1. Dave Gossman – Atwater High School Agriculture Department
Running Your CTE Program like a Successful Business and Championship Caliber Team
Dave Gossman – Atwater High School Agriculture Department

2. A little background info on this guy ……
Originally (high school tenure) from Arroyo Grande (Pismo Beach), CA
Moved to CA Central Valley 10 years ago
9 years Atwater High School – Agriculture Department

3. A little more info please ……
2nd Grade “Career” Goal – “Dolphin Trainer”
A.S. Degree in Exotic Animal Training and Management (Moorpark College)
10 year career with Dolphin Quest (Hawaii, Tahiti, and Moorea)
B.S. and M.S. in Agriculture Science (Cal Poly, SLO)

4. CATA and NAAE’s 2010 Outstanding California Secondary / High School Agriculture Program

5. Partnerships / Resources
Running Your CTE Program like a Successful Business and Championship Caliber Team
Partnerships / Resources
Marketing, Promotion, and Recognition
“Organization"
Identify "Product"
Identify & Implement Goals and Objectives
“Vision”

6. The “Atwater” Story
2001
Atwater expanded with another high school (Buhach Colony)
District lines for new campus was predominantly “rural” students within area / community
4th year of completely new set of agriculture teachers
Retirements
Transfers to new high school campus and community colleges
AHS campus predominantly low income, “city” of Winton / Atwater

7. “Don’t look at what is, rather what can be”

8. “Don’t look at what is, rather what can be”

9. “Don’t look at what is, rather what can be”

10. “Don’t look at what is, rather what can be”

11. “Don’t look at what is, rather what can be”

12. “Don’t look at what is, rather what can be”

13. “Don’t look at what is, rather what can be”

14. A Dam Photo

15. “Have a VISION” – Make it Happen
Clean and Organize
Reason/Purpose
It makes a POSITIVE statement
It sets the tone
“Professional”
Inventory knowledge
Keeps the atmosphere/environ ment fresh and current
Facilities/Program become a “Highlight”

16. “Have a VISION” – Make it Happen
Clean and Organize
Areas to Clean / Organize
Classroom / Facilities
Courses / Pathways
Curriculum

17. Program Pathways / Curriculum (Appendix I)
Organizing Your Curriculum and Pathway Courses
I have no idea who this is.

18. “Have a VISION” – Make it Happen
Department Chairs:
Bring In and Build a Team that Shares the Same Vision
Bring in People with More Talent, Knowledge, and Skill than You
Empower Staff and Allow Them to Work Towards Program’s “Vision” and Goals Within Their “Niche” and/or Area of Expertise
“Have a VISION” – Make it Happen

19. “Have a VISION” – Make it Happen
Establish and Build a Foundation
Simple
Basic
“Have a VISION” – Make it Happen

20. “Have a VISION” – Make it Happen
Identify Your “Product” / Objectives
Premier Leadership, Personal Growth, & Educational and Career Success
Getting Students Involved
Making a Positive Difference in the Lives of Young People
“Have a VISION” – Make it Happen

21. “Have a VISION” – Make it Happen
Set Goals/Objectives Each Year (Chip away towards the “vision”)
Identify Staff Responsibilities
Summer Retreat
Program of Activities
“Have a VISION” – Make it Happen

22. Identifying Staff’s Responsibilities
(Appendix II)
Program of Activities
(Appendix III)

23. Marketing Your Product (Who?)
Students
Counselors
Administrators
District / Board Members
Teachers / Staff
Parents
Community
Industry

24. “Gossmanisms”
“People look upon support and donations as an investment towards a worthy/import ant cause”

25. “Gossmanisms”
“People will continue to ‘invest’ in something when they see the positive return on their investment”

26. Marketing Your Product (How?)
School Media (daily bulletins, newspaper, etc..)
Local Media
Newspapers
Television
Radio
Internet
Web Page
Promotional / Marketing Supplies
Program of Activities (POA)
Advisory Meetings
Annual “State of the Union” address to Advisory Board, School/District Staff, Feeder Schools, Community, Industry, etc…
Community Service
Data
Enrollment #’s
Updates, Results, Trends, etc….

27. Program Web Page Atwater High Ag / FFA Web Page (Appendix IV)

28. Program Web Page Atwater High Ag / FFA Web Page (Appendix IV)

29. Program Web Page Atwater High Ag / FFA Web Page (Appendix IV)

30. A Dam Sign

31. Program Web Page Atwater High Ag / FFA Web Page (Appendix IV)

32. Program Web Page Atwater High Ag / FFA Web Page (Appendix IV)

33. “Always go first class”
“Gossmanisms”
“Always go first class”

34. Implementing Your Marketing Plan
Establish Your Program’s Foundation
Courses / Pathways
3-4 Pathway s
“Foundation” Courses
Be Proactive, not Reactive
Make decisions that are EFFICIENT and PRODUCTIVE
Establish Goals/Objectives and Calendar for Year
Prior to start of school year (retreat)
Communicate/list them in POA
Utilize Ag Leadership class / FFA Chapter Officers to implement calendar
Assess / Re-evaluate each year during retreat

35. Implementing Your Marketing Plan
Organize / Collect Data
Enrollment #’s (Pathway Retention #’s)
Course Pathways / Course Enrollment
Advertise (Promote) Your Program (“Product”)
Create a program logo (school/program name, mascot, CTE, etc..) – School Colors
Purchase “advertising” products that will be used/utilized (FIRST CLASS)
Logo and/or list school/program name on everything (use school colors)

36. Collect and Gather Data
Department / Enrollment Data
(Appendix V)

37. Implementing Your Marketing Plan
Maximize Marketing / Advertising Opportunities
“Thank You”
Recognition
Appreciation

38. “Market, Promote, Recognize, & Appreciate …….
“Gossmanisms”
“Market, Promote, Recognize, & Appreciate …….
Market, Promote, Recognize, & Appreciate”

39. “If you look good, they look good”
“Gossmanisms”
“If you look good, they look good”

40. “People will invest in a good product”
“Gossmanisms”
“People will invest in a good product”

41. Building Partnerships
Students
Promote / Market Courses, Pathways, Program
Middle School Recruitment/Presentation
Web Page / Brochures / Informational Handouts
School information resources (Course Catalogs, Registration Material(s), etc..)
Marketing / Promotional Material
Be organized and Implement goals/objectives
Provide opportunities for personal, educational, and career success
Create a challenging, yet fun and enjoyable atmosphere

42. Building Partnerships
Counselors, (District/School) Administration, and Board Members
Patience
Develop and Produce a “Good Product”
Student involvement
Student success (personal and academic)
Communicate …. Communicate …. Communicate
Data
Production “Results” (student success)
Get them involved
Market and Promote
Genuine Gratitude and Appreciation

43. Building Partnerships
School / District Staff
Custodians, Secretaries, Cafeteria, Special Ed, Librarians, District Office Staff, etc…
Any/all people you come in contact (directly or indirectly)with each year
Genuine Gratitude and Appreciation
Recognize
Appreciate
“Thank You’s”

44. Building Partnerships
Teachers
Collaborate
Communicate
Respect their “product” / program
Parents
Market / Promote

45. Dam Concrete

46. Building Partnerships
Community
Local Media
Once you get “in” with an article = “THANK YOU”, Recognize, Appreciate
Any “new” opportunity (radio, television, etc…) = “Thank You”, Recognize, Appreciate
Stay on Message (Program’s “Product” / Objectives)

47. Building Partnerships
Community
Boosters
Communicate
Stay Organized / Productive = Support
Recognize, appreciate, “Thank You’s”

48. Building Partnerships
Community
Market and Promote
Communicate / Share:
“Vision”
Needs / Resources

49. Building Partnerships
Industry
Communicate / Share Program:
“Vision”
Needs and Resources
Genuine Recognition, Gratitude, and Appreciation

50. “You never know unless you ask”
“Gossmanisms”
“You never know unless you ask”

51. “If you want to be successful, hang around other successful people”
“Gossmanisms”
“If you want to be successful, hang around other successful people”

52. “ Don’t reinvent the wheel” –
“Gossmanisms”
“ Don’t reinvent the wheel” –
“Take advantage of your colleagues”

53. “Always strive for better efficiency and increased productivity”
“Gossmanisms”
“Always strive for better efficiency and increased productivity”

54. “It’s gonna take time and effort”
“Gossmanisms”
“It’s gonna take time and effort”

55. Summary Establishing a solid foundation of ….
a “vision”
a passionate team that shares that “vision”
cleanliness and organization
clear goals / objectives
efficiency, productivity and success
making a positive difference
….. will generate a vehicle of support and resources to continue, strengthen, build, develop, and support that foundation.

56. Summary
The #1 …. most important …. highest priority ….. key to success is:
Show genuine gratitude and appreciation towards any/all support
Recognize that support