EMCSD Students Take Podcasting, First-Aid, and Music at Rio Hondo College

El Monte City School District students spent last week in Rio Hondo College’s CTE (Career Tactical Education) Program. The program offers 7th and 8th grade students hands-on learning opportunities with cutting-edge technology that explores first aid, CPR, health science, and podcasting.

 

“This program will introduce a child to a different way of thinking about technology, careers, and college,” stated Claudia Romo, Lead Organizer of the CTE Program. She explained how “true partnership” between the program and district is key to the program's initial development and success.

 

The importance of this program is “exposing students to several different CTE fields and areas of expertise; this way they get a chance to see what they like and don’t like,” voiced Jacob Muñiz, Coordinator of Engagement and Enrichment at EMCSD. Students are given this unique opportunity to explore different career paths.

 

Rio Hondo CTE has been active for over 10 years and contains a variety of modules that the students participate in. This year's modules included first aid, podcasting, and music integrated technology workshop. All students are rotated throughout the modules in the span of a week and are able to enjoy what each has to offer.

 

The podcasting workshop was a standout activity. Students were enthralled by the professional microphones available that radio hosts and podcasters use. They were encouraged to write, read, and record their scripts using state-of-the-art equipment. Rehearsing lines to record also helped students practice their public speaking. “I'm not that nervous to talk in front of people anymore and I’m more confident,” said Frank Wright student, Humberto Quirarte.

 

Students were entertained with exciting modules and innovative technology while simultaneously being exposed to a collegiate environment. College can seem a bit daunting to some students and perhaps unattainable. Therefore, this program helps shape the perception of college for these students. “It’s really fun, you get to experience what students in college get to work on,” shared Gidley student, Mayra Rodriguez. Mayra along with her peers have expressed more excitement and interest in reaching college.

 

An objective of the program is to expose the students to college and prove that it is attainable. “A lot of us in our community view college as unattainable and spending a week on a college campus can change their perspective,” explained Romo. Everyone involved wants to spark interest in a career path that may not have been thought possible for the students. 

 

Some of our students that participated in the program were recruited through the Migrant Education Program at EMCSD. Migrant Ed. is a supplemental program offered to students of families or parents that work in agriculture from picking, gathering, and more. A majority of the students will be the first in their families to finish high school or attend college, therefore an opportunity like the Rio Hondo CTE program is important. Migrant Education Coordinator, Eliza Blanco, comments “I believe the impact is tremendous when we expose migrant students to higher education. It gives them ideas to set up goals and how to achieve them.”