomplishments while encouraging independence and self-expression. CTE provides employers with a talent pipeline by aligning education with the demands of the job market. FUSD CTE offers over 80 programs in various industries, including agriculture, automotive, manufacturing, medical, and professional services.
We believe that all education is career education and are committed to expanding relevant opportunities to our students through CTE experiences that build confidence, self-assurance, and the skills and abilities to launch into their career pathway. Learn more about CTE opportunities at www.fresnounified.org/cte.
Student Spotlights
Students' Hard Work Pays Off
Mariela Lozano Bustos
Sunnyside High School, Doctors Academy
Doctors Academy Student Looks to Make Big Impact
Mariela Lozano Bustos was in the Doctors Academy program for 6 years, beginning in the Junior Doctors Academy at Kings Canyon Middle School. She says the program was “an opportunity to help out my community.” An incident with her then 3-year-old younger sister who was prescribed the wrong dose of medication that worsened her condition, and seeing her parents’ struggles with transportation to get to the hospital, inspired her to become a doctor. Mariela is a Dell Scholar, receiving a $20,000 scholarship to attend college. She is planning on majoring in public health at UC Merced and her goal is to become a family pediatrician. She was admitted to the eight-year San Joaquin Valley PRIME+ Baccalaureate-to-MD pathway, a partnership among UC Merced, UCSF School of Medicine, and UCSF Fresno. Among thousands of applicants, she joins the second cohort of 15 students to be admitted.
“Having to deal with that and that pain I saw in my parents’ eyes really inspired me to want to make a difference, to make sure that other physicians don’t make the same mistakes in order not to inflict any pain on other families," says Mariela.
Raul Lopez, Alexis Robledo and Ryan Arias
Patiño School of Entrepreneurship
Raices Unidas Signs Agreement
In early May, student teams pitched their businesses to industry mentors and judges at the Senior Showcase. One team, Raices Unidas, succeeded in convincing one of those judges to formally invest in the company! Glen Schrader invested into the team, citing their ask as reasonable and company goal (increasing financial literacy within the Hispanic community) as a great mission. As part of the agreement, the business will have a workspace within the Water, Energy and Technology (WET) Center at Fresno State. Raices Unidas is the first high-school aged group that the center has invested in.
Sonia Valeria Lara
Sunnyside High School, Video Production Academy
VPA Student Self-Publishes Novel
Sunnyside High School graduate Sonia Valeria Lara has self-published a teen novel in Spanish, Miradas que Delatan. Sonia has been working on the novel since she was 14. It’s a story of three sisters who move from Texas to New York after their parents die and the twists and turns their lives take. Sonia was in Sunnyside’s Video Production Academy, a member of her school’s Danzantes folklorico dance group, and dances with another dance group as well.
WBL Champion
Edison Wins WBL Champion Award
The 2023-2024 Work-Based Learning (WBL) Champion, an award given to the high school that goes above and beyond to offer WBL experiences for students, is Edison High School. Edison students had over 20,000 WBL experiences, including earning 1,189 industry certifications and participating in 233 internship opportunities. They more than doubled their work-based learning experiences from the 2022-23 school year. Edison continues to offer meaningful WBL experiences for students that prepare them for college and career success upon graduation.
Edison students had 20,647 WBL experiences.
CTE Champions
Schools Recognize Outstanding Partners
- Bullard: Tamar Karkazian, Central California Blood Center
- Duncan IDATA: Malcolm Montgomery & Justin Chan, Trillium Flow Technologies
- Duncan MASH: Grace Durham, National University
- Edison: Miguel Godina, Willow Gardens Nursery
- Fresno: Christina Arredondo-Lopez, Build California
- Hoover: Eric Simes, Fresno Fire Department
- McLane: Maria Garcia, Salvation Army Silvercrest
- Patiño: Damon Thomas & Curlen Phipps, Quiq Labs
- Sunnyside: Nic Garcia & Phil Torres, ABC30
- Michelle McGaughy, McGaughys Suspension Parts
- Janet Sloan, Fresno County Superintendent of Schools
By the Numbers
CTE Data for the 2023-2024 School Year
- 12,125 students enrolled in CTE courses. Over 40% of grade 5-12 students are enrolled in one of 81 CTE pathway options.
- 6,010 students participating in a Linked Learning pathway.
- 560 students participating in an IB Career-Related Programme
- 22-23 graduation rate: 98.7%. Students who complete a CTE pathway graduate at a higher rate than the District average.
- 149 CTE-credentialed teachers. CTE recruits teachers from industry who have years of experience in their fields.
- 192,481 total work-based learning experiences for K-12. Students participate in multiple work-based learning experiences every year.
- 939 active industry partners. Partners provide a variety of valuable experiences to students.
TitanWBL
We were honored that Fresno Unified School District’s CTE Department was one of only 6 organizations across the country selected by the CTE Research Network and Association of Career and Technical Education’s WBL Policy Division to highlight its innovative practices in work-based learning data collection that others could benefit from learning more about. Researchers wanted to understand how districts and states are collecting WBL data to better ensure the field generates reliable and valid data that supports quality research. Fresno Unified was invited to Washington DC to the 2024 National Policy Seminar to share its WBL data-collection platform, TITANWBL – a custom online portal where all WBL student experiences are entered and reported. The platform continues to evolve as we learn more about state and federal reporting guidelines and allows us to view real-time data at the student level. Our CTE team continues to expand WBL opportunities for our students to help prepare students for future careers.
Certifications
Students Earn Industry-Recognized Certifications
Students can earn a wide variety of certifications depending on the CTE program they participate in, including:
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Premiere Pro
- Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)
- Automotive Service Pollution Prevention and Safety
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Bloodborne Pathogens
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
- Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)
- Community Health Worker
- Computer Programming
- CPR/First Aid/Heartsaver
- Egg Handler
- Electric Vehicle Safety
- Employability Skills
- EPA 609 Refrigerant
- FEMA
- Film Production Assistant
- Financial Literacy
- Food Handler
- Forklift Certification
- Functional Movement Screen
- Heavy Duty/Diesel Technology Pollution Prevention and Safety
- HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act)
- Mandated Reporter
- Medical Assistant
- Multi-Craft Core (MC3)
- National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS)
- No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
- OSHA 10
- OSHA 30
- Solar Installation Basic Training
- Stanford Youth Diabetes Coaches Program
- Stop the Bleed
- Web Development
- Workforce Development Leadership
19,662 total certifications were earned in 2023-24.
Stop the Bleed
The CTE Department worked together with Stop the Bleed industry partners to expand training and certification opportunities for Fresno Unified students. The trainings are designed to better prepare the public to save lives by teaching how to apply pressure dressings, proper wound packing techniques, and tourniquet application to control hemorrhage, improving victim survival rates by empowering trained bystanders to take life-saving action in a variety of situations. 2,970 Stop the Bleed certifications were earned by students in 2023-24.
Stop the Bleed Saves Precious Pet
Nova, Law & Social Justice Pathway student Sienna Castaneda’s dog, injured her paw when she accidentally stepped on some glass outside of her house. Sienna saw that Nova was injured. She grabbed a towel and applied the techniques she learned during Stop the Bleed training in 2022 at Bullard. Sienna was able to obtain prompt medical care for Nova and Nova has made a full recovery. Sienna feels that her Stop the Bleed training saved Nova’s life and she is very appreciative that she was able to apply the skills she learned in this very important training to save her precious pet!
Internships
Students Gain Job Experience
In 2023-24, there were:
- 2,186 total internships
- 1,909 unique student interns
- 108 internship industry partners
Duncan Medical Academy Starts Jobsite
Students in the medical academy (MASH) were excited to start jobsite in September. It was an opportunity for students who are in the Certified Nursing Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, or Rehabilitation Therapy pathways to gain real-world experiences in medical facilities during their school day.
Bullard Student Gets Eye-Opening Experience
Anisa Rivera was allowed by hospital staff at Fresno Heart and Surgical Hospital to shadow staff throughout the hospital, working and seeing many aspects of patient care and hospital administration. She was also allowed to scrub in and safely observe medical procedures. During one such procedure, the patient coded and their vital signs dropped, and Ms. Rivera got to see medical staff go into full emergency mode. Fortunately the patient recovered, and Anisa walked away with the work-based learning experience of a lifetime.
Roosevelt Student Producers at CMAC
Interns worked hard as a team producing a talk show called “Community Corner” where they reached out to local non-profits to be interviewed so they could share their positive impact on the community.
Fresno Students Recommended for Heavy Metal Internship
Four Fresno High 2024 graduates (Juan Salas, Miguel Cortes, Presley Hoogasian, and Samuel Bravo) participated in a two week internship with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Training Center. These graduates completed hands-on projects in HVAC, pipefitting, sheet metal, and electrical to compete for a place in one of the unions. Construction pathway instructor Joel Osuna recommended the grads for their good work ethic, excellent communication skills, and being team players and top performers.
Internship Students Receive Soft Skills Training
Presenters from Fresno Unified’s CTE staff led trainings for internship students from Bullard, Fresno, McLane, and Roosevelt. Students discussed three main topics: 1. The descriptors of how they typically respond when in conflict, 2. The “Triggers” or things that cause them to react negatively in conflict, and 3. What they desire from others when they are in conflict. They looked at causes, both internal and external, specific to them that make conflict difficult. They were provided descriptions of healthy and unhealthy conflict and given tools to help them navigate difficult conversations, and prompted to reframe conflict in a more positive light of growth as opposed to something to avoid.
A Summer at Anthem Blue Cross
Twenty students from Duncan Polytechnical and McLane high schools interned for five weeks, with this year’s research focused on healthcare disparities and health literacy. The interns were mentored by approximately 15 Anthem employees and two CTE pathway teachers as they researched and then presented their final projects. Health pathway students also received HIPAA and Community Health Worker Certifications from Anthem staff during the internship. Arts, Media, and Entertainment pathway students helped the health pathway students create education materials to showcase their solutions and improve the community’s understanding of health issues such as type 2 diabetes, smoking and vaping, polycystic ovary syndrome, and birth equity.
Competitions
Students Win Prizes and Bragging Rights
Baird Battles South Africa in Minecraft Esports Match
Though it was only 7am when the match started, there was a watch party on the Baird campus full of students, parents, and Baird staff cheering on the Baird Explorers in the Minecraft Esports Match against South Africa. The competition against South Africa has been going on for 4 years, and Baird has been in the championship for three of those years. This year, Baird won the match! The prompt was to build a sports stadium or arena. Both sets of students chose to represent their countries by choosing a specific sports event that represented a time in sports history that brought our countries together. South Africa recreated the World Rugby Championship finals that was hosted in their country shortly after Nelson Mandela abolished apartheid. Baird recreated the 1980 Miracle on Ice when the USA defeated the USSR and won the Olympic gold medal. Above the hockey arena, they added Simone Biles completing the Yurchenko double pike off the orange vault. Yazz, a Baird Middle School student who was a past member of Baird’s Esports team, was the Shoutcaster at the event.
Edison Medals at Career Skills Challenge
Each year Edison sends students to compete at Career Skills Challenge hosted at Fresno City College. This year, Edison took 5th place overall out of 62 schools competing and 2nd in their division. Edison returned with a 3rd place in CPR, a 1st and 2nd place in Desktop Publishing, a 2nd place for the Sports Med team, a 3rd place in Visualizing Data for the Engineering team, and the Robotics teams swept the competition with a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.
Duncan IDATA Students Compete at SkillsUSA State Competition
Thirty-six students from Duncan competed at the SkillsUSA state competition and brought home 8 medals, including 3 gold medals. The competition tested students in hands-on career technical education skills. Duncan brought home more medals than ever before this year, and had more young women competing in male-dominated fields.
Gold:
- Lariah Hernandez - Plumbing
- Samuel Martinez - Advanced Welding
- Aaron Gamez - Diesel Technology
Silver:
- Irene Torres - Electrical Wiring
- Elliot Garcia - Diesel Technology
Bronze:
- Zhanii Osby - Welding Sculpture
- Adalberto Hernandez - Plumbing
- Ethan Ceja - Introductory Welding
Bullard also sent four students to compete, and Hunter Ellis brought home a silver medal in Public Speaking.
Duncan MASH Students Compete at HOSA State Competition
11 Duncan students competed at the HOSA State Leadership Competition. This year’s event had over 4,000 HOSA students from all areas of California competing. Four Duncan students placed top 5 in the state in their respective competitions:
- Physical Therapy: Natalie Montalvo, 3rd place, and Sadie Cantù, 5th place
- Veterinary Technician: Giovanni Nava, 4th place
- Medical Spelling: Charitie Ruiz, 5th place
Student Business Pitch Competitions
STEP Business Plan Competition
CART students claimed top prizes at the CSU Fresno competition. Jax McLean placed 1st in Product with J’s Journals. Ivana Bejar placed 2nd with Topaz Jewels. Anthony Romero Zamero placed 1st in Service with The Mad Mexican, Mexican food catering. Oscar Cruz Padilla placed 2nd with Cafe Santo, Latin American flavored coffee and pastries. Jiovanni Ordonez placed 3rd in Social Enterprise with his children’s coloring book company, Jioyos.
Fresno State Innovation and Entrepreneurship Summit
Five business teams from Patiño had the opportunity to pitch their business ideas. 1st place and $2,500 went to Fortaleza, a high protein ice cream with traditional Mexican flavors. 2nd place and $1,500 went to Taste of Tradition, an app to submit and find cultural recipes and the stories behind them. And 3rd place and $1,000 went to Terracitii, an app to tag trash-filled areas that other users can clean up for compensation or community service hours.
Quiq Labs Pitch Competition
Six business teams from Patiño competed against each other for funding to continue their businesses. Taste of Tradition won $500 for third place, Raices Unidas won $1000 for second place (and an extra $500 for People’s choice), and Fortaleza won $1500 for first place.
Construction Program Trades Bowl
Watch a video of the Trades Bowl
Construction programs from throughout Fresno Unified competed at Fresno High for the first Trades Bowl Competition. Students competed in various events showcasing electrical, woodworking, and blueprint skills. Students were scored on a range of skills, with a winner announced for each individual event as well as the competition overall.
Overall winner: Fresno High
- Electrical: Duncan - Irene Torres, Ernesto Navarro, and Cristian Rios
- Shed and Plan Reading: (3-way tie)
- Fresno - Cesar Escobedo, Brandon Jones, Sam Mendoza
- Duncan - Angel Escoto, Alex Sandoval, Diego Bravo
- DeWolf - Alfonso Ramirez, Christopher Yanez-Perez, Joseph Rogers
- Dog House: Fresno - Mayte Santiago, Natalie Secundino, Aileen Zamudio
- Blueprint Challenge: Edison - Eric Chen, Joshua Bruno, Christian Bolex
- Garden Bed: Fresno High - Christopher Meza, Samuel Bravo, Diego Reyes
Fresno Fair
Students Show Off Their Hard Work
Duncan Polytechnical
Truck built by Duncan students wins Best of Show.
A 1935 Ford truck that Duncan students built last spring won best of show at The Big Fresno Fair. Seniors in auto teacher Dale Dutcher’s class began assembling the Factory Five Racing kit truck in January. Duncan Garage students inventoried 42 boxes of parts, then built and hand-fit every part of the car. Bobby’s Auto Body and Paint completed the paint and bodywork, and the students finished the car. With their teacher’s help, the students built a 347-stroker motor that made 550 hp.
The bed of the truck was cut and fit by Nick Zamora, a construction student. The exhaust system was hand crafted by welding student Samuel Martinez. And manufacturing students Yingqi Yang and Ashley Martinez CNC machined the Duncan Garage in the bed of the truck and laser etched the custom license plate. Duncan Garage: Oscar Nieto, Jose Serna, Rigoberto Espinoza, Jorge Hernandez, Bryan Castillo, Roy Rodriguez, Israel Duron, Alyssa Torrez, Karen Vathanaphong.
Sunnyside High
Projects, plants, and birds, oh my!
Students from Sunnyside took home multiple 1st place prizes for projects, plants, and birds, and made sales in the market pen.
Plant Projects
- 80 total entered
- Multiple 1st place
- Lorain Valadez won Best in Show for her Ficus Benjamina
Poultry Projects
- 9 Breed Birds
- Lavender Orpington - 1st, 2nd, and 3rd
- Buff Orpington - 6th
- Light Brahma - 6th
- Black Silkie - 4th
Market Pen Sales
- Kyley Workman - $150
- Rachel Vang - $250
- Brianna Lopez-Valle - $300
- Marco Felix-Casillas - $400
- Tatiana Espino-Ortega - $150
- Riley Howard - $200
- Connie Sifuentes - $175
- Getsemani Alvarez - $175
- Xitlaly Diaz - $275
Baird Middle
Exploring plant science.
Baird students entered 67 plants and 1 scarecrow into the agriculture competition at the Fresno Fair and received many blue ribbons! Students continued to care for their plants throughout the school year and learned how to propagate them.
Phoenix Secondary
Seedless raisins and purple sage.
Students from Phoenix submitted Thompson seedless raisins that they processed throughout the first 2 months of school by sun drying them and studying the process of grapes to raisins. They also entered dried herb bundles of purple sage that were grown in the garden on campus. Students took home 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes in two categories at this year’s Fresno Fair.
Agriscience & FFA
Chickens On Campus
Watch a video highlighting the Agriscience pathway and FFA program.
The Agriscience and Technology pathway at Sunnyside is raising chickens! The animals are part of the Agriscience and Future Farmers of America (FFA) programs. Students raise chickens from incubator through egg-laying age, and over 75 students were trained by the Department of Food and Agriculture to be Egg Handlers. Students collect eggs, wash them, check for cracks, and put them in cartons. Collected eggs are currently donated, but they hope to be able to sell them in the future once they receive a license.
Chicken Walks
Walking chickens on a leash can offer surprising benefits for both the chickens and the students. This unusual yet increasingly popular practice provides chickens with the opportunity to explore their surroundings in a controlled manner, promoting mental stimulation and reducing boredom. For students, walking chickens on a leash fosters a stronger bond between human and bird, as it allows for direct interaction and supervision. Additionally, this activity can contribute to the chickens’ overall health by encouraging exercise and providing exposure to natural sunlight.
The Big Fresno Fair
FFA students showcased various breed and market poultry projects for the first time at the Big Fresno Fair. Students were judged on overall showmanship, market readiness, and APA breed standards.
Elementary Experiences
Starting College and Career Experiences Early
LEGO 4 All
CTE Leads LEGO 4 All Trainings
The CTE Department has expanded its initiative to bring engineering in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) and Career Exploration into the classrooms of young students to include 1st grade classrooms. In November, 1st grade teachers had 4 opportunities to come to an evening training led by CTE TSAs Gianni Danisi and Leanne Cervantes-Johnson. At the training, the teachers learned about CTE courses and programs in our district. They were also able to explore how LEGO can be used in the classroom to help students explore careers. Teachers received a LEGO Coding Express Kit and LEGO People kit for use in their classrooms.
Breakout Boxes
Students "Escape" Solving CTE Puzzles
The CTE partnered with WorkED to bring students the 6th grade CTE Breakout Box Experience. Think of it like an escape room in a box! Students worked in collaborative teams to find clues, problem solve, and open the locks on the Breakout Box. Students received an overview of what CTE is, what options are available across our Fresno Unified system, and how their transitional school counselors will help them in selecting courses for the upcoming school year. The goal is to communicate early and often so that all our 6th grade students better understand their regional progression and the CTE pathways and programs available to them.
THINK
Teaching How Innovation Nurtures Knowledge
THINK is a program created by the CTE Department in partnership with the Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Fresno State. THINK is a career-based challenge program that allows students to solve problems using the engineering process. During the school year, students in third through sixth grade receive classroom experiences delivered/facilitated by our Lyles Center partners. Innovation Day is the culminating event for the THINK program at the end of the school year and takes place at the Save Mart Center. During the event, students showcase their creativity and innovation skills by working together to solve a design challenge in front of an audience of family and friends.
Program Highlights
Baird
Students Pick a Peck of Pickled Olives
For these Baird students, learning the basics of curing olives was far from the pits. Students picked olives and learned how to cure them using salt water brine before later moving them to Olive oil and canning them. The preserved olives were then sold at Baird’s farmer’s market.
Bullard
Law Students Learn About Opioid Addiction
Junior Law Pathway students heard from Flindt Andersen from Pain Nonprofit Organization. He provided an in-depth account of drug addiction, with factual and statistical information. Students used the information for their project-based learning project about drug abuse/use on school campuses. Students shared they found our guest speaker very informative and appreciated the information that was shared.
EdSource Magazine Feature
Bullard Teacher Academy students were featured in a recent issue of EdSource Magazine. A representative shadowed students during their fieldwork placements to capture the work they do in the classrooms they intern in. Specifically Merrick Crowley and Craig Coleman were observed teaching an interactive science lesson for a 5th grade class at Gibson Elementary, and Isabell Coronado was photographed working with a 1st grader. The Teacher Academy Program develops and supports Fresno Unified high school students through their journey of becoming highly effective educators by utilizing the model of “Growing Our Own.” The program offers students a variety of learning opportunities and exposure to careers in education through embedded workplace learning, outlines the steps to becoming a successful educator, and provides a bridge to employment with Fresno Unified.
Cambridge
State Seal of Civic Engagement
For the first time, students from Cambridge have earned the state Seal of Civic Engagement for community service. Students from Peter Fortuna’s Cybersecurity course who took part in the “Seniors Helping Seniors” project also presented at the Civic Education Center’s Fresno County Youth Showcase.
CART
IT Students Visit Arcade
Students from 3 labs visited Oh Wow Nickle Arcade and played games to collect useful data. Game Design students researched a variety of video/arcade games to build a foundation for designing and coding their own games. Web Design students focused on information to assist them in designing a functioning website. UX Design students analyzed the customer experience, including availability of the games, layout, facilities, and family friendliness.
Students Create Project to Help Youth in Foster Care
A team of students from CART created a Kare4kids project to increase awareness of the financial support for higher education available to foster youth. The students from the Law & Policy pathway created an infographic with startling statistics about how many foster youth graduate and pursue higher education, and a QR code to scholarships, grants, and resources for foster youth. The team’s goal was to increase opportunities for foster youth and decrease the number who become homeless or incarcerated.
Mass Casualty Simulation
The Air National Guard mentored Biomedicine students during a simulated earthquake mass casualty event. Students practiced life-saving techniques including bandaging, CPR, splinting, and IV’s, as well as patient transport and charting.
Ongoing Collaboration with Fresno Chaffee Zoo
For more than twenty years, high school students in the Environmental Science Lab at CART have worked closely with zookeepers to design enrichments for the zoo’s animals. Through practical, hands-on experience, this partnership helps students develop a strong understanding of the relationship between science, conservation, and community service. Students can immerse themselves in the complexities of animal behavior and habitat requirements while honing their scientific skills in data collection and analysis. This year marked an exciting development as students from the Engineering Lab joined forces with those from the Environmental Science Lab to create enrichments. Under the guidance of their teachers and zookeepers, student teams from both labs took ownership of their creations, realizing the direct impact they have on the health of the zoo’s residents. Students gain empathy and a sense of responsibility through this process, realizing that all animals deserve the best care and ongoing enrichment. The collaboration between CART and the Fresno Chaffee Zoo serves as an example of the profound benefits of education and community involvement.
Visit by Bulgarian Dignitary
CART welcomed an esteemed international delegation in April, providing students and instructors a rare opportunity to interact with global tech leaders. Led by Milena Stoycheva, Bulgaria’s Minister for Innovation and Technology, the group was comprised of local business executives and officials along with business executives from Bulgaria, Taiwan, and Southern California. Their visit aimed to forge partnerships with Fresno State, focusing on semiconductors and agricultural technology applications. Organized by Robert Lizarraga of Semiconductor Suppliers Technology Entrepreneur Parks Inc. (SSTEP) and local entrepreneur, Pete Weber, the delegation toured CART’s facilities and engaged in a Q&A session with Minister Stoycheva and Pete Weber. The minister’s remarkable journey from the private sector to spearheading Bulgaria’s tech innovation initiatives inspired CART students. One of the highlights of the visit was the opportunity for students to interact directly with Minister Stoycheva. Mikayla Leyva, a CART and Edison student, seized the moment to engage in a discussion with Minister Stoycheva, exemplifying the valuable exposure to global perspectives that such visits provide.
DeWolf
Students Build Planter Beds
Aaron Ramirez and his students at DeWolf used left over material from the Trades Bowl to build raised beds at Phoenix Secondary for their Ag program. With the help of Sunnyside High and Fresno High delivering materials, the students completed the project quickly.
Future Technicians
Quinn CAT of Selma and Reedley college hosted their first Future Technicians Day. DeWolf students were able to tour the facility, see how the business runs, and learned the history of the Quinn company. Later in the day they were able to get in the dirt learning to drive skid-steer loaders and excavators, explore hydraulic systems, fire up diesel engines, and navigate wiring for electrical. DeWolf’s CTE Construction students are our future technicians.
Carlos Barbershop Academy
Carlos Godinez, Master Barber of Carlos Barbershop Academy, showed students and staff the skills they can learn at the academy. Staff and students received haircuts, information on apprenticeships, and tips for growing their own business. DeWolf students were engaged in learning as much as they could from Mr. Godinez and look forward to possibly enrolling in the near future.
Little Library Installation
DeWolf High School’s CTE construction class installed little libraries at nearby elementary schools. These book stands are a fun way to give students access to books and to donate books. They used the skills they learned in class to support the project and give back to younger students and our community.
Duncan
Construction Pathway Partners with GRID Alternatives
Twelve seniors participated in a seven-day training led by GRID Alternatives to earn their Solar Futures certificate for solar panel installation. Students received training on fall and electrical safety, electrical wiring, conduit bending, and panel installation. After receiving their training, these students put their technical and leadership skills to the test and led the rest of their classmates in lessons on electrical wiring and conduit building.
Rehab Therapy Students Visit Fresno Pacific
Rehabilitation Therapy students had the opportunity to visit Fresno Pacific University in February. This was a great opportunity for students to visit the college campus and learn about their programs. Students also had the experience of mock interviews.
Edison
CMAC Visits Edison
Representatives from CMAC came to present to the Digital Photography and Multimedia classes. It was an amazing opportunity for the students to be able to experience hands-on training with professional equipment. CMAC shared their cameras and switch boards with the students and the highlight for students was being able to tour the CMAC mobile van with all their electronics.
Engineering Day
This year, Edison Engineering held their Inaugural Engineering Day! This event was initiated to expose future Tigers to some of the exciting things that happen in the Engineering program. Sixth grade students from Columbia Elementary were invited to spend the day on campus. Engineering teachers created a rotation of events and Engineering students led them. Next year we hope to have all of the Edison regional elementary schools participate.
Computer Science Students Meet the Mayor
Students from the Green Energy Academy, Engineering, and Computer Science programs attended the annual Manufacturing Summit hosted by the San Joaquin Valley Manufacturing Alliance (SJVMA). Students were able to attend interview sessions, industry booths, and listen to key note speakers in the manufacturing industry. Students from the Computer Science program were able to meet and chat with Mayor Jerry Dyer.
Green Academy GRID Certification
In October and November of 2023, juniors in the Green Energy and Technology Academy participated in Grid Alternatives’ “Solar Intensive” workshop. In the week long course, students completed basic Safety Certification and Solar Array Certification, trained by the staff at Grid Alternatives.
Edison Health Fair
Edison Biomedical Pathway held its annual Health Fair. This year, the 9th grade Biomed students presented their community-based health projects to a wide audience including industry partners, parents, Edison students, staff, district representatives, and 6th grade regional students Industry partners also play a big part in this event. Each year several partners participate with information and interactive booths.
Tech Expo
The annual Tech Expo featured student project presentations from 5 CTE programs: Computer Science, Engineering, Green Energy Academy, Technical Theater, and Digital Photography. Guests could take a turn on the driving simulator, learn about the tools used to build the amazing theater sets, watch the vex robots battle it out, follow the kiddie car powered by solar, or take a look at student interviews on the big screen.
Hamilton
Visit by Bruno Mars' Photographer
Daniel Ramos, a past student of Ms. Ryatt’s, paid her afternoon classes a visit to talk about the importance of soft skills and really knowing your camera settings, which led him to his position as Bruno Mars’ personal photographer. He started off by shaking every student’s hand and then shared videos, photos, and stories of his work and travels with some of the top performers in the music industry.
Students Build Their Own Camera
Students played a game to win the use of the Camera Obscura, where they saw the world turn upside down. Students also built a telescoping “zoom” pinhole viewing camera. This allowed them to see how the length of the tube, also known as the focal length, determines how close the object appears on the viewing screen inside the camera.
Grizzlies Photography Project
Four students in Exploring Arts & Media got real world experience taking photos at a Grizzlies baseball game. They were mentored by Sunnyside students who are photo interns for the Grizzlies. The students had all-access media passes allowing them to take turns shooting from the photo well next to the dugout. After the game, the Hamilton students learned from Sunnyside students about editing and processing, then returned to their campus to edit their photos to provide to the Grizzlies.
Hoover
A RAW Dairy Experience
Eco-Tech freshman visited Organic Pasture Raw Dairy and got an in-depth experience from an organic dairy and farm. Students got to see and learn how a raw milk farm runs, and see the science behind how to produce the healthiest and most ethical dairy products.
Mini Lessons in Teacher Academy
Students in the Teacher Academy taught math lessons to their peers. Pairs of students demonstrated their teaching abilities by conducting a lesson for approximately 15-20 minutes. They utilized the materials and technology of their choice to deliver the lesson they created using a provided lesson planning template and the knowledge they gained during their semester in the course.
The Physics of Disney
Eco-Tech Physics students toured Disney’s California Adventures to study the Physics of Disney. They experienced different physics principles that are essential elements of theme park rides, including potential and kinetic energy, electro magnetism, and forces on systems. They then spent time with Disney Imagineers and had the opportunity to test and refine their own roller coaster designs in a hands-on workshop experience.
Jackson
Career Fair
A multi-industry career fair was held for 4th-6th graders. Students chose 3 industry interests and attended a guest speaker in that field. There were police, K9, military, a doctor, Sports Medicine (Athletic Training), a nurse, and a teacher. The students were prepared to ask questions and report what they learned.
McLane
Students Learn About Personal Finance
The district is embarking on a new initiative to offer a personal finance elective class at all high schools next year. As part of this work, the district is partnering with Next Gen Personal Finance to develop a curriculum to help students learn how to make good financial decisions. Through the new partnership, author Yanely Espinal talked with McLane students about the importance of financial literacy and gave them signed copies of her book, “Mind your Money.”
Students Share Experiences with The Collegian
The Art Venture program, which produces weekly news segments for the school called Highlander Highlights, had the opportunity to visit Fresno State where they met up with The Collegian news reporters and editors. Students excitedly shared their work with The Collegian team and received encouraging feedback. They also learned what it’s like to be a student news reporter at Fresno State and got useful advice on how to succeed in news reporting and break into the field. Students attended meetings with The Collegian editors and the news staff, giving them a peek into the behind-the-scenes of reporting. They also had the chance to explore the Fresno State campus, getting a taste of college life. The day included a visit to the library, bookstore, and fountain, plus a special, chance meeting with a McLane alum. The outing not only broadened the students’ understanding of journalism but also provided inspiration for their potential futures in media and entertainment. The hands-on experience and personal connections made during the visit enriched their perspective on the exciting possibilities in the field.
Thrilling Project Designed for Medical Pathway Students
Students from the Medical Education & Research Academy were able to engage in a hands-on, collaborative project themed around the spookiness of the Halloween season. Aptly titled “Hmm or Eww,” students were tasked with creating physical models of human anatomy that when presented mysteriously might elicit a reaction of curiosity or uncertainty. To heighten the experience, students also designed blind boxes to shroud their creations for additional hesitation upon investigating.
Business Students Visit Moss Adams
In a partnership with Moss Adams: Accounting, Consulting & Wealth Management, students visited the firm to learn about the professional services and diverse client pool that Moss Adams boasts. Students participated in job shadowing, mentoring, and toured the facility to learn from staff to better understand career options within the company.
Homeless Awareness
Project Access of Fresno Unified reached out to the Art Venture Production Academy to create a public service announcement video around Homeless Awareness and their program, which assists foster youth and students experiencing homelessness. To produce the PSA, Art Venture students and their teacher, Mr. Kevin Clifton, created a shot list, gathered background footage in downtown Fresno, and recorded commentary and filmed interviews joined by Project Access staff.
Teacher Academy YLI Mentors
Teacher Academy partnered with the Youth Leadership Institute (YLI). Students were selected to mentor 8th grade students from Yosemite Middle School. Mentors prepared and facilitated activities during lunch to help students understand the transition to high school and were a presence on campus every other Wednesday.
Patiño
Linked Learning FCHIP
The 10th grade Linked Learning Fresno County Health Improvement Project (FCHIP), I Challenge You to Be Healthy, asked students to identify health problems within their own neighborhood and community, and create feasible solutions in an ethical manner. They applied the Design Thinking Process and SCRUM to manage the specific phases. They presented their projects to partners from the City of Fresno PARCS department and other community members. As an additional benefit, every student who pitched is now eligible to apply for the State Seal of Civic Engagement.
9th Grade OSHA Celebration
In order to complete project-based collaboration with project teams at the PI Shop, students were required to earn OSHA certification. Once certified, students became eligible to work with the tools and equipment at the PI Shop to build prototypes for their next project.
Visit to Quiq Labs
As part of completing internships with Quiq Labs, 10th grade students were invited to tour the facility. Students rotated through various stations set up inside the building, learning from various staff about applications of important business concepts such as sales, teamwork, the role of technology, and interviewing in front of a camera in context. They also explored applications in robotics, VR, video game design, storytelling, and 3D printing.
My Guy Market Speakers
Floyd Sanchez and Eduardo Sixayratransy of My Guy Market spoke to the Business Startup Incubator classes about marketing strategies and how to create your brand. They emphasized networking, building trust and a good relationship with clients, and starting small. They also spoke about providing a product or service that isn't offered in the local market and how to begin growing community awareness of it.
Bloomberg Beta
Juniors had the opportunity to pitch their business ideas to Bay Area venture capitalists and entrepreneurs with Roy Bahat, head of Bloomberg Beta. During the visit, the group toured the school, learned about its programs, and provided feedback to students after their pitches.
9th Grade Pitches
As part of their Project Management course, 9th grade students identified a community partner and designed a product or service to help them deal with extreme heat. Students met with Fresno State professors to hear about mitigation methods and design considerations, designed a solution, created and shared prototypes with their community partners for feedback, and spent time revising their solutions. At the end of the Fresno is Hot project, teams pitched their business idea for a product to help stakeholders with the extreme heat to families and a panel of judges.
Phoenix
Farmer's Market
FUSD’s first specialty crop farmer’s market and food distribution was piloted at Phoenix in October. The event was a partnership between Phoenix Secondary Academy Ag Club and Staff, Fresno Metro Ministry, the Central California Food Bank, local farmers, the Farmers at YoVille, and the CDFA grant obtained by Fresno Unified’s Nutrition Services Department. Students were involved with setting up, tearing down, assisting with food distribution, passing out food samples to guests, and selling plants they had been growing from seed in class. Local farmers proudly showcased their fresh specialty crops while guests savored delectable food tastings and received food distribution support from the Central California Food Bank.
Bakery Career Exploration
Sandra Chaires Sanchez took her students to a local bakery for a sweet treat. During their career exploration, they got to see behind the scenes of how things are done in the kitchen as well as making a treat themselves!
World Ag Expo
Juniors experienced a full day starting with an Ag Careers Seminar, all about finding careers in the Ag field, then participated in a scavenger hunt with 811, PG&E, and SoCal Energy learning about what they do and career opportunities. They saw a demo of a CNC machine and heavy-duty iron-cutting machine and stopped at the Barnes Welding Supplies booth, where the students learned how dry ice is made and used for welding!
Agriculture Class Plant Sale
Amber Donat and her Agriculture students grew over 800 plants from seed to sell to the community. The event was hosted at Phoenix Secondary in partnership with Fresno Metro and local farmers. Many people from the community came out to show support, and bought fresh produce from the farmers and thriving plants from Donat's class to add to their gardens.
Roosevelt
Aviation Career Day
Students from the Public Service pathway attended the National Guard Aviation Career day. This day gives students the opportunity to learn about the life of a National Guard member. They also learned about a career in aviation and how it is located in their backyard.
The Tech Interactive
11th grade Health Pathway students took a trip to San Jose to visit the Tech Interactive and participate in a DNA & Genetic lab. Students extracted DNA from their cheeks and observed a cell and the nucleus under a microscope. Students then distilled threads of their own DNA from the cheek sample. They also reviewed inheritance patterns in genetics and expression of traits through protein synthesis. Students compared samples of DNA from prehistoric and modern creatures. Based on the genetic sequences, students identified the proteins that express a trait for the species.
Jurors for the Day
This annual event is sponsored by the Federal Bar Association in conjunction with participants from the federal judiciary, United States Attorney’s Office, Federal Defender’s office, and federal law enforcement agencies. Public Service students attend a criminal mock trial performed by actual members of the prosecution, defense, and judiciary departments. 12 students were selected to be members of the jury and are asked to decide the ultimate fate of the defendant. The remaining students observed the trial and at its conclusion were asked to break into separate groups to see how they would have decided the guilt or innocence of the defendant.
Breakfast with Blue
The Public Service pathway had breakfast with personnel from various public service agencies and asked about their careers. They also had the opportunity to wander through their booths and look at their equipment and other tools of the trade.
Bakery Visit
Internship students toured Valley Lavosh bakery, which has been in business for 3 generations since 1922. The students toured the bakery and saw how their pita bread and crackers are made. The bakery ships its one of a kind crackers all over the country. Students learned about the process and were able to enjoy a true Armenian snack after the tour.
Sequoia
Field Trip to Broken Controller
Students took a field trip to a local VR company to pitch their idea for a VR controller guard and receive constructive feedback. They also interviewed the owner about the field of VR and current trends. Additionally, they were able to participate in a variety of VR/AR experiences.
Sunnyside
VPA Football Broadcast
Video Production Academy students worked alongside Sunnyside alumni Jesse Hernandez from CMAC to broadcast their first football game of the year. These students learned quick! They trained the night prior to the event and went live to television after only touching a camera one time in class!
Doctors Academy Graduates
A ceremony was held to recognize the 30 seniors from Sunnyside who completed the Doctors Academy. The group of academy students included 22 valedictorians, 20 Fresno Unified Scholarship recipients, and three Dell Scholars. 100% of graduates will be continuing their education at postsecondary institutions in the fall of 2024. Students were also recognized for community service and special awards that will advance their journeys to medical careers.
Students Produce Videos for College and Career Readiness
Sunnyside cinematography students from Cruz Gonzales’ class produced videos for the College and Career Readiness Department. These videos highlight the work-based learning elementary experiences that 1st through 6th graders participate in each year, including Bricks 4 Kidz, the Fresno Chaffee Zoo lab, and tours of colleges, the Fresno Police Department and the FUSD Nutrition Center. The videos will be made available to elementary teachers to show to their students prior to their experience.
Tenaya
Railroad Project
Students completed their Railroad Project, an end of year culminating project for their Exploring Engineering and Design course.
Ambassadors
CTE Ambassadors Help with FUSD Fundraiser
CTE Ambassadors, a group made of CTE students who advocate for their programs and help spread awareness about CTE opportunities, assisted with Fresno Unified's State of Education Gala. Students welcomed guests, checked them in and assigned them to their tables for the evening.
Ambassador Training
Ambassadors learned with peers from other schools and engaged in networking, communication, recruitment, and leadership activities. The training was hosted at Patiño with Dave Viotti from Smallify. Ambassadors joined together and learned how to network, recruit, communicate using different styles, be an advocate for themselves and others, and to follow through on commitments. They collaborated and participated in role play recruitment activities. Ambassadors enjoyed the fun and engaging training.
CTE Department Events
First Responder Winter Camp
The CTE department, Fresno PD, Fresno Fire, and National University partnered to host a First Responder Camp for 9th-12th grade students. Experiences included interactions with the K-9, Mounted, Bicycle, Helicopter, and Patrol Units and SWAT, CSI, and EOD Teams, as well as experiencing the Emergency Vehicle Operation Course (EVOC), EMS response simulations, and an emergency response scenario with Fresno Fire. Students also had the opportunity to earn industry certifications.
Fire Chiefs Training Symposium
Video and photo students from Fresno, McLane, Roosevelt, and Sunnyside partnered to document the Symposium, delivering high quality media for the Fresno Fire Department to use. Students visited multiple locations, including the Clovis Fire Training Center, the San Joaquin River Gorge, the Cal Fire station in Del Rey, the Fresno City College First Responders campus, and Pick-N-Pull.
Fresno Airport Triennial Emergency Drill with ARFF
Students from Bullard, Cambridge, DeWolf, Edison, J.E. Young, Hoover, McLane, and Roosevelt participated in the Fresno International Airport Triennial Aircraft Emergency Drill. Students engaged in hands-on activities learning about careers as first responders and portrayed airplane crash victims. They were triaged and "treated" by first responders from American Ambulance, Fresno County Fire, Fresno Fire, Fresno Airport Aircraft Rescue & Fire Fighting (ARFF) and Police, and other first responder teams.
Sports Science Institute
This summer, students took part in a 3-day camp that provided hands-on experiences within the areas of Kinesiology and Sports Medicine at Fresno State. During the camp, students spent time engaging in specific areas of Athletic Training, Exercise Science, Physical Education and Sports Psychology. Students also got to tour the Fresno State Athletic Weight Rooms as well as the Athletic Training Facility.
HERo Women's Leadership Camp
In November, female students in grades 9-12 had the opportunity to attend the Women’s Leadership HERo Camp which was held at the Fresno Police Department’s Regional Training Center and hosted by the Fresno Police Department. Students heard from Women in Blue guest speakers, had the opportunity to explore careers in law enforcement, and participated in hands-on experiences such as the Emergency Vehicle Operators Course (EVOC) riding alongside police officers, and interacting with officers from various units within the Fresno Police Department.
Innovation Day
Our annual Innovation Day event brought together 3rd through 6th grade students from schools across Fresno Unified for an engineering and career-based competition at the Save Mart Center. This event was a culmination of our THINK Program that engages teachers and students with career-based challenges throughout the school year. Students showcased their creativity and innovation skills by working together to solve a design challenge in front of an audience of family and friends, with this year’s challenges centered around the theme of agriculture.
This year’s winners were:
3rd grade: Bullard Talent “Stars”
- Coach: Delia Martinez
- Students: Nathan Lopez, Noemi Rubio, Quinn Olsen-Short, and Simon Vanwagenen
4th grade: Birney “The Science Wizards”
- Coach: Susana Tzintzun-Lopez
- Students: Daisy Bahena, Jaymee Arnold, Ezra Yang, and Jessie Hargis
5th grade: Rowell “Rowell Rockets”
- Coach: Sulema Qunitanilla-Mares
- Students: Eric Villegas, Esmae Gonzalez, Perla Reyes, and Aaron Becerra
6th grade: Kirk “Ingenuity”
- Coach: Mike Harris
- Students: Alina Aguilar, Rey Damian, Ximena Bojorges, and Anthony Reyes
FUeL Sports League
Fresno Unified esports League held a fall tournament at Sunnyside and a spring tournament at Hoover. Middle school students played Rocket League, a "soccer with cars" 3v3 competition, while high school students competed in Overwatch 2 in 5-person competitive teams. FUeL is in its 6th year, and has grown from less than 100 participants in its first year to over 250 participating in the spring tournament. Teams were competing for a $2,500 scholarship and other prizes.
Tournament of Technology
Fresno Unified middle school students squared off in technology-based competitions as part of the 17th annual Tournament of Technology on April 6 at Sunnyside High School, with a throw-back theme this year of Y2K. Students competed in 19 events in the categories of Robotics, Drones, Coding, Video Production and Design.
- Division 1 Grand Champion: Sequoia Middle School
- Division 2 Grand Champions: Scandinavian and Tehipite middle schools
CTE Gives Back
Students Volunteer in the Community
Volunteering and the Elk Lodge
Duncan Construction seniors Kevin Sanchez, Erika Gonzales, Alex Castillo, Jordan Sagrero, and Izamar Ramirez assisted Fresno Unified Board member Valerie Davis and fellow Elks Lodge members prepare for the construction of an outdoor patio. Students worked alongside construction industry professionals and spoke with the owner-operator of a construction company to learn more about the trades.
McLane Students are MADD Volunteers
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) held their annual Walk Like MADD at Dry Creek Park in Clovis. It was a fantastic fundraising event with the purpose of providing education to the Central Valley youth and support of victims/survivors throughout the year. Once again, McLane provided the majority of volunteers who assist in running the walk with McLane’s Medical Education & Research Academy (MERA), Key Club, and Cheer represented. Additionally, McLane’s Art Venture Production Academy volunteers provided photography and videography for the event. McLane High School has been a fundamental part of Walk Like MADD for the last eight years, typically providing more than half of the volunteers at the event. This year it was closer to three quarters! The volunteers arrive around dawn, set up the event by putting out tables and chairs, help the vendors set up, make sure the walkers don’t get lost, cheer on the walkers, provide food and water, and ensure booths run smoothly. Then when the event is over, the volunteers clean everything up as if we were never at the park. It is the perfect environment for teens to see the ramifications of drunk/drugged driving, learn of the impact those choices have made on others, and directly interact with victims/survivors and their families.
Cambridge Cybersecurity Seniors Helping Seniors
Watch a video highlighting the Seniors Helping Seniors program.
Students from the Cybersecurity class are helping senior citizens learn online security. The program pairs a high school student with a resident of The Vineyards California Armenian Home retirement community to teach them about technology and specifically internet scams. The initiative started with Fresno Unified wanting to help the senior citizens, while giving students a chance to earn school credit. Student Tucson Her said he’s heard of some residents getting scammed and he’s happy to help keep that from happening to anyone else. "It makes me feel great because it makes me more motivated to help people," said Tucson.
Fresno High Students Build for Self-Help Enterprises
Under the guidance of teacher Joel Osuna, a dedicated group of 26 students from Fresno High School’s Construction, Design, and Technology Academy (CDAT) are making a significant impact by actively participating in construction work. Their noble endeavor aims to support families in building their own homes through the Self-Help program in Reedley, California. This collaborative effort not only showcases the students’ commitment to community service but also highlights the positive influence young individuals, guided by their teacher, can have in fostering sustainable housing solutions.
Summer Camps
Summer Experiences Expand Student Opportunities
Watch a highlight reel of the 2024 summer camp programs.
Over the summer, students had the opportunity to design and create, build and play, learn something new, and to explore the world around them. A variety of camps were offered for free across the District, including over 30 that were career or STEM themed. Among those camps were opportunities to learn small engine repair, robotics, health careers, construction, fire science, entrepreneurship, music production, video game design, aviation, scuba diving, and much more! 2,969 students participated in a career-themed camp.
Dive Into Space
This week-long camp offered in partnership with the California Scuba Center was based on the NASA Weightless Training program in Houston, TX. Students learned how to work and communicate as a team, scuba dive, and complete challenges.
Introduction to Aviation
Students attending the aviation camp were introduced to the aviation industry and its various careers. They went on field trips to military bases, experienced flights in small planes, and learned from real pilots with New Vision Aviation.
Small Scientists
At the Fresno Discovery Center, students made fossils, built structures, and had hands-on experiences with animals.
Virtual Reality and Coding
Students in 3rd through 8th grade discovered the foundations of VR design by creating their own virtual worlds, exploring simulated environments, crafting 3D experiences, and learning basic programming concepts. They also learned how to code with Python to create engaging apps and games.
First Responder Camp
In a fast-paced, hands-on camp in partnership with the Fresno Police Department, Fresno Fire Department, and American Ambulance, students experienced careers in law enforcement, firefighting, and emergency medical services. Experiences included demonstrations from the K-9 Unit, Mounted Unit, SWAT, Motors, Bicycle Unit, and Patrol Unit; Emergency Vehicle Operation Course (EVOC); a firefighting simulation; and an emergency response scenario.
Vex Robotics
High school students had an immersive robotics experience where innovation met hands-on learning through the VEX V5 Workcell, featuring conveyors, motors, vision technology, and advanced sensors that are used in the industrial environment.
Career Centers
Staff Support Student College and Career Exploration
Job Developers working in Career Centers located on each high school campus offer a wide variety of services to help students explore college and career options, including:
- Organizing career fairs
- Administering ASVAB testing
- Sharing employment opportunities and assisting with completing job applications
- Processing work permits
- Directing students to internship opportunities
- Providing college application support and financial aid and scholarship information
- Arranging work-based learning experiences like guest speakers, job shadowing, and volunteer opportunities
- Presenting on topics like career planning
- Offering workshops for resume writing
- Participating in mock interview events
- Conducting career interest inventories
They are always available to students who have questions or need a little help getting pointed in the right direction exploring all of their options for the future.
Career Fairs
Watch a video of the Fresno High career fair.
Job Developers held Career Fairs across high school campuses, showcasing FUSD's dedication to holistic student development and industry collaboration. These fairs provided hands-on experiences across various career pathways, fostering connections between students and professionals. The collaborative efforts bridged the gap between education and industry demands, offering opportunities for internships and future employment. Students gained confidence, inspiration, and practical skills, shaping a promising future workforce. These initiatives highlight Fresno Unified's commitment to comprehensive education and industry partnerships, setting standards for CTE programs nationwide and ensuring students are well-equipped for real-world success.
Teacher Spotlights
CTE Teachers Go Above and Beyond
AMAE Educator of the Year
Aaron Ramirez, DeWolf High School, Construction, and Joel Osuna, Fresno High School, Construction.
Mexico has been celebrating El Día del Maestro (Day of the Teacher) every May 15th since 1918. Here in California, the Day of the Teacher was entered into legislation at the request of the Association of Mexican American Educators (AMAE). Día del Maestro is a day to honor and support the many individuals who accept the challenge of educating today’s youth. CTE teachers Aaron Ramirez from DeWolf High School and Joel Osuna from Fresno High School were both recognized at the banquet as Educator of the Year.
Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction
Sam Bolin, Edison High School, Computer Science Program.
Sam Bolin, at the time a CTE teacher at Edison High School, was selected as a Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction by the National Society of High School Scholars. Sam taught CTE Computer Science courses, and was nominated by one of her students for outstanding dedication and commitment to excellence in the profession. This honor recognizes exemplary educators whose passion and devotion inspire their students to grow and develop as scholars, leaders, and citizens. Sam has since joined the CTE team at Patiño School of Entrepreneurship as their Coordinator.
District Hires First Ever Logistics Instructor
Jonathan Hinojosa, Farber Educational Campus, Logistics Program.
Jonathan Hinojosa was selected as the inaugural instructor of the new logistics program at the Farber Educational Campus. Jonathan worked for 14 years in the Fresno Unified warehouse and was an office assistant at Cambridge High School since last spring. Jonathan has extensive professional and technical experience related to logistics, a booming career field. Jonathan is working on partnerships and projects with the Central California Food Bank, Amazon, and others.
Designing the Future
Xiong Cha, Edison High School, Engineering Design and Development.
Twelve years ago, Xiong Cha traded a private sector civil engineer career for the classroom to help students build their futures. Traci Taylor, a director in Teacher Development, recognized the skills he would bring to a career pathway program and suggested he interview for a job at Edison High School in their Engineering pathway, where he’s been ever since. Born in Laos, Cha immigrated with his mom and siblings to the US in 1989. He completed his high school diploma at Hoover and later enrolled at Fresno State. Though originally interested in business law, he decided to study mechanical engineering based on the results of an aptitude test. An internship with a civil engineering firm in the Bay Area led him to switch to civil engineering. Ten years and various civil engineering firms later, he decided to share his love for engineering with the next generation by becoming a teacher. To encourage his students, he shares with them this assessment of himself: “I may not be the smartest student, but I know I can out work everyone.” He says this is an important message for students as many primarily attribute attainment with inherent intelligence. Cha was featured in the Fall 2023 Faces of Fresno Unified Magazine.
Staff Spotlights
CTE Staff and Teachers Earn Recognition
Every year, the District showcases employees nominated by their colleagues through the Excellence in Education awards. Four CTE staff and teachers were selected as some of the fifty finalists for the 2024 Excellence in Education award, and Bitor Bravo Pena, an Agriculture teacher at Sunnyside, won in his category.
- Jeff DeLong, Career Education, Coordinator II
- Chuyi Vang, Career Education, Budget Tech II
- Bitor Bravo Pena, Sunnyside High School, CTE Teacher
- Phil Siechert, Sunnyside High School, CTE Teacher
GameHERS Award Winner
CTE Coordinator Julie Mavrogeorge won the GameHERS Guardian of the Year award in recognition for work done within FUSD and support provided nationally and internationally through her esports programs and the broadcasting, streaming, shout casting, and multimedia opportunities she has provided for FUSD students. The Guardian of the Year award honors an exceptional woman or femme-identifying individual who serves as an extraordinary mentor, teacher, guardian, student advisor, or parent. This accolade celebrates their unwavering dedication to fostering growth, resilience, and success in those younger gamers in their lives who are under their care. Recipients of this award exemplify the transformative impact of selfless guidance, making a profound difference in the lives of young people.
Citizen Award Winners
Each year, officers from law enforcement agencies within Fresno and Madera Counties nominate citizens from their communities who have distinguished themselves through their service and efforts. This year, Director Kristen Boroski, Manager Grady Lane, Project Manager Krishnna Reyes, and Teacher on Special Assignment Leanne Cervantes-Johnson were nominated by Sergeant Anthony Alvarado for their partnership with Fresno PD bringing law enforcement career experiences to CTE students.
CTE Administrator of the Year
Michelle Mar, a CTE Manager, was recognized as the Region 9 Career Technical Education Administrator of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators. This award recognizes outstanding performance and achievement by individual administrators. Recipients demonstrate commitment to an equitable education system and to meeting the diverse needs of all students and school communities; exceptional leadership in implementing, managing, and supporting school programs; commitment to educational quality and student achievement; commitment to professional grown, ethics, and innovation; and commitment to nurturing and sustaining a safe and inclusive learning environment.
Farber Educational Campus
From Concept to Reality
After three years of construction, Farber Educational Campus opened its doors for the 2024-2025 school year, with the official ribbon-cutting taking place on August 26, 2024. Though no students were on campus for the 2023-2024 school year, Career Technical Education (CTE) staff were hard at work behind the scenes designing programs, hiring staff, and equipping classrooms with everything they would need to start the upcoming school year with four high quality CTE programs. The new campus will house several of the District’s alternative education programs, renamed to reflect their new home, along with many other academic and career-focused opportunities such as:
- Personalized learning experiences, including real-world and project-based learning
- Civic engagement, service learning, and volunteer opportunities
- CTE courses and corresponding industry certification
- Credit recovery toward graduation
- Dual enrollment and enrichment courses
- Career development and job support
- Community collaborations with local nonprofit organizations and others
Construction Details
- Architect: PBK Architects
- Contractor: Davis Moreno Construction
- Bid: $47,000,000
- Funding: Measure M
- Building Size: 240,000 sq ft total
- Opened: August 2024
Brand New CTE Programs
Farber launches in 2024-25 with four major CTE pathways for students to explore.
The Cybersecurity program highlights disaster planning and preparation for cyber attacks as a nation and individual, as well as how hackers and criminals use social engineering and open source intelligence.
In Logistics and Warehouse Management, students work in a real world, industry standard 10,000 square foot warehouse that emphasizes a professional environment including operations and safety equipment, uniforms, and roles and responsibilities. They will have the opportunity to earn certifications for equipment like the forklift and scissor lift, and safety certifications like OSHA 10 and CPR/First Aid.
Multimedia and Video Production offers students the opportunity to write public service announcements/television commercial scripts, and film, edit, and produce their videos using professional equipment and software. From creating documentaries to filming music videos, students get hands-on experience with the entire production process.
The Public Services pathway gives students a foundation in basic life support, CPR, first aid trauma skills, basic anatomy and physiology, and airway management. Students also learn about the Emergency Medical Services industry, including what a technician does and what different paths are available with EMR/EMT certifications.