All students should graduate from high school ready for college and career. Career and Technical Education (CTE) is an education system that combines rigorous academic classes with industry-specific knowledge and skills to prepare students both for direct entry into industry sectors and post-secondary education. CTE programs offer students the opportunity to explore various career options and then put in place the classes and experiences they need to succeed in the career of their choice.








National CTE Awareness Month
February is National Career and Technical Education (CTE) Awareness Month. Learn about the value of CTE and how you can support students in developing their skills and preparing for college and career:
Week One: The New World of Work
Week Two: Post-Secondary Education for All
Week Three: Career Exploration Begins with Self-Awareness
Week Four: Tips for Supporting Students
Keeping Up with CTE
In the past, the CTE Department produced a monthly online newsletter with the latest information, news, and opportunities to improve students' college and career readiness. View all of the published emails and subscribe to learn how to support students in having successful college and career experiences.
Flipping the College Decision-Making Paradigm
Traditionally, when students U.S. weigh their educational choices after high school, they consider the college they attend more important than the major they study and the career they choose. This helps us understand why many college students take a few semesters to settle on a major, why the U.S. has the largest college drop-out rate in the developed world, and why so many graduates end up in unfulfilling careers.
Get Focused...Stay Focused! is a program that helps students flip the college decision-making paradigm by helping them understand who they are, what they want, and how they are going to get it.
Karen Gnusti
Executive Director, College, Career & Secondary Education
Email: kgnusti@smcoe.org
Phone: (650) 802-5331
Doron Markus
Coordinator, Career Technical Education (CTE)
Email: dmarkus@smcoe.org
Phone: (650) 802-5405
Rubie Macaraeg
Coordinator, Career Technical Education (CTE)
Email: rmacaraeg@smcoe.org
Phone: (650) 802-5336
Katia Sturtevant
Administrative Assistant II