Julie Edwards has been named the 2023 Career Technical Administrator of the Year for California ACSA Region 10, which includes Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz counties.
Edwards has led Career Technical Education in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District for the past four years, overseeing the restructuring and growth of the program since the district took over programming in 2019.
Before that, Edwards spent four years as assistant principal of Aptos High School, overseeing the counseling program, Advanced Placement program and other responsibilities.
Julie Edwards and her son, Michael Levy.
Since then, Edwards has developed an extensive infrastructure of courses and learning pathways to achieve CTE’s highest aim: To create life-changing opportunities for students through a combination of rigorous academics and work-based learning experiences that prepare them for high-wage, high-skill careers, and higher education.
Today, CTE in Pajaro Valley schools involves more than 3,200 students, 50 teachers, 65 courses, and 26 learning pathways at 10 high schools and middle schools in the 18,000-student district.
Courses include public safety, fire technology, patient care, programming, and video production. Newer classes, which can be taught online, include biotechnology, entrepreneurship, innovation design & manufacturing, ag mechanics 3, and innovations in green technology.
PVUSD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michelle Rodriguez, praised Edwards for transforming CTE programming inside and outside the classroom.
“Ms. Edwards leaned in with a keen student focus and equity lens to listen deeply to design and build a rigorous CTE program,” Rodriguez said, noting the array of innovative and creative A- G aligned courses that prepare students for their futures, and give them the option of pursuing admission at a University of California campus.
“The impact of Ms. Edwards’ dedication will benefit generations of students across our community,” Rodriguez added. “She definitely deserves this recognition.”
Key local industries like sustainable agriculture, plant science, engineering/engineering technology, and agricultural technology are among the fields of study offered in CTE’s learning pathways, which also include applied chemistry and biotechnology, construction trades, film and video production, graphic design, programming, and computer science.
While other districts offer CTE, Pajaro Valley classes focus on the students’ own interests and talents.
This approach has been shown to increase motivation and graduation rates, spur higher levels of academic achievement, and ultimately result in higher-wage jobs. Hands-on projects, inspiring speakers, and regional worksite visits are key components but rigorous academics remain a pillar of the programs.
Edwards’ initial step was to upgrade and qualify every CTE course as college preparatory, to ensure each class satisfied admission requirements for the California State University and University of California systems.
With Pajaro Valley businesses and industry in constant need of adaptable, educated, tech-savvy employees, CTE is playing an increasingly important role by preparing students for jobs in this technologically advancing region.
PVUSD’s CTE programs align with local employment needs through advisory groups and local professionals in business, industry, higher education, and community organizations.
“As an administrator, I am privileged to have the opportunity to make a positive contribution in PVUSD,” Edwards says. “Delivering on the promise the district makes to students to give them access to transformative experiences and high-quality environments enabling them to explore, learn, and prepare for life after high school gives me a sense of urgency every day.”