With the new CTE buildings being built at SHS, new staff has arrived to lead to the growth of the CTE program. What this program brings to students is a push into the right direction with the amount of “career and technical education” (CTE) provided to the students. This benefits student’s futures as they are searching for a career path that suits them best and receive help in finding benefits such as internships, scholarships, help on resumes, etc.
The new CTE Counselor, Sara Villegas, is here to make this growth happen. Mrs.Villegas’ values create strong relationships with students by showing trust and empathy. This would create a suitable environment for students to openly express their concerns and hopes for their future. Therefore, the CTE program is essentially going to give students numerous resources and opportunities than ever before in SHS.
She first started off her education in this program by going straight into a CNA program upon graduating high school.
“I didn’t know what I wanted to do,” says Villegas.
Mrs. Villegas mentions after telling about how she joined the CNA program. Although, her true passion lies in education and she discovered this after getting a job in her non-profit college where she worked for five years. This led to her earning a bachelor’s degree in Fresno Pacific and her masters and credentials were done in a national university part-time due to her already starting work full-time.
Mrs. Villegas enjoys SHS and Selma because of the welcoming environment created by staff and students.
“I also worked in Easton, so I like the country environment,” Villegas mentions,
Selma’s environment has both a welcoming and suitable atmosphere for Villegas to enjoy her career in.
In our four years of highschool, we are exposed to lots of real world concepts and subjects that we will use later in life like in college. What Mrs. Villegas wants to accomplish in the CTE program is to prepare students with more hands-on experience and opportunities.
“More career fairs for them, more field trips that cater to each pathway, and more hands-on experience,” says Villegas.
She has much hope for the new CTE program as it means that more guidance will be coming soon for many students. As a high school student, the future can be quite stressful to think about as we try to maintain our grades and try to get more involved. This program will bring just the right amount of help for confused and curious students.
Mrs. Villegas is hopeful in the program and is striving towards focusing on more dual enrollment and field trips, but outside of school she lives a beautiful life.
“I married my high school sweetheart. We’ve been together for sixteen years.”
Mrs. Villegas and her husband are currently renovating their house. She enjoys being with her family, they often enjoy going on trips like at the beach.
Mrs. Villegas is here to lend a helping hand whenever needed with her compassion for her job and students, making sure that students feel like they’re in good hands.
