Year in Review

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

Career Technical Education (CTE) plays an important role in preparing students for success in the workforce by providing them with hands-on, practical skills that directly apply to various industries. Unlike traditional academic paths, CTE emphasizes learning through doing, allowing students to gain expertise in specialized fields such as healthcare, engineering, manufacturing, media, and construction.

By participating in work-based learning, students gain insight into the expectations, challenges, and dynamics of their chosen industries. This not only boosts their confidence but also enhances their employability by making them more competitive to potential employers who value experience, technical skill, and job-readiness. By focusing on specific career paths, CTE fosters greater career exploration, helping students make informed decisions about their futures and identify passions they may not have discovered in a conventional classroom setting.

CTE empowers students to transition more smoothly from education to employment, setting them up for long-term career success. Learn more about CTE opportunities at www.fresnounified.org/cte.

In Loving Memory

Chuyi Vang
1968-2025

Mr. Chuyi Vang, beloved colleague and friend, served as a longtime member of our Fresno Unified School District CTE team. He helped to ensure students and teachers had the equipment and supplies they needed to succeed. Chuyi championed CTE and, most importantly, cared deeply for people, students, and staff.

New Pathway Certifications

Pathways Recognized for Their Efforts

Linked Learning Gold

Linked Learning standards and certification are based on the belief that all students deserve highly engaging, hands-on learning experiences that help them understand the relevance of their education, prepare them academically for further learning, and help them see the connection between education and their future career paths.

Linked Learning Gold Certification represents the highest quality standard for Linked Learning pathways and brings valued public recognition of the exemplary work being done by Linked Learning pathway staff, students, and partners. Gold Certification standards emphasize cross-subject, student-centered learning with strong career and postsecondary integration, combined with student supports that ensure equitable opportunities for all students.

Two of the Fresno Unified health pathways received Gold Certification this year for demonstrating their dedication to excellence. Congratulations to Duncan's Medical Academy of Science and Health (MASH) and McLane's Medical Education and Research Academy (MERA)!

NAF Distinguished Academies

NAF’s Katherine Blasik Distinguished Academy recognition is NAF’s highest level of achievement. This designation is given to a select few who have reached Model level on NAF’s annual assessment, exhibiting strong fidelity to a design that prepares students for success in college and careers.

This year we had four pathways earn this recognition for the first time, joining Duncan's MASH and McLane's MERA pathways as Distinguished NAF Academies:

• Duncan Innovative Design and Applied Technology Academy (IDATA)
• Edison Engineering Design and Development
• McLane Art Venture Production Academy
• Patiño School of Entrepreneurship

These new Distinguished Academies were recognized at the annual NAF Next event in Colorado.

CTE Ambassadors

Students Recruit for Their Pathways

Leadership Training

CTE Ambassadors from eight comprehensive high schools - Bullard, Edison, Fresno, Hoover, McLane, Patiño, Roosevelt, and Sunnyside - joined together and learned leadership involving positive mindsets to be role models for incoming students and develop their capacity in active listening, effective presentations and collaborative problem solving.

Ambassadors participated in a series of improv games and fun icebreaker activities, explored the craft of using storytelling as an effective means of influence, and highlighted how narratives can engage, persuade, and inspire audiences. They also learned and practiced key tools for effective public speaking and design and collaborative problem solving. In their assigned groups, they collaborated and designed a recruitment plan for their pathways and presented to their peers for feedback.

Recruitment Season

Ambassadors returned to their middle schools to share information on the amazing programs and experiences available to students. Ambassadors are trained to speak about all CTE pathways, programs, activities, and supports. Ambassadors love representing their pathways and getting to show their middle school teachers the things they have learned and how they have grown as leaders!

Recognition Ceremony

The CTE Ambassador Recognition Ceremony was held on May 19, 2025, at Bullard High School Theater to recognize outstanding CTE ambassadors from all nine comprehensive high schools: Bullard, Duncan, Edison, Fresno, Hoover, McLane, Patiño, Roosevelt, and Sunnyside. Throughout the year, they led campus tours, advocated for CTE pathways across their campuses, mentored peers, presented at middle school recruitment events, participated in CTE subcommittee and advisory meetings, and engaged with industry partners. The CTE department celebrated and recognized not only their dedicated work as CTE ambassadors but also their student leadership in driving positive change. CTE appreciates these ambassadors for their commitment to CTE pathways.

Student Spotlights

Students' Hard Work Pays Off

Angeline Ruiz Cardenas

Fresno High School, Warrior Entertainment

Youth Voices Documentary

Angeline Ruiz Cardenas, a Fresno High Warrior Entertainment student, was one of 12 students selected for the 10-week Youth Voices documentary filmmaking program with Community Media Access Collaborative (CMAC), and she chose to create a film about the history of the Fresno Pride parade.

Her documentary, Fresno Pride, revealed the parade's origins, its significance, and how it continues to shape the community with its message of inclusivity and equality.

Working throughout the summer and through a few logistical issues (such as what to do when your interview subject is in a different state), Angie created a very engaging and emotional film. Her documentary aired in September 2024 at Maya Cinemas.

Watch Angeline's Fresno Pride documentary.

Anthony Calderon

Edison High School, Biomedicine

Youth Advisory Council

Edison High School junior Biomedicine pathway student Anthony Calderon was appointed to California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond’s spring 2025 Youth Advisory Council (YAC). Anthony was selected from a competitive pool of applicants to represent the student body of California with the goal of bringing diverse perspectives and improving school experiences for students state-wide.

As a member of the YAC, he met with Superintendent Thurmond and state education leaders to advocate for policies that support students. The Youth Advisory Council strives to close achievement gaps, transform the outcomes for students, and promote equity by empowering students from underrepresented groups to use their voices for education policy development.

“This is an incredible opportunity for me to advocate for systemic reforms that address disparities in schools across California. All students in California deserve to be given a fair chance, where success is determined not by their zip code but by their hard work. We deserve to be in schools where the only thing limiting us is our own effort, not our circumstances.” - Anthony Calderon

Andres Navarro Berber

Farber Educational Campus, Logistics and Warehouse Management

Work-Based Learning Leads to Job Offer

This year, GAP Inc. supervisors spent many hours mentoring students and building 21st century industry skills with our Farber students. Operations Supervisors Freeman Vang, Jabari Taylor, and Ashley Shoaf came out to supervise the classes during the Farber's Market inventory process of receiving, sorting, storage, distribution, and shipping processes.

Andres stood out this year, showing leadership skills that GAP Inc. looks for in aspiring leaders within their organization. During mock interviews, Andres interviewed with Mr. Taylor and Mr. Vang. He learned from his instructor that his GAP Inc. interviewers were impressed.

During the Logistics CTE Award ceremony, Andres received the GAP Excellence in Achievement Award, modeled after a company award for employees who go above and beyond. Andres applied to the GAP Inc. Distribution Center Fresno Campus and accepted a position within their company, with aspirations of moving into their supervisor leadership cohort program.

Aleksa Cortez

Fresno High School, Construction Design and Technology (CDAT)

Pursuing the Family Business

Fresno High School's construction career pathway was the perfect fit for senior Aleksa Cortez. She grew up interested in her dad's job in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) industry and worked at the shop where he works for the past two summers. Her goal is to be an HVAC technician.

"My dad was my inspiration. I saw how hard he worked, and I love hands-on learning," Aleksa said.

Through Fresno High's Construction Design and Technology Academy, she took classes in various aspects of the construction industry. Her freshman and sophomore years were focused on construction, her junior year on electrical (earning a solar installation certification), and her senior year on HVAC. She enjoys learning things that are directly tied to the career she wants to pursue, including technical skills, like how to take apart an air conditioning unit and put it back together.

After graduation, Aleksa plans to continue her education in the HVAC program at Fresno City College.

Watch Aleksa's FACES feature video.

(Originally published in the Fall 2024 FACES of Fresno Unified publication)

Alumni Spotlights

Former Students Follow Their Dreams

Doctors Academy Student Comes Home

As a high school student enrolled in the UCSF Fresno Sunnyside High School Doctors Academy, Pavneet Randhawa dreamed of one day becoming a doctor in her hometown of Fresno. This summer, soon-to-be Dr. Randhawa was one of more than 100 physicians who began training at the UCSF School of Medicine Regional Campus in Fresno (UCSF Fresno).

"I’m so excited about matching with UCSF Fresno," said Randhawa. "It’s always been my dream to come back home to Fresno for residency and I couldn’t be happier to see that become reality."

Randhawa’s return home for residency in Internal Medicine represents another UCSF Fresno success story of preparing, attracting, and training homegrown talent. Earlier this year, Randhawa did a four-week sub-internship in Internal Medicine at the Fresno Veterans Administration hospital and two weeks of endocrinology at Community Regional Medical Center. The experiences solidified her interest in UCSF Fresno.

(Originally published by Brandy Ramos Nikaido in UCSF Fresno Communications)

Banking on the Future

Matthew Martin, a former McLane Academy of Finance and Entrepreneurship student, is a Branch Manager for US Bank, and has returned to where it all started. Martin has been overseeing the McLane High School student-run branch of US Bank, training the new generation of Academy students in banking procedures to get them ready for a career after high school.

"I chose the business pathway because I knew that I was going to be a part of some type of business," said Martin. "Joining the business pathway at McLane sparked something in me when I started to learn more about budgeting and financing. Joining the bank later on opened up my career choices and things that I had no idea that I would be a part of. That's just a great feeling, that it became full circle and that I came back to McLane where I originally started through the pathway and now working for the bank here."

Grad Creates Game Characters

A lot of kids say they want to design video games when they grow up. It's one of those long-shot dreams that most of us have to give up when we become adults. Not Sunnyside High School graduate James Chea. He is a principal character artist for Obsidian Entertainment, creating the look of characters and creatures in video games. His games include The Outer Worlds and its sequel.

"This is my dream job since I was a kid. I enjoy everything about it - the challenge, the struggle and ability to create something from nothing," said Chea. "I'm proud of myself for going through the hard work and developing skills to achieve my goals."

At Sunnyside (class of 2003), he took every art class offered and learned how to make basic websites and graphic design at the Center for Advanced Research and Technology (CART), a half-day career pathway program for Fresno Unified and Clovis Unified students. Chea was drawing and designing his own characters in high school, inspired by Batman, X-Men, Spider-Man comics, and Cowboy Bebop, Dragon Ball Z, and Outlaw Star anime.

"I actually still have some of my old drawings from elementary and high school. I keep them as a fun reminder to see how far I've grown," Chea said.

After high school, he attended the Art Institute of California in Orange County, majoring in media arts and animation. After landing a job at Obsidian as a junior character artist, he has steadily advanced in his work, with five of the games he created characters for making it into the video game market for purchase. His career goal is to continue honing his skills. He's worked in the video game industry for more than 15 years, with few canceled projects. His advice to students who want to work in the video game industry is to focus on a department, such as level design, character art, environment art, animation, or special effects, and learn as much as they can about workflow and software in that area.

"Sacrifice some time and dedicate yourself to develop a small portfolio with a few examples of your work. As they say, 'Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity'," Chea said. “The tech scene moves so fast, I'm looking forward one day to see how realistic video games can be.”

(Originally published in the Spring 2025 FACES of Fresno Unified publication)

WBL Champion

Two Schools Win WBL Champion Award

The 2024-2025 Work-Based Learning (WBL) Champion, an award given to the high school that goes above and beyond to offer WBL experiences for students, is a tie this year! Congratulations to Phoenix Secondary and Patiño School of Entrepreneurship!
Both schools offered an average of 30 experiences per student over the course of the year, with Patiño offering the highest ratio of experiences like internships, mentorships, and student-led enterprise per student, while Phoenix more than tripled the number of experiences offered to students since last year.

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
• American Welding Society (AWS)
• Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)
• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Bloodborne Pathogens
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
• Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)
• Certified SolidWorks Associate (CSWA)
• Community Health Worker
• CPR/First Aid/Heartsaver
• Egg Handler
• Employability Skills
• EPA 609 Refrigerant
• Film Production Assistant
• Financial Literacy
• Food Handler
• Forklift Certification
• Functional Movement Screen
• HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act)
• Mandated Reporter
• Medical Assistant
• Multi-Craft Core (MC3)
• National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS)
• OSHA 10
• OSHA 30
• Solar Installation Basic/Intensive Training
• Stop the Bleed
• Teen Mental Health First Aid
• Workforce Development Leadership

32,998 total certifications were earned by 12,614 students in 2024-25.

Among the over 30,000 certifications earned, there were:

• 3,336 Stop the Bleed
• 1,543 CPR/First Aid
• 1,355 OSHA 10

Internships

Students Gain Job Experience

In 2024-25, there were:

• 2,158 total internships
• 1,929 unique student interns
• 179,962 student hours spent at internships
• 112 internship industry partners

Preparing for Internships with Duncan MASH

Each year before Duncan MASH Juniors and Seniors start their internships, industry partners come out to support them in receiving facility requirements, including tuberculosis assessments, seasonal flu vaccinations, and physicals. MASH would like to thank CSU Fresno, National University, St. Mary's Pharmacy, and FUSD Health Services for their support ensuring students are eligible to go to their medical facilities and gain hands-on experiences.

Bullard Athletic Training Student Aides

Students worked with Bullard certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) Ryan Lacy after school during practices and at football games against both Bakersfield and Clovis High. Athletic Training student aides learned how to tape, refill and provide water, set up the game day environment, and assist the ATC with other duties as assigned. Students were involved in the program throughout the fall, winter, and spring sports seasons.

Roosevelt Central CA SPCA Interns Information Boards

Two students interned at the Central California SPCA this school year, and were tasked with creating a display about an important topic in animal rescue to be showcased in the building. Alexa Lopez's project was about overpopulation of pets, aiming to educate the community about the importance of spaying and neutering, and encourage adoption. Yoselin Martinez's board focused specifically on how to care for a hamster.

Patiño Web Marketing Client Showcase

Students were hired as interns by Quiq Labs to create a website for a local business. They participated in a client networking mixer to meet prospective clients, ask questions about website and business goals, and learn about their different needs. They also met with upperclassmen to discuss what the experience was like, receive advice for working with clients, and ask questions about the types of artifacts they would be asked to create. They were then matched with a business and applied their web development skills to design and deliver a functional website tailored to the client's unique needs. After a semester of hard work, collaboration, and creativity, students proudly presented custom-built websites to their real-world business clients.

Sunnyside Multimedia and Marketing Senior Class Portraits

The Multimedia & Marketing pathway students graciously gifted their talents and expertise to the Sunnyside senior class. These students took well over 600 photos in just two days over the course of a winter internship, providing portraits to seniors for zero sitting fee, using their skills to serve the community.

CTE Department Pilots Winter Internships

"This was one of the best winters I’ve had. If I didn’t apply for this winter internship, I would have stayed home all three weeks and just rotted in bed. I highly recommend this experience!" - Public Service Internship Student

Over 200 CTE students from Bullard, Duncan, Edison, Fresno, Hoover, and Sunnyside High Schools participated in winter internships from December 26 - January 10, gaining both real-world work experience and high school course credit. The internship courses offered were: Building Trades and Construction, Agribusiness, Health Science, Videographer and Producer, Media Artist, Public Safety, and Welding. Students worked alongside industry partners, peers, and teachers to participate in a variety of things such as filming students who were participating in Fresno Unified winter camps, earning forklift certifications, working alongside Athletic Trainers, modifying an existing defunct golf cart to be transformed into a functional vehicle, touring the Fresno County Jail and Superior Court, and participating in an Emergency Vehicle Operation Course at the Fresno Police Department’s Regional Training Facility.

Summer Internships

Empowering Students Through Real World Learning

For some students, summer break means rest and relaxation. But for 800+ students in Fresno Unified CTE programs, summer break meant getting up early every day and hitting the ground running at one of 41 internships that took place in June and July at campuses, industry sites, and colleges across the city.

Students from Bullard, Hoover, and Roosevelt were involved in Public Service internships and worked alongside industry partners such as Fresno Fire, Fresno Police, Fresno Sheriff, Fresno K9 Mounted Unit, Fresno Dispatch, Safe Kids California, and Impact Teen Drivers, engaging in experiences such as visiting the Courthouse, Police Headquarters, the Police Regional Training Center, Valley Children's Hospital, and learning Water and Rescue Life Saving Skills at Scout Island.

Students in various health internships worked alongside industry partners such as Safe Kids California, Impact Teen Drivers, Anthem Blue Cross, the California Poison Center, Fresno County Public Health, Community Cancer Institute, local hospitals and doctors, and Fresno State's Sports Medicine's Team to gain hands-on skills in the field of health. They made plans to make their own communities safer and learned through hands-on experiences about various career options available in the field of health such as Athletic Training, Exercise Science, Physical Education, Sports Psychology, and many other broader options available in the field.

Students also participated in Construction, Ag Mechanics, Welding, and Manufacturing internships that allowed them to work alongside industry partners at Amazon, Fresno Metro, Fresno Unified's District Warehouse Team, Inventory Pro, McQueen's Jobsite, Scout Island, and WorkEd. Students were able to receive skills training in woodworking, wall framing, shed building, forklift operating, construction safety, warehouse inventory management, welding techniques, and more. Some students earned Forklift, OSHA-10 Construction, and Amazon Leadership Training certifications as well as participating in job site training at construction sites and Fresno Unified's District Warehouse.

Over 250 students from every high school were involved in paid Teacher Academy internships, supporting teachers in Summer Academies at elementary schools throughout Fresno. Another group of approximately 30 students were paid youth interns in a program with Fresno Building Healthy Communities, either working alongside mentor Community Health Workers to connect residents to health resources, or serving as Outdoor Youth Ambassadors advocating for parks and outdoor spaces.

What ties all these programs together is the value of CTE. Whether students are learning to weld, growing food, saving lives, or capturing memories, they’re gaining more than technical skills - they’re building confidence, learning how to collaborate, and discovering what it means to take pride in their work.

They’re developing life skills, professional habits, and passions that will follow them far beyond high school. In Fresno Unified CTE programs, learning doesn’t just happen in the classroom: it happens in greenhouses, at Police or Fire stations, in workshops, at hospitals, and in studios. And it’s changing lives!

Growing More Than Crops With Sunnyside Agriculture

In Sunnyside’s Agriculture Summer Internship program, students teamed up with Fresno Metro to build both traditional and regenerative farming spaces right on campus. They learned how to care for the land in sustainable ways - like soil health, crop rotation, and water conservation - through hands-on experience. The Ag Welding students designed and built a custom service body for a campus golf cart, which will help transport tools and supplies around their ag facility. In addition, Sunnyside’s Special Education students joined in the agricultural fun, helping to water the wildflower garden and care for other green areas on campus, fostering a shared sense of purpose and inclusion.

Building the Mare Motel

The Sunnyside Agriculture pathway constructed a fully operational "mare motel," a shelter for livestock, that students helped build from the ground up. They rolled up their sleeves and tackled every stage of the build, from cutting and welding steel frames to interpreting plans and improvising solutions when materials arrived late or incomplete. Working long hours under the blazing summer sun, they balanced precision with perseverance, learned to problem-solve under pressure, and remain focused on a shared goal.

Doctors Academy Preparing the Healers of Tomorrow

This summer, Sunnyside Doctors Academy students participated in refresher training for CPR, Stop the Bleed, and Heimlich maneuver protocols. These trainings were opportunities for students to build confidence, respond to simulated emergencies, and practice staying calm under pressure. Through visits to Fresno State and local hospitals, they observed surgeries, toured labs, interacted with doctors and nurses, and shadowed professionals in action. These experiences give students an inside look at the healthcare field and help them envision themselves in those roles.

Picture This: Creativity in Action

The Photography and Video Production Internships at Edison, Fresno, Hoover, and Sunnyside gave students a chance to express themselves artistically while building practical career skills. These young photographers weren't just taking pictures and videos, they were learning to think like professionals. Students used high-quality DSLR cameras, taking senior portraits for their peers and taking needed sports photos for their athletic teams. They then had the opportunity to practice composition, lighting, and editing techniques using Adobe Creative Suite programs like Photoshop and Lightroom.

Internships like this not only help students build a professional portfolio but also teach them how to communicate with clients, give direction during a shoot, and meet deadlines. It’s real experience in photography, visual marketing, and entrepreneurship all wrapped into one.

Hands-On Kinesiology Training at the Sports Science Institute

This summer, the CTE department launched the first Sports Science Institute Internship Program. Students spent the second week of their internship at Fresno State with its Kinesiology Department. Each day, students got hands-on experiences within a different aspect of Kinesiology: Athletic Training, Exercise Science, Physical Education, and Sports Psychology. Midweek, students participated in the EDGE Ropes Course and got a tour both of Fresno State’s Athletic Weight Rooms and the Athletic Training Facility.

Elementary Experiences

Starting College and Career Experiences Early

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 STEM 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. Challenges included building a maze for an egg to travel down safely, a roller coaster for a ping pong ball, a bridge that holds the most weight, and a boat with battery-powered fans to get across the finish line.

This year’s winners out of 109 teams were:

• 3rd Grade: Robinson Radicals
  • Coach: Christine Paulson
  • Students: Maverick, Melanie, Allison, and Jay
• 4th Grade: Calwa Albert Einsteins
  • Coach: Maria Velasquez
  • Students: Adaleen, Giselle, Elizabeth, and Dannae
• 5th Grade: Rowell Rockets
  • Coach: Sulema Mares
  • Students: Mia, Aldo, Jonathon, and Samantha
• 6th Grade: Tatarian 6th Grade Hawks
  • Coach: Michelle Lor
  • Students: Valentine, Alyssa, Zola, and Wyatt

Watch a video with highlights from Innovation Day.

CTE City

CTE City launched across all of the district’s 6th grade classrooms this year, teaching students about the various industry sectors and workplace skills needed for success. Using the Minecraft Education platform, students begin to understand the foundations of coding while engaging with industry professionals throughout the online world. Developed by Garrett Main, CTE teacher in Fresno Unified, CTE City leverages the appeal of Minecraft with creativity and problem-solving skills needed to be successful within the world of work.

Careers in Agriculture

This school year the Fresno Unified CTE Department has been working together with Rizpah Bellard at Nova Farming to expand experiences for students to learn about careers in the agriculture industry as well as gain valuable knowledge around animal husbandry and sustainable agriculture. Rizpah brings a variety of animals to sites (sheep, pig, chickens, pony, goat, or cow) and provides a combination of classroom, hands-on activities, and experiential learning to students. Recently, she was able to provide a sheep shearing demonstration for students at Kratt Elementary School. George the Goat and Beyonce the Chicken have also been well received by students and staff alike.

Competitions

Students Win Prizes and Bragging Rights

Duncan Construction Takes On Design Build Challenge

Six Duncan Construction pathway students took on the Central California Builder's Exchange Design Build experience at the annual Career Tech Expo hosted by FCSS at Chukchansi Park. Students worked on teams with students from construction programs all over the valley to build two types of sheds to practice for the Design Build Challenge and SkillsUSA competitions in the spring. Two lucky students were also able to partner with SPAN Construction to learn how to pilot drones that are used in the construction process to detect gas and water leaks and electrical problems.

DeWolf and Edison Attend Career Skills Challenge

In today’s fast-paced and competitive job market, a well-rounded skill set is crucial for students and professionals alike. The Career Skills Challenge, which is designed to prepare students for the workforce, covers a range of essential skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, poster making, and job interview techniques - areas that are fundamental to success in nearly any career.

The Career Skills Challenge, held at Fresno City College’s campus, provided an engaging and interactive environment where students honed their technical and soft skills, helping them become more competitive candidates in the job market. The challenge, divided into several skill-specific segments, gave students the opportunity to work on real-world tasks that employers value.

The Edison Sports Medicine team showcased their skills and dedication, with Griffin Duncan, Jocelyn Garcia, Evan Keppler, Jude Hammouda, and Carly Bergen earning a 3rd place team finish in Sports Medicine out of 12 teams, and Trinity Grijalva taking home an outstanding 1st place individual finish in CPR out of 80 competitors!

Patiño Wins Awards and a Job Offer at Pitch Competition

Patiño seniors participated in the Little Bang Poster and Pitch Competition at UC Davis. Five student business teams each sent a representative to share a business poster and give an elevator pitch to a panel of judges from UC Davis. Students competed against both high school and college students for their share of the award money. One team, Fortaleza, walked away with cash. Another team, Lunar Elixors, received a job offer while networking with the judges and other participants.

Duncan Competes at HOSA State Competition

Duncan had 9 students compete in the HOSA California State Competition during the annual Leadership Conference held in Sacramento, CA. There were over 4,000 students across California who competed in a variety of health-related categories. Duncan had two students place within the top three of their respective categories. Giovanni Nava took 1st place in the Veterinary Science category and Timothy Lee took 2nd place in the Nursing Assistant category.

Duncan Students Medal at State SkillsUSA Competition

Duncan had 22 students qualify for the California State SkillsUSA competition after earning high scores in their regional contests. These students traveled to Ontario, CA, and competed in events for diesel technology, electrical wiring, welding fabrication, welding sculpture, sheet metal, basic healthcare skills, and nurse assisting skills.

After four days of events, four Duncan students left with medals:

• Benito Hernandez earned silver for sheet metal
• Aaron Games earned silver for diesel technology
• Emily Vang earned bronze for nurse assisting skills
• Mariyah Torres earned bronze for basic healthcare skills

Duncan Robotics Places Second at Capital Cities Classic

The Duncan Robotics team attended the Capital Cities Classic off-season robotics tournament, coming in 2nd place against seasoned teams. This was a tremendous opportunity for the team members to gain competition experience and hone their skills. In the playoff bracket they lost their first match, reviewed their performance and strategies, made adjustments, and proceeded to win their next four matches.

Patiño FBLA Club Competes at FBLA State Conference

Five students from Patiño’s FBLA club qualified to compete at the State Leadership Conference in Los Angeles, CA. They participated in three different events: Entrepreneurship, Sports & Entertainment Management, and Business Communication. These students applied skills and knowledge they had gained from their Entrepreneurship and Marketing courses at Patino as they prepared for the events.

Duncan Dynamics Competes at FRC World Championships

The Duncan Dynamics Team, spearheaded by club president Victor Coria, and their coach, Doug Urabe, competed in the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) World Championships. The team qualified for the world championships after ranking 1st and winning the Central Valley Regional FIRST Robotics competition. In the end, Duncan Dynamics was in the top 1% of all teams, ranking 15th in the world!

Roosevelt Students Win Swede Award at Swede Fest Junior

A "sweded" film is a very low-budget, DIY, short remake of a movie using household items, homemade props, and imagination, inspired by the movie Be Kind Rewind. Swede Fest is a film festival dedicated to sweded films. This year the high school video production teachers in Fresno Unified organized and created Swede Fest Junior as an opportunity for students to showcase their talents and it was a huge success! Carolina Delgado, Fabian Gutierrez, Hector Gil, Josiyah Ealey, Juan Cruz, Juan Martinez, Mairany Cordoba, Ricky Thao, and Yaritza Salaiz received a Swede Award for their work.

Career Fairs

Students Explore Career Options

High schools across Fresno Unified hold annual Career Fairs, giving students the opportunity to explore career options and make informed decisions about their futures. Partners from local businesses, community organizations, military recruiters, and college representatives attend to share information about industry sector job requirements, internship and volunteer opportunities, continuing education requirements, and openings for summer employment. Some even do on-the-spot interviews and offer immediate employment! In addition to information, partners provide hands-on activities related to their industry, like CPR demonstrations and haircuts, and bring industry equipment like fire trucks and climbing walls.

Watch a video of the Fresno High career fair.

Fresno Fair

Students Show Off Their Hard Work

Sunnyside High School

Students from Sunnyside's Agriscience & Technology pathway earned top prizes at The Big Fresno Fair for poultry and agriculture mechanics projects.

Poultry Projects:

• Supreme Champion - Best of Show (Old English Game hen raised by Mckenzie Workman and Kyley Workman)
• Best of Breed (Old English Game rooster raised by McKenzie Workman)
• Reserve Champion (Black Copper Maran raised by Anaiah Castellano)
• Advanced Showmanship:
  • 2nd place - Rachel Vang
  • 3rd place - Getsemani Alvarez
  • 4th place - Brianna Lopez-Valle
  • 5th place - Marco Felix-Casillas
  • 7th place - Mckenzie Workman
• Intermediate Showmanship:
  • 2nd place - Kyley Workman
• Novice Showmanship:
  • 3rd place - Anaiah Castellano
  • 4th place - Emma Arroyo
  • 5th place - Jessica Sierra
  • 6th place - Danny Hussain
  • 9th place - Xavior Casey

Plant Projects:

• 51 projects won 1st place
• 27 projects won 2nd place
• 2 projects won 3rd place

Agriculture Mechanics Projects:

• Senior Chicken Coop Group Project: 1st place
• 49ers themed hitch receiver cover by Ashton Workman: 1st place
• Horse themed trailer hitch receiver cover by Junior Ascue: 1st place

Baird Middle School

Students from Baird took home multiple ribbons for their plant projects, including:

• Best of Show, Succulent or Cacti Arrangement: Ethan Vasquez
• Succulent or Cactus:
  • Aloe - six 1st place and two 2nd place
  • Echeveria - three 1st place
  • Jade - fourteen 1st place, three 2nd place, one 3rd place
  • Kalanchoe - three 1st place, one 2nd place
  • Sedum - two 1st place, three 2nd place
  • Other - three 1st place, one 2nd place
• Succulent or Cacti Arrangement: 13 first place arrangements

DeWolf High School

CTE construction students showed up BIG at the Big Fresno Fair. Students worked in groups crafting wood benches and lanterns to enter in the fair, using skills like measuring, cutting, and constructing, as well as texturizing, staining, and sealing, for a beautiful final project. They won first place for both benches as well as second place for all three beautifully decorated lanterns.

Phoenix Secondary

Students from the Sustainable Agriculture class entered plants, recycled wind chimes, and even a poem, with 14 projects earning 1st place and 10 placing 2nd.

In the Design and Marketing class, students created things like a hummingbird, retro turntable coaster set, tree of life decor box, and model airplane and were awarded 11 first place ribbons.

CTE Champions

Schools Recognize Outstanding Partners

• Bullard: Alyssa Vargas, Chris Murillo, and Scott May - Fresno Police Department
• DeWolf: SSgt Jeremy Williams - US Marine Corps
• Duncan IDATA: Tracy Gill - Future Ford of Clovis
• Duncan MASH: Grace Durham - National University
• Edison: Carlos Chavez and Antonio Robinson - FCC EMS Program; SSG Gabriel Ballesteros - Army National Guard
• Farber: Ashley Shoaf, Freeman Vang, and Jabari Taylor - GAP Inc.
• Fresno: Daniel Cortez - Valley Air Conditioning and Repair
• Hoover: Eric Priest - Fresno and Vicinity Sheet Metal Apprenticeship Training
• McLane: Suzy Ghattas - California Athletic Trainers' Association
• Patiño: Eric Hadden - WET Center
• Phoenix: Rizpah Bellard - Nova Farming
• Roosevelt: Linda Stolling - CCSPCA
• Sunnyside: Brett Zall - Fowler Packing

Career Education thanks...

• Aimee McFarland - San Joaquin Valley Manufacturing Alliance
• Genelle Taylor-Kumpe - San Joaquin Valley Manufacturing Alliance
• Alicia Ramirez - City of Fresno Workforce Development
• Marie Gilbert - California State University, Fresno

Special thanks to the Advisory Board and subcommittee chairs and co-chairs, who were honored with the Mike Schwan Career Technical Education Champion Award.

• Brandon Stidham
• Bryan Harley
• Byron Russell
• Doug Morehead
• Edgar Blunt
• Kent Pelisari
• Kevin Lisitsin
• Kristina Pasma
• Marie Gilbert
• McKenzie Dern
• Melissa Murphy
• Michelle McGaughy
• Peter Cacossa

Teacher and Staff Spotlights

CTE Teachers and Staff Earn Recognition

Excellence in Education is Fresno Unified’s employee recognition program designed to celebrate and honor the many outstanding employees who serve the district’s students and their families. Candidates are nominated by their peers and evaluated by a selection committee through an interview process. This year, out of 60 finalists, there were 7 CTE teachers and staff, and CTE teachers were winners in all three teacher categories! Congratulations to all of our finalists and the 3 winning teachers: Leanne, Roderick, and Jonathan!

• Leanne Cervantes, CTE Teacher, Career Education (watch Leanne's acceptance speech)
• Robert Donat, CTE Teacher, Scandinavian
• Roderick Smith, CTE Teacher, Terronez (watch Roderick's acceptance speech)
• Amber Donat, CTE Teacher, Phoenix Secondary
• Jonathan Hinojosa, CTE Teacher, Farber (watch Jonathan's acceptance speech)
• Terence Brown, CTE Teacher, Fresno High
• Amy Koehler, Program Manager, Career Education

CTE New Teacher of the Year

Jonathan Hinojosa, CTE Teacher, Logistics and Warehouse Management, Farber Educational Campus

Jonathan Hinojosa was recognized for his outstanding work in the Logistics and Warehouse Management Program. He received the California Association for Career Technical Education (CACTE) New Teacher of the Year Award, presented at the Educating for Careers conference in Sacramento, CA. He was also selected as the Excellence in Education winner to represent Fresno Unified as the nominee in the Certificated category at the county level.

Watch a video highlighting Jonathan's work at Farber Educational Campus.

Project Manager Recognized

Krishnna Reyes, a Project Manager in the CTE department, was recognized by members of the Air Force for his outstanding support of Air Force Recruiting Service and his dedication to the ideals and principles of the United States.

ACSA Administrator of the Year

Grady Lane, Manager II, Career Education

Grady Lane was honored as an Administrator of the Year in Career Technical Education by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA). This award recognizes outstanding performance and achievement by individual administrators, classified managers, or confidential employees. 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 growth, ethics, and innovation; and commitment to nurturing and sustaining a safe and inclusive learning environment.

CTE Gives Back

Students Volunteer in the Community

Packed with Purpose: Farber Food Pantry and Backpack Program

Farber’s pantry project proves that when students are empowered with tools, trust, and heart, they don’t just prepare for the workforce, they help transform their community. In a powerful demonstration of compassion and collaboration, the Farber Logistics program wrapped up the school year with a remarkable service project that provided invaluable support to Fresno Unified families. Students and staff joined forces to assemble over 600 food packages filled with essential groceries, which were distributed to Del Mar, Webster, and Winchell Elementary Schools. This culminating project was part of an ongoing effort that has delivered more than 2,200 food packages and backpacks throughout the year, making a meaningful difference in the lives of families facing food insecurity.

Farber's Logistics program is more than a career pathway - it’s a model of purpose-driven education. The initiative not only equips students with hands-on job skills in inventory, supply chain management, and logistics, but also instills core values like service before self, community support, and excellence in both academics and relationships.

Toys for Tots: IDATA 3D Prints Toys

Sophomore students in the Duncan Innovative Design and Applied Technology Academy (IDATA) 3D printed toys for the IC3D's Toys for Tots program, a non-profit that donates toys to children in the Central Valley. The students were able to choose from multiple designs and programed the 3D printers to make the toys. Students Wade Roelse, Luis Esteban, Owen Moua, Ethan Xiong, Joseph Yang, Nathan Vang, and Jose Figueroa spearheaded the project.

Land Together: Donations at the Prison

Amber Donat's Sustainable Agriculture class at Phoenix Secondary prepared bundles of eucalyptus and donated them to the Land Together program. The Land Together program hosts a free farmer's market to give produce, plants, and other items to the women of the Central California Women's Facility in Chowchilla. Being a part of this program allows Phoenix Secondary to give back to their community. 

Buddy Benches for Columbia Elementary

DeWolf students from Samuel Laplaca’s construction class designed and built 12 custom buddy benches for Columbia Elementary. Three talented students visited the school to install these thoughtful creations, providing a lasting impact on the school community. Columbia students were very excited to see that they had a place to sit under the trees!

Scout Island Service Learning

DeWolf High School took part in a dynamic service learning partnership with Scout Island, a beloved outdoor educational and recreation site in Fresno. This collaboration provided students the opportunity to apply their skills while giving back to the community through meaningful projects, blending CTE with community service by fostering both skill development and civic responsibility. Under the guidance of CTE construction teacher Samuel Laplaca and multimedia teacher Peter Chaney, students worked on a series of hands-on initiatives to enhance Scout Island’s facilities and visitor experience, including:

• Creating custom wood signs to improve navigation and provide key information throughout the site
• Repairing facilities, ensuring Scout Island remains a safe and welcoming destination for outdoor learning
• Developing an interactive digital map to assist tour groups in exploring Scout Island’s natural features and educational zones

“These projects showcase the incredible talents of our students while addressing real-world needs,” said Mr. Laplaca. “It’s inspiring to see their craftsmanship make a lasting impact.”

By the Numbers

CTE Data for the 2024-2025 School Year

• 12,347 students enrolled in CTE courses. Over 40% of grade 5-12 students are enrolled in one of 80+ CTE pathway options.
• 24-25 graduation rate: 99.3%. Students who complete a CTE pathway graduate at a higher rate than the District average.
• 151 CTE-credentialed teachers. CTE recruits teachers from industry who have years of experience in their fields.
• 283,204 total work-based learning experiences for PK-12. Students participate in multiple work-based learning experiences every year.
• 32,998 certifications earned. Students earn a wide variety of industry-aligned certifications.
• 2,158 total internships. Students gain valuable on-the-job experience working with local employers.
• 1,028 active industry partners. Partners provide a variety of valuable experiences to students.

Program Highlights

Bullard

Alumni Continues Giving Back

Exciting day with TyAnthony Davis, the Law Pathway Consultant, as he met with students to discuss key school community issues! Through thoughtful conversations, students identified areas where they can advocate for change and make a real impact. It’s inspiring to see the next generation of leaders come together to address challenges and create solutions.

Camera Club Photographs the "Battle of Barstow"

Elijah McCormick and Xitlalith "Lally" Miguel photographed the rivalry Varsity Football game against Hoover High School, nicknamed the "Battle of Barstow", capturing the game, the cheerleaders, and the excited crowd as the Knights brought home the win!

CART

Death Investigation

Retired Fresno County Coroner Loralee Cervantes spoke to the students in the Forensic Research Lab about the role of a coroner at a crime scene. She dispelled the myths about how victims are identified, explained legal aspects of classifying cause/manner of death, and stressed the importance of integrity in this field of work. CART appreciates Ms. Cervantes and her over twenty-year commitment to the students in the Forensic Lab.

24th Annual Student Showcase

In January, CART held its 24th annual showcase, highlighting student work from all 13 career-focused labs. Each year, students share their passion and knowledge with the public through products like video games, websites, apps, documentaries, advertising campaigns, and food truck concepts. Other labs featured interactive demonstrations in forensic science, medicine, illusions, rocketry, biotechnology, and watershed science.

Students Unite to Combat Human Trafficking Through Advocacy and Education

Motivated by the Human Trafficking and Training Act, which requires education in recognizing the signs of human trafficking and grooming, students in the CART Law and Policy Lab set out to find an appropriate form of education that could be implemented at the high school level. Their journey led them to partner with Breaking the Chains, Shared Hope International, and OUTFRONT Media - each organization playing a crucial role in their advocacy efforts. Shared Hope International provided the students with a free lesson, including a short video, to educate their peers on identifying the warning signs of human trafficking. The students piloted the lesson at Edison in a PE course.

To broaden public awareness, OUTFRONT Media donated billboard space and assisted in refining the group's design, which serves as a PSA and is now displayed on Clovis Avenue. They have also presented their findings and advocacy efforts to the CART Board, the CUSD Wellness Committee, and two news outlets, gaining support and recognition for their work. Their ultimate goal? To have this vital lesson formally adopted and taught in both Fresno and Clovis Unified School Districts.

Design Science

Health Youth Corp

Students from Design Science had to draw their "Perfect Community" for Health Youth Corp. Together, they designed a community that had free health care, a senior center, school for children, a daycare that stayed open until 7pm, a farm that provided free food for the community, a hospital with free health care, a safe park for children to play, and a lake for all to enjoy.

Mock Interviews

In an effort to better prepare for their future careers, students at Design Science took part in mock interviews with industry professionals. The event provided valuable hands-on experience, allowing students to develop essential interview skills, receive constructive feedback, and build confidence for the next step in their professional journeys.

Cooking Club Volunteers at Ronald McDonald House

Cooking club students and Mr. Enriquez volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House. They partnered with Meals from the Heart to prepare homemade food for guest families who may have family members at Valley Children's Hospital.

DeWolf

Mock Interviews

DeWolf organizes mock interviews to provide students with valuable hands-on experience in a professional interview setting. These simulated interviews help students step out of their comfort zones, refine their communication abilities, and receive constructive feedback. The goal is to better prepare them for real-world job opportunities by simulating common interview scenarios and improving their confidence and performance in the hiring process. This initiative is part of DeWolf’s commitment to supporting student success and ensuring they are workforce ready.

Going to the Fresno Fair

Students gear up with teacher Samuel LaPlaca to create projects for this year’s Big Fresno Fair. They created benches and lanterns, decorated with themes. When engaging in this project-based learning, students learned new skills with safety as a priority.

Federal Correctional Institute Mendota Speakers

Correctional Officers Garcia and Lopez visited DeWolf to share their experiences and insights about their roles at FCI Mendota. During their talk, they provided students with a deeper understanding of the correctional officer profession, explaining the responsibilities and challenges they face in their daily work. They also discussed the personal journeys that led them to pursue careers in corrections, outlining the steps they took to enter the field and the skills required for success. The officers offered valuable advice to students interested in similar careers, inspiring them to explore opportunities in law enforcement and public service.

Duncan

SJVMA Manufacturing Summit

In October, 39 Duncan Manufacturing students from grades 10-12 went to the SJVMA Manufacturing Summit to learn the latest about manufacturing technology in the valley. Students enjoyed meeting with industry partners and attending the learning sessions. Duncan's FRC Robotics team, Duncan Dynamics team #3970, also got to show off their 2024 competition robot!

Thank You Future Ford

Tracy Gill, Service Director of Future Ford of Clovis, and Ford representatives Bob and Juan engaged in a Q&A session with students. Their insights and experiences were inspiring to the next generation of technicians and leaders. Future Ford also donated a brand new Lincoln Aviator. Along with the donation, they will provide original manufacturer training, which can lead to certification recognized by auto shops and help students obtain jobs in the industry.

Duncan Heavy Truck Teams Up with Monster Jam

Duncan’s Heavy Truck Senior Class had the ultimate hands-on learning experience this March with a special field trip to the Monster Jam Truck Pit at the Save Mart Center! Students got an exclusive, up-close look at the massive Monster Trucks, met with Pit Mechanics, and even had the rare opportunity to watch a private tech rehearsal - a behind-the-scenes experience that brought their classroom knowledge to life.

Monster Jam’s generosity didn’t stop there! They extended a special discount code to all Duncan students and staff, ensuring more of our community could join in on the excitement. Monster Jam also donated 10 family four-packs of tickets, which were raffled off to students who demonstrated outstanding commitment to their education. Entries were earned by:

• Perfect attendance in the weeks leading up to the event
• Maintaining a C or better in all classes
• Actively participating in guest speaker presentations

Watch a behind-the-scenes video of the Monster Jam experience.

Edison

Fresno City College EMT Simulator Presentation

Carlos Chavez and Antonio Robinson from the FCC EMT program presented to the senior Biomed class, then had students participate in skills that they would learn in the program - such as life-saving CPR - using the EMT simulator, which is a trainer that mimics the inside of an ambulance. Skills presentations were conducted by current FCC EMT program students, one of whom was an Edison Biomed graduate, Isaiah Reyes, who said how much he enjoyed the program and how much the Biomed program prepared him for success.

Health Youth Corp

Biomed students that were involved with the Health Youth Corp program last year continued a project started last year that educated other students about Narcan on campuses. Their research led them to the DEA's office and Lisa Smittcamp, Fresno County District Attorney. Ms. Smittcamp met and talked to the students about their efforts.

Exploring Solar Careers

Green Energy Academy students learned about solar installation with the non-profit GRID Alternatives over five days of training.

Watch a video of students at the GRID Alternatives training.

The Mousetrap

Each year the Edison Theater program puts on 2 plays. This year the fall play was Agatha Christie's iconic murder mystery, The Mousetrap. Once again the Technical Theater program outdid themselves making the play come to life on the stage with the intricate and detailed set. Many hours went into designing and creating this work of art. Mark Riedel, Edison's Technical Theater instructor, works hard to teach these skills to his students and the product didn't disappoint!

Farber

Farbers Market Food Pantry

The Central CA Food Bank and the Logistics students at Farber are creating learning opportunities, where students are supporting the community of Farber and Winchell Elementary families with a full choice food pantry. Families came through the student union and warehouse CTE classroom to select nutritious food choices. The goal is to provide ingredients that can create several meals for families.

Silhouette and Magazine Designing Workshop

Students attended a workshop on Graphic Silhouette, Magazine Cover Designs. At the end of the workshop, the students were allowed to create their own theme, and they each made a cover to showcase something they were interested in!

Ambulance/CPR Training

Students went through a workshop and hands-on training. The training enabled them to provide medical assistance to an injured party. Students learned how to safely stabilize, transport, and load an injured party onto an ambulance.

US House Rep Jim Costa Visits Farber

US House Representative Jim Costa (CA 21st District) made a stop by Farber and took time to speak with students in the Logistics and Warehouse Management program. He spoke about the growth of the Valley with jobs in warehouses, agriculture, and shipping along with the integration of technology in those fields.

Fresno

Black Rocket Recruiting Event on Campus

Fresno High School held a lunch time recruiting event with their after school partner Black Rocket. Students were able to ask questions, and many students were forwarded on to HR for information on open positions.

Live Taping of America's Got Talent

Fresno High School’s Warrior Entertainment students experienced a live taping of America’s Got Talent in Pasadena. A few lucky students won prizes and got to sit in the front row. Students learned valuable insights into productions and look forward to a career in the entertainment industry.

Valley Air Mentorship

Industry partner and student mentor Valley Air & Repair gifted the HVAC/R Technician program furnaces to learn and work on. They understand the importance of real-world experiences in the classroom.

Fulton

Field Trip to the Central Valley Career Fair

The Central Valley Career Fair was held at the Sierra Vista Mall. Students prepared for the career fair weeks prior during their "Work Wednesday" sessions held once a week at Fulton School. In preparation for the event, Career Technical Education staff Garrett Main, Christine Morehead, and Theresa Sanchez prepped students with resume workshops and career readiness lessons.

Minecraft in the Classroom

CTE teacher Garrett Main guided Fulton students through Minecraft activities to practice collaborative learning, critical thinking, and problem solving. Mr. Main fostered a team building environment to build qualities for students to use in the classroom and workplace.

Career Thursdays

Students continued working on CareerSafe courses during Work-Thursday class meetings with CTE staff Garrett Main and Theresa Sanchez. Each week students log-on with their laptops and begin a new course. A few CareerSafe courses have included Bloodborne Pathogens and Personal Protective Equipment.

Hoover

Floral Design Program

The new Floral Design program launched at Hoover this year! Floral Design involves the principles of balance, proportion, and harmony while students create arrangements using flowers, foliage, and other materials. Whether it’s creating stunning arrangements for events or learning about plant care, floral design inspires a passion for beauty and craftsmanship that will last a lifetime.

Salad Bar Lunch

Hoover received a hydroponics unit for student learning from FUSD Nutrition Services through the CDFA Farm to School Incubator Grant. In the weeks leading up to spring break, the students in Anna Demaree's Natural Resources 2 class put the unit to work planting lettuce and basil. During the block testing week, the class brought in different salad toppings and enjoyed a salad bar lunch with the fresh, organic, pesticide-free lettuce and basil. It was a great way to enjoy something they actually planted. One student said, "I have never eaten something I helped grow."

McLane

Students Learn About the Gift of Life

McLane hosted a blood drive involving students from the Medical Education & Research Academy (MERA). The experience involved a district partnership with Central California Blood Center, integrated work-based learning plans from pathway teachers, and active participation from students to learn about, advocate for, and donate blood. Aside from various class projects leading up to the event, learning opportunities for students included Stop the Bleed certification, several guest speakers, and a tour of the donation center.

Job Shadow Day

MERA students participated in a Job Shadow Day hosted by the Fresno County Department of Public Health. The experience included a tour of various clinics at the site as well as presentations from their staff on several careers within the governmental department. They also reviewed the Community Health Assessment and discussed major concerns with students.

Rising Scholars Workshop

The Career Center and the Rising Scholars Program collaborated to support 60 Rising Scholar juniors through a 2-day workshop. Students discovered their strengths and interests, explored various industries and job opportunities, and identified the required education levels for different careers. Additional guidance was provided to help students develop a clear post-high school plan. The event concluded with students creating career vision boards, a creative activity to help them visualize their future goals and aspirations.

Gnomon College Visit

Pathway students from the Art Venture Production Academy were the first high school cohort to attend an open house event at Gnomon, a college in Hollywood with specialized academic programs to build the necessary artistic and technical skills expected for careers in the entertainment industry. Students were able to see first-hand samples of student work decorating the campus.

Patiño

Junior Business Solutions

As part of the Business Incubator course, students create a business idea. They begin by identifying a problem in the world, researching that problem and current solutions, and interviewing potential customers. This year, students went to Fresno State to hear about business options at Fresno State, including camps and programs they can get started in now as high school students. They also interviewed college students and community members about their identified problems, collecting valuable information such as: is this a problem, would people be willing to pay for a solution, what already exists and does it work, what are the gaps that a new solution could fill, and is the preliminary idea a good idea.

Next, students work on designing a solution that addresses the problem. They sketch or 3-D model what the solution will look like, research preliminary costs to produce and sell the product, and investigate comparable products that currently exist. Finally, they pitch their Problem-Solution business ideas to a panel of industry partners for feedback, who ask thoughtful questions and offer suggestions as students work to develop their business plans.

Business Coaching

As part of the 12th grade Business Accelerator course, students continue working on their business plans from junior year. This year, multiple industry partner coaches asked students to share their business plans, goals, progress towards those goals, and how they intend to take the next steps towards a strong launch, and offered thoughts, advice, and guidance helping students create SMART goals for their businesses. 

Fresno State Dairy Products Innovation Day

Business students attended the Dairy Products Innovation Day held at Fresno State. They learned about new market trends and technical breakthroughs in product and process innovation. They also learned about the roles of the California Milk Advisory Board, the Pacific Coast Coalition - Dairy Business Innovation Initiative, and the universities that are working with them, as well as related programs and opportunities for next steps after high school.

Entrepreneurship Starts Now

Patiño junior business team NEOS shared their business pitch to Fort Miller's 8th grade history/social science students. The middle school classes introduced the concept of entrepreneurship and asked students to come up with a business idea to pitch. In support, Patiño Entrepreneurship students shared their business concept, model, and MVP pitch to show what the next step could look like. Patiño students also gave advice about ideating, researching the market, and how to practice and prepare for the first big pitch.

CMAC Visit

Students from Patiño and Edison got an amazing tour of CMAC's facilities and equipment. They got to see a monthly all staff meeting, as well as hear about many upcoming projects and the work/people behind the scenes putting them together. Students left inspired to continue making their own media projects.

Phoenix Secondary

Germination Station

Students cared for their seedlings since the first week of school and geared up for a transplant. Phoenix Secondary Sustainable Agriculture is an incredible program that allows students to learn the entire cycle of plant life and the career opportunities connected to horticulture. 

Holiday Plant Sale

With cross-collaboration in Jason Duong's Creative Media class and Amber Donat's Sustainable Agriculture class, Phoenix was able to host their 4th annual Holiday Market. Duong's class created marketing images of the mistletoe, kikinda gourd, peppermint tea, winter vegetable plants, and fresh eucalyptus bundles that were made and grown by Donat's students. It was a huge success for both classes!

Phoenix Elementary

Farber Partnership

Students from Phoenix Elementary visited the Farber Logistics classroom and learned about careers in the transportation industry. Farber students partnered with Phoenix to teach students about order integrity, inventory control, and food insecurities, utilizing Farber's partnership with the Central CA Food Bank backpack program.

Roosevelt

Annual Public Service Expo

The final event of the year for the Public Service Pathway is their expo. Students in their cohorted classes work in teams to research a community topic and display their findings to share with industry personnel. This year the freshmen decided to create a rehabilitation center for youth when they have gotten into trouble, so that they can rehabilitate both mentally and physically.

Athletic Trainers On the Job

Roosevelt Health pathway Sports Medicine students worked side by side with the Athletic Trainer taking care of injured football players throughout the season.

Apocalypse Collaborative

Select students were dressed in moulage makeup, simulating injuries seen in Stop the Bleed, sporting injuries, and medical emergencies. Sports Medicine students triaged injuries in teams, but only some “survived” and the rest became zombies. Once the medical triage was wrapped up, the zombies came alive for a flash mob dance at lunch. This experience allowed medical students to recognize simulated injuries and work in a team capacity to help the victims.

Sunnyside

VPA Visits San Francisco

Video Production Academy juniors spent the day at San Francisco State to tour the Broadcast and Electronic Communications building and met with Robin Kincade who certified 30 of these students as Production Assistants last year. They ended the day with a Giants baseball game and learned all about the production behind a major league sporting event.

Student Trainers Support Athletics

Both Sunnyside & McLane student trainers came together to support the McLane vs Sunnyside football game. Great to see students keeping athletes safe and healthy on both sidelines!

Tenaya

Aviation Club

Cliff Mickelson leads the Young Eagles Aviation Club, and every month he takes students to Sierra Sky Park to learn about aviation and take an airplane ride over Fresno. This experience is provided through the Experimental Aviation Association, is completely free, and is life-changing for many students who have never been on a plane before. Each time they fly, students are credited with hours toward a pilot's license and eligibility to begin flight school. Students also have access to a flight simulator in the classroom to practice between flights.

Watch the ABC30 news segment highlighting the Aviation Club.

Terronez

Entrepreneur Night

Students at Terronez Middle School showcased their ideas, products and services during Entrepreneur Night. Meet the next generation of business leaders!

Multiple Sites

AIMS Center Industry Visit

Teacher Academy students across the District got a chance to learn about careers in education alongside industry partners from the AIMS Center. AIMS is a non-profit organization that supports playful, imaginative, creative, human-centered, and socially informed approaches to teaching and learning mathematics and science. Students engaged in a hands-on STEAM activity where they created Pull-Up Polyhedras to build the cube and add a circuit. Students were excited to share the new lesson with the nearby elementary school students they work with each week.

Students Explore Careers in Agriculture

Students at Hoover, Kings Canyon, and Robinson engaged in hands-on sustainable agriculture practices led by Fresno Metro Ministries including planting, seed saving, and composting. Students learned about where and how they can grow their own food, and are planning to create and maintain a robust school garden at their sites.

CTE Department Events

Inaugural Be the Change Teen Leadership Summit Event

Fresno Unified’s CTE Department partnered with Impact Drivers, Safe Kids Central California, the CHP Central Division, and Fresno Unified’s Leadership and Teacher Development staff to host the very first “Be the Change Teen Leadership Summit.” At this one-day event, students from high schools throughout Fresno Unified learned all about the consequences of reckless and distracted driving. At the end of the day, the students and their mentors created action plans for educational sessions and community events to take what they learned back to their high schools and feeder middle/elementary schools and share this important message.

May is Safe Kids Month and by hosting and participating in events like these, we train and empower the next generation of safety professionals to help keep Central California more safe from preventable injuries. We would like to thank and shout out these amazing agencies for their support and participation in this inaugural leadership event: Valley Children’s Hospital, Impact Teen Drivers, CHP Central Division, Fresno Sheriffs, Healthy Fresno County, the Sanger Police Department, and Safe Kids Worldwide.

Marketing CTE Programs to the Public

This year, the CTE department commissioned a series of billboards and short videos highlighting the different CTE program and pathway options offered across Fresno Unified School District. Keep an eye out at major intersections around Fresno and visit youtube.com/@FUSD_CTE to see the great opportunities available to students!

Introducing Innovative AI Workshops

Work ED and Fresno Unified School District joined forces to launch a series of forward-thinking workshops focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) designed to equip both students and educators with the knowledge and tools to understand how AI can support learning, everyday problem-solving, and career readiness. These workshops introduced students to real-world applications of AI and how the technology is already present in their academic lives. From organizing their schedules to assisting with research, studying, and creativity, students explored how AI tools can support their educational journey. The sessions encouraged them to reflect on the benefits, limitations, and ethical considerations of using AI responsibly. They were encouraged to explore how AI tools are already integrated into their daily routines, through voice assistants, translation apps, homework help tools, and even personalized learning platforms. They also learned about the importance of using AI ethically - understanding the difference between using it as a support tool versus relying on it to replace critical thinking and original work.

Tournament of Technology

Approximately 400 middle school students squared off in technology-based competitions as part of the 18th annual Middle School Tournament of Technology on March 29, the largest contest of its kind in the state. The theme this year was "A Minecraft Movie." Students competed in 19 events in the categories of Robotics, Drones, Coding, Video Production, and Design. It was fantastic to see our CTE students showcase their knowledge, teamwork, and school spirit!
This year's winners were:

• Division 1:
  • First place - Sequoia
  • Second place - Computech
  • Third place - Baird
• Division 2:
  • First place - Tehipite
  • Second place - Tioga
  • Third place - Wawona

Watch the highlights of the Tournament of Technology event.

Summer Dive Camp

Big congratulations to our amazing Fresno Unified School District high school students in our Career Technical Education (CTE) Pathways who earned their Open Water Scuba Diving Certification from Scuba Educators International (SEI)! A total of 16 students participated in this amazing opportunity: 13 from Duncan, 2 from Hoover, and 1 from Bullard. The week long program consisted of 2 days at McLane High School for classroom and pool work, 2 days at Millerton Lake, and 1 day at Monterey Bay for their open-water dives.

These students didn’t just learn to dive - they developed discipline, teamwork, and confidence while exploring opportunities in marine science, underwater welding, public safety diving, environmental conservation, and various STEM careers. Big thanks go out to Michael Fitzgerald at California Scuba Center for partnering with us in this endeavor, and to Jordan Fickett, welding instructor at Duncan and certified underwater welder!

CTE Staff

The People Behind the Programs

The CTE team hard at work behind the scenes!

• 18 office team members
• 12 site-based CTE Coordinators
• 11 Job Developers