Teaching students present Cheboygan Area High School Career and Technical Education program to local lawmakers in Lansing

Kortny Hahn, Cheboygan Daily Tribune
·3 min read
Cheboygan High School Career and Technical Education Introduction to Teaching students Madison Farver, Adam Monusko, and Rachel Swiderek recently represented the school district in Lansing, talking about the programs at the high school with local lawmakers.
Cheboygan High School Career and Technical Education Introduction to Teaching students Madison Farver, Adam Monusko, and Rachel Swiderek recently represented the school district in Lansing, talking about the programs at the high school with local lawmakers.

CHEBOYGAN — Several students from the Cheboygan Area High School Career and Technical Education recently traveled to Lansing to present for lawmakers and the state superintendent of schools.

Advisor Ryan McClintic said the students from Introduction to Education classes participated in a showcase on Thursday, April 28, in the capitol building. McClintic and Cheboygan High School Principal Nancy Spray also attended the showcase.

"Cheboygan High School was represented by seniors Madison Farver, Adam Monusko, and Rachel Swiderek, all of whom are returning students to the program," said McClintic. "The students shared information with legislators and the state superintendent of schools about the school’s Introduction to Education program."

The students had the opportunity to show off what they have learned and how it is preparing them for the workforce when they complete their education.

“Without the support our school and our state government gives our CTE programs, Cheboygan students would not be able to participate in events like this or take classes that specialize in the career they are interested in,” said Monusko.

Cheboygan High School offers two different teaching programs for students to enroll, elementary education and general education.

The elementary education program is for students who are looking into careers in early childhood education. Students enrolled in this program are able to get experience in the field by helping in a preschool, participating in professional training and taking field trips.

The students from Cheboygan High School discussed with state lawmakers, including State Representative John Damoose, the Introduction to Education program in Cheboygan and the benefits it has for them after leaving high school.
The students from Cheboygan High School discussed with state lawmakers, including State Representative John Damoose, the Introduction to Education program in Cheboygan and the benefits it has for them after leaving high school.

The general education teaching program helps students begin their formal training to be teachers or support services for education before moving on to post secondary education.

"By the time the students leave the classroom, they have a fully developed educational portfolio, complete with resume, cover letter, letters of recommendation, samples of work, and safety certifications," said McClintic. "This portfolio aids students in receiving college credit for introductory education courses."

McClintic said students who are enrolled in career and technical education classes at Cheboygan High School can earn industry certificates, college credits or advanced placement when enrolling in post-secondary education after completing the classes.

Central Michigan University, Ferris State University and Saginaw Valley State University all offer credits for students who complete the classes in Cheboygan.

"The State of Michigan is working towards a statewide articulation program which would grant college credit to students who can demonstrate mastery of the Introduction to Education coursework," said McClintic.

Cheboygan High School Teacher Andrea Schlak has been the instructor for the teaching programs at the high school for the past five years.

“These students benefit from this Introduction to Education program through work-based learning opportunities, including job shadowing, field trips and work experience," said Schlak. "They are assigned placements within the district where they have the opportunity to shadow and assist other veteran teachers within their classrooms."

Schlak said this allows the teacher-in-training students the opportunity to explore a range of ages and subject matter before moving on to college.

The three students, all seniors at Cheboygan High School, said they have learned so much in the program taught by teacher Andrea Schlak that they will be able to take with them into their careers after completing their education.
The three students, all seniors at Cheboygan High School, said they have learned so much in the program taught by teacher Andrea Schlak that they will be able to take with them into their careers after completing their education.

"Adam, Rachel, and Madison have been stand-out students throughout all of high school, and their commitment to this CTE program over the past two years has been extraordinary,” she said.

Although she is not going specifically into a career in teaching after high school, Farver feels what she is learning through the career and technical education classes at Cheboygan High School are still helping her.

"I learned a variety of interpersonal skills and de-escalation strategies that could be applied to any profession," said Farver.

For more information, contact McClintic at mcclinticr@chebschools.com. More information on the programs can be found at bit.ly/3kPlWO6.

Contact Features Writer Kortny Hahn at khahn1@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @khahnCDT.

This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Teaching students present CTE program to local lawmakers in Lansing