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Alignment Collaborative for Education - ACE

Education

Larkin High School Students Awarded at State Competition

Four (4) students from Larkin High School’s Education CTE program, Maya Nail, Zeke Rodriguez, Izzy Lopez, and Izeti Chavez, represented U-46 with their teacher Aurora Scarpaci at their first ever Educators Rising State competition at Illinois State University on March 4. Maya and Zeke earned 2nd place in the Children’s Literature competition with their original book, “The ABC’s of your Emotion.” Izeti Chavez was also awarded 3rd place for her Job Interview event. Congratulations to these Larkin students, our future teachers!

Izzy Lopez, Izeti Chavis, CTE Teacher Aurora Scarpaci, Maya Nail, and Zach Rodriguez
Awardees Izeti Chavis, Zach Rodriguez, and Maya Nail

Salute to our Region’s CTE Teachers at School Districts 300, 301, and U-46!

February is CTE Month!

The month of February is dedicated to recognizing the contributions that career and technical education (CTE) programs have contributed to preparing the nation’s future workforce. Thank you to our CTE teachers and Northern Kane County Region 110 for their commitment to graduate students academic and career ready providing students the opportunity to exit high school with industry recognized credentials ready for the workplace. 

These exceptional teachers bring their industry experience and knowledge to the classroom preparing our region’s future workforce. Their work is valued and greatly appreciated.

CTE Program Offerings Across the Region

Accounting
Agriculture
Apparel and Textile
Automotive
Business
Cabinet Making
Culinary Arts

Drafting and Design
Education
Engineering
Entrepreneurship
Family and Consumer Sciences
Healthcare/Nursing Assistant

Information Technology
Marketing
Media and Digital Arts
Precision Manufacturing
Veterinary Assistant
Welding



Alignment’s January Highlights

Resume Workshops

Over 1,400 students complete resume workshops in preparation for Summer Internships and the Senior Job Fair on April 18.

Healthcare Rotational Internship

District 300 students interested in healthcare careers began on January 22 a pilot rotational internship program hosted by Advocate Sherman and Well Child Center.

Teacher Pipeline Education Day

Students from seven District 300 and U-46 high schools attended the region’s Education Day on January 24 facilitated by Alignment’s Teacher Pipeline A-Team and hosted by ECC.

Annual Counselor Day Hosted by Nicor

Fifty U-46 counselors and administrators visited Nicor on January 26 to study the region’s apprenticeship programs to include corporate, college, federal, and local union opportunities.

Thank You to Our Partners Leading January’s Events

Advocate Sherman Hospital
AON
CISCO
Elgin Community College
IAMAW Local 701
IBEW 117
IL Division of Rehabilitation Services
Nicor
Northern Illinois University
Well Child Center
West Side Tractor
YouthBuild (Housing Authority)
Zurich

Nicor hosts U-46 counselors
Tracy Vittone shares ECC’s transfer opportunities
Dundee Crown students begin Advocate Sherman rotational internship experience
Alex Owens from NIU highlights PLEDGE Program
EHS alum and current Zurich apprentice visit with U-46 counselors
Dundee Crown students begin Well Child Center internship
Dr. Sam welcomes Future Teachers to ECC
AON Recruitment Team shares apprenticeship opportunities for 2024

Interns Gain Experience Helping to Fill the Teacher Pipeline

YMCA high school intern works as a camp counselor.

Alignment partners with children and youth service organizations

This summer, Alignment partnered with several organizations to provide high school students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the fields of education and youth services. These organizations included the Bartlett Park District, Elgin Partnership for Early Learning (EPEL), Hanover Township, Streamwood Park District, and the Taylor Family YMCA. Each one of these organizations was able to host one or more interns to gain experience in the field while also being paid for their hard work and dedication. 
 
Many of these interns have a passion for educating youth and working within the community.  These internships allowed students to shadow teachers and youth services employees as they consider a career in teaching and social services. One of the YMCA camp counselors, Priea Anthony, stated “It was amazing to be able to work together with both teachers and kids. I’ve learned a lot about teamwork because I was able to work together with both the teachers here, as well as a much larger group of kids.”
 
Once again, Alignment would like to thank its partner organizations for fostering a learning environment for these hard-working students that have a passion for education and working alongside children. Without the generosity of the various park districts and organizations, these students would not have been able to spend their summer working in an environment that fosters their interest in teaching and youth services. 

Streamwood Park District sponsors interns to support recreational offerings.
Hanover Township offers interns experience in aging, youth, and social services.
EPEL intern supports “Summer Reading in the Parks” program.
Bartlett Park District interns assist with swimming lessons.

Future Teachers Tour Judson University

Students from Bartlett, Larkin, and South Elgin high schools visited Judson’s School of Education to view the array of programs Judson offers in preparing the next decade of teachers. Thirty-two (32) students from the Education CTE programs participated in the day as part of Alignment’s efforts in partnership with U-46, District 300, and District 301 to regionally build a teacher pipeline. Nancy Coleman, Alignment’s executive director praised the volunteers leading this program. “We had the opportunity to visit NIU in the fall and Judson in the spring to showcase two institutions of higher learning making great contributions to address the teacher shortage.” Alignment is thankful to the Judson School of Education for investing these resources in students considering teaching as their future profession.

Larkin High School CTE Awards Day

Larkin High School seniors were recognized for their achievements while enrolled in career and technical education (CTE) courses including culinary, education, engineering and healthcare programs. Career and technical education (CTE) teachers had the opportunity to celebrate the students’ accomplishments as these seniors prepare to graduate on May 27, 2023 at the NOW Arena.  

Alignment’s executive director, Nancy Coleman, participated in the awards ceremony by providing the keynote address. Coleman praised the students for utilizing their high school experience to prepare for future careers where many of these students graduate with highly marketable skills and certifications. As Coleman asked students “What’s Next?”, she encouraged “seniors to take advantage of opportunities, set goals, and find a career that challenges you to showcase your best performance”.

Alignment wishes to recognize all U-46 career and technical education (CTE) teachers for their contributions to ensuring students have the opportunity to graduate academic and career ready. 

CTE teachers: Amanda Long, Healthcare; Diane Kriescher, Engineering; Aurora Scarpaci, Education; and Katie Thompson, Business.