THE CONEJO VALLEY BLUEPRINT by Sonja Montiel

​Being raised by a parent who worked as a maintenance mechanic gave my family a solid foundation. I deeply respected my father’s career and felt proud of what he did - until I reached my teen years. ​

​By the time I was in high school during the 1990s, I was confused when my school counselor said that I have been “tracked” to attend college after high school. Some of my friends were being told they were “tracked” to do career technical training. At the time, I wondered why career education was pinned against college admissions. Why was this choice in the form of either, instead of both? 

In 1983, A National at Risk Report was issued by the National Commission on Excellence in Education, criticizing the educational system in the United States and recommended that students pursue more rigorous academic standards. In 2001, the United States Congress issued the No Child Left Behind Act, which emphasized requirements for students to be more competitive for college admissions. Both nationally-driven campaigns impacted the perception of technical training programs, even to the point of being seen as less than. As a result, young people like myself during my teen years started to believe that my only choice was to either select career technical education courses or courses that prepared me for college. I selected the college path with a scarcity mindset. I believed that to be a successful adult, I had to land a profession that was better than my father’s. That still stings.

Fast forward to 2024. I attended a summit for the Career Technical Education Pathways Program by Conejo Valley Unified School District (CVUSD). The room was packed, filled with students, teachers, educational and community leaders, and business partners. The energy in the room was electric, and I knew that this was more than a program. It was a movement.

Nearly two decades ago, CVUSD received a School-to-Career grant that sparked a quiet revolution. Instead of relegating career education to the margins, the district embedded it into the core of its high school experience. They created a model with three teachers on special assignment (TOSAs) to serve as Career Education Coordinators—Nick Guerin, Ashley Cooper, and Dr. Laurie Looker. These educators are not just coordinators, but mentors and collaborators who were a daily presence on each high school campus. Each coordinator works diligently to build strong partnerships with local community organizations, businesses, and colleges demonstrating how their programs directly prepare students to meet the demands of the local workforce.

This model has endured economic downturns and shifting educational trends. “Our Career Education Pathways are the reason our programs are able to grow while other programs are contracting,” Cooper shared. “We write grants, analyze employment data, and align our programs with real workforce needs.” For CVUSD, it’s not career technical education versus college admissions; it’s both.

During students’ participation in the Career Technical Education Pathways Program, they can earn certifications, explore trades, and prepare for degrees in fields like allied health, broadcasting, construction technology, engineering, and the arts. “There are 1,700 students on my home campus,” Cooper said. “That means 1,700 different ways to launch into the world after graduation and prepare students for whatever direction they choose.”

CVUSD’s approach is rooted in empowerment and relevance. Whether students are learning construction, robotics, stagecraft, or marketing, they’re not just gaining skills, they’re discovering themselves, their self-worth, and the value of multiple professions across a variety of industries.

Here are just a few offerings, experiences, and support that the Career Technical Education Pathways Program hosts and coordinates:

Over 30 Career Technical Pathways to include:
●      Allied Health
●      Robotic Technologies
●      Video Game Design
●      Education/Child Development
●      Music Production
●      Stagecraft
●      Professional Dance

Certifications and Industry-Standard Skills to include:
●      CPR/First Aid
●      Food Handler
●      Adobe-Photoshop
●      OSHA
●      AED
●      EMT Certified

Student Leadership Opportunities through regional and national competitions and projects to include:
●      Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
●      HOSA Future Health Professionals
●      Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA)
●      Skills UCA
●      Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA)
●      Virtual Enterprise
●      Thespian Society

Community Partnerships to include:
●      Job Shadowing
●      Internships
●      Field Trips
●      Mentorships
●      Guest Speakers
●      Student Programming
●      ACE Mentor Program

College and Education Partnerships to include:
●      Dual Enrollment
●      Field Trips and Guest Speakers
●      Competitions
●      Educator Training
●      Grant Partnerships
●      Continuation of Pathways

What makes CVUSD’s Career Technical Education program truly exceptional? Continuity. “Our leadership hasn’t been a revolving door,” Cooper explained. “That stability has allowed us to build deep, lasting relationships with community partners - Rotary, Kiwanis, the Chamber, the City. In addition, from the beginning, a local nonprofit, Conejo Schools Foundation, has played a pivotal role in building the foundation of our program. Since 2003, Conejo Schools Foundation has cultivated partnerships, opened doors, and accelerated the district’s ability to connect students with real-world opportunities.”

The program has been designed for ALL students in the district, across every level of academic achievement and campus engagement. One student’s journey captures the heart of the program. 

Eddie (name change) had started on a whim as a 9th grade student enrolling in the construction technology pathway program because he didn’t have any other classes he was interested in. As a sophomore, he showed great promise, and by the time Eddie was a junior, he joined the construction competition team. He competed in the regional California Design Build Competition as a senior, winning a scholarship for his leadership and was offered employment by the event organizers.

The people driving the Career Technical Education Pathways program at CVUSD have the relentless commitment to honoring each student’s story, expanding their possibilities, and equipping them with the tools to build a future that’s both meaningful and sustainable. “CTE used to be where students were assigned,” Cooper said. “Now, our Career Education pathway courses are a destination. It’s where students find their worth, their curiosity, and their future.” ∎

Learn more here:
https://conejocte.org