The Jefferson County Vocational School strives to meet the needs of students as they prepare for their career. The school provides many opportunities for students to pursue. The programs we offer have academic and vocational components that challenge the student to improve their skills and knowledge for their short and long term career goals. As we work with these students a team approach is followed that takes into account the students’ goals for their future.
The program instructors spend many hours in identifying the areas that students need to improve and then focus on industry credentialing for the students. The JCJVS has career and college preparation throughout the student experience that is meant to challenge the student to do their best. It has always been the goal of the school to encourage students to be here every day and do the best they can in all of their classes.
As we work for success, we follow the High Schools That Work school improvement model to ensure decisions are data driven. This program has led to great success for many students and challenges the staff in their professional development. The academic instructors follow Ohio Core throughout their courses of study and teach integrated lessons that may be related to the students’ experience in their program of study at the JCJVS.
In the 38 years the school has been open, many students have found a career for life through their training and experience at the JCJVS. As a community, we have been able to shape and encourage many people to achieve success in their careers. I would like to thank those who have supported the school over the many years as well as those who have used the services that we can provide to them. You will find that many places you visit on a monthly basis have former graduates of the JCJVS working and living right here in the Valley. We have many programs that you can review on our website to have a better understanding of the career possibilities.
I invite you to visit the JCJVS during one of the open houses, take an Adult Education class, and/or schedule a visit. I am proud of our staff and students, and I am honored to be a member of the Jefferson County JVS family.
Sincerely,
Todd Phillipson, PhD., Superintendent/Director
The program instructors spend many hours in identifying the areas that students need to improve and then focus on industry credentialing for the students. The JCJVS has career and college preparation throughout the student experience that is meant to challenge the student to do their best. It has always been the goal of the school to encourage students to be here every day and do the best they can in all of their classes.
As we work for success, we follow the High Schools That Work school improvement model to ensure decisions are data driven. This program has led to great success for many students and challenges the staff in their professional development. The academic instructors follow Ohio Core throughout their courses of study and teach integrated lessons that may be related to the students’ experience in their program of study at the JCJVS.
In the 38 years the school has been open, many students have found a career for life through their training and experience at the JCJVS. As a community, we have been able to shape and encourage many people to achieve success in their careers. I would like to thank those who have supported the school over the many years as well as those who have used the services that we can provide to them. You will find that many places you visit on a monthly basis have former graduates of the JCJVS working and living right here in the Valley. We have many programs that you can review on our website to have a better understanding of the career possibilities.
I invite you to visit the JCJVS during one of the open houses, take an Adult Education class, and/or schedule a visit. I am proud of our staff and students, and I am honored to be a member of the Jefferson County JVS family.
Sincerely,
Todd Phillipson, PhD., Superintendent/Director
JVS Students Attend National Officer Leadership Training
Two students, Darren Devore and Slade Takach, from the Jefferson County Vocational School, were nominated and elected to regional leadership positions at the SkillsUSA Fall Leadership Conference and were given the opportunity to attend the SkillsUSA National Officer Leadership Training. Darren DeVore was elected by his peers as Historian and Slade Takach was also elected by his peers as Vice President of the Southeast Region of SkillsUSA. Darren is enrolled as a Junior Computer Networking student at the Jefferson County JVS; his Associate School is Toronto High School. Slade Takach is enrolled as a Junior Criminal Justice student at the Jefferson County JVS; his Associate School is Steubenville "Big Red" High School. Both students will be seniors during the 2014/15 school year.
Pictured (Left to Right): (Seated) Darren Devore and (standing) Slade Takach during a training meeting in
Washington, DC.
As elected officers, Darren and Slade attended the Officer Leadership Training in Washington, DC during January 19-24th. Besides attending training sessions, the students had the opportunity to take a tour of the monuments; attend a wreath laying ceremony at Arlington; visit Capitol Hill; and participate in a special tour by the Department of Defense in the Pentagon. To cap off the Leadership Training, the students were honored at an awards banquet at the end of the week.
Their advisors describe these two young men as hard workers who have used their skills and energies to represent the JVS and the region well as officers. Mike Cowles, C. S. D., SkillsUSA Director commented
on Slade and Darren as officers and representatives of the JVS as being "Awesome; they are two great young men." Superintendent Phillipson stated that he is proud of how well these students represented the Jefferson County Vocational School at the Fall Conference and during their training in Washington DC. They are to be commended for their professionalism and ability to work with their fellow officers for the betterment of Ohio SkillsUSA.
Two students, Darren Devore and Slade Takach, from the Jefferson County Vocational School, were nominated and elected to regional leadership positions at the SkillsUSA Fall Leadership Conference and were given the opportunity to attend the SkillsUSA National Officer Leadership Training. Darren DeVore was elected by his peers as Historian and Slade Takach was also elected by his peers as Vice President of the Southeast Region of SkillsUSA. Darren is enrolled as a Junior Computer Networking student at the Jefferson County JVS; his Associate School is Toronto High School. Slade Takach is enrolled as a Junior Criminal Justice student at the Jefferson County JVS; his Associate School is Steubenville "Big Red" High School. Both students will be seniors during the 2014/15 school year.
Pictured (Left to Right): (Seated) Darren Devore and (standing) Slade Takach during a training meeting in
Washington, DC.
As elected officers, Darren and Slade attended the Officer Leadership Training in Washington, DC during January 19-24th. Besides attending training sessions, the students had the opportunity to take a tour of the monuments; attend a wreath laying ceremony at Arlington; visit Capitol Hill; and participate in a special tour by the Department of Defense in the Pentagon. To cap off the Leadership Training, the students were honored at an awards banquet at the end of the week.
Their advisors describe these two young men as hard workers who have used their skills and energies to represent the JVS and the region well as officers. Mike Cowles, C. S. D., SkillsUSA Director commented
on Slade and Darren as officers and representatives of the JVS as being "Awesome; they are two great young men." Superintendent Phillipson stated that he is proud of how well these students represented the Jefferson County Vocational School at the Fall Conference and during their training in Washington DC. They are to be commended for their professionalism and ability to work with their fellow officers for the betterment of Ohio SkillsUSA.
COLUMBUS (April10, 2014) - Pictured above are Jefferson County Vocational School Health Technologies students (left to right) Taryn Grodhous, Jonathan Cortez, Paige Thompson and Lyndsey Fenske who received top honors at HOSA. Over 900 secondary students interested in health care careers attended the HOSA State Leadership Conference from April10 -11, 2014 at Tolles Career Center. Students attended general sessions and competed in over 54 different Competitive Events.
Jefferson County Vocational School students were awarded top honors at the State Leadership Conference. Jonathan Cortez received a gold medal in Clinical Specialty; Lyndsey Fenske received a bronze medal in Physical Therapy; Taryn Grodhaus received a bronze medal in Basic Health Care; and Paige Thompson was elected as State HOSA Treasurer. These students will represent the Jefferson County Vocational School and showcase their skills as they compete in the Health Occupations Students of America National Conference to be held June 23rd through the
29th in Orlando, Florida. "We are extremely proud of these ambitious students. They competed against some the
best health care students from the state of Ohio. Competing at the national level is a wonderful learning opportunity." Said Tammy Sismondo, JVS Health Technologies Instructor.
"These students are truly the face of future health care professionals. They competed in activities that showcased not only their health care knowledge, but their leadership skills," said Jill Nacke, Ohio HOSA State Advisor. "Congratulations to the students and their teachers for their hard work and preparation."
For more information on Ohio HOSA- Future Health Professionals, visit www.hosa.org.
About HOSA- Future Health Professionals- HOSA Future Health Professionals is a national, student-led organization whose mission is to promote career opportunities in health care for students in secondary and postsecondary institutions. HOSA is the pipeline for future health care professionals and members are proudly working toward alleviating the health care workforce shortage. There are over 150,000 active members in over 4,000 chapters in 48 states, including Puerto Rico.
JCJVS Students Gain Hands-On Experience in the Field of Teaching
Pictured on the left are Jefferson County Vocational School Early Childhood Education students (left to right) Jensen Cook and Elissa Thompson who are participating in a shadowing program at Edison Local and Indian Creek Local Schools respectively.
While completing their senior year of high school, Jensen Cook and Elissa Thompson are also acquiring hands-on experience in the field of teaching. The students have earned the right to participate in a shadowing program specially designed for early childhood education students at the Jefferson County Vocational School.
In order to be placed in a classroom while finishing high school, Cook and Thompson have achieved exemplary marks in academic classes. They also have studied early childhood education at the JCJVS, participated in the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America Club, and earned 13 credit hours toward a college degree.
"To qualify for this placement, ECE students must meet a high level of competency," said Becky Kelley, JCJVS Early Childhood Education Instructor. "Attendance, grades, and behavior all factor into the decision to place a student into a cooperating classroom. The students' performance assessments are then based on weekly evaluations submitted by their cooperating instructors, and on written assignments related to the work they performed for the week."
Ms. Thompson, a senior from Edison Local, is assisting her home district in Mrs. Pasuik's first-grade classroom and Mrs. Sansone's special education classroom, both at John Gregg Elementary. Evaluations from her cooperating instructors have been positive. In a March 17 evaluation, Pasiuk wrote: "Elissa is doing well. She is starting to feel more comfortable. The students enjoy having her." Ms. Cook is assisting in Mrs. Voltz special education classroom at Wintersville Elementary, also part of the Indian Creek School District from which she will graduate this year. Kelley said Cook's cooperating instructor has reported excellent service as well. While shadowing at their assigned schools, the two high school students grade assignments, administer tests, and work one on one with elementary students under the watchful eye of their cooperating instructors.
"A career in education requires discipline," Kelley said. "Students need an academic background combined with practical knowledge and first-hand experience to become successful educators. I know when students graduate from our school's program they are prepared to excel as they move forward with their careers."
However, the vocational school where Cook and Thompson are preparing for their college career is often not regarded as a college preparatory school. According to a recent High Schools That Work report related to the JCJVS, teachers note a "stigma” that the school is only for students preparing to go straight to work.
"Vocational education has a reputation as the path students take when they do not want to attend college," said Ms. Shellie Waggoner, JCJVS Guidance Counselor. "That's an outdated idea. Our school is well equipped to assist students going straight to work, pursuing two-year degrees, or moving forward with four-year degree attainment plans."
Ms. Cook and Ms. Thompson set out on a specific college career path when they decided to attend a technical high school. They concur that they have had more opportunities at the JCJVS than they could have imagined during their junior and senior years of high school.
"I am certified in First Aid, CPR, and AED through the American Red Cross," Cook said. "I have completed communicable disease training, and I am a certified child abuse reporter. With my experience in the classroom, my certifications, the contacts and references that I have already compiled, plus the credit hours I have earned, my resume is already stacked!"
According to the National Center for Education Statistics and based on information gathered in 2000, seventy percent of students who had earned four or more credits toward a post-secondary school while enrolled in a career-technical program had enrolled in college within ten months of graduation.
"The president and I believe that high-quality CTE programs are a vital strategy for helping our diverse students complete their secondary and postsecondary studies," National Secretary of Education Arne Duncan posted in a February 2014 blog. "In fact, by implementing dual enrollment and early college models, a growing number of CTE pathways are helping students to fast-track their college degrees."
As for Ms. Cook and Ms. Thompson, both students intend to complete four-year education degrees at Ohio University.
"I am looking forward to college," Thompson said. "I know I am prepared, and I am confident moving forward."
While completing their senior year of high school, Jensen Cook and Elissa Thompson are also acquiring hands-on experience in the field of teaching. The students have earned the right to participate in a shadowing program specially designed for early childhood education students at the Jefferson County Vocational School.
In order to be placed in a classroom while finishing high school, Cook and Thompson have achieved exemplary marks in academic classes. They also have studied early childhood education at the JCJVS, participated in the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America Club, and earned 13 credit hours toward a college degree.
"To qualify for this placement, ECE students must meet a high level of competency," said Becky Kelley, JCJVS Early Childhood Education Instructor. "Attendance, grades, and behavior all factor into the decision to place a student into a cooperating classroom. The students' performance assessments are then based on weekly evaluations submitted by their cooperating instructors, and on written assignments related to the work they performed for the week."
Ms. Thompson, a senior from Edison Local, is assisting her home district in Mrs. Pasuik's first-grade classroom and Mrs. Sansone's special education classroom, both at John Gregg Elementary. Evaluations from her cooperating instructors have been positive. In a March 17 evaluation, Pasiuk wrote: "Elissa is doing well. She is starting to feel more comfortable. The students enjoy having her." Ms. Cook is assisting in Mrs. Voltz special education classroom at Wintersville Elementary, also part of the Indian Creek School District from which she will graduate this year. Kelley said Cook's cooperating instructor has reported excellent service as well. While shadowing at their assigned schools, the two high school students grade assignments, administer tests, and work one on one with elementary students under the watchful eye of their cooperating instructors.
"A career in education requires discipline," Kelley said. "Students need an academic background combined with practical knowledge and first-hand experience to become successful educators. I know when students graduate from our school's program they are prepared to excel as they move forward with their careers."
However, the vocational school where Cook and Thompson are preparing for their college career is often not regarded as a college preparatory school. According to a recent High Schools That Work report related to the JCJVS, teachers note a "stigma” that the school is only for students preparing to go straight to work.
"Vocational education has a reputation as the path students take when they do not want to attend college," said Ms. Shellie Waggoner, JCJVS Guidance Counselor. "That's an outdated idea. Our school is well equipped to assist students going straight to work, pursuing two-year degrees, or moving forward with four-year degree attainment plans."
Ms. Cook and Ms. Thompson set out on a specific college career path when they decided to attend a technical high school. They concur that they have had more opportunities at the JCJVS than they could have imagined during their junior and senior years of high school.
"I am certified in First Aid, CPR, and AED through the American Red Cross," Cook said. "I have completed communicable disease training, and I am a certified child abuse reporter. With my experience in the classroom, my certifications, the contacts and references that I have already compiled, plus the credit hours I have earned, my resume is already stacked!"
According to the National Center for Education Statistics and based on information gathered in 2000, seventy percent of students who had earned four or more credits toward a post-secondary school while enrolled in a career-technical program had enrolled in college within ten months of graduation.
"The president and I believe that high-quality CTE programs are a vital strategy for helping our diverse students complete their secondary and postsecondary studies," National Secretary of Education Arne Duncan posted in a February 2014 blog. "In fact, by implementing dual enrollment and early college models, a growing number of CTE pathways are helping students to fast-track their college degrees."
As for Ms. Cook and Ms. Thompson, both students intend to complete four-year education degrees at Ohio University.
"I am looking forward to college," Thompson said. "I know I am prepared, and I am confident moving forward."