
Silicon Valley Career Technical Education offers state-of-the-art programs taught by industry professionals who engage students in rigorous, real-world academics and skills development designed to support their success through college and in their future careers.
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Thursday Aug 07
VIEW EVENTWednesday Aug 13
Start-SVAE CTE PM
VIEW EVENTThursday Aug 14
Governing Board Meeting
The board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 13, and will be held in person at SVCTE Auditorium, Room 201. View the agenda online.
- 6:00 p.m. start time
- 6:10 p.m. closed session
- Open session at approximately 7:00 pm.
Public Comments can be submitted to: publiccomments@metroed.netVIEW EVENT- View Full Calendar
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May/June 2025 Newsletter
06/05/2025 08:37 AM METROPOLITAN EDUCATION DISTRICT June 5, 2025 CTE Newsletter Vol. 11 Issue 8 Visit our website ? Inside this Issue SVAE Graduation SVCTE Awards Ceremony Teacher of the Year Classified School EmployRead More >> READ MOREMetroED News Release: Four SVCTE Student Trailers Screened at 2025 Sweded Film Festival
05/22/2025 12:02 PM FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 22, 2025 Contact: Shannon Carr Communications Coordinator scarr@metroed.net (408) 723-4229 Four SVCTE Student Trailers Screened at 2025 Sweded Film Festival SAN JOSE, Read More >> READ MOREMetroED News Release: SVCTE Honors More Than 100 Students at 56th Annual Awards Ceremony
05/21/2025 09:02 AM FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 21, 2025 Contact: Shannon Carr Communications Coordinator scarr@metroed.net (408) 723-4229 SVCTE Honors More Than 100 Students at 56th Annual Awards Ceremony San Jose, CRead More >> READ MORE- See All Announcements
May/June 2025 Newsletter

METROPOLITAN EDUCATION DISTRICT
June 5, 2025
CTE Newsletter Vol. 11 Issue 8
Visit our website
Inside this Issue
- SVAE Graduation
- SVCTE Awards Ceremony
- Teacher of the Year
- Classified School Employee of the Year
- Culinary Arts Hoffmann Award
- SkillsUSA National Signing Day
- National Apprenticeship Day
- Sweded Film Festival
- EV Dual Enrollment Completion
- SkillsUSA Chapter Celebration
- Student Ambassadors Recognition
- SVCTE Car Show
- New Taipei Students Visit
- Animation Student Scholarship
- SVAE Student Scholarship
- SVCTE Film Festival
- SVCTE Animation Festival
- SVAE International Day
- SVCTE Fashion Pop-Up
- SVCTE Classes Collaborate
- SVCTE Mock Trial
- In The News
Superintendent's Message
Hello Shannon,
As my first year at MetroED comes to a close, I find myself filled with gratitude—for our students, staff, families, and partners who make this work so deeply meaningful.
This has been a year of learning and growth not just for our students, but for me as well. I’ve had the privilege of seeing up close what makes Silicon Valley Career Technical Education (SVCTE) center and Silicon Valley Adult Education (SVAE) so impactful. These programs teach skills and change lives.
SVCTE continues to foster aspirations for high school students across the region, offering hands-on, career-connected learning that prepares them for college, career, and life. Whether they're welding, coding, designing, or caring for others, our students are gaining real-world experience that builds confidence and a path for their future.
At SVAE, I’ve met adults courageously returning to the classroom, some for the first time in decades, some for the first time in this country. Whether they’re learning English, earning a diploma, or gaining career certification, we are honored to be a stop on their life and learning journey.
Both of our programs serve as bridges—connecting students to opportunity, and classrooms to community. This only happens because of the incredible commitment of our teachers, classified staff, administrators, and industry partners. Your belief in our mission fuels everything we do.
My first year with MetroED has been wonderfully memorable. I look forward to continuing this work together as we create a future filled with opportunity, purpose, and hope.
Wishing you a joyful, restorative summer!
Erin O'Neill
Superintendent
News and Highlights
Meet the 37 Adults Who Didn’t Give Up
SVAE held its graduation on May 29 for 18 High School Diploma graduates and 19 High School Equivalency completers. Senator Dave Cortese presented certificates of congratulations to the graduating class. Dr. Bob Harper, retired executive director of the South Bay Consortium for Adult Education, was the keynote speaker.
- For more photos from the ceremony, click here.
- To watch the event video, click here.
- To view the event program and a full list of graduates and scholarship winners, click here.
Thirteen graduates were awarded $6,300 in scholarships, supported by partnerships with organizations including The McKinley Educational Initiative, Los Altos Sunset Rotary Club, MetroED Foundation, and former superintendent Alyssa Lynch. Samnang Kea received the Lifelong Learner award, while Carrie Rivas received the Outstanding Graduate award.
SVCTE Recognizes More Than 100 Students at the Awards Ceremony
SVCTE proudly hosted its 56th Annual Awards Ceremony on May 16, recognizing the achievements of more than 100 students for their dedication and excellence in career and technical education.
- To read the full News Release, click here.
- For more photos from the ceremony, click here.
- To watch the event video, click here.
- To view the event program and a full list of scholarship and award recipients, click here.
Students were awarded tools, equipment, and more than $5,300 in scholarships—resources to support their transition into the workforce or further education. Support for these scholarships comes from partnering organizations, including the MetroED Foundation, McKinley Educational Initiative, Los Altos Sunset Rotary Club, West Valley-Mission Community College, and former MetroED Superintendent Alyssa Lynch.
Teacher of the Year: Cassidy Cannizzaro
Cassidy Cannizzaro, SVCTE Metals Technology teacher, has been named MetroED’s Teacher of the Year. Cannizzaro will be honored at the 55th Santa Clara County Office of Education Teacher Recognition Celebration in the fall, among 31 other Teachers of the Year from throughout the county. Of Cannizzaro, his colleagues shared:
"A former SVCTE student turned model educator, Cassidy inspires the next generation with industry expertise, real-world opportunities, and a passion for student success—truly living the mission of SVCTE."
Classified School Employee of the Year: Maria Luna
Maria Luna, SVCTE site registrar, has been named MetroED’s Classified School Employee of the Year. Of Luna, her colleagues shared:
"Maria holds herself to a high standard of work done well and promptly. She has helped build and maintain a positive, professional atmosphere in the SVCTE office."
SVCTE Culinary Arts Program Recognized with
Santa Clara County Hoffmann Award
On May 7, MetroED proudly celebrated as its SVCTE Culinary Arts course was honored with the prestigious 2025 Glenn W. Hoffmann Award, one of only six awarded across the county from the Santa Clara County School Boards Association. This 41-year tradition recognizes educational programs that significantly impact student success in Santa Clara County. We were thrilled to host the awards dinner right here on the MetroED campus — and even more proud that our talented Culinary Arts students beautifully catered it. A big congratulations to Culinary Arts teacher Chef Danielle Clark for receiving the award on the program's behalf and all that she does to inspire and support her students every day. Watch the Culinary Arts Hoffmann video here: bit.ly/hoffmannculinaryarts. For more photos, click here.
SVCTE Students Commit to Careers in Skilled Trades at SkillsUSA National Signing Day Event
Students from SVCTE were celebrated on May 6 at the Lowe’s store on Cottle Road in San Jose during the 2025 SkillsUSA National Signing Day, a nationwide celebration showcasing our next generation of professionals in the skilled pathways that are essential to America’s future. For more photos from the event, click here.
In partnership with SkillsUSA and the Lowe’s Foundation, the event honored Construction Technology and Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) students as they signed symbolic letters of intent for apprenticeships, job offers, or advanced technical training, mirroring athletic signing days but focused on high-demand industries. Held in over 25 states, SkillsUSA’s Signing Day spotlights students poised to enter essential, rewarding careers. To read the News Release, click here.
MetroED Hosts National Apprenticeship Day Event
MetroED hosted the National Apprenticeship Day convening, organized by Orrian Willis from the Northern California Apprenticeship Network (NCAN). Forty-nine attendees across postsecondary education, workforce development, tech, and nonprofit sectors joined us to explore innovative pre-apprenticeship approaches.
Guest speakers from the California Department of Education, BAVC Media, and Pleasanton Unified School District shared powerful insights on successful program implementation. MetroED continues collaborating with NCAN and other partners to expand pre-apprenticeship opportunities across traditional and emerging industries—empowering students with real-world experience and clear pathways to fulfilling, future-ready careers. For more photos, click here.
Four SVCTE Student Trailers Screened at
2025 Sweded Film Festival
Four trailers created by students in the Film & Video Production course at SVCTE were officially selected and screened at the 2025 Sweded Film Festival on May 2 in Fresno—a national celebration of DIY recreations of iconic movie trailers, produced with humor, heart, and low-budget ingenuity. To read the News Release, click here.
The following trailers and student filmmakers were selected for the festival:
Clueless video (2:33 minutes) from East Side UHSD: Alex Cabral from Silver Creek and Amber Francis from Santa Teresa; and from San Jose USD: Rebecca Ofverberg from Willow Glen and Ash Wells from Leland.
MetroED News Release: Four SVCTE Student Trailers Screened at 2025 Sweded Film Festival

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2025
Contact: Shannon Carr
Communications Coordinator
(408) 723-4229
Four SVCTE Student Trailers Screened at 2025 Sweded Film Festival
SAN JOSE, CA – Four trailers created by students in the Film & Video Production course at Silicon Valley Career Technical Education (SVCTE) center were officially selected and screened at the 2025 Sweded Film Festival on May 2 in Fresno—a national celebration of DIY recreations of iconic movie trailers, produced with humor, heart, and low-budget ingenuity.
For the second year in a row, SVCTE students have stood out for their creative vision and unique storytelling, once again earning spots in the festival. These trailers were among 30 selected out of hundreds of submissions from all over California. It was an opportunity for SVCTE’s Advanced Film & Video Production students to practice their leadership and film production skills.
The student work was guided by teacher Jonathan Furtado, a seasoned filmmaker with more than a decade of experience as a director of photography, camera operator, and editor. Drawing from his extensive industry background, Furtado builds students’ career ready competencies while fostering their creativity and collaboration in the classroom.
Watch all the trailers and learn more about the festival here.
The following trailers and student filmmakers were selected for the festival:
Clueless video (2:33 minutes) from East Side UHSD: Alex Cabral from Silver Creek and Amber Francis from Santa Teresa; and from San Jose USD: Rebecca Ofverberg from Willow Glen and Ash Wells from Leland.
Lars and the Real Girl video (2:27 minutes) from East Side UHSD: Jace Nguyen from Overfelt; from San Jose USD: Samuel Nunes and Sophia Warder from Willow Glen; and no longer enrolled: Anna Romo.
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World video (2:27 minutes) from Campbell UHSD: Ilyas Dey from Westmont and Noah Hirsch from Leigh; and from East Side UHSD: Melanie Prince from Silver Creek.
Whiplash video (2:18 minutes) from East Side UHSD: Julia Gonzalez from Santa Teresa and Sango Levonian from Piedmont Hills; from San Jose USD: Samantha Nunes from Willow Glen; and from Santa Clara USD: Patrick Pond from Santa Clara
About Metropolitan Education District: MetroED is a regional provider of Career Technical Education (CTE) and Adult Education. We are the largest career-oriented education organization in Northern California for high school and adult students. Annually, MetroED provides 2,100 diverse students with the skills to help them be productive, income-earning and tax-paying contributors to Silicon Valley. Register for a free campus tour or get more information here.
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MetroED News Release: SVCTE Honors More Than 100 Students at 56th Annual Awards Ceremony

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 21, 2025
Contact: Shannon Carr
Communications Coordinator
(408) 723-4229
SVCTE Honors More Than 100 Students at
56th Annual Awards Ceremony
San Jose, CA — Silicon Valley Career Technical Education (SVCTE) center proudly hosted its 56th Annual Awards Ceremony on May 16, recognizing the achievements of more than 100 students for their dedication and excellence in career and technical education. At SVCTE, students are taught by instructors who bring years of real-world industry experience into the classroom, providing hands-on learning that connects directly to today's workforce needs.
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For more photos from the ceremony, click here.
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To watch the event video, click here.
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To view the event program and a full list of award recipients, click here.
The Awards Ceremony highlights SVCTE’s ongoing commitment to preparing students for high-demand, high-paying careers through hands-on, real-world learning experiences. Students were awarded tools, equipment, and more than $5,300 in scholarships—resources to support their transition into the workforce or further education. Support for these scholarships comes from partnering organizations including the MetroED Foundation, McKinley Educational Initiative, Los Altos Sunset Rotary Club, and West Valley-Mission Community College, and former MetroED Superintendent Alyssa Lynch.
Ninety-two students (50 in Electrical Maintenance and 42 in Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning) received the LeRoy Morell Trust Tool Scholarship, established in honor of LeRoy Morell, a 1938 graduate of San Jose Technical High School. Each recipient on the awarded tools list received tools valued at approximately $750 to support them as they move forward into the next phase of their education or career.
Additionally, there were Outstanding Student Awards, Achievement Awards, and recognition for students’ accomplishments in SkillsUSA and HOSA competitions—both of which are Career and Technical Student Organizations offered at SVCTE.
Families and friends gathered in celebration, applauding the students’ perseverance and success across a wide range of career pathways.
“Parents and family, thank you for your continued support of our students,” SVCTE Principal Jeff Arnett said in closing the event. “Your presence here today not only demonstrates your joy for your student’s accomplishment, but also serves as your commitment to their continued success. Finally, I need to recognize the hard work of our teachers and staff. Each day, they work to model habits of success. Redirect when a student sways off course. Provide comfort and encouragement when the stress overwhelms. They are mentors for our students and alumni. I am fortunate to work with this team.”
The following are the scholarship recipients:
(Scholarship, Name, Amount, High School, District)
- The San Jose Technical High Alumni Association Scholarship: Sango Levonian, $500, Piedmont Hills, East Side UHSD
- The McKinley Educational Initiative Scholarship: Annika Wang, $500, Milpitas, Milpitas USD
- Los Altos Sunset Rotary Club Endowment Scholarship: Jaycee Arquero, $500, Independence, East Side UHSD
- LeRoy Morell Achievement Scholarship Electrical Maintenance: David Gallegos Palma, $500, Overfelt, East Side UHSD
- LeRoy Morell Achievement Scholarship HVAC: Liam Brough, $500, Pioneer, San José USD
- The MetroED Foundation Achievement Scholarship: Dure Garcia, $500, San Jose, San José USD
- The LHWF Metals Engineering Scholarship: Isaac Aguilar, $500, Branham, Campbell UHSD
- The Lynch Scholarship: Anthony Mejia, $300, Willow Glen, San José USD
- West Valley-Mission Community College District Health Services: Elle Wooden, $750, Silver Creek, East Side UHSD
- West Valley-Mission Community College District Health Services: Jessica Jackson, $750, Leland, San José USD
About Metropolitan Education District: MetroED is a regional provider of Career Technical Education (CTE) and Adult Education. We are the largest career-oriented education organization in Northern California for high school and adult students. Annually, MetroED provides 2,100 diverse students with the skills to help them be productive, income-earning and tax-paying contributors to Silicon Valley. Register for a free campus tour or get more information here.
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