Joseph Bova was integral in bringing a self-sustaining farm called Sa’aliyas Ranch to Ventura USD to provide hands-on lessons in agricultural technology to students.
Bova cultivates paths for CTE students
July 22, 2024
Name: Joseph Bova
Award: Career Technical Education Administrator of the Year
Title: Career Technical Education Administrator, Ventura USD
ACSA highlights: Member since 1999; served on Region 13 Leadership Board.
Successful partnerships and a focus on student equity are vital for students in career technical education, and Joseph Bova has prioritized both in his 35-year career as a public educator.
Currently the career technical education administrator of Ventura Unified School District, Bova previously spent 18 years as principal of Foothill Technology High School. There, he established the BioScience and DTech academies, which helped set CTE students on career paths in the medical and entrepreneurship fields. He sought to recruit students from diverse neighborhoods and worked to provide bussing for families who would otherwise struggle to attend Foothill.
In his current role, Bova has forged partnerships with local businesses to implement the district’s “Vision to MarketPlace” initiative, which allows students in the manufacturing and skills trades to design and build items for Ventura merchants.
Bobbi Powers, director of secondary education for Ventura Unified School District, said Bova was integral in bringing a self-sustaining farm called Sa’aliyas Ranch to the district to provide hands-on lessons in agricultural technology.
“His collaborations have brought about expansion and opportunity to existing pathways that weren’t in existence prior to his leadership,” Powers wrote. “His commitment to staying abreast of industry changes has positioned VUSD’s CTE program as a model of excellence, attracting both students and community support.”
What’s your favorite book or quote on leadership?
John Wooden: “Good values are like a magnet — they attract good people.” “Who you are inside — what you believe — is important, but what you do means more, much more.” “Before telling someone what to do you must teach him how to do it.”
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Always assume positive intent.
What’s your best strategy for work-life balance?
Organization and valuing what is really important is the key!
What are some life hacks that you would recommend for a new administrator?
Don’t take your job personally. It’s not about you. Your positive intentions will not always be well received.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I am the parent of quintuplets.
What made you want to become a school administrator?
I wanted to have a broader impact on providing educational options for underrepresented students.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve overcome to get where you are?
Managing a large family and the intensity of being a high school principal.
What are you most proud of accomplishing?
Building Foothill Technology High School from its beginnings to a top 100 high school in America.
How has ACSA supported you in your career/current position?
I have received wonderful mentorship by ACSA colleagues!
Joseph Bova has forged partnerships with local businesses to implement the district’s “Vision to MarketPlace” initiative.
Joseph Bova established the BioScience and DTech academies, which helped set CTE students on career paths in the medical and entrepreneurship fields.
Successful partnerships and a focus on student equity are vital for students in career technical education, and Joseph Bova has prioritized both in his 35-year career as a public educator.