Pasadena ISD Celebrates CTE Month

“Career Technical Education (CTE) is an umbrella term for an array of educational programs that offer learning and experiences beyond the traditional high school and college model.” - Advance CTE.

CTE Month was created by the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), the nation’s largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education. The purpose is to celebrate all things CTE—raising awareness, recognizing achievements, and highlighting accomplishments at the local, state, and national levels. 

Pasadena Independent School District’s CTE Program

The Pasadena Independent School District’s (ISD) CTE program is more than just a program—it’s a powerful pathway to student success. Currently, 11,499 students are enrolled, with 170 dedicated teachers and 26 programs of study that offer hands-on, real-world learning experiences that prepare students for high-demand careers and postsecondary education.

To learn more about how Pasadena ISD supports CTE, we connected with CTE Business Partner Coordinator Zeek Garcia. Garcia’s daily student interactions motivate him, as do his efforts to help students reach their full potential. This drive inspired him to transition from a welding instructor to his current position in 2016. He states, “When the position became available, I recognized it as a chance to impact a broader range of students from behind the scenes.” Garcia is one of five administrators of the CTE program.

With so many students in Pasadena ISD’s CTE program, a large CTE Month celebration was expected. When asked how Pasadena ISD celebrates CTE Month, it’s best to share in Garcia’s own words:

“To kick off CTE Month, we were thrilled to be recognized as one of the 38 districts in Texas to be named a CTE District of Distinction by the Career and Technical Association of Texas (CTAT). This prestigious recognition honors districts that excel in workforce readiness, foster innovation in CTE, and inspire others through their dedication to student achievement and community impact. Pasadena ISD is proud to serve as a model of excellence in CTE, showcasing best practices and driving progress statewide.

To celebrate this achievement and CTE Month, we sent all district administrators a small gift—a bag of popcorn labeled with CTE facts—as a fun and engaging way to spread awareness.

Additionally, we spotlighted CTE at the February PISD Board of Trustees meeting, where we presented key updates and highlighted the impact of our programs on students and the community.

One of our most exciting traditions is our CTE Social Media Contest, where all six campuses compete. We feature one campus each day on our social media platforms throughout the month. Each week follows a different theme:

• Week 1: General overview of CTE on each campus
• Week 2: Student spotlights
• Week 3: Teacher spotlights
• Week 4: A student-created CTE Hype video produced by A/V students

The contest drives engagement, as the winning campus earns the traveling trophy and bragging rights for the year. More importantly, it informs students, parents, business partners, and the community about the incredible opportunities within CTE in Pasadena ISD— all while adding a little friendly competition!

We are constantly seeking ways to enhance and expand our celebrations for CTE Month. Our focus is on making the events bigger and better and supporting our teachers and students throughout the year. The successes we achieve in the months leading up to and following February are the highlights we aim to showcase and celebrate during CTE Month. We want to create a vibrant atmosphere that reflects the incredible work happening in our CTE programs year-round!”

Since its inception, Pasadena ISD’s CTE program has tremendously grown. Garcia attributes its success to its executive director’s motto, “Do what’s best for our students,” while advocating for their success. He says, “There is no greater reward than knowing that, in some way, we are helping young students thrive and become productive members of society.”

Pasadena ISD’s CTE program equips students with the technical skills, knowledge, and credentials to succeed in their chosen fields. The program offers 92 industry-recognized certifications whether students decide to enter the workforce immediately after graduation or continue their education. Garcia says, “Ultimately, we want our students, parents, and community to see the immense value of CTE as a launchpad for bright futures and thriving careers.”