Celebrating CTE month at SPS
February marks College and Technical Education (CTE) month celebrating the importance and accomplishments of the associated programs.
At Springfield Public Schools, CTE provides students with hands-on, engaging pathways that prepare them for success in both college and careers. Through rigorous academic instruction paired with real-world, industry-aligned experiences, students develop essential technical, academic and employability skills through these programs:
DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.
At Hillcrest High School, DECA is a co-curricular business and marketing organization connected to marketing classes that gives students real-world experience in leadership, entrepreneurship, finance and hospitality. Members practice role-plays, prepare presentations and business plans and compete at district, state and national levels. Students also have opportunities to travel beyond the local community to explore college campuses and career pathways. Through competition, leadership activities and service projects, members build confidence, professional skills and résumés while applying classroom learning in meaningful, real-world settings.
“DECA is more than a student organization — it’s a platform that brings my classroom to life,” said Amanda Larsen, business teacher and DECA sponsor. “DECA matters because it bridges the gap between theory and impact. I’m not just teaching marketing concepts — I’m helping students discover their potential, build professional skills and see themselves as future business leaders.”
DECA is offered at the high school level. SPS has DECA teams through Central, Glendale, Hillcrest, Kickapoo, Parkview and Study.
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA)
FCCLA is described as the nation’s #1 career preparation and workforce readiness organization for students pursuing careers in Education and Training, Hospitality and Tourism, Arts and Design, Personal Finance, Human Services and Public Service through Family and Consumer Sciences education.
At Hickory Hills K-8 School, FCCLA meets two times a month. The group held a fundraiser for personal hygiene products for Harmony House and is working on setting up a snack/drink cart that they hope will be up and running by the end of the school year or by the beginning of next year. This year, they had two teams complete community service projects as part of the Students Taking Action with Recognition (STAR) competition. Both teams took second place, qualifying for the state competition.
“Students should participate in FCCLA because it teaches them life long skills and gives them opportunities to help out in the community,” said Tasha Turner, Hickory Hills FACS teacher and FCCLA advisor. “They learn how to be professional and take leadership roles. It gives them opportunities to work with adults and peers and allows them to feel a sense of pride.”
FCCLA is offered at both the high school and middle school levels. SPS has FCCLA teams through Central, Glendale, Hillcrest, Kickapoo, Parkview, Launch, Cherokee, Hickory Hills, Pershing and Reed.
Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS)
FCS directly addresses the practical problems of people by identifying and responding to the needs of students and communities. This program prepares individuals for the complex and multiple roles of parent, family member, worker, citizen and leader.
At Study Alternative Center, FCS is very community focused. Study has a very strong group of people that focuses on making everyone feel included and part of that community. FCS classes help students learn and develop skills that will be useful later in life. It also teaches students to open their hearts to those in need and encourages them to make an impact in others’ lives.
“FCS is used every day at school, during every event at the school, and especially when we are out on business field trips,” said FCS teacher at Study. “It also shapes our students to make a change to themselves for the better and their futures.”
FCS is offered at both the high school and middle school levels. SPS has FCS classes at Central, Glendale, Hillcrest, Kickapoo, Parkview, Launch, Carver, Cherokee, Hickory Hills, Pershing, Pleasant View and Reed.
Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
FBLA inspires and prepares students to become community-minded business leaders in a global society through relevant career preparation and leadership experiences.
At Kickapoo High School, FBLA meets twice a month to play games, have discussions, plan events and develop relationships. Every quarter or so, the meetings shift in focus, discussing business fundamentals and how they connect to all other career paths. Starting in November, the team prepares for competitions by discussing presentation etiquette and learning what to expect. FBLA gives real world experience, leadership opportunities and a competitive edge for college and careers.
“FBLA is a great place for students to learn deeper skills that are hard to come by in the classroom and forces me to flex new teaching muscles,” said Mason Walters, Kickapoo business teacher and FBLA sponsor. “Almost every event involves a degree of research and studying that teaches students how to critically think about issues they will face in their jobs. The problem-solving aspect is my favorite because it provides a tangible way to see how students grow.”
FBLA is offered at the high school level. SPS has FBLA teams through Central, Glendale, Hillcrest, Kickapoo, Parkview and Launch.
Future Farmers of America (FFA)
FFA is the premier youth organization preparing members for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture.
At Glendale High School, FFA is very hands-on and student-centered. It’s not just meetings and contests — it’s students building things in the shop, working in the garden, competing in Career Development Events, going to leadership conferences and getting real-world experience through their projects. FFA offers students opportunities they don’t always get in a typical classroom. Even students who don’t plan to go into agriculture benefit from learning about public speaking, teamwork, responsibility and work ethic.
“Our chapter is growing, which is exciting. We have students who are brand new to agriculture and others who have grown up around it, and FFA gives all of them a place to belong and try something new,” said Makayla Barry, Glendale agriculture teacher and FFA sponsor. “I’ve watched quiet students find their voice, students step into leadership roles they didn’t think they were ready for, and kids take pride in something they built or grew themselves. Agricultural education is about more than farming — it’s about developing confident, capable young people.”
FFA is offered at the high school level. SPS has FFA teams through Glendale, Hillcrest and Launch.
HOSA is a global student-led organization that empowers future health professionals to become leaders in the global health community through education, collaboration and experience.
Through Launch online learning, HOSA provides students with a flexible, fully online opportunity to engage in healthcare career exploration, leadership development and competitive academic events. Meetings focus on preparing competitive events, exploring real-world healthcare topics, developing professional skills and connecting classroom learning to future careers. Even though they meet virtually on Zoom, students still experience teamwork, public speaking, problem-solving and leadership opportunities — all essential in healthcare fields.
“As an educator working with biomedical students, I see how powerful it is when students begin thinking like future healthcare professionals,” said Marci Adams, science teacher at Kickapoo High School and Launch Virtual Learning and Launch HOSA advisor. “HOSA gives students ownership of their learning. It pushes them to grow in responsibility, professionalism and leadership. Watching students discover their potential in a healthcare pathway is incredibly rewarding.”
HOSA is offered at both the high school and middle school levels. SPS has HOSA programs through Central, Glendale, Hillcrest, Kickapoo, Parkview, Launch and the Health Sciences Academy at Mercy.
Technology Student Association (TSA)
TSA is a national nonprofit career and technical student organization engaged in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
At Carver Middle School, TSA is a STEAM Club that starts near the end of October and runs through the first part of February as they compete against other area middle schools. There are typically 15-20 events, and each student is expected to pick two different events. Besides getting to work on challenging, fun and unique projects, participating in TSA gives students an opportunity to use real world technological skills, practical skills, academic skills and interpersonal skills that could lead to a career path that they never knew existed.
“Having the opportunity to be a sponsor for TSA and a teacher of Project Lead the Way (PLTW) at Carver for nearly a decade has given me the opportunity to make many connections with students that are interested in becoming a vital part of society’s future workforce in a variety of STEAM-related fields,” said Jon Jatho, PLTW teacher at Carver and TSA advisor. “I truly LOVE what I get to teach to these future leaders, workers and innovators.”
TSA is offered at both the high school and middle school levels. SPS has TSA teams through Central, Glendale, Hillcrest, Kickapoo, Parkview, Launch, Carver, Cherokee, Pershing, Pleasant View and Westport.
