•  First, let’s talk about CTSOs or Career and Technical Student Organizations. These groups provide students with opportunities to develop leadership and technical skills that can be applied in their future careers. As an advisor of a CTSO, you’ve been instrumental in guiding students toward their goals. This is a great experience to highlight in your cover letter and resume.

•  When writing your cover letter, include your experience as an advisor and provide specific examples of how you’ve helped students succeed. For example, you can mention how you provided support and guidance to a group of students struggling with academic performance, or how you’ve helped students plan for their post-secondary education.

• Focus on achievements, not just responsibilities: Instead of simply listing your job duties, highlight your accomplishments and how they have contributed to the success of your previous roles. Use quantifiable data and specific examples to demonstrate your impact.

• For example: Served a low-income population, and an underperforming school (and school district). Helped move the graduation rate from 76% to 85%, through consistency, and implementing school-wide policies.  Increased standards in discipline, teaching from bell to bell, and implementing the no cell phone policy.  Participated in the PLCs.  Completed the mentor-training program, so I could be a mentor to new staff.  

•  Keep it concise and easy to read: Hiring managers often have many resumes to review, so make sure your resume is easy to read and visually appealing. Use bullet points and clear headings to break up sections and make the information easy to digest. Additionally, limit your resume to two pages if possible.Formatting is key to success!

• Example:  The three most common resume formats are chronological, functional and combination. When deciding which resume format you should use, consider your professional history and the role you’re applying for. For example, if you have limited work experience, you might instead focus on academic work, volunteer positions or apprenticeships with a functional resume instead of a chronological resume, which prioritizes job history.

•  Update your contact information and online presence: Make sure your resume includes your current contact information, including a professional email address and phone number. You should also review and update your online presence, including social media profiles, to ensure they align with your professional brand.

• For Example Your LinkedIn profile to match your resume. Keep your headline and summary consistent: Your headline and summary on LinkedIn should be consistent with your resume. Use the same job title and description to describe your experience and expertise. This will help recruiters and hiring managers easily recognize your skills and experience when comparing your resume and LinkedIn profile.

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• Let's start with closing down your FCS lab/classroom. It's important to begin with inventory, taking stock of all your equipment, tools, and supplies. This will help you determine what needs to be repaired, replaced, or ordered for the upcoming school year. Additionally, proper maintenance and cleaning of equipment should be performed to ensure its longevity and effectiveness.

• Inventory is an important aspect of closing down an FCS classroom/lab. It is essential to take an accurate inventory of all the items in the lab, including equipment, tools, materials, and supplies. This inventory will help you determine what needs to be disposed of, what can be stored for the next school year, and what needs to be ordered or replaced.

•  OR your Sewing & Textiles labs- Sewing and embroidery machines in FCS classes should also be serviced and maintained before closing down the classroom. This includes cleaning and oiling the machines, replacing any worn or broken parts, and ensuring they are stored in a dry and secure location. It is also important to inventory these machines and any accompanying accessories, such as needles and thread, to ensure everything is accounted for and in good condition for the next school year. Additionally, if any repairs or replacements are needed, it's best to take care of them during the summer months to avoid any delays or disruptions during the school year.

• Now let's talk about grants and scholarship opportunities for FCS educators. There are several grants and scholarship opportunities available for FCS educators that can enhance their classroom experience. The USDA offers several grants that can help you enhance your classroom and provide hands-on learning experiences for your students. For example, the Resident Instruction Grants Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas and Agriculture and Food Sciences Facilities and Equipment grant can help you acquire equipment and resources that can enhance your students' learning experiences. The Renewable Resources Extension Act - National Focus Fund Projects grant can also help you develop innovative curricula and provide hands-on learning experiences for your students which supports innovative curricula and provides training and outreach to rural communities.

•  Additionally, the Home Baking Association offers an award for FCS educators who focus on baking education and its interdisciplinary benefits to young people. The award includes a $1,000 prize and entries must be submitted by May 31st, 2023.

•  These grants and scholarships can provide valuable resources and support for FCS educators, allowing them to enhance their classrooms and provide better learning experiences for their students. Educators should take advantage of these opportunities and apply for the grants and scholarships that best suit their needs and goals.

If you are looking for more grants and scholarship opportunities, visit https://www.fcsed.net/prepare/prepare-scholarships for a complete list.

           Check out the latest blog post: Closing down your FCS classroom and Lab!                                                                                                                              

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To start off, I am going to give you a brief overview  of what  vocabulary  tiers are and why they're important in the Family and Consumers Sciences classroom.

• Tier 1 words are the most common words used in everyday conversations.  They are words that students are likely to already know, such as "house", "food", and "clothing."
• Tier 2 words are less common words that students may encounter in academic settings. These are words like "nutrition", "Sustainable", and "conservation."
• Tier 3 words are the most specialized words used in specific career fields, such as "dietetics",  "textile", and  "interior design."

Again, vocabulary tiers refer to different levels of words, with tier 1 words being the most common and basic, while tier 3 words are the most complex and specific.

So, why is it important to understand these tiers? By understanding the different types of vocabulary words, teachers can better select the words they want to focus on teaching, and in turn, help their students build a stronger vocabulary. Now let's talk about some strategies for teaching vocabulary in your FCS classes. There are several strategies that teachers can use effectively integrate vocabulary tiers into your instruction.

1. One of the most effective strategies is to provide students with context. When students understand the context in which a word is used, they are more likely to remember it and be able to use it in their own writing and speaking.  For example, teachers can use repeated exposure to the words in context through reading, writing, and speaking activities.
2. Another strategy is to encourage students to use new vocabulary words in their own writing. For example, you could have students write a journal entry using as many Tier 2 words as they can, or have them write a story using both Tier 1 and Tier 2 words. Teachers can assess students' understanding of vocabulary through formative  and summative assessments.
3. Finally, using visual aids, such as flashcards, posters, and graphic organizers, can help students better understand and retain new vocabulary words. This is where students are provided with explicit vocabulary instruction by using direct teaching methods, such as defining and explaining words, using real-life examples, and creating visual aids.

As Family and Consumer Sciences teachers, you can integrate these strategies by incorporating hands-on activities and projects that allow students to use the words in context. For example, teachers can have students use semantic mapping to connect new cooking terms in their existing knowledge of food preparation. Teachers can also use word sorts to help students categorize different cooking techniques and ingredients. Finally, teacher-led discussions can be used to help students engage in meaningful conversations about the different aspects of cooking and food preparation where students engage in dialogue about the words and their meanings, which is also a powerful vocabulary strategy.

So, those are just a few strategies for teaching vocabulary in the Family and Consumer Sciences classroom. By incorporating these strategies into your instructional practices, you'll be helping your students build a stronger vocabulary and better prepare them for their future successes in their future careers.