Labor Market Information Review Meeting Set for August 11
Monday, July 26, 2010

Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley and the Rio Grande Valley Partnership are co-hosting a meeting designed to obtain input from the Rio Grande Valley employer and economic development community prior to publication of the 2010 update of Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley’s Labor Market Report, entitled Targeting the Future: An Analysis of the Emerging Labor Market in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.

This pre-publication meeting is scheduled as follows:

Date: Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Time: 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Location: Board Room, Rio Grande Valley Partnership
322 South Missouri, Weslaco, Texas
(http://www.valleychamber.com/contact.php)

Tech Prep and the Rio Grande Valley Partnership are working closely together on this labor market report, as well as in other areas, because both organizations focus on the well-being of this four-county region and have harmonious missions: the Partnership strives to support and help create business vitality and success, and Tech Prep strives to support and help create education systems that support continuous improvement of the Valley’s workforce.

Although Tech Prep’s report can and may be used for non-education purposes, the report is designed primarily for the students (and their families) in our region’s public schools, colleges, and universities—and for the educators who work with them.

For additional information, contact Pat Bubb at Tech Prep or Veronica Villegas at the Rio Grande Valley Partnership.

Tech Prep Board Meeting Set for August 24
Monday, July 26, 2010

The Board of Directors of Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley will meet in the Board Room of the Rio Grande Valley Partnership Chamber of Commerce, 322 South Missouri, Weslaco, at noon on August 24, 2010.

The preliminary agenda for the meeting is as follows:

Call to Order by Board Chair E. Richard Vaughan, Jr., CEO, Burton Companies (invocation, pledge of allegiance, announcements, public comments)

Board Bytes: Presentation by Executive Director Patricia G. (Pat) Bubb and Dr. Steve Flores, Superintendent of Schools, Harlingen CISD

Action Item: Consider/Approve Minutes of Board Meeting Held on May 25, 2010

Action Item: Consider/Approve Finance & Bylaws Committee Reports and Recommendations

Briefing Items: Committee Reports
--Data Initiatives
--Executive and Partnerships
--Finance and Bylaws
--Lower Rio Grande P-16 Council (with Secondary Curriculum and Instruction and Postsecondary Curriculum and Instruction)
--Marketing and Awards
--Nominations
--Technology Initiatives

Briefing Items: Staff Reports

Other Business

Adjourn

The final agenda will be posted in appropriate offices shortly before the meeting.

Tech Prep Board meetings are open to the public. For information regarding the location of the meeting, see http://www.valleychamber.com/contact.php.

For additional information, or to obtain a copy of the final agenda, contact the Tech Prep office.

Hands-On Science Makes Harlingen Teacher More Effective in the Classroom
Tuesday, July 20, 2010

“Kids get taught the water cycle in science class. What we don’t teach them is where man fits in the water cycle and how water gets to where we are,” said Thomas Marlow. After the Harlingen High School chemistry and aquatics teacher worked with Harlingen Water Works as an ALA teacher extern for two weeks, he is now well aware of humans’ interaction with the natural cycle. “It relates to them, so they can understand better.”

The Tech Prep ALA program, in partnership with the Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce, placed Marlow at the Waterworks as part of Valley-wide program that exposes teacher to real-world workplaces. The teachers observe the skills necessary in today’s workforce. They use that knowledge to create lessons plans that incorporate real world problems and activities in the class room.

“There’s not a single employee at Water Works here who doesn’t use a computer, from the field crews putting info into handheld PDAs to the lab technicians,” Marlow said. His orientation to the 130 employee utility surprised him with the breadth and complexity of the jobs: technical, legal, engineering, finance, several labs, field crews, water and wastewater treatment operators. “Who would have known this many different jobs were available at Water Works?”

Marlow’s second day with Waterworks found him helping to collect water samples and measure pH. (Only the results of the licensed technicians are used for meeting water standards.) “They take so many tap samples from all over the city to test for metals and biologicals. It’s very impressive the amount of effort they put into making sure they are truly accurate. They are thorough when calibrating their equipment and using controls.”

Working and observing in the HWW labs introduced Marlow to lab techniques that he said will definitely boost the accuracy of his students’ experiments.

“One of the big problems in chemistry is getting the kids to reach the desired results so we can graph the numbers,” and prove the point, said Marlow. “The lab here handles the materials so precisely. I’ve learned that I haven’t been as proficient in measuring as I thought. I would suggest that any teacher who works in a lab come here and at least shadow for a day to see professional lab procedures. It would definitely help them.”

The rules and compliance documentation for each lab analysis run about 40 pages long, Marlow said, hefting a four-inch binder. More interesting for him and his students was the sophisticated lab equipment including a scale so sensitive it registers a breath of air across the plate.

Harlingen Water Works technician Mr. Escobedo with Extern Thomas Marlow

Electrical Numbers Add Up for ALA Teacher
Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Magic Valley Electric Coop had an unusual summer intern in Romeo Yatar. The Rio Grande Valley high school math teacher worked with the MVEC marketing department and saw first hand the skills that 21st century employers expect new hires to have. In addition, Yatar’s newly-acquired knowledge of power production and distribution allowed him to develop math exercises for his students that use real-world and workplace data.

Yatar came to Magic Valley through the ALA program, a business-school alliance created by Tech Prep, the McAllen EDC, and Region One ESC to help teachers understand the skills employers want to see. ALA, now in its eighth year, requires participating teachers to prepare lesson plans that are based on the workplace experience.

“I’ll have a lot of work sheets for the students now,” Yatar said. “They can compute which energy provider gives the lowest rate. ‘Given this usage and this rate, what is the bill?’ They’ll need to factor in the base charge, power cost recovery fee, and tax rate to get the total,” said Yatar. He’ll challenge his students at Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Memorial High School to find break-even points, set up equations, and make graphs to arrive at an informed decision. Yet the teacher had to admit, “I didn’t know much about rates until I came here.”

Brad Bierstadt, who heads MVEC’s marketing department, assigned Yatar to several different projects. The teacher did serious number-crunching while compiling a database of electrical consumption by the school campuses that Magic Valley serves. The results should enable the Coop to develop a plan to manage flucuating demand.

Yatar, who is indeed a MVEC member living in Donna, also acted as a fresh pair of eyes. “I looked at Magic Valley’s website as a customer and made suggestions that the website have a more positive approach. They seemed to value my input,” he said. Yatar recommended a more appealing, interactive webpage where customers can pay their bills online and select an option to go paperless.

On the job, the teacher attended a home show with the marketing staff, promoting an energy efficient water heater. He learned of incentives to home builders who choose Energy Star appliances. Yatar also worked with MVEC staff at a children’s science event.

Overall, Yatar was surprised by the amount of interaction with the public, regulatory agencies and schools. Besides the need for critical computer and technical skills, Yatar learned the importance of soft skills. “People here told me that communications skills are the most important thing,” Yatar explained. That applies to customer service and the use of common courtesy as well as to technical tasks where good communication is essential for safety and efficiency.
“Magic Valley has been a very gracious host. They have shown me every aspect of the business. I’ve been to the field and observed the groundsmen and linesmen at work. It’s really tough,” said Yatar, who also spent time in engineering, customer service, metering, and warehousing. “By hosting me, Magic Valley has taken that big step of bridging the disconnect between what students should learn about the real work environment and their perception on how businesses operate.”

The math teacher found a personal take-home benefit, too. “If you’re like most people, you don’t really know how electricity gets to your home. I do now, and I appreciate it.”

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ALA intern, Romeo Yatar

Sharyland High School Teacher Externs at Hidalgo County Judge's Office
Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Jordan Meiners graduated from UTPA in 2007 and went straight into teaching 9th grade geography at Sharyland High School.

This summer, working with the Hidalgo County Judge’s Office as a Tech Prep ALA extern, Meiners is immersed in a different world. He is contributing his skills to the office while he absorbs the complex world of public administration. His objective-- the reason behind ALA-- is to determine which skills high school students must have to enter the 21st century workforce. Meiners will incorporate what he learns at the County Judge’s Office into lesson plans for his students.

In his first ALA extern week, Meiners took on assignments to create needed PowerPoint safety presentations. One was an in-depth workplace accident prevention plan which will be part of a two-day training for all new Hidalgo County employees. The other addressed preventing workplace violence with specific guidelines for responses to phone threats, hostage situations, and lockdowns. “Every department of the county is scheduled to receive this,” he said.

After a few days at his new job, Meiners was already brimming with ideas to combine the information he learned with the skills job-seeking students must have. “The kids have to have a good understanding of computers and Word, Excel and Power Point. The majority of jobs are going to require dealing with technology,” he said. For the first assignment, he will have geography students use Excel to organize data--GNP, life expectancy, etc-- about countries. “They will research the things that determine the standard of living. With Excel, they can make comparisons between countries.”

Working at the County office has shown Meiners the limitations of not being fully bilingual. That’s why one of his class assignments would involve using the Spanish words in the glossary of the geography text. “You want to learn the key words in the field in both languages.

Meiners said he is enjoying the new experience and has attended Hidalgo County Commissioners Court to see how it works. As part of an office that has extensive dealings with the public, he has absorbed the workplace culture. “You have to be willing to help everyone. It’s part of being a team”

At the end of each workday, Meiners gets his assignment for the next day. “What I hope to be doing, what I really want to work with, is the Hidalgo County program that provides medical services for those who don’t qualify for Medicare but need help.” He also hopes to work with the Hidalgo County Emergency Coordinator on hurricane preparedness.

Jordan Meiners, ALA extern

Tech Prep Board Honors Weslaco ISD Partners
Wednesday, May 26, 2010

At its May 25 meeting, the Tech Prep Board of Directors honored the partners from Weslaco ISD who allowed Tech Prep to utilize one entire elementary school campus the the Advanced Technical Credit training sessions that served over 600 public school teachers on May 5-7, 2010. All ATC sessions were held at the PFC Mario Ybarra Elementary School, a brand-new Weslaco ISD campus at 1800 East Mile 10 in Weslaco.

Certificates of appreciation were awarded to the school district; Career and Technical Education Director Sandra Avila (who is an Associate Board member for Tech Prep RGV); and Ybarra Elementary's incoming principal, Abel Aguilar.

Pictured from the left, Pat Bubb, Executive Director of Tech Prep Rio Grande Valley, Sandra Avila and Abel Aguilar from Weslaco ISD and Tech Prep's Board Chair, Richard Vaughan, President/CEO, Burton Companies

TPRGV Board to Meet on May 25, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Notice is hereby given that a meeting of the Board of Directors of TECH PREP OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY, INC., a Texas Non-Profit Corporation, will be held at Weslaco, Texas, at 12 noon on Tuesday, May 25, 2010, in the Board Room of the Rio Grande Valley Partnership Chamber of Commerce, 322 South Missouri, Weslaco, Texas. The agenda for the meeting is as follows:

CALL TO ORDER Richard Vaughan, Meeting Chair
Invocation; Pledge of Allegiance; Announcements; Public Comments

BOARD BYTES Patricia G. (Pat) Bubb, Executive Director

ACTION ITEMS:
1. Consider/Approve Board Minutes of February 25, 2010

2. Consider/Approve Board Minutes of April 28, 2010

3. Consider/Approve Finance & Bylaws Committee Reports and Recommendations

4. Consider/Adopt Strategic Plan for 2010-2015

BRIEFING ITEMS:

5. Committee Reports
A. Executive and Partnerships
B. Finance and Bylaws
C. Lower Rio Grande P-16 Council (Curriculum/Work-Based
Learning, Professional Development, and Universities
and Colleges)
D. Marketing and Awards
E. Nominations
F. Technology Initiatives

6. Staff Reports

OTHER BUSINESS; ADJOURN

Board meetings are open to the public. Contact the Tech Prep office for additional information.

Job Shadowing Days Make a Difference for Students
Friday, May 21, 2010

Sitting at the controls of a huge excavator machine, Mercedes High School student Karen Edith Lara moved the digging bucket back and forth. Standing at her side, Holt Caterpillar Service Manager Chad Godfrey coached the job shadowing student in operating the controls of the complex machine. Karen plans on going to South Texas College in automotive technology and then opening a auto repair shop. Her day with the professionals at Holt only confirmed that she is going into a field that she loves. Karen’s interest in engines began as she helped her father do automotive repairs in his shop. That hands-on experience has laid the groundwork for her future. She has it all planned out, actually. Her father will be the manager of her auto shop and her younger brother will be an employee.

At Holt she was introduced to the different facets of the business: sales, rentals, parts and service. Karen asked Godfrey what he wished he had studied more. “Computer skills. our field mechanics have laptops in their trucks,” he explained. A Holt dozer today can easily have more computing power than the Apollo 13 vehicle that went to the moon, he added. Math, too, is essential for working on engines.

Godfrey told Karen how he had worked his way in the business. “This is a good company. They promote from within.” So, surrounded by motor graders and large dozers, Karen climbed into the cab of excavator and carefully followed Godfrey’s instructions. The bucket moved through the air. “This is pretty cool,” she said. Karen also found out that Godfrey is the president of the Diesel Technology program at South Texas College, helping set the curriculum and standards.

Diana Bustamante of Mercedes High School, who plans to become a microbiologist, job shadowed at TAMU's Citrus Research Center in Weslaco

Diana Bustamante of Mercedes HS arrived at the Texas A&M Citrus Research Center in Weslaco for her job shadowing assignment. Diana plans to become a microbiologist and get her degree at Texas A&M or at Texas State

Maggie Garcia and Daniel Davila of the Research Center’s Entomology department showed Diana the trap samples brought to the lab to determine if dangerous bugs are present in specific areas. “It’s not only lab work we do. We are out in the fields. There are so many things to do that it never gets boring,” said Garcia. She showed the job shadowing student how to examine the samples and identify the target insect. Crops have to be protected from the bugs that could destroy them and ruin the local economy, Diana learned.

“I think this is very interesting,” Diana said after looking through a microscope at a rust mite that attacks citrus fruit. But that is what drew her toward microbiology: she finds the field facinating and hopes to go into research.


Harlingen High student Julissa Magana, who intends to become a chef, got to talk to Harlingen Country Club chefs while job shadowing



Julissa Magana intends to go into the Culinary Arts program at TSTC. The Harlingen High student has taken Foods 1 & 2, but her day spent job shadowing at Harlingen Country Club brought her a few new lessons.

“I cook a lot at home for a big family, but they move so fast here,” she said after watching cooks Fernando Najar and Norbert Contreras prepare breakfast orders for the private dining room. “I’ve been seeing a lot. They have everything in sync so it comes out at the right time.”

The cooks invited her to ask questions while they worked. “We’ve never had anyone job shadow or intern here before,” Najar said. Both cooks enjoyed talking about their work and having a student take an interest in it.



Heather Hearn, Harlingen High School student, learns about property sales from broker Minerva Simpson at Overland Mortgage while job shadowing




Harlingen High School student Heather Hearn sat next to Minerva Simpson, Branch manger for Overland Mortgage, observing and listening while Simpson followed through on all the details involved in closing a mortgage. For Heather, job shadowing through Tech Prep gave her an opportunity to understand a new field. “I want to go into sonography, but I am very interested in real estate and owning property. I wanted to come here,” she said

Heather became a Certified Nurse Assistant last year, did her clinicals at Golden Palms Retirement Center, and followed that with two weeks interning at Valley Baptist Medical Center. After listening while the mortgage broker discussed loan restrictions with a property owner, Heather explained she is equally interested in real estate. Her economics and math classes were useful as Simpson explained the three different types of home loans and their limitations.
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"College: My Future" Held at Lamar Elementary HCISD
Tuesday, May 18, 2010

South's Cheerleaders energize fourth and fifth graders at Lamar Elementary

Wearing tee shirts from Baylor, Texas A&M, University of Texas,
Southern Methodist University, UT-Pan Am and Columbia University,
a dozen cheerleaders from Harlingen High School South led a pep rally for Lamar Elementary School fourth and fifth graders. The “College: My Future” rally aimed to make the young students start thinking about going to college. In response to questions from the cheerleaders, about half the audience acknowledged they already had plans for their futures. The kids wanted to become doctors, teachers, lawyers and serve in the military.

When the cheerleaders asked how many kids wanted to go to college, they saw a sea of waving hands. The high school Hawk mascot joined in ‘Go to College’ cheers and repeated with the kids: Everyone who wants to go to college can go to college."


When the cheerleaders asked how many kids wanted to go to college, they saw a sea of waving hands


“You can be anything you want to be. Going to college opens the door to many things,” Assistant Principal Angel Sanchez told the eager students. “I don’t want any of you to ever say ‘I can’t go to college because I can’t afford it.’ There are lots of ways to get there. There are all kinds of colleges everywhere. Apply for a scholarship. The person who benefits from college is you. Go for it!”

Ms. Sanchez reminded students that college students must be excellent readers. “Know that you are bettering yourself every time you pick up a book whether it is about motorcycles, horses or the Twilight series. Read something that makes you feel good about yourself. Do not stop reading during the summer,” she said.


Giant-sized bears display various college tee shirts



Principal Daniel Garza explained that the students would be spending a week learning about different careers. “The most important part is how are we going to help you get there, so you get the job and career you want. What you are doing now is going to help you later on.”

Following the energizing pep rally, Tech Prep arranged for each of the fourth and fifth graders to have his or her photo taken with a giant teddy bear wearing a tee shirt emblazoned with the name of the college the student hopes to attend.

“The picture will remind you of what you learned today about college and careers,” Mr. Garza said. “College is your future.”


A group of students pose with the bears dressed in college logo tee shirts

Job Shadowing Day Helps Prepare Los Fresnos Students
Friday, May 14, 2010

Manny Chacon welcomed job shadowing Los Fresnos High School students and Health Science Technology teacher Aurora Brito to Harlingen Medical Center

Tech Prep’s Job Shadowing Day offered Los Fresnos High School Health Science Technology students a first or second look behind the medical scene at Harlingen Medical Center and Su Clinica Familiar. Assigned to pediatrics, radiology, pharmacy, lab, medical/surgical, and dentistry, the students experienced an exciting taste of their future. It confirmed their choice of career paths.

Several of the students had already taken additional steps to prepare themselves for health careers. Two of them are completing Emergency Medical Technician training, two others are in pharmacy tech training and one is in the Certified Nursing Assistant program.

Being EMTs and CNAs are not life goals for the students, according to Los Fresnos Health Science Technology teacher Aurora Brito. “The students know they want to be in the health care field. They see those jobs as stepping stones.”

Jessica Ruiz, who is considering a career in ophthalmology, spent the morning at Harlingen Medical Center’s Medical Lab. Ramon Leon, Lab Director, told her, “Most labs are heading to automation. It’s interesting stuff, but lab work is very repetitive.”


Harlingen Medical Center Charge Nurse Penny Kleeman show Los Fresnos HS student Ana Perez the documentation that is needed for a newly admitted patient

Mr. Leon caught Jessica’s attention by mentioning that a flesh-eating bacteria was the most unusual microbe to turn up in the lab. “But because of our proximity to Mexico, we see some things not usually found in the U.S.,” like malaria and TB. “We need to be concerned about resistant bacteria.”

Job shadowing gave Jessica an introduction into the workings of a hospital lab, from checking the frozen plasma stored in the lab to looking through a microscope.

The field trip offered health career students more than a glimpse of job specifics, Ms. Brito said. “I told them to ask about the job market and the pay while they are talking to these professionals.” They were expected to ask about specific job openings.

Amanda Zuniga wants to be dentist and has her educational pathway firmly planned: University of Texas at Brownsville and then on to UT-San Antonio. “Ever since I was in sixth grade, I’ve wanted to be a dentist. I was really looking forward to job shadowing. This is the first time I’ve watched a dentist at work. It wasn’t what I expected: it looked weird.”


Los Fresnos HS student Amelia Zuniga, who wants to be a dentist, got behind the sscenes to shadow a dentist at Su Clinica Familiar and go with instruments to sterilization

Wearing a protective blue gown, Amanda observed a Su Clinica Familiar dentist place a filling in a patient’s mouth. She was surprised by the number of tools used for the procedure and worried if the patient was feeling pain. After the procedure, Amanda accompanied dental assistant Laura Ortega and the used instruments to sterilization. “I think I’ll like it,” she said.

Coral Ramos plans to become a physical therapist and used to play physical therapy with willing siblings at home. At Su Clinica, Coral “wanted to see real patients. I wanted to see blood to see if I can do it.” She also observed patient flow.


Coral Ramos, who plans to become a physical therapist, shadowed Su Clinica Familiar's Adela Ramirez


Coral’s classes include anatomy and physiology and Health Science Technology


Los Fresnos HS student Charmaine Thomae accompanied Harlingen Medical Center Pharmacy Technician Dominic Caravio, (Los Fresnos HS 2001,) as he delivers a $500 vial of medication

Over 600 High School Teachers Participate in Marathon ATC Recertification
Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Husam Jalboush brought his 25 years of hospitality industry experience to Advanced Technical Credit Training and packed classrooms in Weslaco. Every high school teacher who teaches classes that award college credits through the statewide Advanced Technical Credit (ATC) system is required to recertify by Fall 2010. That brought approximately 600 Rio Grande Valley instructors from Rio Grande City to Port Isabel to the ATC three-day session organized by Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley.

Sue Ellen Hill, hospitality industry teacher with the Los Fresnos School District, receives the ATC syllabus from Houston Community College instructor Husam Jalboush

Jalboush, the author of a book on guest room management, reviewed the basics of the hospitality industry, which covers food service, lodging and travel services. Students should work in the industry and see if they like it, he recommended, because hotels never close. Los Fresnos teacher Sue Ellen Hill is already practicing what Jalboush is preaching. She has arranged hospitality service contracts with full-service hotels that enable her students to learn hands-on all the aspects of hotel, restaurant, and catering operation. Once the hotel observes enthusiastic kids at work, she said, they hire the students to work on weekends.

“The value of statewide articulation is that once students get certified here, they can apply the credit at any Texas college,” said Hill who teaches at Houston Community College.

Jalboush discussed the pros and cons of careers with large hotel chains and at small independent lodgings. "The big companies need lots of managers and they offer more mobility,” he said. "But in small hotels managers need to be able to operate everything in the hotel."

Blueprint reading instructor Irma Olivo takes her South Texas College students out to look at a building after they have studied its blueprints. Drafting and architectural design teachers such as Oscar Garcia of Weslaco High School heard Olivo describe how students learn by working together on a CAD project. They learn to measure correctly, to develop critical computer and communications skills, and to stay on schedule. “Architects and engineers are not going to settle for anything less than quality work,” she said. In her class anything below a C is a failing grade. Olivo invited every teacher in her ATC training to visit her department at STC.


Irma Olivo of South Texas College reviews the syllabus for the college-level course in Computer Aided Design and Drafting with Oscar Garcia of Weslaco High School and Robert Aberin of Rio Grande City School District during an ATC session

Garcia, a retired architect, said the foundation of an articulated course is important for high school students going into engineering or architecture. “The Tech Prep courses gives students a head start, definitely. It helps them prepare for their careers.”

Linda St. Cyr told Valley teachers how she catches the attention of her nutrition students at Lamar Institute in Beaumont. “I give them all a disease ...cancer, diabetes, heart failure. Then I tell them ‘Bring back a diet for your disease.’”


Tech Prep's Belinda Torres, who coordinated the ATC marathon, gets feedback from nutrition instructor Linda St. Cyr

The nutritionist recommended having students look at trends. “Look at how much we have changed. We’re becoming taller and heavier. We’re eating so much food.”

The reorganization of the Advanced Technical Credit course crosswalk, mandated by the state, is making it simpler for high schools and post-secondary facilities to synchronize their courses.

Investing in Future, Right Around the Corner
Tuesday, May 11, 2010

by: Eileen Mattei

A check for $5,000 represents a big belief in what Tech Prep is achieving: getting more students started on career paths and into college.

Capital One Bank District Manager Eddie Osorio confirmed the bank’s support as he presented the generous donation to Tech Prep Executive Director Pat Bubb. “What attracts me about Tech Prep is that I have seen the results. Students tell us how Tech Prep has made a big impact on their lives. Capital One is about making a difference in education.”

Osorio credited Lilly de la Rosa, Vice President and Senior Market Manager for Capital One, with advocating for Tech Prep. De la Rosa serves on the Tech Prep Board. “Tech Prep is very consistent and your credibility is high,” Osorio added..

“We are honored you have given us the opportunity to participate fully in working for our common vision. We believe in developing our future bankers, governors and teachers. We’re trying to do a little part, because we know we can’t do it all. We support organizations that have the same type of passion for education. We can add value to their efforts.”

The fact that Tech Prep operates Valley-wide and guides over 16,000 students to career paths matters to Osorio. Through Tech Prep, Capital One can support the goal of higher education for thousands of students in a proven program.

Capital One Bank supports Tech Prep initiatives

Tech Prep Board Requests Comments on Strategic Plan
Friday, April 30, 2010

The Board of Directors of Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley, Inc., met on April 28, 2010, and approved on first reading the Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley Strategic Plan for 2010-2015. The Board will consider the plan for final approval at the Board's next regular meeting, as follows:

DATE: Tuesday, May 25, 2010
TIME: 12 noon
LOCATION: Board Room, Rio Grande Valley Partnership Chamber of Commerce, Weslaco (see http://www.valleychamber.com/contact.php)

Tech Prep RGV's board encourages the school districts, colleges and universities, and other organization members of the corporation, as well as Tech Prep RGV’s partner organizations and interested members of the public, to submit comments on Tech Prep RGV’s proposed strategic plan for 2010-2015.

To submit comments, visit the "Downloads" section of this website and click on these two links:

Tech Prep Strategic Plan for Public Comments

Form for Submitting Comments Regarding Tech Prep Strategic Plan

Tech Prep Announces Recipients of 2010 Dr. Lauro F. Cavazos Tech Prep Scholarships
Monday, April 26, 2010

Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2010 Dr. Lauro F. Cavazos Tech Prep Scholarships. Congratulations to all of the finalists and to the outstanding Tech Prep Texas Scholars graduates who received the awards, as follows:

$1,000 United Launch Alliance Engineering Cavazos Scholarship for Any College or University:
Laura Jessmin Rios, Lyford High School, Lyford CISD

$3,000 Cavazos Scholarship to UTB/TSC:
Monica Valdez, Harlingen High School, Harlingen CISD

$3,000 Cavazos Scholarship to UTPA:
Daryl Cano, Sharyland High School, Sharyland ISD

$4,000 Cavazos Scholarship to TSTC:
David Xavier Navarro, Harlingen High School, Harlingen CISD

$5,000 Cavazos Scholarship for Any College or University:
Benito Alonzo, Edinburg High School, Edinburg CISD

Congratulations to the winners, and also to the finalists!

Please click on the "Meet our featured Students" bar to learn more about the scholarship recipients.

Tech Prep Announces April 28 Meetings
Friday, April 23, 2010

SPECIAL NOTICE OF TECH PREP BOARD MEETINGS SET FOR APRIL 28, 2010

The Tech Prep Board will host a series of meetings on April 28, 2010. All meetings will be held in Harlingen on the second floor of the Dr. J. Gilbert Leal Learning Resource Center on the TSTC Harlingen campus (http://www.harlingen.tstc.edu/map/index.aspx).

With the exception of the Executive Board meeting noted below, meetings are open to the public.

Details are as follows:


FINANCE & BYLAWS COMMITTEE MEETING
10 a.m., Board Room, Learning Resource Center, TSTC Harlingen

1. Call to Order

2. Review Briefing Materials

3. Review and Approve Minutes of Meeting of January 27, 2010

4. Consider and Approve FY10 Financial Reports

5. Consider and Approve FY 2011 Tech Prep Plan and Budget

6. Consider and Approve Resource Development Report

7. Agree on Final Recommendations to Be Presented at Special Board Meeting on April 28, 2010

8. Agree on Final Recommendations to Be Presented at Regular Board Meeting on May 25, 2010

9. Other Business (if any), Plans for Next Meeting, Adjourn


EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
11 a.m., Conference Room, Learning Resource Center, TSTC Harlingen

1. Report from Teri Zamora

2. Conduct Evaluation of Executive Director

3. Adjourn and Join Special Called Board Meeting

SPECIAL CALLED BOARD MEETING
11 a.m., Board Room, Learning Resource Center, TSTC Harlingen

1. Introductory Presentation: Summary of Accomplishments and Review of Briefing Materials

2. Call to Order

3. Finance & Bylaws Committee Action Item

4. Strategic Planning Discussion and Action Items:

4.a History and Current Status of Development; Review of Draft Plan; Proposed Timelines

4.b Board Discussion of Draft Strategic Plan

4.c Consider and Approve Plan for Public Comments

5. Other Business; Adjourn

For additional information, contact the Tech Prep office.

Tech Prep Board Meeting Schedule Revised
Thursday, April 8, 2010

The Tech Prep Board's meeting schedule has been revised, as follows:

Board Meetings:

Tuesday, May 25, 2010: 12 noon, Board Room, Rio Grande Valley Partnership

Tuesday, August 24, 2010: 12 noon, Board Room, Rio Grande Valley Partnership

Tuesday, November 23, 2010: 12 noon, Board Room, Rio Grande Valley Partnership

Tuesday, February 22, 2011: 12 noon, Board Room, Rio Grande Valley Partnership

Directions to the location: http://www.valleychamber.com/contact.php



Annual Meeting with Voting Members:

Tuesday, October 26, 2010: morning meeting (9:30-11), Conference Room, Weslaco Chamber of Commerce

Directions to the location: http://tinyurl.com/Weslaco-COC

Watch this website for additional information and the agenda for each meeting as each meeting date draws near.

All Tech Prep meetings are open to the public.

"College: My Future" Is the Slogan for Students from Harlingen CISD
Tuesday, March 23, 2010

“It you don’t go to college, it is because you don’t want to, not because you can’t pay for it,” said Dr. Jose Luis Cavazos, Director of Parental Involvement for the Harlingen CISD. Speaking at one of the College: My Future sessions, which have been attended by almost 400 parents and students, he pointed out, “There is a lot of financial aid help out there and right here. Almost all of the students here are eligible if on different levels.”

Beatriz and Ceasar Martinez, parents of a high school student, found out valuable financial aid information from Dr. Jose Cavazos, HCISD Parental Involvement Director

As the father of high school senior himself, Dr. Cavazos has practical experience in guiding a teen into college and looking at financial aid options. “I learned you need to be involved, on top of things, and using the same vocabulary. That way your child can feel secure” that the applications are going in correctly and that the student can afford to go to college.

Parents attending the bi-lingual presentations heard Dr. Ida Acuna Garza explain the steps that prepare their children to be college-going, career-focused students. Participants, many who would be the first generation of their family to attend college, had worksheets to help them to first plan a career. Students checked off the things that interest them, such as working with numbers or animals or solving problems. They listed their skills and talents such as working hard or teaching others. Then they categorized and prioritized those qualities.

Acuna Garza directed the students to the lists of careers that corresponded to their interest. Next it is time to take action, she said. Good jobs require rigorous course work starting in high school. While in school, students should take advantage of a program that gives them a head start on college.

“Tech Prep is a tremendous opportunity for students,” Acuna said. “No cuesto nada. Students earn college credits in high school and it doesn’t cost the students or parents anything.”

Taking action was a theme of College: My Future. Eager representatives from TSTC and UTB/TSC--student members of G-Force student groups operating at the colleges--were on hand with laptops to assist parents and students in filling out the standard federal financial aid form called FAFSA - financial aid for students. Attendees followed through on the information they learned at the sessions, starting the process of determining their financial aid options. Parents, some with a younger child in their lap, provided information that got the financial aid process started.

Abigail Puente, a Harlingen High School South junior, has set her sights on TAMU-Kingsville, a degree in Animal Science, and eventually becoming a veterinarian. She and her father Alex Puente wanted to find out all they could about available financial aid.



Abigail Puente and her father Alex Puente learned about financial aid for college at College: My Future, co-spnsored by Tech Prep


Alex Puente recalled that without financial aid, he ended up dropping out of college.

More financial aid options are available nowadays and they are easier to access through technology, he pointed out. Abigail intends to earn college credits through dual enrollment in her senior year. That will save her family money on tuition and save her time as she moves to her career.

“Whatever comes in the way of financial aid, we’ll take it,” the father said. “But no matter what, there is no stopping her from going to college.”

Because their son is a student at Harlingen High School, Beatriz and Cesar Martinez also decided to learn more about financial aid. “This opens some windows for us,” said Beatriz Martinez. “It has given us an idea of what the future holds.” Their daughter Ashley, now attending UTB took the initiative to line up financial aid on her own with help from counselors while attending TSTC.

“Obviously, with attendance over 700, people understand they need this information to help their children plan for college,” said Dr. Cavazos.

The College: My Future series was offered to Harlingen CISD students and parents through the work of the Harlingen CISD Parental Involvement and Dropout Prevention office in partnership with the Lower Rio Grande P-16 Council, the UTB/TSC Lower Rio Grande P-16 Council, the Abriendo Puertas Parental Communication Initiative (which operates out of the College of Agriculture at Texas A&M University), the Cafe Con Leche initiative (which operates out of the University of Texas System), Texas State Technical College Harlingen, the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College, Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley, Inc., and other partners.

Comprehensive ATC Training Set for May 5-7, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley is pleased to announce a comprehensive Advanced Technical Credit (ATC) training session that will be held as follows:

HOST: Weslaco Independent School District
LOCATION: PFC Mario Ybarra Elementary, 1800 East Mile 10, Weslaco
DATES: May 5, May 6, and May 7, 2010
REGISTRATION FEE: $75

This year, because of state-level revisions of the entire Career and Technical Education TEKS and related state-level revisions to the ATC Crosswalk, ALL EDUCATORS ARE REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN TRAINING PRIOR TO TEACHING ATC COURSES IN 2010-2011.

Tech Prep’s goal is to offer training for every course that appears on the revised ATC crosswalk (there have been changes to the crosswalk—please see http://www.atctexas.org for additional information). This will require not only the support of local colleges, but also contract expenses for bringing in out-of-region college faculty for some courses.

To offset actual costs, there will be a registration fee of $75 per participant payable to Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley. The deadline for registration and payment is Friday, April 30, 2010.

After April 30, participants who seek to register are required to call the Tech Prep Office at 956.364.4509 or 1.800.852.8784 ext. 4509.

Please note these important points regarding this year’s ATC training:
1. Through April 30, participation will be open exclusively to teachers who work for districts based in Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy Counties.

2. All teachers must utilize the online system and complete Part I training prior to attending the Part II training in May. Please visit www.atctexas.org to complete Part I.

3. Beginning for the 2010-2011 school year, the ATC program requires submission of an official transcript (sent directly from issuing institutions) for every teacher seeking ATC approval. A flyer which provides additional information about submitting official transcripts is attached to the 2010 ATC Registration Form in the "Downloads" section.

4. This is the only ATC training session we will be hosting this year. No makeup sessions will be offered locally. For information about other ATC training opportunities, please go to www.atctexas.org and view the list of other trainings offered throughout the state.

5. The overall schedule for the trainings appears below. Individual course sessions will be scheduled based on availability of college instructors, and the detailed schedule will be available in early May. Participants may experience periods of inactivity during the day and should bring materials to keep themselves occupied during any gaps between individual course sessions.

The schedule for the ATC training sessions is as follows:

Wednesday, May 5
Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
Arts, Audiovisual Technology and Communications
Information Technology
Manufacturing
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
Transportation, Distribution and Logistics

Thursday, May 6
Architecture and Construction
Hospitality and Tourism
Human Services
Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security

Friday, May 7
Business Management and Administration
Finance
Health Science
Marketing, Sales and Services

The 2010 ATC registration form is available in the "Downloads" section. Please feel free to print and distribute to those who may need to register for the training.

If you have any questions, please contact Tech Prep staff by phone at 956.364.4509 or 1.800.852.8784 ext. 4509 or by email at janie.adames@harlingen.tstc.edu.

Rio Grande Valley Partnership and Tech Prep Team Up for Job Shadowing
Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Job shadowing is important! Students’ lives are changed through the experience of visiting actual worksites. It is for that reason that the regional chamber of commerce—the Rio Grande Valley Partnership—and Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley team up once each year for the beginning of Job Shadow Days that begin on Groundhog Day and continue throughout the spring. Student "shadows" from partnering school districts, with employers and community leaders, will participate in the event.

The Job Shadow Days program is supported by cities, counties, school districts, colleges, universities, business and community leaders, television stations, and other media.

By the end of the spring, hundreds of Rio Grande Valley students will have gained valuable perspective by learning firsthand how the skills they are learning in school are applied in working life. In a Job Shadow Day experience, a student "shadows" an employer or employee as he or she works through a normal day on the job, observing actual workplace experiences in a wide variety of fields. Experiences with employers during Job Shadow Day events help Rio Grande Valley students to understand the relevance of their academic studies, so that students are motivated to excel. In addition, employers have the opportunity to showcase their businesses and emphasize the importance of education, encouraging students to pursue higher-level academics and postsecondary education.

According to Sergio Contreras, chairman of the Rio Grande Valley Partnership, “Job shadowing is a terrific way to give students exposure to professional life and help them understand how developing productive habits in school can facilitate future success.” Contreras, who serves as external affairs director for AT&T, is well-versed in the benefits of this type of program through his involvement with AT&T’s successful Aspire/Job Shadow program aimed at reducing high school dropout rates.

Tech Prep RGV, which is a partnership between education and business that prepares young people for today's skilled workforce, has been spearheading Job Shadow initiatives in this region for several years. State Representative Armando “Mando” Martinez praised the efforts of Tech Prep and the other participating organizations: “Tech Prep has done a tremendous job organizing and developing this program, and the high level of support and participation within the business community has been critical to its success. The Annual Job Shadow Day program presents an opportunity for students to gain access and insight into what could be their future careers.”

Cities and counties presented proclamations supporting Job Shadow Day activities. Pictured from left to right are, Juan Gonzalez, Human Resourses Administrator, McAllen; Erika G. Reyna, Economic Development Planner I from Hidalgo County Judge's office; Sandra Avila, President, South Texas Career & Technical Education Association; Pat Bubb, Executive Director of Tech Prep RGV, Bernardina (Nina) Garcia, Executive Assistant; Larry Galbreath, City Commissioner for Harlingen, Joe Vasquez, Vice President, Board of Directors, Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley; Severo Ochoa Fire Chief, San Benito; Sergio Contreras, External Affairs Director for AT&T

Tony Hill Encouraged, Entertained and Enlightened Tech Prep Supporters
Friday, February 19, 2010

Former Dallas Cowboy Tony "Thrill" Hill

Former Dallas Cowboy Tony Hill brought his trademark ‘Thrill’ to Tech Prep’s first Employers and Education Forum on February 11. Hill delighted attendees with insider tales of America’s Team and with his appreciation for Tech Prep of the RGV. Because of Tech Prep, young people have opportunities to find out what they want to do and then acquire the academic and technical skills to reach their objectives.


Michelle Galvez, 2008 TSTC Alumnus was a featured luncheon speaker for our February Event. Ms. Galvez is now persuring a degree as a chemical engineer


“What’s beautiful about Tech Prep is you’ve put together the team to achieve the goals,” Hill told attendees at the Weslaco event. “What you’re doing is providing kids the opportunity to be successful. Your team is working to create the education infrastructure that contributes to the economic growth of the entire region.”

Martha Gutierrez Tech Prep Worksite Learning Specialist and Bill Martin, Harlingen Economic Development Corp, and member of Harlingen 100


The Employer and Educator Forum is a new bridge that Tech Prep has created between education and industry, said Forum co-host Rene Capistran. “Tech Prep creates opportunities for business people to communicate with today’s students. It’s about getting kids ready and opening doors for them.” Capistran, who serves on the Tech Prep Board, said businesses can participate in job shadowing, mentoring, student internships, teacher externships, and scholarships.

Rene Capistran, member of the Tech Prep Board of Directors; Pat Bubb, Executive Director of Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley; and Tony Hill



Two facts about Tech Prep of the RGV captured the attention of Hill, a Stanford graduate. The first was that 6,165 high school students had earned roughly 32,000 hours of college credit in recent years. Second was the fact that those credits had saved students and their families over $7.5 million college tuition and fees.

It’s people like Tony Hill that take time to care education and bring to light the needs of the Valley,” said Mari Chapa of the University of Texas- Brownsville Enrollment Services Office. “Tech Prep is the program that turns young students to higher ed. That is what we all work for.”

Norwood Fedie, President of the Harlingen manufacturers Association, explained his group has been a longtime supporter of Tech Prep. But for the Employers and Educators Forum, “Tony Hill is the bonus.” Texas Gas Service was the presenting sponsor of the Forum which enabled the attendees to get glimpses of Hill’s Super Bowl ring and to laugh at Hill’s stories. Tech Prep Scholarship winner Michele Galvez told her inspiring story of determination and talent.

“Tech Prep is making a difference for industry today. We’re getting better employees tomorrow,” Capistran said. Sustaining partnerships are helping the workforce respond to the demand for better-paying, technical skills.

Dr.Belinda Torres,Tech Prep Coordinator and Pat Hobbs Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, TSTC and member of the Board of Directors for Tech Prep RGV

“A mind is terrible thing to waste, especially if we can give it direction,” Hill reminded his listeners. “My message is if you’re giving your best effort, you’re going to be successful.” That applies across the board to students, businesses and to Tech Prep supporters.

Over 65 people offered their expertise to Tech Prep programs of Job shadowing, mentoring and scholarships by signing Memorandums of Understanding during the event.


From left to right: Vicky Millhimes, Secretary, Business Services; Janie Adames, Secretary; Eliza Groff, Secetary; Pat Bubb, Executive Director of Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley; Tony Hill; Martha Gutierrez, Worksite Learning Specialist; Dr. Belinda Torres, Tech Prep Coordinator; Lilia Perez, Secretary, Credit Tracking