Request for Applications for School Districts to Participate in Continuum of Education for Advanced Manufacturing Technologies Project
Thursday, March 9, 2006

Request for Applications Issued: March 9, 2006 Application Submission Deadline: 4 p.m. on April 6, 2006

Download more information & Application

Applications Must Be Mailed or Delivered To:
Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley, Inc.
TSTC Tech Prep Building
1902 North Loop 499 Harlingen, Texas 78550-3697

Applications that are DELIVERED must be received by the deadline. Applications that are MAILED must be postmarked by the deadline.

Deans and Registrars Meeting Targets Tech Prep Student Success
Monday, February 27, 2006

Tech Prep RGV’s annual Deans and Registrars meeting, chaired by Dr. Linda Wade, Harlingen CISD Superintendent of Schools, brought together 80 educators from the four-county region to discuss and focus on communicating with Tech Prep students to encourage them to enter college and complete the graduation plans they began in high school.

Felipe Reyes from the Region One Education Service Center shared TEA rules and regulations of which public schools need to be aware, and Tech Prep Executive Director Pat Bubb shared Tech Prep RGV’s plans for the future, designed to complement and support efforts of individual school districts and colleges.

A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to highlighting one college’s work with Tech Prep students—the work done by TSTC Harlingen. Programs at South Texas College, the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College, and the University of Texas-Pan American will be showcased in future annual meetings. TSTC Harlingen’s presentation featured college leaders in Student Development.

Leading TSTC recruiters and the Office of Collaborative Projects discussed strategies aimed at enrolling more students in technical programs with high school deans, registrars and Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Inc. staff members.

Vice President of Student Development Dr. Olga Flores, College Information Office Director Julian Alvarez, Director of Collaborative Projects Angel Mendez and Admissions Office Director Blanca Guerra addressed more than 70 high school officials on improving services for Tech Prep students as they make the transition from high school to college at a meeting in Weslaco on February 15.

Tech Prep Advisor David Basler of TSTC joined the delegation, which also spoke with Tech Prep Director Pat Bubb, Tech Prep Coordinator Belinda Torres and Tech Prep staff members about how to best serve Tech Prep students in receiving college credits for Tech Prep courses. Improved communication regarding high school transcripts during the college enrollment process could save tuition and time spent on courses for the qualified Texas Scholars and other Tech Prep students.

“I want to give your students a chance to be our students,” Dr. Flores said during her presentation.

“All we need is for you to crack open the door at your school for us to go there to help you and your students. You tell us when we can have a presence there.”

High schools and colleges should cooperate in updating high school Tech Prep and Career & Technology Education students about their credit status on a regular basis and help those students analyze their college and career goals, Dr. Flores said. She said that TSTC division directors, program chairs and faculty could work with the CIO in more efficiently utilizing the Tech Prep online database (CATEMA) in identifying and communicating with Tech Prep students for possible enrollment in specific technical programs.

“We want to know how to target our recruitment efforts in getting these Tech Prep students to us for technical programs because they’ve already showed a career interest. Everyone at the college should be interested in what careers these high school Tech Prep students want,” Dr. Flores explained.

TSTC recruiters want to meet with prospective students and their parents to discuss Associate of Applied Science and Certificate of Completion options, she said, and working in advance with high school students on college plans reduces dropout rates.

“Let us do the full registration at your college education fairs and we can reserve housing for Tech Prep students. We should encourage the high school graduates to come to college in the summer after their graduation and not let them get away,” Dr. Flores said.

Alvarez said that TSTC and Tech Prep are combining efforts to more accurately identify the transcript codes for Tech Prep students entering college to guarantee full college credit for qualifying high school students. TSTC plans to provide training for faculty and administrators to improve their understanding of the Tech Prep transcript codes for articulated and dual credit courses. He added that the college wants to establish “teams” that represent the Financial Aid Office, Dual Enrollment Office, Admissions Office, CIO and Tech Prep to thoroughly inform Tech Prep students about the transcripts and technical program options.

“We want to make sure that your high school students receive the credits they earned when they enroll at our college,” he said. “We’re trying to educate as many people as possible on our campus about interpreting a transcript.”

Alvarez invited the deans, registrars and Tech Prep staff to provide TSTC with suggestions about how to refine and improve the college’s student recruitment services. TSTC also invited more high school groups to make campus tour reservations. Large groups from Pace and Porter high schools in Brownsville will visit the campus on April 20 and 21 because they were unable to attend Technical Tuesdays in February.

Mendez told the group that there’s a rapid increase in the number of high school students participating in dual enrollment courses at TSTC and articulation courses arranged with TSTC. He said that TSTC expects the upward trend will continue during the next few years. The college will collaborate with Tech Prep and provide statewide articulation training for high school instructors from May through June after high schools initiate the articulation agreements.

Mendez predicted that in the near future TSTC would begin to assist school districts in establishing college Tech Prep degree plans with curriculum, articulated courses and dual enrollment credits that start at the high schools and lead high school graduates directly into technical programs at TSTC.

For additional information, contact the Tech Prep RGV office.

Tech Prep RGV Seeks Manufacturing Specialist
Friday, February 24, 2006

Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley, through its fiscal agent, Texas State Technical College Harlingen, is accepting applications for the position of Manufacturing Specialist. This is a grant-funded position for an individual who will be responsible for working with Tech Prep RGV's Executive Director and other staff, as well as various consultants, on implementation of programs designed to serve youth studying manufacturing. The Manufacturing Specialist must have appropriate credentials and should be able to work with students, parents, educators, and public- and private-sector professionals. Excellent verbal and written communications skills and organizational ability plus critical thinking skills and ability to work independently with a minimum of supervision are essential. The individual will be setting up and facilitating a youth apprenticeship system, developing and publishing a manufacturing career ladder document, setting up summer internships, and performing other duties necessary and appropriate for success of the Advanced Manufacturing Project. Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in an appropriate discipline required. Work experience may be substituted for college credit at the rate of 1-1/2 years of relevant successful work experience for one year of college credit. Also requires three to five years' current related work experience and working knowledge of WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, and other programs utilized by Tech Prep RGV.

Interested applicants are encouraged to apply by completing an online application for Job Posting No. 101028 (Coordinator of Industrial Training) through the TSTC Harlingen Applicant Management System. The TSTC Harlingen Applicant Management System can be accessed at this web address: http://www.harlingen.tstc.edu/Jobs/TSTCJobs.aspx (go to the Applicant Management System)

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Wednesday, July 2, 2008

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Wednesday, July 2, 2008

La Feria.... Bankers don't usually take on the job of telling high school students the facts of life, but Oscar Martinez, mortgage loan officer with Lone Star National Bank, is a brave man. He's also a mentor in Tech Prep's First Generation program, which provides a series of life lessons to help prepare and encourage teenagers who will be the first generation of their families to attend college.
After handing out Lone Star Bank pens to the 10 students seated in La Feria High School's Media center, Oscar Martinez is ready to start a mentoring session.

His topic for the day is the financial facts of life, the things the teens need to know about money and credit, but have not been told by their caring parents. The students--mostly seniors and freshmen-- have been sheltered from the distressing details of managing money, and not one of them has a checking account or credit card in his or her name.

"A credit is like the report card for the rest of your life," Martinez said, launching his talk on money management, establishing credit, and managing credit card debt. The money they look forward to spending as adults is closely tied, he said, to their getting a good post-secondary education which leads to a good-paying job.

"As soon as you graduate from high school, you are going to be inundated with credit card applications," Martinez said. "Yes, a credit card means you get to buy without having the cash. That's called credit. There's only one catch: you've got to pay for the merchandise. Credit can be useful, but it can be your worst enemy. If you want to buy a car, the dealer will look up your credit his

Businesses Reap Benefits of Education Input Through Tech Prep
Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Business partners involved with Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley Inc. gain direct input into the education system that shapes the region’s workforce.

“It’s important that businesses understand how the education system works,” said Adrian A. Arriaga Sr., owner of AAA Real Estate & Investments in McAllen, who serves as chairman of the Tech Prep Partnership Committee and fills a seat on the Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley Board of Directors.

The committee works on developing studies involving labor market information that assess and analyze the personnel needs of businesses in South Texas. The data also focuses on skills and training required within the region’s workforce. The committee’s cooperation with agencies and companies includes Workforce Solutions of Starr, Hidalgo and Willacy counties and Cameron Works in Cameron County.

Arriaga said that he urges business leaders to support Tech Prep by voluntarily serving on its committees or the Board of Directors because Tech Prep participation allows businesses to help design the educational background of quality graduates that enter the workforce. The shortage of nurses and medical-related service personnel is one of the major workforce concerns the committee and Tech Prep are working on, he added.

Energy Risk Manager Marilyn D. Gilbert of the Brownsville Public Utilities Board, another Tech Prep board member, said that Tech Prep works toward giving businesses a larger pool of quality employees. “Students are receiving firsthand, real-life experience through Tech Prep.”

Companies, stores, offices, schools and manufacturing plants that allow Tech Prep students to take a close look at the work environment learn that the job-shadowing program improves employee recruitment, she said. Welcoming students to visit the workplaces encourages students to decide on a career path and pursue a satisfying job. That leads to less job turnover and saves money for businesses, Gilbert explained.

Business support for Tech Prep could include efforts to assist schools or colleges with revising curriculum, joining the Job Shadow Program or donating money for college scholarships, Gilbert said.

“More and more jobs are technology based,” said Dean LaFever, Rio Grande Valley Director for Texas Gas Service Co. “Tech Prep gives students marketable skills for our ever-changing economy. It focuses on the quality jobs that benefit a wide range of businesses in our communities.”
Tech Prep, schools and colleges know that ideas and support from businesses are important for students, LaFever said. He is on the Board of Directors and works as co-chairman of the Tech Prep Marketing Committee with Moose Miller, President and CEO of Moose Miller Enterprises based in Harlingen.

“The youth of America needs this type of training they find in Tech Prep. We need to train our youth for the jobs of tomorrow,” Miller said.

Local participation by businesses in Tech Prep, the schools and colleges should be a driving force for the region’s education system and the economic sector, he said. The effort to improve students, employees, businesses and community must be led by local leaders, Miller concluded.

San Benito CATE Opportunities Thrive with Tech Prep
Tuesday, January 17, 2006

“I look at our relationship with Tech Prep as a support system,” longtime Career and Technology Education Coordinator Delia Weaver said during a recent interview at the San Benito Consolidated Independent School District.

“Our school district guides students toward dual enrollment courses that offer them credits toward high school and college graduation. The Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley consortium produces the data that charts what the schools are doing and the teamwork results in excellent education opportunities for students,” she explained.

San Benito technology courses and dual enrollment pave the way for high school students to further their education in college because the students have “a tremendous awareness” of the Tech Prep curriculum benefits, Weaver said. Medical doctors on the school district’s staff teach health science technology courses at San Benito campuses, for example. Some of the courses include Medical Terminology, Introduction to Health Science, and Health Science I, II and III.

The health science credits allow qualified San Benito High School graduates to earn a diploma and possible certification as a nurse assistant, pharmacy technician or phlebotomy technician. There’s a fully equipped dental laboratory for training students interested in a career as a dental assistant.

“We prepare students for the workforce or a post-secondary education,” Weaver said.

The most popular technology courses – from a list of 12 career pathways – at San Benito based upon enrollment figures involve health science. The auto technology and auto repair departments also draw a large number of students. The auto repair program recently became the second high school department of its kind in Texas and the 21st such program nationwide to receive certification from two nationwide professional automotive organizations.

“There’s support from our school district’s Business and Education Council for these technical courses and the students,” Weaver said. “The CATE program in San Benito has been grateful for this type of community-based assistance and interest for more than 30 years.”

She praised the school district’s faculty for its willingness to attend technology-related workshops. The faculty continually works toward improving the CATE programs and receives support from local residents, the school board and administration to offer technical certification or licensing for more technology programs, Weaver added.

For One Student, Giving Up Was Never an Option
Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Christina Rodriguez of Rio Grande City followed the Tech Prep education programs – including two college scholarships – to reach her career, but the journey occasionally took some twists and turns.

She graduated from Rio Grande City High School in 2001 and earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Office Management through the Professional Office Technology Program at South Texas College in McAllen in December 2004. Her STC grade point average of 3.85 boosted her toward becoming an administrative assistant with the Student Services Office in the Rio Grande City Independent School District. Today, she looks back on the challenges she overcame and looks ahead toward furthering her education and career. She’s active with community organizations and activities such as Women Hosts in Community Help, Relay for Life to benefit cancer research, Feast of Sharing, Toys for Tots and assisting nursing home residents.

Although she was born in McAllen, her parents and older brother – Ramon Rivera, Maria Ernestina Rivera and Marco Antonio Rivera – moved to Mexico because her parents inherited a family-owned business in Valadeces, Tamaulipas.

“Being raised in Mexico gave me the pleasure of experiencing a different culture from the United States,” Rodriguez recalled. “Spanish became my home language and my parents used to tell me, ‘Work with a lot of effort, be your best and get an education. You should appreciate and love your education, and share what you learn everyday because your education will remain with you until the day you die.’”

At age 14, Christina married Edgar I. Rodriguez. The couple exchanged wedding vows shortly after she moved from Mexico to live with relatives in Rio Grande City. Christina stopped going to high school because she felt her responsibilities at home should take priority. After two years away from school, she began studying toward a General Equivalency Diploma. But Edgar supported having his wife return to high school and she resumed regular classes.

“My advice to a youngster contemplating the possibility of dropping out of high school is to never give up. There is no problem without a solution. There are programs such as Tech Prep that are always ready to help students accomplish success,” Christina Rodriguez said.

“To a dropout, I would say go back to school, resume your education and graduate. Education is very valuable and it’s essential if you plan to succeed in life.”

High School Career and Technology Counselor Azalea Villarreal provided her (prior to her marriage) with details about Tech Prep courses and programs.

So, as a high school junior Rodriguez enrolled in Business Computer Information Systems, an articulated class that gave her high school credit and college credit. She took more college courses – Computer Networking, Introduction to Visual Basic Programming and Spanish II-Native – as a high school senior, but she became concerned about paying for a college education. Villarreal and Rodriguez discussed Tech Prep scholarship opportunities, which led to Rodriguez applying for and receiving two scholarships including the prestigious Dr. Lauro F. Cavazos Tech Prep Scholarship for $2,000. She traveled to Austin – expenses paid by Tech Prep – to receive the scholarship.

“As I develop my career, it’s easy for me to understand that my involvement with Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley gave me the benefits of enhancing my technical skills and getting ahead in my college education,” she said. “I’m very proud to be a college graduate and I whole-heartedly endorse Tech Prep because Tech Prep helps youngsters prepare for college and it helps students to succeed in life.”

Her next education goal includes taking more STC courses to pursue a Bachelor of Applied Technology degree in Technology Management, which might eventually lead her to a management-level position. “I’m very happy with my job and I’m looking forward to learning more. I like to work within the education system because it’s a key for people’s futures,” she added.

Rodriguez urged students interested in college to apply for scholarships and seek whatever it takes to move forward.

“Sometimes, students are afraid to apply for scholarships because they think they won’t get the scholarship. They have the wrong idea that only super-smart students win the scholarships,” she said.

“Tech Prep is open for everybody. High school students need to look for the right people and get advice for applying for scholarships. I was always asking questions. I don’t sit down and wait for people to come to me. Never give up looking for education or job opportunities because there are people – counselors, parents, teachers and administrators – with good advice waiting to help students.”

San Benito Teacher Flexes Teacher of the Year Energy
Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Business Computer Information Instructor Laura C. Gonzalez at San Benito High School earned the honor of being Secondary Teacher of the Year for 2004-2005 from Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley.

The award appears on her resume among a long list of accomplishments with the National Technical Honor Society and Business Professionals of America, but the significance of the recognition from Tech Prep symbolizes a combination of Gonzalez’s contributions to her profession and – more importantly – to her students. In her 20th year teaching at SBHS, she’s advising her students about Tech Prep opportunities, and she’s recognized for leading in-service presentations at Tech Prep workshops.

Gonzalez remains an integral component in the Career and Technology Education programs at SBHS. Her SkillsUSA students have earned top honors in district, state and national competition. She added special training in Advance Placement English, training in computer maintenance and certification as a Gifted and Talented teacher to her credentials. She and her team member, SBHS Media Tech Instructor Joel Rodriguez, were one team of 20 teachers nationwide to earn the national teacher award from Time Warner Cable in 2004-2005 as she traveled to Washington, D.C., to receive the Crystal Apple Award.

The 2005-2006 school year represents her fourth year in CATE at SBHS after teaching 16 years in language arts courses. “I was ready for a change. I have a business degree and I wanted to use it,” she explained as students stepped to her desk and asked questions or waved their hands from their computer workstations across the classroom.

“I’m a motivator,” Gonzalez said with a smile.

Her nonstop energy connects with students, who focus on their assignments while seated at their computers.

“Tech Prep articulated programs and my training benefit my students,” she said.

Gonzalez endorses Tech Prep curriculum because it helps students gain a high school diploma while simultaneously earning college credit hours, as Tech Prep involvement becomes a possible route for college scholarships.

“Tech Prep will help teachers network because Pat Bubb and her staff are good resources,” Gonzalez said.

She also praised Delia P. Weaver, CATE Director at SBHS, for adding many new technology-related programs to the school district’s curriculum. “Students are able to broaden their horizon educationally and are able to graduate with many certifications thanks to the leadership of Mrs. Weaver,” she said.

San Benito is one of two school districts in the state to offer its students professional certification for automobile mechanics. Other certifications available at SBHS include Health Science Technology, Computer Maintenance and Microsoft Office Specialist.

Weaver’s knowledge of Tech Prep services helped set up a meeting with Angel Mendez, Director of Collaborative Projects at TSTC Harlingen, and a new CATE instructor at SBHS to work toward establishing a dual enrollment articulation plan for more than 200 students at SBHS. The dual enrollment link could become a strong motivation factor for more high school students taking animation classes to further their education, Gonzalez said.

The students in her Basic Computer Information Systems I and II classes study short- and long-term education goals, she said, and they examine the relationships between their grades and the education foundation the grades establish for possible career opportunities. “There’s validity in these CATE classes because students graduate with college hours in escrow, certifications and college hours due to dual enrollment.”

What Parents Need to Know About College Tech Prep
Tuesday, January 17, 2006

College Tech Prep is for all students.
An important national education program, College Tech Prep provides exciting opportunities for all students to receive valuable education, technical skills, and specialized training that can lead to rewarding, high-demand, high-paying careers. It’s available in high school and it’s free! College Tech Prep programs are available at Texas State Technical College, the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College and at the University of Texas Pan American in Edinburg.

College Tech Prep encourages students to pursue further education and rewarding careers.
College Tech Prep students start learning technical skills AND earning college credit while they are still in high school. Highly versatile, challenging, hands-on, and responsive to current trends in local industry, Tech Prep programs combine the academic courses needed for success in college AND the technical courses that begin to prepare students for a career. After high school graduation, Tech Prep students can continue in a community or technical college, receiving further technical training, certification, or an associate degree that can lead directly to rewarding work or prepare them for further education.

College Tech Prep makes good sense.
Times have changed. For today’s youth to become successful, it is every bit as important that they make good career decisions, as it is that they make good grades in school. More and more of today’s jobs require technical skills and training. In Tech Prep, students have the opportunity to explore career options early, in a hands-on, challenging environment. In this high school setting, students discover their own interests and skills while experiencing practical, real-world ways to pursue their goals in a variety of high-skill, high-wage technical careers. Through their high school experiences, students learn important social skills, a positive work ethic, and gain the motivation and confidence to be successful in their future chosen careers. And importantly, because Tech Prep involves local community colleges and local business and industry, students can stay close to home through high school, college, and into their local world of work.
How College Tech Prep works.
College Tech Prep works for students by providing the life goals, clear education pathway, academic training, technical expertise, and social skills needed to successfully identify and enter the right high-skill, high-wage career. By reaching students early, Tech Prep offers important information, understanding, and real-world feedback about personal strengths, talents, and goals so that students are informed and prepared to make wise choices.

College Tech Prep saves students and their families time and money.
Because Tech Prep students can get college credit for coursework they finish in high school, they can reach their educational and career goals in a much shorter time. Students can earn college credit hours – that’s about four college courses – while they are still in high school – for free! In one year (2003-2004), 1,483 Rio Grande Valley Tech Prep high school graduates transitioned to three local colleges and received 7,702 free credits through College Tech Prep articulation – a one-year savings of over $775,880 in tuition and fees alone. That doesn’t even include the money saved on textbooks and contact hours.

Students can go as far as they want!
Whether students are interested in going on to a university for further education, a community or technical college for college coursework, a certificate or an associate degree, or directly into the workforce, Tech Prep offers numerous ways for them to follow their chosen path and reach their goals.

For more information, visit your local high school guidance counselor, visit the College Tech Prep of Texas Web site at www.techpreptexas.org or call the Tech Prep office at 1.800.852.8784 or 956.364.4509.

Tech Prep Offers Many Options to Valley Students
Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley staff members are one of the main assets the organization utilizes as it brings together local school districts, businesses and government agencies toward common goals to produce a quality workforce.

Outreach Specialist Todd Holland, a seven-year veteran on the Tech Prep team based at Texas State Technical College Harlingen, said that Tech Prep’s programs and the people who implement the programs make a winning combination.

“Personally, I think that there are four things that make our Tech Prep staff effective,” he said.

“First, we care a lot about what we’re doing and there’s a passion behind everybody because they know they have an impact on students.

“Second, Tech Prep is diverse with its programs, but the staff works together well as a team. We pull together.

“Third, Mrs. Bubb (Tech Prep Director Pat Bubb) doesn’t micro-manage the staff. She believes in letting the employees use their own styles in meeting their goals.

“And, finally, we adjust to the philosophies of local school districts. We let them design programs for their own, individual purposes. We see school districts as our partners and we have good relationships with them.”

Holland said that Tech Prep works with an increasing number of high schools to help high school instructors gain certification to teach curriculum that allows the students to earn credit toward high school graduation that simultaneously provides the students with college credit. He cited two other popular Tech Prep programs.

Real World
Workforce Solutions in Hidalgo, Starr and Willacy counties partner with Tech Prep to provide valuable youth services. Students qualify for the Ready for the Real World Program based upon income level, there is a financial incentive for students who participate, and Workforce Solutions directly offers some services to qualifying students. The program involves leadership skills, workplace skills, provides each student one meeting per week after school with a mentor, students develop a college or work-related portfolio, and students participate in 10 hours of community service per month with a civic or church organization.

The Real World students gather as a group once per month at their high school for a two-hour Tech Prep meeting to reinforce time management, financial, communications and college preparation skills.

“For the monthly meeting, we’ll talk about the same theme that they’re working on at the high school,” Holland explained. “Sometimes, we bring in guest speakers and we try to help them plan their futures. Real World seems to grow every year with more schools enrolling and the students really seem to enjoy it.”

First Generation
The Cameron Works, Inc., contract with Tech Prep for First Generation College Student Pilot Project applies to Cameron County. Participating students represent the first generation from their families who advance to a college education. Students accepted for the program qualify through income-based guidelines and there is at least one high school in each school district that joins the program. First Generation programs also extend to the University of Texas at Brownsville/ Texas Southmost College, the University of Texas-Pan American, and Texas State Technical College Harlingen.

“The goal of the First Generation Program is preparing youngsters
for college and a professional career,” Holland said.

The First Generation students meet weekly at their high school or college and the program offers curriculum to the high schools. The students gain an opportunity to do research about possible colleges to attend, financial aid options and other services. Holland said that First Generation also gives its participants financial incentives and Cameron Works, Inc., provides some rewards.

“The idea is not just to get students into college, but to also keep them there through retention,” he added.

To get involved, contact Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley at 1.800.852.8784 or 956.364.4509.

Tech Prep Committees to Review Plans
Tuesday, January 17, 2006

There will be a joint meeting of Tech Prep RGV's Finance and Bylaws, Marketing and Awards, and Technology Initiatives committees on Friday, January 20, 2006, in Room 142, Semiconductor Building, TSTC Harlingen campus. Agenda items to be discussed include budgets, the Tech Prep magazine project, and new technology projects. The meeting is open to the public.

For additional information, contact Pat Bubb or Carolina Duran.

2005 Tech Prep Regional Conference Special Thanks!
Monday, December 12, 2005

Special Thanks

Current Jobs Opportunities Posted
Tuesday, October 25, 2005

There are some positions currently posted on the TSTC Harlingen website for jobs that in the past have been done by Tech Prep RGV staff Leticia Garcia and Todd Holland. These are grant-funded positions for which interested applicants would have to apply through the TSTC Harlingen online hiring system, which is accessible through this link:

http://www.harlingen.tstc.edu/jobs/tstcjobs.aspx

The jobs available are posted through their TSTC-equivalent titles. The Coordinator of Industrial Training positions are all for the job that Leticia Garcia was doing as Tech Prep RGV's First-Generation Specialist. The Career Advisor position is a full-time job for an individual who will work on College for Texans Campaign initiatives.

For additional information, read the remainder of this article and also follow the instructions below.

1. Go to this website: http://www.harlingen.tstc.edu/jobs/tstcjobs.aspx

2. Click on "Applicant Management System"

3. Click on "Available Positions and Their Job Posting Numbers"

4. Click on "Professional"

5. Check out these jobs that are posted for the Harlingen campus right now:

FIRST: THREE DIFFERENT JOB POSTINGS THAT ARE INTENDED TO ALLOW TECH PREP RGV TO FILL THE VACANCY CREATED BY THE RESIGNATION OF LETICIA GARCIA, FIRST-GENERATION PROJECT SPECIALIST. THIS POSITION MAY BE FILLED BY ONE FULL-TIME PERSON OR BY TWO PART-TIME INDIVIDUALS. THE POSITION IS POSTED IN A WAY THAT WILL ALLOW TECH PREP RGV TO RECEIVE APPLICATIONS FROM INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN BOTH PART-TIME AND FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT. THE POSITION APPEARS ON THE TSTC WEBSITE AS NOTED BELOW.

Coordinator - Industrial Training

Job Posting No. 100841 - Part Time (45%) Dept: Tech Prep. BA degree w/ 2yrs exp and should be able to work w/students, parents, educators, & public - and private-sector professionals. Excellent verbal & written communications skills in both English & Spanish and organizational ability plus critical thinking, ability to work independently with a minimum of supervision. Minimum Salary: $1,450/mo

Job Posting No. 100842 - Part Time (45%) Dept: Tech Prep. BA degree w/ 2yrs exp and should be able to work w/students, parents, educators, & public - and private-sector professionals. Excellent verbal & written communications skills in both English & Spanish and organizational ability plus critical thinking, ability to work independently with a minimum of supervision. Minimum Salary: $1,450/mo

Job Posting No. 100843 - Full Time Dept: Tech Prep. BA degree w/ 2yrs exp and should be able to work w/students, parents, educators, & public - and private-sector professionals. Excellent verbal & written communications skills in both English & Spanish and organizational ability plus critical thinking, ability to work independently with a minimum of supervision. Minimum Salary: $2,900/mo

SECOND: STAFF MEMBER WHO WILL WORK FULL TIME ON THE COLLEGE FOR TEXANS CAMPAIGN. THIS PERSON WILL NOT BE A TECH PREP EMPLOYEE, BUT, RATHER, WILL BE AN EMPLOYEE OF TSTC HARLINGEN. THIS INDIVIDUAL WILL WORK OUT OF TECH PREP RGV'S OFFICE ON COLLEGE FOR TEXANS CAMPAIGN INITIATIVES. THE POSITION IS POSTED AS FOLLOWS:

Career Advisor

Job Posting Number 100840 - Full Time Dept: Workforce Training. BA degree from an accredited college or university. A minimum of 4yrs of work exp in community outreach, marketing, or recruiting. Prefer related work exp in education, preferably in higher education. Must be able to travel 20% of time. Minimum Salary: $2,406/month.

Counselors' Network Activities Underway
Friday, October 21, 2005

Tech Prep RGV is pleased to serve as coordinator of the Lower Rio Grande Valley Counselors' Network, which is co-chaired by Mary Salinas, head of counseling and guidance for Brownsville ISD, and Mary Aleman, head of counseling and guidance for La Joya ISD. Network members include a variety of secondary and postsecondary representatives along with the Region One Education Service Center. The next Network meeting is set for December 1, 2005. For additional information, contact Belinda Torres.

One major Counselors' Network activity is Tech Prep RGV's co-sponsorship of an annual Counselors' Institute, which is held during Counselors' Week in February of each year.

The Twelfth Annual Counselor's Institute 2006, hosted by the Rio Grande Valley Counseling Association, Tech Prep RGV, and other partners is set as follows:

"Put a Kick into your Professional Development
Rounding - Up All Counselors!"
February 2-3, 2006
Radisson Hotel, South Padre Island

For additional information, visit www.rgvca.org.

2005 Tech Prep Regional Conference Scheduled
Monday, October 17, 2005

Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley, Inc. is pleased to announce that the 2005 Tech Prep Regional Conference will be held on November 30, 2005 at the Sheraton South Padre Island Hotel from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Featuring presenter will be Chad Foster.

Please feel free to download the registration form and share with others who may be interested in attending the conference. We look forward to providing a great experience for you in November!

SPECIAL NOTE FOR TECH PREP S-TEAM MEMBERS:
The conference registration fee is WAIVED for S-Team members whose registration forms are RECEIVED in Tech Prep RGV’s Harlingen Office on or before November 8, 2005. Payment of a registration fee will be required for S-Team members whose registration forms are received after November 8.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley, Inc.
Phone: 956.364.4514 or 956.364.4509
belinda.torres@techpreprgv.com


Registration Application


Conference Brochure

Tech Prep in Texas Showcased on National Television
Monday, August 29, 2005

During a Rio Grande Valley visit on August 25, 2005, State Tech Prep Director Linda McDonough reported that Tech Prep in Texas is going to be featured on national television on September 5 on “The Winners Circle, hosted by Terry Bradshaw.” "The Winners Circle, hosted by Terry Bradshaw" is a campaign of national television segments, highlighting companies and organizations that represent the backbone of America’s economy: the entrepreneur, the Executive Director of a non-profit organization, etc. The weekly program is a cornerstone of Broadcast News Corp. Terry Bradshaw was the logical host for "The Winners Circle." Bradshaw’s charismatic personality underscores the campaigns’ mission - to help uplift the American spirit and improve consumer’s confidence in our nation’s economy. Offering companies national exposure on cable television, "The Winners Circle, hosted by Terry Bradshaw" airs Monday and Wednesday mornings between 7:45am - 8:45am EST on MSNBC. Tune in on September 5 to see the show live, or view the “rebroadcast” on the website listed below. The show will be streamed for a year after the September 5 broadcast, and we will obtain a DVD copy of the broadcast for local use. To view the site on which the broadcast will be streamed after September 5, visit: http://www.broadcastnewscorp.com/html/wc_past_features.php

Real World Host Sites Named
Monday, August 15, 2005

Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley is pleased to announce that the following school districts and campuses have been named Host Sites for the Tech Prep Ready for the Real World program, which is funded by a grant of federal Workforce Investment Act funds through the Lower Rio Grande Valley Workforce Development Board dba WorkFORCE Solutions:

Donna ISD--Donna High School
Edinburg CISD--Edinburg High School and Edinburg North High School
Lyford CISD--Lyford High School
McAllen ISD--McAllen High School
Mercedes ISD--Mercedes High School
Raymondville ISD--Raymondville High School
Rio Grande City ISD--Rio Grande City High School
San Perlita ISD--San Perlita High School

Congratulations to our new partners in the Ready for the Real World program!

Real World Application Date Set for August 10
Thursday, August 4, 2005

Interested school districts are hereby notified that applications for the Ready for the Real World project are due as follows:

APPLICATIONS ARE DUE IN TECH PREP RGV'S HARLINGEN OFFICE NO LATER THAN 4 P.M. ON AUGUST 10, 2005.

This due date constitutes an extension of the time for submitting an application.

Ready for the Real World Questions and Answers
Tuesday, August 2, 2005

The following questions and answers apply to the re-issued applications for Ready for the Real World School District Host Sites:

QUESTION: Will the students receive incentives for good performance?

ANSWER: Yes. Please refer to the "student communication flyer" included as the last page of the application.

QUESTION: Can a school district enrich the Ready for the Real World program by adding components designed to benefit that district's students?

ANSWER: Yes. Tech Prep RGV staff work with school district staff on development of custom-tailored campus plans. There are certain components that MUST be included, but it is possible for a school district to enrich the students' experience by expanding or enhancing activities.