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Fall Quarterly Newsletter | | |
Hello Career Academy Members, | |
As the crisp air of fall settles in and the leaves begin to change, it’s the perfect time to reflect on all that we’ve accomplished so far this year and look ahead to what’s next. Whether you’re gearing up for upcoming conferences, connecting with students, or simply enjoying the energy this season brings, we hope this newsletter helps keep you inspired and informed.
As we move into the months ahead, this newsletter brings you important updates, upcoming events, and initiatives happening across ACTE's Career Academy Section.
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Sincerely,
Cheryl Carrier
Executive Director, Ford Next Generation Learning (Ford NGL)
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Are you ready for ACTE's CareerTech VISION?!
Get these Career Academy Section sessions on your schedule and learn more about this year’s membership drive.
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Hopkins, MN School District Launches Career Readiness Initiative
Hopkins Schools is reimagining high school — giving every student the chance to explore careers, gain real-world experience, and graduate ready for a rapidly changing world.
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New Addition at Hardin Valley Strengthens Knox County’s Career Academies
Hardin Valley Academy’s new 43,000-square-foot addition opens as part of Knox County, TN continued investment in career-themed education. More than 2,000 students are now enrolled in academies focused on STEM, health sciences, business and law, and liberal arts.
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Fort Wayne, Indiana students blaze trail into new ambassador role
Fort Wayne Community Schools is empowering 170 high school students to serve as ambassadors for career-connected learning. These new leaders will represent their schools, share authentic stories about their experiences, and inspire peers to explore future pathways.
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Battle Creek, Michigan Expands Career Learning with New Financial Education Partnership
Battle Creek Central High School is partnering with Marshall Community Credit Union to bring financial education to life through hands-on learning, including a student-run credit union branch and real-world money management experiences.
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Free Section Webinar: ABCs of Academy Branding and Strategic Communication
Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 12:00–1:00 pm CT
Are you ready to strengthen your district’s real-world learning experiences and deepen community connections? Join the Academies of Shakopee — one of only two Ford NGL-affiliated academies in Minnesota — as they share proven tools for engaging students, families, staff, and business partners. This session will equip you with practical communication and branding strategies to simplify business engagement, amplify authentic learning, and foster thriving partnerships.
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Resources
Top workplace skills Gen Z needs to succeed
Insights from a recent career academy leadership event highlight the top three essential skills young people need to thrive in the modern workplace. Explore the blog to discover what they are and how to support your students in developing them.
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Webinar Recap: Understanding Gen Alpha: Why It Matters for Education & Business
This recent session explored how Gen Alpha learns, what they expect from school and work, and practical strategies to engage this digital-first, socially conscious generation.
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Let's Grow Our Section!
Consider referring the ACTE Career Academies section to your colleagues. When you refer others to join, you expand our community of experts, making it even richer and more diverse. Invite others to connect with like-minded professionals, access exclusive resources, and engage in impactful experiences to excel in our collective career academy journey.
Invite others to shape the future of career academies.
| | Do you have interesting news to share about your community’s academies? Email us so we can highlight your story in the next newsletter for all members to see! | | |
Register Now for VISION!
Don’t miss ACTE’s CareerTech VISION 2025, the premier gathering for CTE professionals! Join 5,000+ educators, administrators, business leaders and industry experts this Dec. 9–12 (Tuesday–Friday) at the spectacular Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee.
- Choose from hundreds of concurrent sessions on teaching strategies, curriculum design, strategies for improving student success and more
- Be inspired by keynote speakers and thought leaders sharing the latest trends shaping CTE
- Discover innovative tools, technologies and classroom resources in the CareerTech Expo
- Take a deeper dive into focused CTE topics via pre-conference workshops and local tours
- Honor your peers and excellence in the field at the ACTE Awards Gala
Whether you're new to the field or a seasoned educator, VISION offers something for everyone.
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Exercise Your Right to Vote!
Renew Your Membership by Nov. 10
Ensure your membership is current by Nov. 10 to participate in the 2026 ACTE board of directors’ election.
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Student Video Contest: Gateway to the Cosmos — NASA’s Lunar Outpost
ACTE and NASA HUNCH invite students of all ages to enter the eighth annual Student Video Challenge: Gateway to the Cosmos — NASA’s Lunar Outpost. This year’s theme explores NASA’s Gateway as a vital stepping stone for humankind’s return to the moon and exploration of deep space. Students are challenged to imagine its impact on science, technology and humanity — while showcasing the CTE courses and careers that make it possible. Together, let’s celebrate a century of CTE excellence while inspiring the next generation of innovators who will lead us into the cosmos. Open to individuals or teams. Submit a two-minute video by April 1.
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Mentorship Matters: Apply for CTE for All Mentorship Program
Apply now for ACTE’s CTE for All Mentorship Program, proudly sponsored by IMAGO — designed to help members grow, lead and thrive through meaningful professional relationships. Whether you’re seeking guidance or ready to mentor, this program fosters a welcoming CTE community, supports career development, builds professional networks and encourages lifelong learning. Take the next step in your journey — applications are due Jan. 11!
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Elevate Your Impact: Apply for NextLevel Postsecondary CTE Fellowship
Ready to shape the future of postsecondary CTE? Apply now for the 2026 NextLevel Postsecondary CTE Leadership Fellowship — a powerful, yearlong experience that builds leadership skills, expands your network and boosts your impact. Fellows gain immersive training, personalized mentorship and opportunities for national advocacy. Applications are due Dec. 15, and your journey begins Jan. 28. Learn more about program expectations, benefits and costs, and take your next step toward transformative leadership.
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Keep Your Member Profile Up to Date!
One of the easiest ways to be sure you’re receiving the latest ACTE updates, resources and opportunities is by keeping your member profile current. A quick update ensures you’ll always receive:
- Election communications sent to your preferred email and mailing address
- Division and region-specific newsletters, eblasts and updates tailored to your interests
- Full access to the Techniques archive
- On-demand learning through CTE Learn
- Access to CTE Communities
- Exclusive offers through the new Member Deals program
Quick steps to update your profile:
1. Log in at acteonline.org.
2. Click the “Profile” tab.
3. Confirm or update your personal email and mobile number.
To update your Techniques subscription preferences, click on My Demographics and select the pencil icon to update preferences (scroll down for Preference for Techniques magazine subscription). Stay connected; update your member profile today!
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Association for Career and Technical Education
1410 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
703-683-3111
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