Attached below are samples of student assignments from Artifact 57. The lesson on Business Ethics will be taught the end of third quarter and therefore samples of student work are not attached. Student samples will be available after the lesson is taught.

Project- or problem-based learning can best be illustrated in the career planning unit by a culminating activity called "EFE Personal Career Profile."  The profile assignment and accompanying worksheets are attached below. 

All students as members of Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) are encouraged to enter the district Star Events competition.  This project based learning experience is the Job Interview Event, which is described as "an individual event, recognizes participants who use Family and Consumer Sciences and/or related occupation's skills to develop a portfolio, participate in an interview, and communicate a personal understanding of job requirements."   A complete description of the event with specific guidelines outlined can be accessed at www.fcclainc.org on pp.72-77.  This school year, three EFE students will compete in the Job Interview Event at the District level on February 10, 2010.  All students hope to win a gold and advance to the state and national levels. Since Job Interview is an individual competition event, this project is worked on in class under the supervision of the instructor and at home.

Update to this entry, effective February 1, 2010: All three FCCLA students referenced above received a gold award in the Job Interview event; two students will be advancing to the FCCLA State Competition on April 16-18, 2010 in Virginia Beach.

Professional development opportunities allow for a teacher to grow into a more "highly effective educator."  Over the course of 34 years in Family and Consumer Sciences education, I have participated in professionally development activities annually; therefore my repertoire of instructional strategies are countless. Regardless of the wealth of best practices acquired over the years, a ritual at the beginning of each school year is to review two resources First Days of School by Harry K. Wong and Rosemary T. Wong; and Hints for the Highly Effective Instructor by Dr. Wilbur R. Miller and Dr. Marie F. Miller. Both are husband and wife teams with the later have specific background in the field of CTE.  In the role of department chair, both of these books have been shared with Hayfield's CTE department and with participants in the VA Teachers for Tomorrow trainings. Likewise, the curriculum specialist, asked for my leadership in her absence at the FCPS New Teacher's Meeting in August 2006.  Hints for the Highly Effective Instructor were discussed at this inservice and novice teachers were presented with a copy.  Notes for the presentation of Hints for the Highly Effective Instructor are attached below. Also attached are four specific best instructional strategies that are constantly incorporated into the Education for Employment curriculum and integrate the workplace readiness skills.