​Kristin Mckenna

Why Choose CTE?

 

• Madera Unified CTE programs provide a pathway for higher education and rewarding careers, where industry experts use applied academics to teach real world skills.


• By enrolling in CTE classes students connect academics to real world situations that can lead to employment in growing high demand fields.


• Students are given opportunities to learn through meaningful hands on labs and work based learning on real and simulated job sites.


• Students learn skills that are applicable in both career and college, such as problem solving, teamwork, clearly communicating, planning, meeting deadlines, and collaborating.


• Students enrolled in CTE are increasingly high performers with higher than average graduation rates, and impressive post-secondary enrollment rates.


• Opportunities to earn free college credit through high school coursework.


Jordana has been with Madera Unified since 2022, where she was hired as an Agriculture Teacher at Madera South High School, and taught for 3 years. Before that, she taught for 8 years in 2 other local districts as an Agriculture Teacher, as well as a few classes in a Health Science Pathway. 

Jordana did her student teaching at Madera South High School in 2014 after earning her Bachelor's in Agriculture Education from Fresno State University. She completed her Master's in Agriculture Education through Cal Poly, SLO, and her administrative credential through the Madera County Office of Education. She is married to Arthur Faria, who teaches Mechanized Agriculture at Reedley College, and has 3 children, James, Renae, and Henry. 

Jordana currently works to support STEM, Career Exploration, and CTE within Madera Unified School District. 

Jordana Faria

​Director of College and Career Readiness for Madera Unified School District.


Kristin has been with Madera Unified since 2009 when she was hired as an
Agriculture Teacher at Madera South High School.  She spent six years in the
classroom and served as the Agriculture Department Chairman.  


In 2015 Kristin became the Coordinator of College and Career Readiness and
move to the Director role in July 2018.


Kristin received her Bachelors of Science Degree and Teaching Credential at
Fresno State University, her Masters in Agriculture Education from Cal Poly,
San Luis Obispo and her Administration Credential through Madera County
Office of Education.


Kristin is married to Chris who is an Ag. Mechanics Teacher at Fresno State
and they have a daughter Madison, and son James.


Currently, Kristin supports the teachers in Madera Unified 25 career
pathways, and helps build industry partnerships to align with the pathways.


She manages all of the CTE specific funding and is responsible for writing
new grants as they become available.


Career Technical Education

Research supports the value of Career Technical Education (CTE) for high school students. CTE produces gains in academic achievement and earnings and represents a significant contribution to the education of America’s youth and adults in preparation of a skilled workforce.

Why CTE?
ACTE Research Paper (Research demonstrates the value of Career and Technical Education)

Did you know?

CTE graduates are 10-15% more likely to be in the labor force
CTE graduates earn 8-9% more than graduates of academic programs

Regional Occupational Center/Program (ROC/P) Facts:

ROC/P students improve their high school grade point averages at a greater rate than comparison students.
ROC/P students enroll in post-secondary education in larger numbers.
ROC/P students have more success in securing raises and promotions on the job.
ROC/P students question the value and relevance of many of their high school courses.

2006-07 Accountability Research Study, UC Riverside
Dr. Doug Mitchel