May 18, 2011 issue of Careers in ACTion: Trish Litton
What a Great Place to Work—Ms. Litton’s 32 years of service
Written by: Ms. Trish Litton, Secondary Vocational Program Specialist for the School District of Manatee County.
My job is to build and strengthen Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs across the School District of Manatee County. That single thought has had
a huge impact on what I do on a daily basis. I’ve held my current position, Secondary Vocational Program Specialist, for eleven years after assuming teaching,
administrative, and other district level positions in Manatee County. I feel fortunate to have spent 32 years of my professional career in education in our district.
I truly do not believe there is a better place to work.
My position is unique in that I have the opportunity to work with over 100 career and technical education teachers across the district, representing all
grade levels, to implement relevant and meaningful career education programs to students. Most districts have several people in this position assigned to
one or two content areas. My curricular areas of concentration include: Agriscience, Business Education, Marketing, Family and Consumer Science, Health,
Industrial Education and Technology Education. While working with our teachers I take active steps in refurbishing laboratories while keeping equipment current
with industrial standards, buying technology (hardware and software) to enhance programs, and meeting the needs of industry. Also, I provide professional
development for teachers (everything from the implementation of reading strategies to the use of digital cameras and SolidWorks software trainings). In addition,
I meet with CTE department chairs monthly to bring them the latest legislative changes and new initiatives and listen to their concerns for our programs.
I meet with legislators concerning a variety of issues in support of our programs. I make presentations to Department of Education committees asking
for changes to benefit our programs. Networking and developing relationships play a key role. Career Academies has been a focal point for many years in the
ACT Department (Adult, Career and Technical Education Department) with teachers and students being trained and tested for industry certification. The State
recognizes these accomplishments by rewarding programs monetarily. These funds go directly back to support CTE programs within the schools.
Working with our local community is another important factor in my position. As a result, great opportunities are brought to our students. MOSAIC, Manatee
County 4-H Club Foundation, Inc., Farm City Week Committee, The Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County, The Manatee County Agricultural Museum, Inc.,
Manatee County Friends of Extension, and the Florida Farm Bureau are groups that I work with that directly impact programs and create opportunities for our
students.
Career Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) are organizations that are available to students in our schools enrolled within a CTE program. When students
become active members of their appropriate CTSO they may choose to compete at district, state or national levels. The leadership opportunities afforded to our
students through active involvement within these groups is phenomenal. They learn leadership skills that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. My role
within the district is to support this initiative by helping arrange competitive events. I might arrange transportation, find a venue for the event, secure judges, or
better yet, act as a judge, and help financially support these events. Following the events, my job is to spread the word! The ACT Update is our newsletter that we
take great pride in presenting to our community. Please visit our website www.ManateeACT.com to read and learn more about our department.
Not a day goes by that I don’t learn something new. It might involve a new regulation governing our Family and Consumer Science teachers implementing a
new VPK (voluntary pre-kindergarten) skill for 4-year olds for one of our Early Childhood Education programs, a new drip irrigation system for hydrostackers in
a greenhouse for an agriscience program, or purchasing a new tricaster costing around $25,000.00 (which is the brains behind coordinating cameras and sound
for TV segments) for a Television Production program.
One highlighted accomplishment in my career was the opportunity in 2007 to represent Manatee County in the Florida Agriscience Education Leadership
Program. This program is still being offered by the Department of Education and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to help participants
develop and refine the leadership capabilities of agricscience teachers and administrators and improve agriscience programs in Florida. I traveled the entire state
of Florida with an exceptional group of leaders learning about agriculture native to the various regions. To this day I stay in contact with many of my fellow group
members!
Another high point occurred last year when I received the Carl Perkins Humanitarian Award at the Florida Association of Career and Technical Education
Conference after serving a number of years on their Board and serving as President of the Florida Association of Marketing/Diversified Education Local Supervisors
(2005-2006). That was a true honor to receive. True rewards are real people. The most meaningful experiences are when I run into students I taught in the late
70s and 80s. They tell me that what they learned in my class has been relevant in their lives. Those are the GREATEST rewards of teaching and the memories
I will cherish forever.
Trish helps ensuring classrooms are equipped with the
technology and equipment needed to prepare students for the
world of work. Here, she visits the Southeast High School TV
Production lab.
Working with community and legislative partners, Trish
advocates on behalf of Manatee County students. She
participated in the Florida Agriscience Education Leadership
program, which helps teachers and administrators improve the
quality of agriscience education for our students.
Trish Litton (left) supports teachers in the Adult, Career
and Technical Education Department. Here, she presents
a certificate of appreciation to Dr. Mary Thompson, DCT/
Marketing teacher from Braden River High School. Dr.
Thompson is being recognized for her efforts in obtaining
reading credentials.
Trish heads up EdVantage District Student Leadership
Team. LEADERSHIP is one of the District's EdVantage
strategies.
The Adult, Career & Technical Education Department (ACT) in Manatee County is the umbrella for all
of the adult, career and technical education programs in our elementary, middle, high schools, and
Manatee Technical Institute. Our academically centered programs link the world of education to the
world of work. Through our programs we prepare youth and adults for careers by providing leadership
in developing an educated, prepared and competitive workforce.
www.ManateeACT.com • www.cecf.org • www.flaffa.org • www.fldeca.org
www.flfccla.org • www.flhosa.org • www.floridafbla-pbl.com
www.floridatsa.com • www.fpsainc.org • www.futurebuildersofamerica.org
www.skillsusa.org
022644
EdVantage Objective #1: Continually demonstrate enthusiasm for the self-directed
pursuit of knowledge.
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