CTE Foundation Sonoma County

CTE Foundation Sonoma County Innovate the education-to-career experience to
strengthen student success.

Thank you to the Press Democrat and reporter Dan Taylor for highlighting the incredible impact of Spark the Future 2026!...
06/04/2026

Thank you to the Press Democrat and reporter Dan Taylor for highlighting the incredible impact of Spark the Future 2026!

Because of the generosity of our community, this year's event raised more than $350,000 to support career-connected learning opportunities for Sonoma County students. From engineering and culinary arts to agriculture, media, manufacturing, and more, over 100 students showcased the skills, creativity, and ambition that are shaping our region's future.

We're grateful to our incredible event sponsors, the participating Student Showcase classrooms, and everyone who attended, supported, and celebrated our students alongside us.

Thank you, Keysight Technologies, for serving as Presenting Sponsor and investing in Sonoma County's future workforce.

Thank you, Redwood Credit Union, for sponsoring the Presenting Sponsor of the Student Showcase and helping students shine.

And thank you to the students and educators of Academy of Innovative Arts, Analy High School, Casa Grande High School, Healdsburg High School, Petaluma High School, Piner High School, Rancho Cotate High School, Sonoma Valley High School, and Windsor High School for proudly representing your programs and inspiring our community!

Read the full story here: https://www.pressdemocrat.com/2026/06/03/spark-the-future-event-raises-350000-for-sonoma-county-car

Some of the most powerful stories in education are happening quietly right here in Sonoma County.Students stepping into ...
05/28/2026

Some of the most powerful stories in education are happening quietly right here in Sonoma County.

Students stepping into hospital clinics for the first time. Young people gaining confidence in professional kitchens. Educators reimagining what school can look like when learning feels connected to the real world.

We’re excited to share three brand-new stories on the CTE Foundation blog that highlight the incredible students, educators and industry partners shaping the future of our community.

✨ Explore the stories:
-How culinary students gained hands-on experience inside Stark Reality Restaurants
-How Analy High School is redesigning learning around student experience
-How 26 local students are stepping into healthcare careers through CNA training

These stories are hopeful, inspiring and a reminder of what’s possible when a community invests in young people.

Read the latest stories here or through the link in our bio:
https://ctesonomacounty.org/about-cte/news-updates/

“I’ve seen students go from hesitant to capable. From uncertain to certain. From ‘I don’t know if I can do this’ to ‘I c...
05/22/2026

“I’ve seen students go from hesitant to capable. From uncertain to certain. From ‘I don’t know if I can do this’ to ‘I can’t believe I did that.’”

As Path to Purpose internships wrap up across Sonoma County, CTE Foundation Student Success Advisor Jolene Pighini is reflecting on a year of growth, bravery, and transformation.

From classroom presentations to internship placements to college coursework through Santa Rosa Junior College, students took major steps toward their futures this year - and the impact is just beginning.

Read the full reflection:

https://mailchi.mp/ctesonomacounty/ssa2026

Interested in becoming a Path to Purpose employer partner for 2026-2027? Shoot us a message and let’s connect!

Earlier this year, CTE Foundation and Stark Reality Restaurants partnered to create a one-of-a-kind, real-world culinary...
05/19/2026

Earlier this year, CTE Foundation and Stark Reality Restaurants partnered to create a one-of-a-kind, real-world culinary experience for local students from Analy High School and Healdsburg High School. 👩🏻‍🍳🥘🤌🏻

Over several weeks, students learned side-by-side with chefs and restaurant staff, experiencing the true pace of culinary and hospitality work - prep, service, communication, teamwork, and leadership under pressure.

But the biggest lesson wasn’t just how to cook. It was what happens when young people are trusted with real responsibility. Confidence grows. Talent shines. Potential becomes undeniable.

This is the power of career-connected learning - students building real skills in real environments, with mentors who open doors instead of keeping them closed.
Stark Reality Restaurants created a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. And for students, that kind of experience can be life-changing.

To the students who showed up ready to learn - you earned every bit of this moment!

And to the community partners who believe in them - thank you for proving what’s possible when we invest in students.

Photo Credit: Savery Media

✨ Path to Purpose Intern Professional Development Day ✨On Saturday, May 9, 2026, our Path to Purpose interns came togeth...
05/15/2026

✨ Path to Purpose Intern Professional Development Day ✨

On Saturday, May 9, 2026, our Path to Purpose interns came together for an energizing day of growth, reflection and career preparation as they near the finish line of their internship journeys.

This workshop was designed to help interns walk away with real tools they can use immediately - including intern networking, resume support, portfolio building, professional headshots and even some fun “advocate for yourself” speed networking challenges that helped students practice pitching their strengths.

A major highlight was our powerful panel discussion on The Power of Social Capital - exploring how relationships, mentorship and community connections can open doors and shape future opportunities.

👏 Huge thank you to our incredible panelists for sharing your insight, time and encouragement:
Herman G. Hernandez (Los Cien)
Chase Overholt (Positive Images)
Priscilla Jaworski-Quintanilla (Redwood Credit Union)

Your leadership and authenticity made a lasting impact on the interns!

CTE Foundation, in partnership with Path to Purpose's Founding Partner Sonoma County Office of Education, are so proud of these interns and the ambition, professionalism and growth they continue to show. This is what connected learning looks like - preparing students for success by aligning academics, career opportunities and student ambition!

🎙️ Our Executive Director on the Air!We were thrilled to have Eli Weinzveg, Executive Director of CTE Foundation Sonoma ...
05/13/2026

🎙️ Our Executive Director on the Air!

We were thrilled to have Eli Weinzveg, Executive Director of CTE Foundation Sonoma County, featured on ’s Sonoma County Focus! 🌟 Eli shared how career technical education is expanding opportunities for students across our community and why connecting learning to future careers matters now more than ever.

Tune in to hear the conversation and learn how CTE Foundation is partnering with educators, employers, and families to build pathways where students can thrive:
https://www.ksro.com/episode/sonoma-county-focus-career-technical-education-foundation/

🎧📚💡

👩‍🍳 Teacher Appreciation Week Spotlight: Chef Mei Ibach 👩‍🍳As Chef Mei Ibach retires this year, she leaves behind more t...
05/08/2026

👩‍🍳 Teacher Appreciation Week Spotlight: Chef Mei Ibach 👩‍🍳

As Chef Mei Ibach retires this year, she leaves behind more than a culinary program - she leaves a legacy.

For years, Chef Mei has helped students find confidence in themselves, pride in their work, and a sense of belonging. Her classroom has been a place where students learned what it means to show up, work as a team, take feedback, and grow into the kind of professionals they hope to become.

Chef Mei put it best:
“Being a teacher has always been about more than the subject… it’s about watching students discover what they’re capable of - sometimes for the first time.”

Thank you, Chef Mei, for everything you’ve given to Sonoma County students. Your impact will be felt for years to come. 👏

🔧Teacher Appreciation Week Spotlight: Aaron Anderson 🔧As Teacher Appreciation Week comes to a close, we'd like to spotli...
05/08/2026

🔧Teacher Appreciation Week Spotlight: Aaron Anderson 🔧

As Teacher Appreciation Week comes to a close, we'd like to spotlight Aaron Anderson - Beginning & Advanced Metal Fabrication teacher at Sonoma Valley High School!

At Spark the Future, guests saw firsthand what happens when students are trusted with real tools, real responsibility, and real expectations.

At Sonoma Valley High School, Aaron Anderson leads Beginning & Advanced Metal Fabrication - where students are building far more than metalwork. They’re building confidence, problem-solving skills, and pride in what they can create.

This year, Aaron’s students brought their Rock Crawler Buggy Chassis project to our Student Showcase and earned the Student Showcase Award, chosen by attendees - a huge recognition of their craftsmanship, teamwork, and professionalism.

Thank you, Aaron, for helping students spark their own futures. 👏

Calling Sonoma County Industry Leaders + Business Partners! CTE Foundation Sonoma County is hosting a convening to bring...
04/29/2026

Calling Sonoma County Industry Leaders + Business Partners!

CTE Foundation Sonoma County is hosting a convening to bring together industry leaders, business organizations and community partners to better understand Sonoma County’s workforce and career development needs - and explore how we can strengthen local talent pipelines together.

This will be a collaborative, practical conversation focused on shared solutions and meaningful employer engagement.

📅 When: Friday, May 8, 2026
🕣 Time: 9 AM - 11 AM
📍 Location: CTE Foundation, 1030 Apollo Way, Santa Rosa, CA 95407

🔗 RSVP today: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdTy1p_7ABm_vW45wqtIVfBYAho5Un_qL-dRTN0qW6Ae4nh3g/viewform
(We encourage both organization staff and key Board leadership to attend!)

At this convening, we’ll work alongside you to:
-Learn about the workforce challenges your members are facing
-Share opportunities for career-connected learning and employer engagement
-Explore how we can collectively support local businesses in hosting interns

We’ll also introduce Path to Purpose, our countywide internship program founded in partnership with Sonoma County Office of Education, connecting high school students with meaningful, supported internship experiences.

This is designed to be the start of an ongoing community of practice, where we can continue learning from one another and aligning efforts to support Sonoma County’s workforce.

Thank you for all you do to support our local businesses - we hope you’ll join us!

From the bottom of our hearts - thank you.Spark the Future 2026 on Thursday, April 16 was our biggest one yet - more st...
04/27/2026

From the bottom of our hearts - thank you.

Spark the Future 2026 on Thursday, April 16 was our biggest one yet - more students, more programs, and more pathways to possibility. And because of this community’s belief in Sonoma County youth…

✨✨✨ Together, we raised over $350,000 for career-connected learning opportunities across Sonoma County! ✨✨✨

The night kicked off with our unforgettable Student Showcase presented by Redwood Credit Union, featuring 14 classes from across the county. Guests didn’t just admire student projects - they met students, heard their stories, and funded classroom grants in real time through token purchases.

And the talent on display? Absolutely next level.

🏆 2026 Student Showcase Award Winners:

Best in Showcase: Sonoma Valley High School – Beginning & Advanced Metal Fabrication
Best in Showcase: Culinary Award: Casa Grande High School – Food Service & Hospitality Management
Redwood Credit Union Innovation Award: Piner High School – Culinary Arts I & II

This year also reminded us of something powerful - Spark the Future isn’t just a celebration of students… it’s built by them. From student-made florals and desserts, to event videography and handcrafted token boxes, students powered the entire experience.

And then came the moments that moved the room starting with Zachary Davis and then Rosy Avendano, a Path to Purpose intern at Santa Rosa Community Health, who reminded every person in the audience what happens when students are given access, mentorship, and a real chance to belong in professional spaces.

Because of you, this is opportunity in motion - more classroom tools, more hands-on learning, more internships, and more students discovering what they’re capable of.

Thank you for helping Sonoma County students spark their futures.

Address

1030 Apollo Way, Ste 200
Santa Rosa, CA
95407

Telephone

+17077087080

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when CTE Foundation Sonoma County posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to CTE Foundation Sonoma County:

Shortcuts

Share

Category