Tech Prep
Tech Prep is about readying your students for post-secondary education or the workforce. Western works closely with area high schools to facilitate curriculum coordination between the secondary and post-secondary systems, encourages educators to use applied learning in the classroom, and provides opportunities for educators to experience technical preparation with activities like Counselor Externship, Partnering for Success, Network Nights, and Career Clusters/Programs of Study development. Your students also have opportunities to participate in activities like Career Expo, Youth Options, and Partnering for Success. Funding for these collaborative K-16 transition initiatives is available through the Tech Prep Education Act, Title II, of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act of 1988.
Tech Prep Council
The Western Tech Prep Council facilitates the use of Tech Prep funds and activities. The Council consists of members from area school districts, representatives from local businesses, CESA #4, and Western staff. The Consortium meets four times a year to plan activities and approve Tech Prep grant allocations.
Tech Prep Council Mission Statement: To strengthen the connection between Western Technical College and the high schools it serves by building partnerships and increasing communication with high school staff, providing professional development opportunities - including programming and funding - and creating opportunities for students to help them make a seamless transition from high school to post-secondary education or the workforce.
| Anne Fimreite School Counselor Represents: Sparta | Annete O'Hern Career and Technical Education Director Represents: La Crosse | Ashley Shannon School Counselor Represents: Royall |
| Betty Pfaff Viterbo University Represents: Viterbo University | Bill Brendel Dean, Industrial Technologies Represents: Western | Chris Magnusun Employment Coordinator Represents: Workforce Connections |
| Darin Gray Vocational/Technical Education Teacher Represents: Independence | Dave Fish High School Relations Associate Represents: Western | Dean Tarasewicz School Counselor Represents: Onalaska |
| Delaine Stendahl School-to-Work Coordinator/LVEC/YA Represents: Whitehall | Dene Muller Special Education Teacher Represents: La Farge | Ed Pedretti Business Ed Teacher Represents: Westby |
| Eric Erickson School Counselor Represents: Black River Falls | Heidi Hubatch Business Education Teacher Represents: Viroqua | Hilary Walters School Counselor Represents: Blair-Taylor |
| Jack Mansell School Counselor Represents: New Lisbon | Jackie Haas High School Relations Associate Represents: Western | Jackie Newman NTO Coordinator/Specialist Represents: Western |
| Jeff Adams Student Services Coordinator Represents: Tomah | Julie Quist School Counselor Represents: Mauston | Kristin Matchey Business & Information Technology Instructor Represents: Arcadia |
| Lynette Livingston Director of Curriculum and Instruction Represents: Mauston | Martha McCabe Executive Director Represents: Scenic Rivers AHEC | Mary Csiacsek School Counselor Represents G-E-T |
| Melisa Valencia Program Manager Represents: La Crosse Area Chamber Of Commerce | Paul Liethen Career and Technical Education Teacher Represents: West Salem | Shari Erdmann School-to-Work Coordinator Represents: De Soto |
| Sherri Torkelson LVEC/Transition - CESA #4 Represents: Bangor, Cashton, C-FC, Mel-Min, N-O-W | Teri Staloch Instructional Services Director Represents: Holmen | Wendy Horbinski Director of Instruction Represents: Necedah |
Professional Development Opportunities
Tech prep funds are set aside to provide professional development opportunities and assist with the costs of attending conferences/workshops.
Careers Conference
The 2011 Careers Conference will be held January 24-26, 2011 in Madison, WI.
Tech Prep grant funds are available to help pay for this conference. Beginning with the 2009-10 school year, the twenty-seven schools in the consortium will be on a three year rotation - nine schools will receive Careers Conference funding each year. The following schools will receive two (2) $300 mini-grants for the 2011 Careers Conference.
- Black River Falls
- Central
- Hillsboro
- Holmen
- La Farge
- Onalaska
- Royall
- Tomah
- Viroqua
Career Cluster Institute
The Annual Career Clusters Institute is held in June.
Counselor Externship at Western Technical College
Counselor Externship is an opportunity for high school and middles school counselors to learn more about their local technical college. This four-day experience (28 hours) is held during the summer at the La Crosse campus and offers a grant-funded stipend, which will be paid upon completion of the experience. Three awards will be granted this summer to counselors who work within the consortium. Counselors who do not work in the consortium are welcome to attend; however, stipends are not available; however, stipends are not available. There is an opportunity to earn two Winona State University graduate credits for this experience.
National Career Pathways Network Conference
The National Career Pathways Network Conference will be held October 20-23 3 in Dallas, TX. One $1,000 mini-grant is available to help pay for attending this conference.
Summaries from those who attended in 2009:
Tim Bakeberg - Sparta High School
Network Nights
Network Nights are hosted by CESA #4 for the purpose of enhancing communication among Career and Technical Education staff. The group meets five times throughout the year with.
Professional Development Opportunities Offered at CESA #4
Visit the Cooperative Educational Service Agency's website to view the numerous professional development opportunities offered.
Wisconsin Association for Career and Technical Education (WACTE) Conference
The 2011 WACTE Conference will be held April 6-8, 2011 in Apple Valley, WI.
