VISION 2024 Recap

The Counseling and Career Development (CCD) Division had an incredible presence at ACTE CareerTech VISION 2024 conference! Our opening session was a standout moment, featuring an inspiring keynote address from Rachael Mann, who shared insights on the transformative role of artificial intelligence in career development. Her thought-provoking message encouraged us to embrace innovation as we guide students toward their future pathways.

We were honored to have the U.S. Army as our session sponsor, with Warrant Officer 1, Craig Morgan Greer delivering a warm welcome and sharing their commitment to supporting CTE. It was a great reminder of the importance of partnerships in expanding opportunities for our students.

The session also celebrated excellence within our division as we recognized outstanding members with CCD awards. Their dedication to advancing the field and empowering students exemplifies the best of CTE.

VISION 2024 was an incredible opportunity to connect, learn, and celebrate the work we do as CCD professionals. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the success of our division and be sure to mark your calendar for VISION 2025, happening Dec. 10-13 in Nashville, Tennessee!

CCD Division Award Winners

VISION 2024, the CCD division proudly honored exceptional professionals who exemplify dedication and innovation in CTE. These individuals have gone above and beyond to inspire students, advocate for CTE, and contribute to the advancement of career development programs.

Friends of CCD Award Winner

Innovative Program of CCD Award Winner

The Innovative Program in CCD Award recognizes creative and impactful programs that empower students and enhance career pathways. This year, the award goes to the Career & Enrollment Services Department at Polaris Career Center, which provides comprehensive services for K-12 students.

From the K-1 Career Exploration Coloring Book to initiatives like the BuildHER workshop for young women in construction and Junior Career Planning Workshops, Polaris inspires students at every stage of their journey. Serving thousands across six districts, their programs deliver hands-on experiences, career exploration tools, and employability training, making a lasting impact.

Rising Star Award Winner

The Rising Star in CCD Award honors emerging leaders who show exceptional promise and dedication early in their careers. This year’s award goes to Brittney Brisco Perry, whose remarkable impact as a school counselor at Northeast High School and Co-Lead High School Counselor for Bibb County School District speaks volumes.

With a background as a CTAE Business Education teacher and FBLA adviser, Brittney has created transformative opportunities for students. Her leadership has fostered partnerships with community leaders, higher education, and industry professionals, while initiatives like a large-scale College & Career Fair and her graduation from the Bibb County CTAE CD2 Impact Academy highlight her passion and purpose.

Outstanding Professional in CCD Award Winner

The Outstanding Professional in CCD Award honors individuals who exemplify excellence, leadership, and dedication to counseling and career development. This year’s recipient, Denise Saldamando, has demonstrated 16 years of outstanding service, including the past eight at West-MEC.

Denise goes beyond traditional counseling roles, serving as a trusted advocate, mentor, and educator. From leading dual enrollment initiatives and translation services to mentoring staff, she fosters a culture of connection and safety. Her commitment shines in the 150+ individual student meetings she conducts annually, guiding students on their career and education paths.

A leader beyond her campus, Denise shares her expertise at state conferences and contributes to key committees, elevating counseling and CTE statewide.

XELLO Counseling and Career Develepment Toolkit

A big thank you to XELLO for their invaluable partnership in creating the Career Counseling Toolkit for CCD! Thanks to their support, this comprehensive resource now includes all 50 states, offering state-specific tools to enhance career counseling

nationwide.

Exciting Resources for CCD Members

During VISION 2024, Rachael Mann shared some incredible resources, and we’re thrilled to pass them along to you! These tools are designed to enhance your work in career development and provide valuable insights into artificial intelligence (AI) and future workforce trends. Check them out:

1. Keynote Resources: Slide deck, research, and supplemental materials.
2. Presentation Resources: Access materials from all presentations.
3. Book Study & Free Materials: Dive into Pack Your Bags for an AI-Driven Future with free supplemental materials and a book study.
4. AI Chatbot: Talk to the book! Access the Pack Your Bags GPT chatbot trained on the manuscript and bonus materials—free to use!
5. #AIFocusedFridays: Follow NCLA’s social media for weekly AI demos and tips.
6. AI-Generated Podcast: A 35-minute summary of the 290-page Future of Jobs Report.

Feel free to explore these resources and share them with your colleagues.

Join Us for RECESS with Kate Kreamer!

Save the date for April 15 at 2:00 p.m. CST and join us for our next RECESS session featuring Kate Kreamer, Executive Director of Advance CTE. Kate will dive into the newly released Career Clusters, providing insights and updates to help you stay informed and enhance your counseling and career development practices.

This is a great opportunity to connect with fellow CCD professionals and explore how these updates can shape the future of career pathways. Don’t miss it!