#ctemonth

The choice is yours! From CDL Driver to Veterinary Assistant, a wide range of new career options are waiting for you. Make sure to utilize the help of an Employment Specialist or Career Specialist who can help you decide which path best fits your needs.

In addition to scholarships for undergraduate students, the NRAEF provides grants to educators attending the NRAEF’s Summer Institutes professional development courses. In 2018, the NRAEF awarded grants to over 60 educators looking to further their education at the Summer Institutes.

In celebration of CTE Month, read more about the 2018 Educator Grant Awardees and what impact they say attending the Summer Institutes can have on their school and their students.

Camelle Kinney

“I have attended levels 1-3 of the Summer Institutes. These are some of the very best staff development I have ever experienced. I have gained lifelong friendships and resources with people from all over the country and am using those resources each and every week as I teach.”

Alison Kiser

“I have many students in my culinary courses who struggle with basic skills in reading and writing, whether it be from language barriers, educational ability, or lack of support outside of the classroom, the challenge still remains.  One of the ways I have found to break through these barriers in my classroom is to provide worthwhile, hands-on culinary experiences that push students to read, comprehend, create and then reflect on materials presented.  With the skills I would gain at the Summer Institute I would be able to expand the knowledge base of my students and help to make their coursework more relevant and enriching.  I hope to learn more about the professional culinary world and the many opportunities that myself and my students may not have realized are available.”

Anthony Head

“As a career changer with an insatiable intellectual appetite, I'm excited about the opportunity to refine my skills outside of the classroom for the benefit of my students inside the classroom. Despite many professional development opportunities throughout the year, the Summer Institutes afford those who can attend an excellent forum with fellow ProStart educators. What I've found is that the networking between ProStart teachers/chef colleagues is just as valuable as the focused training we receive.”

Andrea O’Bannon

“Attending the Summer Institutes is a great opportunity to hear what other teachers are doing in their classrooms and kitchens.  I get to experience different kitchens and use equipment that is new to me.  It helps to keep me current with what is happening in the industry.  Also, it is good to see what the colleges are doing and have a conversation about what else high school teachers need to be doing to prepare our students. But after attending two Summer Institutes, I can say that I have walked away with valuable information and ideas that have made me a better instructor.”

Bob Brassard

“The Summer Institute course will greatly assist me in my personal goal to acquire additional class experience which will directly impact my students as they prepare to be tomorrow's industry superstars. Our industry is ever changing, and I firmly believe the Summer Institutes class brings to light current and relevant learning opportunities for both me and my students.”

Susan Buist

“Attending the Summer Institutes is of utmost importance because it gives me the skills I need to teach my students and prepare them for the “real world”.  True culinary/chef skills are extremely valuable when it comes to being able to share my knowledge with my students.  The institute does just this - it gives me the most up to date and current information and skills to pass along.  This makes my student's skills current and helps them to be career-ready.”

February is Career and Technical Education Month®, or CTE Month®, a public awareness campaign that takes place each February to celebrate the value of CTE and the achievements and accomplishments of CTE programs across the country. 

ProStart® is a career and technical education program that unites the foodservice industry and the classroom to teach high school students culinary skills and restaurant management principles, as well as employability skills such as communication, teamwork, professionalism and time management.

It is one of the most effective industry-supported career technical education programs in the nation, and it empowers students to achieve long term, successful careers in the restaurant and foodservice sector. 

Here are some stats about ProStart® and CTE programs: 

95% of CTE students graduate high school, which is 10% higher than the national average

91% of high school graduates who earned 2-3 CTE credits enrolled in college

Technical and applied science graduates earn $2,000 to $11,000 more per year than those with a bachelor’s degree

ProStart reaches nearly 140,000 students in more than 1,800 high schools across 50 states, Guam and the Department of Defense Education Activity schools in Europe and the Pacific

Students who have completed the requirements of the Prostart program are awarded an industry-recognized certificate - the Prostart National Certificate of Achievement

The National ProStart Invitational (NPSI) is the country’s premier secondary school competition focused on restaurant management and culinary arts

Here’s a look at the skills ProStart teaches students: