ITS-IDEAL to Make a Difference!

TREES is one of 60 Education for Employment (EFE) Systems established by the Illinois State Board of Education to administer and coordinate secondary Career and Technical Education (CTE). Illinois School districts must belong to an EFE System to access CTE funding. One of the major responsibility of an EFE System is to provide both staff and curriculum development for member schools. The TREES Joint Agreement consists of 18 High Schools, 2 Area Career Centers, and Joliet Junior College who all offer approved program sequences. Federal legislation in 1990 created Tech Prep to help meet the needs of both students and employers in the rapidly changing economy. Tech Prep supports programs that help create a better-prepared work force for our high-tech global economy.

Career & Tech Cadre: TREES and TECH PREP are offering a combination of learning opportunities for CTE teachers. Teachers may join a Cadre network that focuses on sharing individual concerns in a setting of collaborative dialog. Individual classroom observations and consultations are available for cadre members. The benefits of cadre are:

Collegial support -All too often teachers' isolated working environment rob them of much needed energy and passion for their chosen profession. Cadres can provide teachers with collegial support, build skills and confidence, and boost morale.
Staying current of trends-Accomplished teaching may well be the deciding factor in which students succeed in our society. Teachers must continually stay abreast of current developments in their field and find new and effective ways of helping students learn.
Reflective learning experience-Working with experienced teachers provides feedback and support to remove barriers and create a sence of intrinsic worth. It helps the teacher focus on "what is best for student learning?" Frequently the coach will share resources and connect the teacher with other support networks.
Navigating the system-By understanding the CTE system, cadre members learn about the powerful support and funding available to improve CTE programs. Cadre members will learn how to access and utilize CTE resources to improve their own classroom programs.

A Career & Tech cadre is open to Career and Tech teachers in the TREES Region. The cadre will run from September through May. Participants have the opportunity to earn 3 graduate credits for participation. Registration is now being accepted.

Staff Development: Based upon local requests, TREES and TECH PREP are also offering three strands of workshops for Career & Technical teachers and their colleagues:

In order for us to plan accordingly, please contact the TREES office, 815-727-2714, if you need to cancel your registration.


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Career & Tech *Facilitators:* TREES Don Smoot dsmoot@jjc.edu (815) 727-2714 Tech Prep Dan Kreidler dkreidle@jjc.edu (815) 280-1363 ITS-IDEAL Judy Judy jjudy2@its-ideal.com (815) 933-5246 (815) 693-9442 ITS-IDEAL Holly Pierson hpierson@lw210.org 815-464-4295	Career & Tech Education View Staff Development Listings Career & Tech Cadre TREES is one of 60 Education for Employment (EFE) Systems established by the Illinois State Board of Education to administer and coordinate secondary Career and Technical Education (CTE). Illinois School districts must belong to an EFE System to access CTE funding. One of the major responsibility of an EFE System is to provide both staff and curriculum development for member schools. The TREES Joint Agreement consists of 18 High Schools, 2 Area Career Centers, and Joliet Junior College who all offer approved program sequences. Federal legislation in 1990 created Tech Prep to help meet the needs of both students and employers in the rapidly changing economy. Tech Prep supports programs that help create a better-prepared work force for our high-tech global economy. Career & Tech Cadre: TREES and TECH PREP are offering a combination of learning opportunities for CTE teachers. Teachers may join a Cadre network that focuses on sharing individual concerns in a setting of collaborative dialog. Individual classroom observations and consultations are available for cadre members. The benefits of cadre are: Collegial support -All too often teachers' isolated working environment rob them of much needed energy and passion for their chosen profession. Cadres can provide teachers with collegial support, build skills and confidence, and boost morale. Staying current of trends-Accomplished teaching may well be the deciding factor in which students succeed in our society. Teachers must continually stay abreast of current developments in their field and find new and effective ways of helping students learn. Reflective learning experience-Working with experienced teachers provides feedback and support to remove barriers and create a sence of intrinsic worth. It helps the teacher focus on "what is best for student learning?" Frequently the coach will share resources and connect the teacher with other support networks. Navigating the system-By understanding the CTE system, cadre members learn about the powerful support and funding available to improve CTE programs. Cadre members will learn how to access and utilize CTE resources to improve their own classroom programs. A Career & Tech cadre is open to Career and Tech teachers in the TREES Region. The cadre will run from September through May. Participants have the opportunity to earn 3 graduate credits for participation. Registration is now being accepted. View the List of Career & Tech Cadre sessions or Brochure on the Career & Tech Cadre. Please contact the TREES office, (815) 727-2714, or Tech Prep office, (815) 280-1361, to join the cadre. Staff Development: Based upon local requests, TREES and TECH PREP are also offering three strands of workshops for Career & Technical teachers and their colleagues: Emerging Technology and Students Learning Working with Business and Industry Instructional Programs and Practices CTE teachers and their colleagues may register online at ITS-Ideal.com (click on Register Online next to the workshop you with to register for!) or submit registration form to either TREES or TECH PREP. There is no cost, but timely registration ensures the ordering of the snack/dinners. View the Staff Development Brochure & Registration Form. In order for us to plan accordingly, please contact the TREES office, 815-727-2714, if you need to cancel your registration. View the List of Staff Development sessions