February 2024

Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month^® is a public awareness campaign, hosted by The Association of Career & Technical Education (ACTE) and sponsored by National Association of Home Builders, that takes place each February to celebrate CTE, the accomplishments of CTE programs and the importance of CTE for all students of all ages. ACTE encourages you to use any of its resources to help generate positive awareness of CTE!

ITEEA supports CTE this month and all during the year as the connections between CTE and Technology and Engineering Education are natural and undeniable.

The fields of CTE and STEM Education naturally complement each other and offer students a wide range of opportunities to develop their skills and pursue their interests. Both engage and motivate students through hands-on, real-world learning; both hone creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and teamwork and share a common goal of preparing students for high-wage, high-demand careers that require critical thinking, problem-solving, and hands-on experience.

Dr. Paul Camick, ITEEA member and Program Specialist at the GADOE Career Technical and Agricultural Education, recently shared his thoughts regarding CTE month:

"In the tapestry of CTE, Technology and Engineering programs are woven seamlessly, forming an integral thread of hands-on expertise. CTE provides the canvas, and Technology and Engineering Education adds vibrant colors, creating a harmonious composition that propels individuals towards skilled, innovative careers."

ITEEA is committed to preparing students to be both college- and career-ready through its STEM Center for Teaching and Learning™ (STEM CTL™) Engineering byDesign™ (EbD™) middle and high school standards-aligned courseware. Grades 6-12 courses are aligned and centered on workforce readiness standards and skills, which drive the development of pedagogy used in the curriculum. Further, EbD™ high school courses offer a three-year program of study to promote technology and engineering pathways and are specifically aligned to several industry recognized credentials and exams including PTC Onshape, Autodesk Inventor, and AutoCAD. All EbD™ courses are teacher-driven and student-centered, enabling all learners to receive instruction that enhances their understanding of STEM and CTE education. In addition, ITEEA’s STEM CTL™ offers educators comprehensive and individualized professional training on all courseware from industry certified trainers.

More than a month-long event, CTE Month is a year-round commitment to engaging and motivating students through hands-on, real-world learning!