Summer Quarterly Newsletter

Dear FCS Colleagues and Friends,

It is an absolute honor to greet you as I begin my term as vice president of the ACTE Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Division. My name is Karin Davis, and I have been proudly teaching FCS in Oklahoma for the past 19 years. I currently serve as a fashion and design teacher with Tulsa Tech, where I have the privilege of working with students who inspire me daily with their creativity, resilience and passion.

Like many of you, I’ve spent years balancing lesson plans, advising our student organization, managing classroom supplies and cheering students on through their academic and personal growth. Through it all, I’ve found my greatest joy in being part of this incredible FCS community — a group of educators who consistently go above and beyond to prepare students for life, work and family.

Welcome Back: A New School Year, A Fresh Chapter

Connecting to Strategic Plan Elements: Leadership Development; Professional Development

As we prepare our classrooms and welcome our students back, I would like to extend a warm welcome to another school year filled with opportunities and purpose. Our classrooms are more than four walls — they are places where life skills are taught, confidence is built and futures are shaped. Every one of us has a role in helping students discover their strengths and navigate the world ahead.

One of the things I’ve always appreciated about this profession is the strength and spirit of the FCS community. Whether we’re sharing resources, presenting at conferences, lifting one another up in tough seasons or celebrating student successes, you are never alone. We are truly better together, and I’m proud to stand beside so many passionate professionals who are making an impact in classrooms across the country.

Advice for the Journey Ahead

Here are a few reminders as we walk through this year together:

You don’t have to do it all. Focus on what matters most. It's okay to say no to protect your yes.

Your classroom doesn’t need to be Pinterest-perfect. It just needs to be a safe space for students to learn, try and grow.

Find your people. Lean on your FCS community. We are better—and stronger—together.

Celebrate the wins. Whether a student threads a needle for the first time or presents confidently to a class, it’s worth celebrating.

Take care of yourself. You can’t pour from an empty cup. Prioritize rest, joy, and moments of peace when you can.

Looking Ahead

I hope to connect with many of you at ACTE’s CareerTech VISION 2025 this Dec. 9–12 in Nashville, Tennessee. It’s always a highlight of the year — a time to learn, recharge and be reminded why we do what we do. Be sure to watch for more details in the months ahead!

Thank you for your heart, your hard work and your unwavering belief in the value of FCS. I look forward to serving you and growing with you in the year ahead.

Have a great year,

Karin Davis

VP, Family and Consumer Sciences Division

Tulsa Tech | Oklahoma

FCS Division News

Thinking About Applying for the FCS Fellowship?

If you’ve ever thought about getting more involved in ACTE or growing as a leader in FCS, the ACTE National Leadership Fellowship might be just the thing for you. It’s a year-long experience designed to help you learn, grow and connect with others who are just as passionate about CTE as you are.

You’ll get leadership training, policy experience and the chance to attend both ACTE’s CareerTech VISION and National Policy Seminar (NPS)—and yes, you’ll receive funding to help cover the cost of attending both events!

There are two levels:

One for educators with 2–5 years of experience in CTE
Another for those with 6+ years

Why You Should Apply:

Build leadership and advocacy skills
Connect with amazing educators across the country
Learn more about how policy impacts the classroom
Bring fresh ideas and energy back to your students and your state

What You’ll Need to Apply:

Be an ACTE member
Fill out the online application
Write two one-page statements
Submit a current résumé and professional headshot
Include letters of support from your supervisor and state ACTE leader
Complete a few required forms

Deadline to apply: Sept. 15, by 11:59 P.M. EST

It’s a great opportunity to grow personally and professionally while representing the FCS Division!

LEARN MORE

A Life-Changing Fellowship Experience

By Christina Loyd, FCS Teacher at Nemo Vista High School

Being selected as an ACTE FCS Experienced Fellow has truly been a life-changing experience. This opportunity has not only deepened my understanding of our profession but has also connected me with an incredible network of educators who share the same passion for FCS.

One of the most impactful aspects of the fellowship has been building relationships with Fellows from across the country. Sharing ideas, experiences and strategies with other professionals who are just as passionate about CTE has been both inspiring and energizing. I have also gained valuable insight into how ACTE operates at the national level — learning how board meetings are conducted both as a whole and within each division was eye-opening and empowering.

A standout moment was participating in the Capitol Hill advocacy visit, where we met with Arkansas congressional staffers. Being a voice for FCS and advocating for the importance of our programs was not only rewarding, it reaffirmed my commitment to strengthening and growing our profession.

If you know me, you know I love FCS. This fellowship has only fueled that love further. I am so grateful for this experience and look forward to sharing what I’ve learned to encourage other FCS educators to get involved in ACTE and become strong advocates for our field.

Who Runs the FCS Division?

Meet the Policy Committee!

Ever wonder who helps guide the work of the FCS Division of ACTE? That important role is led by the FCS Policy Committee — a dedicated group of leaders from across the country who are passionate about supporting the future of the FCS profession.

The Policy Committee includes the Division President, Past President, President-Elect, Graduate Fellowship Coordinator, and Division Awards Chair. It also includes FCS representatives who serve on ACTE’s Nominating and Bylaws Committees, along with the Presidents of two key national organizations: the National Association of Teachers of Family and Consumer Sciences and LEAD FCS Education.

We’re also proud to have national partner organizations represented on our committee. Leaders from the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), the Family and Consumer Sciences Education Association (FCSEA), and the National Coalition for Family and Consumer Sciences Education all sit on the Policy Committee. Their voices bring strong connections, helpful insight, and a shared commitment to FCS education across the country.

In addition to this core group, we’re excited to be in the early stages of launching three new FCS Division committees: Membership, Strategic Planning, and Sponsorship. These new committees will help us connect with members in meaningful ways, think ahead, and build stronger support for the work we do.

The Policy Committee meets throughout the year to set goals, brainstorm new ideas, and find ways to support FCS educators. We share updates at the annual FCS Division Business Meeting, which is held virtually each fall before ACTE’s CareerTech VISION conference.

Board Members

Karin Davis

ACTE VP-FCS

Katy Blatnick-Gagne

ACTE Past President - FCS

Marla Sterling

Division Awards

Angela Gott

LeadFCS Ed President

Cody Mooneyhan

NATFCS President

Dawn Mallette

Graduate Fellowship

Carmel Dare

ACTE Bylaws Committee

Kristin Vest

ACTE Nominating Committee

Ex-Officio Members

Karin Athanas

AAFCS

Peggy Wild

FCS Coalition

Gayla Randal

FCSEA President

Jan Bowers

FCSEA Executive Director

Sandy Spavone

FCCLA

VISION Virtual FCS Business Meeting

Mark your calendars now for the yearly FCS Division Business Meeting. This meeting will take place on Thursday, Nov. 20 at 5:00 p.m. CT. Please note this meeting requires you to sign up in order to attend.

Nominate Someone for the ACTE FCS Roll of Honor

Do you know a FCS professional who has gone above and beyond for our field? Someone who has inspired others, shaped programs or mentored the next generation of educators? Help us celebrate their impact by nominating them for the ACTE FCS Division Roll of Honor.

Since 1960, this honor has recognized FCS leaders who have made a lasting difference. Each nomination also supports the future of our profession — your $500 donation goes directly to the ACTE/FCS Graduate Fellowship Fund, which provides scholarships to future FCS educators pursuing advanced degrees.

Honorees will be recognized at ACTE's CareerTech VISION, surrounded by peers who value their service and dedication.

How to Submit:

Send a check for $500 or more made out to the ACTE FCS Graduate Fellowship Fund
Submission due by Nov. 1
Contact: Dr. Dawn Mallette (dawn.mallette@colostate.edu)

Let’s honor our FCS leaders and support future ones, too!

Help Us Recognize Leaders Who Champion FCS

Each year during VISION, the FCS Division honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to our field. Whether through leadership, service, or support from outside the profession, these awards highlight those who contribute to advancing FCS in meaningful ways.

Two awards are currently open for nominations:

Outstanding Contributions Award

This award honors a current member of the FCS Division who has shown exceptional dedication to FCS education. Nominees should have a strong record of service, leadership and professional involvement, both within FCS and in broader education-related organizations.

Nominations must include:

A summary of the nominee’s contributions to FCS education
Details on their professional experience and division involvement
Three letters of recommendation from colleagues, employers or state representatives

Citation Award

The Citation Award recognizes individuals or groups outside of the FCS profession who have made significant contributions to FCS education at the state, regional or national level. Nominees may include legislators, business or industry leaders, media professionals, or others who have provided service, financial support or other impactful contributions.

Each nomination should include:

A detailed description of the nominee’s contributions
Supporting documentation if requested

Deadline & How to Apply

All nominations are due no later than Nov. 1.

The application can be found on the ACTE website under the FCS Division, or accessed directly below.

APPLY HERE

If you have someone in mind who has made a lasting impact on FCS, we encourage you to submit a nomination.

Questions? Contact Marla Sterling (marla.sterling@coffeyville.edu)

Let’s celebrate the people who help shape the future of FCS!

ACTE Updates

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!

LEARN MORE

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.

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

LEARN MORE

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.

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.

LEARN MORE

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

LEARN MORE

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.

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!

Association for Career and Technical Education

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703-683-3111