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Summer Quarterly Newsletter | | |
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I hope each of you enjoyed a restful and restorative summer. As we step into the third quarter, our Administration Division is energized and ready to engage with you in meaningful ways throughout the months ahead. (See who your committee members are below.)
We have an exciting lineup of opportunities designed to bring career and technical education (CTE) leaders together for learning, networking, and growth. In September, ACTE's & NCLA's Best Practices and Innovations Conference in CTE will showcase powerful sessions tailored for administrators. Our live Worth It Wednesday Talks continue each month, giving us a chance to connect in real time and learn from one another. In November, we’ll gather for our Business Committee Meeting, and in December, we look forward to welcoming you at our biggest national event of the year — ACTE's CareerTech VISION in Nashville, Tennessee.
Our goal is simple: to connect all types of CTE leaders — principals, assistant principals, directors, and beyond — so we can strengthen our collective leadership capacity. We are proud of the sessions we’ve curated specifically for administrators, and we are confident these experiences will equip you with resources, strategies, and connections that will propel your work forward.
This quarter’s message is: “Ask Who Before How or Why.”
Too often, we jump to processes or explanations before identifying the right people who can guide us. Knowing who to ask for resources, expertise, or direction is a critical paradigm shift that can help us lead our teams with greater impact. In this newsletter, you’ll see this theme highlighted — who is on your Administration Policy Committee, who you can learn from at the upcoming Best Practices and Innovations in CTE Conference, and who you can connect with in our monthly live sessions.
Finally, we want to hear from you — who do you want to learn from? By sharing your voice and ideas, you’ll help us ensure that our division continues to meet your needs and support your success.
I look forward to connecting with you in the months ahead and to seeing many of you soon.
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With appreciation and excitement,
Sandra Adams, Ph.D
VP, ACTE Administration Division
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Thank You for Your Service
We must start this newsletter with a BIG thank you to three amazing outgoing administration board members, whose terms have all come to a close.
Thank you to Martin Hanley, Jessica Horlacher and Robyn Castleberry — our board has been greatly improved because you both have been such an active part of our work. Thanks for the ideas, the time and the professional support you have both provided. You will be missed!
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Admin Division Business Meeting
We would love to have more voices at the table, or virtual table in this case.
Administration Division Business Meeting
📅 Monday, Nov. 10
🕑 2:00–3:30 p.m. ET
🔗 Register to attend
| | | Sandra Adams | IN
| | Scott Rogers | PA
| | Alan Kirby | OR | | Joe Sieczkowski | IL
| | Brent Casey | OK
| | Jayme Fitzpatrick | AZ
| | Stephen Weltsch | NCLA
| | Scott Rogers | PA | | Ethan Dado | CO- Fellow | | Randa Pirrong | OK - Fellow | | | The Lineup for “Worth It Wednesday Live” Zoom Talks | | We’re excited to share the lineup of upcoming Zoom sessions and their topics! These meetings are a great opportunity to learn, connect, and engage with fellow members. Use the link below to register and join us for the upcoming sessions. | | | Month | Topic / Focus | Featured Speaker(s) | | September | EduCommunity Concept | Kristy Volesky
| | October | Top 10 Disruptors | Peter Howstrawser & Alli Dahl | | November | Be Prepared for VISION: Administrator Sessions | ACTE Admin Leaders | | December | Insights for CTE Leaders | Kevin Fleming
| | January | New Teacher Support and Retention | Shannon Williams
| | February | Women in CTE Panel: Cultivating International Women’s Day for March | Featured Women Leaders
| | March | Key Legislation & National Policy Seminar | Alisha Hyslop & Policy Experts | | April | Class of 2026 Student Panel | Student Voices
| | May | Valuable CTE Resources You May Be Missing to Advance Your Students and Staff | ACTE Resource Panel
| | | Calling All CTE Administrators | | Mark your calendars for the Best Practices and Innovations in CTE Conference 2025, taking place Sept. 24–26 at the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark in St. Louis, Missouri. Hosted by ACTE and the National Council of Local Administrators, this event offers cutting-edge strategies, innovative solutions and best practices designed to support CTE educators. | Check out the schedule of presentations here. | | |
Don’t Miss these Best Practices Workshops
Artificial Intelligence in CTE: AI Policy Impacts, Real Implementation, and Fresh Insights
Presenter: Rachael Mann, AI in CTE Strategist & Author
Sept. 24, 8:00 a.m.−noon
Registration Cost: $175
Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant trend — it’s actively transforming career and technical education at an unprecedented pace. This dynamic pre-conference workshop builds on last year’s popular session, diving deeper into the evolving role of AI in CTE. New to the conversation? No problem — we’ll bring you up to speed quickly! In this interactive session, you’ll explore how AI is influencing each of the recently updated 14 Career Clusters, equipping you with practical strategies to keep your programs future-ready. You’ll experiment with cutting-edge tools and applications designed to streamline your workflow and boost student engagement and outcomes.
A featured panel of CTE superintendents and directors from across the country will share real-world insights on integrating AI — from preferred tools to leadership strategies — across community colleges, CTE centers and K–12 districts. You’ll also gain a clearer understanding of the recent White House Executive Order on AI in Education and its specific implications for CTE. Whether you’re just beginning your AI journey or looking to expand your current efforts, this workshop offers actionable takeaways, rich networking opportunities, and collaborative learning — all geared toward helping you lead with confidence in an AI-powered future.
The New CTE Leader Playbook: Build Culture, Lead Change, and Drive Impact
Presenters: Mark Covelle, Director of MBIT & Lauren Doherty, Assistant Director of MBIT
Sept. 24, 1:00−5:00 p.m.
Registration Cost: $175
Starting a leadership role in CTE is exciting, but it’s not easy. You have to make real improvements while keeping your staff engaged and your school culture strong. You need to support teachers, build trust, and push innovation — all while managing board expectations and daily challenges. In this pre-conference session, Mark Covelle, Director of MBIT, and Lauren Doherty, Assistant Director of MBIT, share strategies that helped them turn their school into a recognized leader in just three years.
You’ll get practical strategies for managing board relationships, supporting teacher leadership, and creating a school where people want to stay and grow. You’ll also learn how MBIT:
- Started teacher-led Lunch and Learn sessions to build collaboration and share best practices
- Used individualized professional development to engage teachers and improve instruction
- Built a teacher leadership pipeline that helped staff move into impactful roles
- Leveraged student voice and social media to boost enrollment and community support
- Adopted a “find the yes” mindset to encourage innovation instead of roadblocks
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Discounted Rates for the CTE Event of the Year End Oct. 13!
Don’t miss ACTE’s CareerTech VISION 2025, the premier event for CTE professionals! Join 5,000+ educators, administrators, business leaders and industry experts this Dec. 9–12 (Tuesday–Friday) at the stunning Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee. You'll have the opportunity to experience:
- Hundreds of high-impact sessions on teaching strategies, curriculum design, strategies for improving student success and more
- Inspiring keynote speakers and thought leaders sharing insights on the latest trends in CTE
- A bustling CareerTech Expo showcasing innovative tools, technologies and classroom resources
- Pre-conference workshops and local tours for deeper learning on focused topics
- The ACTE Awards Gala, honoring excellence across the CTE community
Whether you're new to the field or a seasoned educator, VISION offers something for everyone. Register by Oct. 13 to secure discounted rates!
| | A Heartfelt Thanks: Incoming & Outgoing Board Members | | |
ACTE is excited to welcome our new board members:
- Robert Torres, President
- Brandon Russell, President-Elect
- Carrie Giles, Past President
- Jonathan Walker, Business Education Division Vice President
- Karin Davis, Family and Consumer Sciences Education Division Vice President
- Rich Trinkwalder, New and Related Services Division Vice President
- Martin Hanley, Region III Vice President
We look forward to their leadership and collaboration in advancing CTE nationwide.
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Please join us in celebrating and thanking ACTE’s outgoing board members for their dedicated service:
- Chaney Mosley, Past President
- Sean Crevier, Business Education Division Vice President
- Katy Blatnick-Gagne, Family and Consumer Sciences Education Division Vice President
- Susan Leon, New and Related Services Division Vice President
- Brandon Russell, Region III Vice President
We are truly grateful for their leadership and professional expertise and for the lasting impact they’ve made on the CTE community
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SC ACTE Unifies with National ACTE
ACTE is pleased to announce that the South Carolina (SC) ACTE has officially unified with the national Association. Through this unification, CTE educators in South Carolina can now simultaneously join both their state and national professional associations. Members will also gain access to ACTE’s robust suite of benefits, including premier professional development resources, federal public policy advocacy and leadership development opportunities. SC ACTE will now benefit from a variety of organizational and association management services provided by ACTE, such as online membership processing, electronic communications tools and more. At the national level, this unification enhances ACTE’s engagement with the CTE community in South Carolina and strengthens collaboration on key federal public policy and shared advocacy priorities.
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Transformative Career Impact at the Postsecondary CTE Summit
Shape the future of CTE alongside fellow innovators at the premier gathering for postsecondary career and technical educators. The Postsecondary CTE Summit 2025, happening Oct. 5–8 at the Hilton Austin Airport in Austin, Texas, brings together practitioners, researchers and industry leaders who are redefining how we prepare students for tomorrow's workforce.
What awaits you:
- Cutting-edge professional development tailored to current industry needs
- Transformative presentations from CTE leaders driving real change
- Evidence-based strategies for emerging sectors and breakthrough technologies
- Dynamic networking with a vibrant community of forward-thinking professionals
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Apply Now for the National Leadership Fellowship Program!
The ACTE National Leadership Fellowship Program is designed to empower CTE professionals by enhancing their leadership skills, offering hands-on experience in policymaking and supporting their professional growth. The 2026 cohort will run January–December 2026, with fellows receiving a $1,500 stipend, along with complimentary registration for ACTE’s CareerTech VISION and National Policy Seminar.
Act fast! Applications are open through Sept. 15.
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Travel & Entertainment Discounts for Members!
Don’t forget to take advantage of our new Member Deals program — your new portal to travel savings and unforgettable entertainment experiences! As an ACTE member, you now have access to discounts on theme parks, movie tickets, hotels, rental cars and more. To start exploring your perks, log in to your member profile from the ACTE homepage and click the Member Deals icon.
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Make the Most of Your ACTE Benefits: Update Your Member Profile
Make sure you’re getting the most out of your ACTE membership by keeping your member profile up to date, so you never miss important news, resources or professional development opportunities.
Quick steps to update:
1. Log in at acteonline.org
2. Click the “Profile” tab
3. Confirm or update your personal email and mobile number
Tip: A personal email helps ensure you stay connected, even during job changes. For extra peace of mind, add your home contact info under “My Addresses” at the bottom of your profile page.
Take a moment today to stay connected and make the most of your ACTE benefits!
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Association for Career and Technical Education
1410 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
703-683-3111
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