ACTEAZ News  Exec. Director’s Letter

Executive Director’s Letter – Spring 2018
Submitted by Pam Ferguson

While the Arizona CTE Summer Conference in July is a big focus for many of us in the CTE community. I wanted to share with all of you some of what ACTEAZ has been working on since the beginning of the year.
 

ACTEAZ is Showcasing why CTE Matters

Career and Technical Education is growing to become an integral pillar in our Arizona Communities. Our CTE programs are designed to lead our students to success beyond the classroom by instilling them with the skills, ethics and practices needed in the workplace. To celebrate and promote CTE, February is designated as CTE Month. Beginning with the Governor’s Proclamation, a CTE PSA video contest, promotional flyers, and a suggested calendar of events, ACTEAZ worked to promote CTE across the state in conjunction with our schools, CTSOs and Industry partners.
 

Continuing to Provide Professional Development

ACTEAZ once again teamed up with ACOVA to host the 2018 Midwinter Leadership Conference on February 1 -2, 2018. The 35 sessions provided were catered to our CTE Administrators to provide them with the data, statistics and guidelines needed for the future of Arizona CTE. Our ACTEAZ Fellows also raised over $4,000 at the Mid-Winter Scholarship Auction for our Scholarship Fund. A round of applause to everyone who participated!

We want to thank our presenters for bringing us this information and to also thank ACOVA for the partnership they provide in making this annual event a success. We are already looking forward to next year’s conference in February 2019.

While we hope you enjoyed CTE Month and were successful in promoting CTE in your communities, we hope you will continue to promote CTE throughout the year.  As such, you will be able to continue to find the CTE promotional materials on our website.
 

Promoting Arizona CTE at the National Level

ACTEAZ represented Arizona at the ACTE National Policy Seminar in Washington, D.C. March 5 – 7, 2018. Our delegation was comprised of 21 teachers, administrators and counselors who shared information with our Representatives and Senators regarding CTE. Our Arizona CTE Teachers were energetic and determined to share information about what really happens in their CTE Classes. The Representatives and Senators seemed impressed by all the outstanding success stories and accomplishments.

Arizona was one of the top three states on the number of delegates present at NPS. Meetings with the Congressional Offices were well received and resulted in great dialogue regarding CTE. Each office received a binder of data, posters to display in their offices, and dates and information on Arizona CTE Programs and Events. Invitations were also extended for them to visit our Arizona CTE Programs.
 

Success of the ACTEAZ Fellowship Program

ACTEAZ is so proud of our ACTEAZ Fellows. During the tenure of our Fellowship Program, 123 Fellows have participated. Many of our Fellows have continued on to develop and support CTE in their districts and communities across Arizona.  They have  grown to become leaders in ACTEAZ and our state Affiliate associations and also endeavored to strengthen CTE in Arizona’s Legislature. We look forward to continuing to work with and developing our incoming and existing Fellows throughout the upcoming year.