Carmela Curatola

Click HERE to watch the presentation.

Achievement House Cyber Charter School Computer Science Teacher Carmela Curatola was featured as a presenter in the 2020 Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools Innovation Conference. The conference was held to bring together thought leaders in both brick and mortar and cyber charter schools to discuss innovative practices. 

Ms. Curatola’s presentation was titled Certified! An AHCCS Innovation Career Academy Student Initiative. During the presentation, she shared that last year Achievement House renewed a successful program that enabled our students to earn certifications with certain courses. She pointed out that by earning certifications, students become better positioned for:

• Greater confidence
• Improved hiring prospects
• Increased salary
• Improved GPA
• A more impactful resume
• Better starting salaries

“Achievement House Cyber Charter School’s certification program is designed to give our students an edge in a competitive college or job market so their applications stand out to a prospective administrator or employer,” Ms. Curatola said. “Certifications tell the potential employer that the applicant has demonstrated a standard of understanding and skill such as in Internet Core Competency, Microsoft Office, or Autodesk Revit and Fusion products.”

Ms. Curatola pointed out that having certifications led to supporting students in their efforts to secure jobs when they graduate or gain acceptance to the college of their choice.  Industry experts agree that these certifications are a plus to the holder.  For example, IT Career Finder noted that the Microsoft Office Specialist certification is “…the only credential to validate hands-on skills in the ultra-popular productivity apps in Microsoft Office ….”[1] https://www.itcareerfinder.com/it-certifications/microsoft-certifications.html

During her presentation, Ms. Curatola featured our recent graduate, “Frank,” who obtained his IC3 (Internet Core Competency) certification in June 2020.  This inspiring young man not only did his best in his academic work but attended trade school to become an HVAC Technician and also earned his IC3. 

Ms. Curatola also shared five platforms either currently or planned to be in use to support providing curriculum for these courses.  Additionally, she recommended that schools consider looking at Microsoft’s Educator Community and Google’s Teacher Center, offering free training for educators.

“As educators, we are constantly reflecting on our practice and ways that we can improve delivering our curriculum,” Ms. Curatola said. “We aspire to prepare our students for when they enter the workforce, in whatever vocation or career they choose.

Visit our website about our Certification program at https://tinyurl.com/y2nenfde

The certifications we offer are:

• Microsoft Office Specialist in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• IC3
• JavaScript Level I
• Web Design Level I
• AutoDesk Revit
• AutoDesk Fusion 360
• Python Level I (planned for the 2020-2021 school year)

If you or your child is interested in registering for a course that prepares for certification for an upcoming semester or next year, please contact your Guidance Counselor.