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Summer Quarterly Newsletter

Hello Region I Colleagues!

I hope this newsletter finds you well as we soak up the final, golden days of summer. It’s my sincere wish that the past couple of months have been filled with rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation. Whether you traveled to new destinations, cherished extra time with loved ones, or simply enjoyed a slower pace, I hope your break was everything you needed it to be.

Now, a familiar and exciting energy begins to build as we look toward the start of a new school year. This is a time of fresh starts, renewed focus, and incredible potential. As we prepare our classrooms, labs, and buildings, let's also prepare our hearts and minds for the vital mission ahead. The work you do every single day is so important for our students and our communities, preparing our students not just for graduation, but for great careers and fulfilling lives. Your dedication is what transforms potential into reality.

I know that we all strive for a high quality career and technical education (CTE) program. Please keep in mind that you have great colleagues from around Region I that provide insight, inspiration, and guidance. Additionally, ACTE stands ready with many resources to support your work and the development of high quality programs. I encourage you to review the ACTE website to see all the resources available. I would try to mention them, but there are just too many.

Here's to a successful, inspiring, and impactful 2025-26 school year!

Sincerely,

Douglas Bush

VP, ACTE Region I

Associate Superintendent for CTE

Gratiot-Isabella Regional Education Service District

Michigan

Region I News

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!

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

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. 

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

Apply Now for the National Leadership Fellowship Program!

The ACTE National Leadership Fellowship Program is designed to empower CTE professionals by enhancing their leadership skills, offering hands-on experience in policymaking and supporting their professional growth. The 2026 cohort will run January–December 2026, with fellows receiving a $1,500 stipend, along with complimentary registration for ACTE’s CareerTech VISION and National Policy Seminar.

Act fast! Applications are open through Sept. 15. 

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.