At Thomas A. Edison Career & Technical Education High School in Queens, Principal Moses A. Ojeda is redefining what it means to prepare students for the future of work. A proud Edison graduate himself, Ojeda returned as a teacher in 1998 and became the school’s first alumnus principal in 2012. Under his leadership, Thomas A. Edison Career & Technical Education High School has evolved from a conventional technical high school into a national model for contemporary career and technical education, where experiential learning meets academic excellence and innovation.
Edison now offers career pathways in robotics, cybersecurity, biotechnology, graphic arts, and many other emerging fields that reflect the demands of today’s economy. The school also boasts one of the highest industry certification pass rates among NYC CTE schools and an impressive 97% graduation rate. Beyond campus, Ojeda serves as a Master Principal, mentoring peers and leading R&D efforts to integrate new technologies and instructional models across districts.
After years of discussing with VE leadership the importance of teaching students the business side of their craft, Principal Moses Ojeda partnered with Virtual Enterprises (VE) to pilot The Business Of…, an initiative that bridges technical mastery with “ideapreneurship” – the ability to turn ideas and skills into viable business opportunities. As Ojeda puts it, “You learn your craft, but also command its economy.” Through this program, students learn how to brand, market, and monetize their skills, building portfolios, managing client projects, and navigating the gig economy with confidence.
Still in its pilot phase, The Business Of…reflects Ojeda’s enduring belief that education must evolve with the ever-changing workplace. By helping students become creators, innovators, and potential business owners, he’s transforming Edison into more than a school; it’s a launchpad for self-determined futures where young professionals learn to shape not only their careers but the businesses of tomorrow.