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Fall Quarterly News Update

"Crazy Just Might Work: Embracing Innovation in FCS"

Fall is here, and it's time to shake things up and embrace the spirit of innovation like never before. As I sit here at my desk writing to you all, I noticed that my Choose Joy daily calendar advice today is "Crazy Just Might Work." Hey, why not? I believe that sometimes, the most unconventional ideas are the ones that lead to breakthroughs and transformation.


In a world that constantly evolves, both in technology and the way we educate, it's crucial that we encourage creative thinking and a willingness to explore uncharted territories. Why not let this be the year when we challenge the status quo, break free from conventional wisdom, and let our imagination run wild?

As educators, we're no strangers to trying new teaching methods, experimenting with technology, and adapting to the ever-changing needs of our students. In fact, I believe we do this extremely well in FCS. Who knew that you could teach the stages of labor using a balloon and a ping pong ball (check out that lesson here)? We've seen that sometimes, the craziest-sounding ideas turn into the most inspiring and effective learning experiences. So, let's take that leap of faith together and see what "crazy" ideas can lead to incredible outcomes.


In the coming months, I challenge you to create innovative approaches to teaching, exciting intra-curricular FCCLA activities, and collaborative projects that push the boundaries of what's possible in FCS education. I invite all members of the FCS community to contribute their creative ideas and to embrace "Crazy Just Might Work" by posting on social media and tagging #crazyjustmightworkinfcs

I look forward to a year filled with bold experiments, new discoveries, and, most importantly, the growth and success of your students. Together, we'll prove that when we dare to dream big and think outside the box, "crazy" just might be the best path to excellence!


Katy Blatnick-Gagne

VP, Family & Consumer Sciences Division

FCS Division News

CCFCS Newsletter Returns


The Curriculum Center for Family and Consumer Sciences (CCFCS) would like to welcome members to our community of readers who are passionate about Family and Consumer Sciences Education. We are resurrecting the former CCFCS Newsletter Tips and Topics. Our goal is to provide our members with valuable insights, inspiration, and information that will enrich your knowledge and enhance your professional experience.


In each edition of Tips and Techniques, you can expect:

  • Expert Opinions: Hear from FCS experts and thought leaders, sharing their unique perspectives and expertise.
  • Tips and Techniques: Practical advice, tips, and step-by-step guides to help you as an FCS educator, administrator, extension agent, advocate, and beyond.
  • Community Stories: Connect with fellow readers and learn from their experiences, stories, and insights.
  • Exclusive Updates: Be the first to know about new curriculum and technological advances and stay ahead of the curve.


We believe that knowledge is a powerful tool, and we’re here to empower you with the information you need to make informed decisions, fuel your passions, and continue your journey of learning.


Thank you for choosing Tips and Techniques as your source of inspiration and information. We look forward to embarking on this exciting journey with you. If you have any questions, feedback, or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Your input is invaluable as we strive to make Tips and Techniques a tailored and enriching experience for our readers. 

Visit the CCFCS Website

Nomination Process Now Open — Recognize Deserving FCS Professionals at ACTE VISION Conference 


Do you have a fabulous colleague that should receive an award? We need your help in nominating professionals who are worthy of receiving FCS Division awards. The applications and information for the FCS Division awards may be found here and on the ACTE website. Nominations are due by Oct. 30. Contact Kristin Vest if you have questions about the FCS Division Awards.


During the ACTE VISION Conference, the Family and Consumer Sciences Division recognizes and honors outstanding individuals who have served and supported the organization in outstanding ways. 

  • Outstanding Contributions Award: Recipient MUST be a member of the Family and Consumer Sciences Division. Contributions to Family and Consumer Sciences and the FCS division of ACTE will be emphasized. Additional information can be found on the award application.
  • Citation Award: Recipients will be individuals or groups outside Family and Consumer Sciences Education, such as: a. U.S. Representatives or Senators b. Business and industry people or groups c. People or groups from the media d. Other professionals e. Others—unspecified. To be qualified, a recipient must have made significant contributions to Family and Consumer Sciences Education beyond local levels in one or more of the following areas: a. Service b. Monetary Support c. Other unusual or unique contributions.

FCS Division Graduate Fellowship Nomination Process Now Open


In 1960, the Family and Consumer Sciences Education Division of the Association for Career and Technical Education began a Graduate Fellowship fund to financially support graduate students, who may become future leaders in the profession, to progress in their graduate studies. Applications are due Oct. 31. Graduate students in Family and Consumer Sciences related masters and doctoral programs are encouraged to apply. Those applicants selected will be recognized at ACTE 2023 Vision conference in Phoenix, Arizona, in December.

Apply by Oct. 31 

FCS Division Roll of Honor


Family and consumer sciences education professionals are honored, through the Roll of Honor recognition, through contributions to the graduate education fellowship fund. The first contributions were made to honor Beulah Coon, when she retired as Specialist in Studies and Research, Home Economics Education Branch, U.S. Office of Education. Since then, over 100 individuals have been honored and over $180,000 has been contributed.  


Family and consumer sciences educators are encouraged to use the FCS Roll of Honor to honor deserving colleagues. Names of persons so honored will be added to the Fellowship Roll of Honor and recognized at the annual FCS Division Awards Program.


To enter a FCS colleague’s name on the Roll of Honor, contributions may be received at any time before the ACTE annual meeting with a minimum contribution of $500 made by an individual or group. The presentation to Roll of Honor colleague(s) shall be done by the individual or group advancing their name during the FCS Awards ceremony at ACTE.


To contribute, send checks or money orders payable to the ACTE Family and Consumer Sciences Graduate Education Fellowship Fund (ACTE/FCS) to Dr. Dawn Mallette – Fellowship Chair, 203 Education, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80526.

Family and Consumer Sciences Education Division Business Meeting


When: Nov 16 at 7:15 p.m. Central Time (US and Canada)

 

Register by Nov. 3 for this meeting.

 

This advanced registration date allows for ACTE staff to check registration with the Family and Consumer Sciences Education Division membership for voting purposes. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Register by Nov. 3

JFCSE 41st Anniversary, Volume 41, Special Issue


The Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences Education marked its 40th anniversary on May 25, 2023, with the publication of Volume 40, Issue 1 on the new journal platformOver the course of 40 years, the profession and the journal have undergone name changes and FCS professionals have also witnessed many changes in the field of education. As a part of the journal’s relaunch, we would invite FCS state administrators, teacher educators, secondary and post-secondary teachers, and extension professionals to contribute to a special issue celebrating the past, present, and forecasted future of FCS education. Some ideas include, but are not limited to:

 

  • The State of the States — Perspectives of FCS state administrators, FCS teacher educators, and secondary, post-secondary FCS teachers, and extension professionals about recent history of FCS in their respective states, the current state of the FCS profession, and ideas for sustainability of the profession.
  • SayYesToFCS — What has the impact of the initiative been?
  • Updates to Promising Practices articles from past JFCSE articles.
  • 2020 Teacher Educator Standards — Perspectives of FCS teacher educators about how the most recent updates to the teacher education standards have informed their practice.


As noted above, JFCSE recently found a new digital home. You can also find the link to the journal via the LEAD FCS Ed website.


For those of you who may have had JFCSE articles embedded in coursework and/or vitas, new links are available for those articles via the new journal platform. Many articles have been uploaded, but we are still in the process of adding some archived issues. If you are unable to find an article that you are seeking, please contact Amanda.Holland@ttu.edu for assistance.

 

Accepting NEW Manuscript Submissions!

Articles related to any category (research, promising practices, conceptual papers, and book reviews) are accepted at any time. For consideration of a manuscript for the special issue, the deadline for submission is Jan. 31, 2024.

From ACTE

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Register for VISION by Oct. 13 & Save!


ACTE's CareerTech VISION happens this Nov. 29–Dec. 2 in Phoenix, Arizona, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome you to our flagship conference for career and technical educators. At VISION, you will have the opportunity to forge meaningful professional connections, expand your professional learning and ignite your inspiration. ACTE is pleased to offer both a full in-person event with a robust on-demand component for remote attendance. Register by Oct. 13 to secure advance discounted rates for this premier CTE conference!

LEARN MORE AND REGISTER

Calling All First-year CTE Teachers!


As part of our broader efforts to address the CTE teacher pipeline, ACTE will launch a New CTE Teacher Symposium at this year’s CareerTech VISION, Nov. 29–Dec. 2 in Phoenix, Arizona. ACTE invites CTE educators in their first year of teaching to apply to participate in this event and related activities throughout the rest of the school year. Twenty teachers selected to participate in the symposium will receive the following:

 

  • Complimentary registration to VISION
  • A daylong, targeted professional development experience on Nov. 29
  • Mentoring, support and networking opportunities throughout the remainder of the school year

 

The deadline to apply is Oct. 15! Learn more

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Upcoming Webinars


We are excited to host several upcoming free webinars on a wide range of topics:

 

  • I Need Help! Seeking Support from a Mentor and a Sponsor, Oct. 12 at 1:00 p.m. ET
  • Navigating Issues of WBL Safety and Insurance, Oct. 26 at 3:00 p.m. ET
  • Top 10 Reasons to Integrate Entrepreneurship Across CTE Courses and Career Pathways, Nov. 2 at 7:00 p.m. ET

 

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2024 Events

Share Your Expertise!


Mark your calendars for the 2024 ACTE Work-based Learning (WBL) Conference, happening May 1–3 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. You could share your WBL programs, models and expertise; consider submitting a presentation proposal. This annual event, which sold out last year, specifically focuses on professional development for WBL professionals in secondary and postsecondary CTE programs and institutions. The deadline to submit presentation proposals is Oct. 16.

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Advocate for CTE at NPS

With a featured event from the CTE Research Network

Join CTE professionals from across the nation to voice your vision on CTE policy and programming relevant to your school’s needs at ACTE’s National Policy Seminar, happening March 17–20 in Arlington, Virginia. Featured sessions will cover best practices for influencing federal policy and CTE advocacy and messaging. And on the last day of the event, March 20, the CTE Research Network will address topics that will help expand the evidence base for CTE.

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Renew in Time to Vote!

Renew Your Membership by Nov. 1 to Vote!


The 2024 ACTE board of directors’ election will be held this Dec. 1–Jan. 1! Please note these key dates:

 

  • Be sure your membership is current by Nov 1 to vote — renew now!
  • Voting will open during CareerTech VISION on Dec. 1 and run through Jan. 1
  • Winners will be announced in January 2024
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Student Video Challenge

New Student Video Contest


ACTE — the host of CTE Month® — and NASA HUNCH are excited to announce the 2023–24 student video challenge, which offers students the opportunity to showcase the application of CTE and project-based learning programs in high-demand career fields on Earth as well as in space. This year’s theme: “Why Go to the Moon?” The contest is open to students of all ages, including elementary, middle school, high school and postsecondary students in any school or who is homeschooled. Submit a two-minute video by April 1.

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