Running Your CTE Program like a Successful Business and Championship Caliber Team

1. Running Your CTE Program like a Successful Business and Championship Caliber Team Dave Gossman – Atwater High School Agriculture Department

2. A little background info on this guy …… • Originally (high school tenure) from Arroyo Grande (Pismo Beach), CA • Moved to CA Central Valley 10 years ago • 9 years Atwater High School – Agriculture Department

3. A little more info please …… • 2nd Grade “Career” Goal – “Dolphin Trainer” • A.S. Degree in Exotic Animal Training and Management (Moorpark College) • 10 year career with Dolphin Quest (Hawaii, Tahiti, and Moorea) • B.S. and M.S. in Agriculture Science (Cal Poly, SLO)

4. CATA and NAAE’s 2010 Outstanding California Secondary / High School Agriculture Program

5. Running Your CTE Program like a Successful Business and Championship Caliber Team

6. The “Atwater” Story 2001 2002-2003 • Atwater expanded with another high school (Buhach Colony) • District lines for new campus was predominantly “rural” students within area / community • 4th year of completely new set of agriculture teachers • Retirements • Transfers to new high school campus and community colleges • AHS campus predominantly low income, “city” of Winton / Atwater

7. “Don’t look at what is, rather what can be” “What Is” “What Can Be”

8. “Don’t look at what is, rather what can be” “What Is” “What Can Be”

9. “Don’t look at what is, rather what can be” “What Is” “What Can Be”

10. “Don’t look at what is, rather what can be” “What Is” “What Can Be”

11. “Don’t look at what is, rather what can be” “What Is” “What Can Be”

12. “Don’t look at what is, rather what can be” “What Is” “What Can Be”

13. “Don’t look at what is, rather what can be” “What Is” “What Can Be”

14. A Dam Photo

15. “Have a VISION” – Make it Happen • Clean and Organize • Reason/Purpose • It makes a POSITIVE statement • It sets the tone • “Professional” • Inventory knowledge • Keeps the atmosphere/environment fresh and current • Facilities/Program become a “Highlight”

16. “Have a VISION” – Make it Happen • Clean and Organize • Areas to Clean / Organize • Classroom / Facilities • Courses / Pathways • Curriculum

17. Program Pathways / Curriculum (Appendix I) Organizing Your Curriculum and Pathway Courses I have no idea who this is.

18. “Have a VISION” – Make it Happen • Department Chairs: • Bring In and Build a Team that Shares the Same Vision • Bring in People with More Talent, Knowledge, and Skill than You • Empower Staff and Allow Them to Work Towards Program’s “Vision” and Goals Within Their “Niche” and/or Area of Expertise

19. “Have a VISION” – Make it Happen • Establish and Build a Foundation • Simple • Basic

20. “Have a VISION” – Make it Happen • Identify Your “Product” / Objectives • Premier Leadership, Personal Growth, & Educational and Career Success • Getting Students Involved • Making a Positive Difference in the Lives of Young People

21. “Have a VISION” – Make it Happen • Set Goals/Objectives Each Year (Chip away towards the “vision”) • Identify Staff Responsibilities • Summer Retreat • Program of Activities

22. Identifying Staff’s Responsibilities (Appendix II) Program of Activities (Appendix III)

23. Marketing Your Product (Who?) • Students • Counselors • Administrators • District / Board Members • Teachers / Staff • Parents • Community • Industry

24. “Gossmanisms” “People look upon support and donations as an investment towards a worthy/important cause”

25. “Gossmanisms” “People will continue to ‘invest’ in something when they see the positive return on their investment”

26. Marketing Your Product (How?) • School Media (daily bulletins, newspaper, etc..) • Local Media • Newspapers • Television • Radio • Internet • Web Page • Promotional / Marketing Supplies • Program of Activities (POA) • Advisory Meetings • Annual “State of the Union” address to Advisory Board, School/District Staff, Feeder Schools, Community, Industry, etc… • Community Service • Data • Enrollment #’s • Updates, Results, Trends, etc….

27. Program Web Page Atwater High Ag / FFA Web Page (Appendix IV) www.AtwaterFFA.org

28. Program Web Page Atwater High Ag / FFA Web Page (Appendix IV) www.AtwaterFFA.org

29. Program Web Page Atwater High Ag / FFA Web Page (Appendix IV) www.AtwaterFFA.org

30. A Dam Sign

31. Program Web Page Atwater High Ag / FFA Web Page (Appendix IV) www.AtwaterFFA.org

32. Program Web Page Atwater High Ag / FFA Web Page (Appendix IV) www.AtwaterFFA.org

33. “Gossmanisms” “Always go first class”

34. Implementing Your Marketing Plan • Establish Your Program’s Foundation • Courses / Pathways • 3-4 Pathway s • “Foundation” Courses • Be Proactive, not Reactive • Make decisions that are EFFICIENT and PRODUCTIVE • Establish Goals/Objectives and Calendar for Year • Prior to start of school year (retreat) • Communicate/list them in POA • Utilize Ag Leadership class / FFA Chapter Officers to implement calendar • Assess / Re-evaluate each year during retreat

35. Implementing Your Marketing Plan • Organize / Collect Data • Enrollment #’s (Pathway Retention #’s) • Course Pathways / Course Enrollment • Advertise (Promote) Your Program (“Product”) • Create a program logo (school/program name, mascot, CTE, etc..) – School Colors • Purchase “advertising” products that will be used/utilized (FIRST CLASS) • Logo and/or list school/program name on everything (use school colors)

36. Collect and Gather Data Department / Enrollment Data (Appendix V)

37. Implementing Your Marketing Plan • Maximize Marketing / Advertising Opportunities • “Thank You” • Recognition • Appreciation

38. “Gossmanisms” “Market, Promote, Recognize, & Appreciate ……. Market, Promote, Recognize, & Appreciate”

39. “Gossmanisms” “If you look good, they look good”

40. “Gossmanisms” “People will invest in a good product”

41. Building Partnerships • Students • Promote / Market Courses, Pathways, Program • Middle School Recruitment/Presentation • Web Page / Brochures / Informational Handouts • School information resources (Course Catalogs, Registration Material(s), etc..) • Marketing / Promotional Material • Be organized and Implement goals/objectives • Provide opportunities for personal, educational, and career success • Create a challenging, yet fun and enjoyable atmosphere

42. Building Partnerships • Counselors, (District/School) Administration, and Board Members • Patience • Develop and Produce a “Good Product” • Student involvement • Student success (personal and academic) • Communicate …. Communicate …. Communicate • Data • Production “Results” (student success) • Get them involved • Market and Promote • Genuine Gratitude and Appreciation

43. Building Partnerships • School / District Staff • Custodians, Secretaries, Cafeteria, Special Ed, Librarians, District Office Staff, etc… • Any/all people you come in contact (directly or indirectly)with each year • Genuine Gratitude and Appreciation • Recognize • Appreciate • “Thank You’s”

44. Building Partnerships • Teachers • Collaborate • Communicate • Respect their “product” / program • Parents • Communicate • Market / Promote

45. Dam Concrete

46. Building Partnerships • Community • Local Media • Once you get “in” with an article = “THANK YOU”, Recognize, Appreciate • Any “new” opportunity (radio, television, etc…) = “Thank You”, Recognize, Appreciate • Stay on Message (Program’s “Product” / Objectives)

47. Building Partnerships • Community • Boosters • Communicate • Stay Organized / Productive = Support • Recognize, appreciate, “Thank You’s”

48. Building Partnerships • Community • Market and Promote • Communicate / Share: • “Vision” • Needs / Resources

49. Building Partnerships • Industry • Communicate / Share Program: • “Vision” • Needs and Resources • Genuine Recognition, Gratitude, and Appreciation

50. “Gossmanisms” “You never know unless you ask”