TECH TALK NEWSLETTERS *
RMCTC STUDENTS COMPETE in SkillsUSA COMPETITION
On January 16, 2012, about 400 students from 15 nearby career and tech centers including the Berks County Schools of Berks East, Berks West and Reading Muhlenberg gathered at the BCTC’s two campuses to take part in the annual SkillsUSA District 4 & 5 competitions.
A total of 49 different contests were held in both skilled and leadership competitions to help recognize those students who would qualify to move on to the State level. First place winners will move on to the State level which will be held in Hershey on April 19, 2012.
28 Medals Winners for RMCTC
First Place Winners
- Customer Service – Janay Holyfield
- Food & Beverage – Brittany Anderson
Second Place Winners
- Auto Service Specialization – Ron Garl
- Auto Service Technology – Mike Gutierrez
- Cabinetmaking – Melisa Aquilar
- Computer Web Design – Sam Borden, Andy Santiago
- Graphic Communications – Miriam Aviles
- Job Interview – Amber Reyes
- Masonry – Carlos Marrero
- Nurse Assisting – Gladys German
- Precision Machining Technology – Marcos Laureano
- Residential Wiring – Nate Munoz
Third Place Winners
- Architectural Drafting – Oralia Alvarado
- Collision Repair Technology – Ricardo Avila
- Computer Web Design – Daniel Bravo , Daniel Kockel
- Firefighting – Raymond Acevedo – District 4
- Firefighting – Brandon Banks – District 5
- Industrial Motor Control - Alexis Ynirio
- Motorcycle Service Technology – Justin Skwiat
- Painting – Kaila Ramos – District 4
- Painting – Christopher Killer – District 5
- Precision Machining – Victor Flores
- Technical Drafting – Edxon Castro
- Crime Scene Investigation – Yanelis Herrara, Alyssa Colon, Brooke Franco
SkillsUSA is a national organization serving high school and college students preparing for careers in technical, skilled and service occupations, including health occupations.
Each year students compete in the trades they’re studying that could earn them prizes such as tools, scholarships and other prizes.
RMCTC STUDENTS COMPETE in AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY COMPETITION
Two RMCTC Automotive Technology seniors, Alex M. Stine and Josh M. Edwards, competed in the Greater Philadelphia Automotive Technology Competition in March 2011. The event was held in Warminster, PA. This was the first time students from RMCTC competed in this competition so tensions were high. The journey began in the fall of 2010 when Alex and Josh agreed to take a preliminary written exam necessary to qualify for the hands-on competition that would take place in the spring of 2011. Needless to say, the students scored very well on the written exam and earned a spot as a team in the hands-on competition. This event is highly competitive and has a lot to offer winning teams such as scholarships, and tools.
In order to prepare for a competition like this RMCTC had to recruit the help of a local car dealership. Thankfully, the school acquired a sponsorship from Penske Buick in Shillington, PA. Penske delivered a beautiful 2011 Buick LeSabre and thus began the training. Alex and Josh used the car to prepare for several “work stations” that would be set-up and judged by the competition’s sponsors. After 3 weeks of long days and even a Saturday or two, they were ready. Penske Buick then picked up the car and taken back to their dealership, and “bugged” it a week before the completion.
The students competed in ‘pre-delivery’ inspections, vehicle alignment, electrical applications, engine mechanical applications, electronic diagnostics, information technology, and soft skills (interviewing). From the beginning, their Automotive Technology Teacher, Samuel Morraco was proud and pleased with the performance of his students. It was stated that the Reading-Muhlenberg C.T.C. students scored very well considering that this was the first time their school entered a competition of this magnitude.
Twenty-four teams entered the competition in the fall of 2011. The number fell to 12 teams for the hands-on portion with RMCTC’s team finishing in 8th place. Alex M. Stine and Josh M. Edwards earned scholarships valued at $8000.00 each, and received tools, clothing, and other valuable souvenirs for their efforts. The ‘buzz’ about the competition has been so great, several underclassmen in Automotive Technology program are very eager to participate and compete next year. The experience culminated when Alex and Josh were able to see their names on a full page ad that had been placed in the Philadelphia Inquirer and the A.D.A.G.P.’s (Automobile Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia) magazine; solidifying their place in R.M.C.T.C. history….
RMCTC Students Participate In Annual Career Day
To give our students the opportunity to see their selected career “in action;” the RMCTC hosts an annual Career Day.
On March 24, 2010, 90 students spent the day with 46 different mentors from businesses and industries throughout Berks County. The mentors came to the CTC, met with their student(s), and after enjoying a continental breakfast, they were “off and running.” We appreciated the willingness of the mentors to transport the students to and from their place of employment, as it allowed all our students an equal opportunity to participate in the event.
We are so proud of our students! They were on time, dressed appropriately, well mannered, and represented the RMCTC in a very positive light. When they returned, the students were very excited, and happy to talk about their shadowing experience. Also, many were able to see some aspects of the career field that they didn’t even know existed; which in turn, sparked a lot of interest in post-secondary education.
Career Day reaffirmed for the students that they have made the right career choice!
Dr. SEUss's Birthday
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On March 2, 2010 the RMCTC National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) students celebrated Dr. Seuss’s birthday with Muhlenberg Elementary School students.
Donning their Dr. Seuss hats made by the RMCTC Sewing and Clothing Manufacturing class, they visited the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade classrooms to read their favorite Dr. Suess book.
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The students visited 26 classrooms!
NTHS started guest reading last year in hopes that the readers would become role models for elementary students and inspire them to read. The students look forward to celebrating again next year.
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Now Accredited:
Reading Muhlenberg Career & Technology Center*
NIMS (National Institute for Metalworking Skills,) is pleased to announce the official Accreditation of the Machine Shop Technology Program at Reading Muhlenberg Career and Technology Center of Reading, PA.
Since first applying for accreditation in November 2008, the staff and faculty at Reading Muhlenberg have done what it takes to make their training on par with industry standards. Reflecting on the accreditation process, Machine Shop Technology Teacher Andrew Klein said “It was a lot of hard work, but the long term payoff for our students made it well worth it.”
The On-Site Evaluation took place on January 26th and 27th of this year. Making up the Evaluation Team was:
- Team Leader Erik Damgaard of Berks Career & Technology Center
- Education Representative Frank Torrente of North Montco Technical Career Center
- Industry Representative Kurt Heinly of Teleflex Medical
Following the two-day audit, the Evaluation Team voted unanimously to accredit the program, saying “...Program has a good foundation for future success. This foundation includes a dedicated instructor, a committed administration, a solid curriculum and an active OAC (Occupational Advisory Committee)."
Congratulations to everyone involved in this process, especially Machine Shop Technology Teacher Andrew Klein, for making this accreditation possible!
Click here to read more about the Machine Shop Technology program.
* reprinted with permission from National Institute for Metalworking Skills, Inc.
RMCTC PROGRAM ACCREDITATION
Good economy or poor economy, the best paying jobs go to those who have the skills to fill them.
What’s more, a job applicant with certification in a skill or trade or someone who has graduated from an accredited program is more likely to get a position than an applicant without that competency or proof of the quality of his or her education. With that in mind, teachers and administrators at Reading Muhlenberg Career & Technology Center are working to earn industry accreditation for several programs. In addition, they are seeking certification opportunities for themselves and their students.
“We’re raising expectations for our programs,” said Gerald Witmer, RMCTC administrative director. “This will give more opportunities to our students. If its industry association accredits a program, it shows potential employers that a student was exposed to a quality program that has met a high level of industry accountability. This will help to make our students more employable.”
RMCTC programs already accredited or currently working toward accreditation in this or next year by their respective industries are:
- Advertising Design & Commercial Art
- Auto Body Repair
- Automotive Technology
- Baking & Pastry Arts
- Bricklaying
- Building & Property Maintenance
- Cabinetmaking
- Carpentry
- Computerized Drafting Technology
- Cosmetology
- Culinary Arts
- Diesel Truck Technology
- Electrical Technology
- Health – Nursing Careers
- Machine Shop Technology
- Motorcycle, Marine & Small Engine Technology
- Painting & Decorating
- Plumbing & Heating
- Printing & Graphic Communications
- Welding & Metal Fabrication
“Program standards and requirements for accreditation are very stringent,” Witmer said. “Only outstanding educational programs are granted accreditation. Representatives of accrediting institutions perform on-site evaluations, but only after an internal program compliance review has been completed with the assistance of local industry experts serving in an advisory capacity.
Gaining accreditation means a school has “demonstrated that it meets requirements in areas of curriculum, instruction, safety, facilities, and equipment,” Witmer said. “What’s more, our students then will be eligible to sit for industry certification, a huge plus for their job search.”
Program accreditation is just the beginning, Witmer added: the ultimate goal is to seek school-wide accreditation for RMCTC through a recognized accrediting institution still to be determined.
“It boils down to this,” he said. “Accreditation, whether at the program level or school-wide, assures our students and their parents that our programs are of high quality.”
RMCTC HEALTH SCIENCE PROGRAM RECOGNIZED BY PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR EXCELLENCE
Mrs. Tamayo, an instructor for the Health Science Technology program has been recognized by PDE’s Technical Centers That Work for achievement towards student proficiency.
Mrs. Tamayo has worked diligently to adopt Reading Muhlenberg CTC’s Job Ready PA initiative and has achieved much success. 100 percent of her seniors earned the PA Skills Certificate by passing the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) competence test for Health Sciences.
Mrs. Tamayo believes each of her students can earn the PA Skills Certificate and is determined to help each student succeed. Her strategies for success include adopting the Schools “roadmap to success” which includes teaching theory to the learning styles of students every day and utilizing a literacy strategy during every lesson. Mrs. Tamayo stresses team work and cooperation. For more information about Mrs. Tamayo’s program click here to link to the PDE web page.