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Spring Quarterly News Update | | |
Greetings, Region III Members!
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This time of year can be exciting and crazy all at the same time. I hope you are navigating the challenges of winding down an academic year, while also thinking ahead to the next one. You want to know a great way to meet these challenges? Expand your network by attending the Region III Conference this summer—a perfect opportunity to connect, collaborate, and learn with peers across the region. Please join us in Joliet, Illinois June 9–11. Check out the Illinois update below for more information about the conference and get registered!
Another way to stay connected is for members to log in to their profile at acteonline.org and update their contact information with a personal email and address so that you can continue to receive communications from ACTE. It is always a good idea to have a home contact added as a second tier of information for your ACTE record. This is especially important if you are changing positions or are retiring.
If you are retiring soon, congratulations! There is an ACTE Retired Membership category open to individuals who are retired from active employment and are not employed either full or part time. You must have been an ACTE member for at least one year. Retired members will receive quarterly updates with information and opportunities from the ACTE Retiree Advisory group. I encourage you to stay connected with your organization. If you would like to receive more information from ACTE’s Retiree Advisory group, email the coordinator, Lisa Stange, at lstange@acteonline.org.
See you at the Region III Conference (registration is below)!
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Have a great rest of the school year!
Brandon Russell
VP, ACTE Region III
| | Ready to Register for the Region III Conference? | |
Secure your spot and hotel accommodations:
We look forward to seeing you in Joliet, Illinois this June!
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| The State of CTE: News from Across Region III |
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Illinois
This year’s IACTE Conference welcomed a record number of attendees (455) and presenters, underscoring the growing momentum and interest in career and technical education (CTE) across Illinois. The event featured dynamic sessions from educators, administrators, and industry partners from across the state. On March 19, IACTE hosted its annual Advocacy Day at the Illinois State Capitol. Sixteen schools, programs, and organizations participated in the event, engaging directly with legislators and showcasing the impact of CTE on student success and workforce development.
Planning for Summer Professional Learning ICTA and IACTE continue their collaboration in developing the July 28–30 Administrator Back-to-School Retreat and New and Nearly New CTE Teacher Training in Bloomington, Illinois.
The ACTE Region III Conference will take place June 9–11 at the Rock Run Convention Center in Joliet, Illinois. Registration is still open!
Join CTE professionals from across Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin for this year’s ACTE Region III Conference. Don’t miss your chance to connect with regional colleagues, explore innovative ideas, and strengthen your CTE network.
Conference Highlights
Pre-Conference Workshops (June 9) - Choose from three focused sessions:
- AI in Action: Practical Applications for CTE
- Equity in CTE: Supporting Special Populations
- Expanding Work-Based Learning: Regional Collaboration & Best Practices
Industry & Program Tours - Take part in guided visits to leading local employers and top-tier programs at Joliet Junior College.
Networking Social - Enjoy a fun evening with fellow attendees at a Joliet Slammers baseball game.
Ready to Register? - See the links above to register and secure your hotel room.
We look forward to seeing you in Joliet this June!
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Indiana
Indiana is in full planning mode for our state CTE conference, Sept. 11–13. We will be celebrating our 60th anniversary as an association and are looking forward to seeing all our CTE friends and colleagues there! Indiana ACTE worked with our Indiana Association of Career and Technical Education Districts (IACTED) and CTSOs to host a CTE Day at the Statehouse in February. This was a day to connect with our legislators and advocate for CTE in our state. Indiana was once again well represented at the National Policy Seminar (NPS) in March and we appreciate the advocacy of our peers from Region III and ACTE!
Just last week, our Governor and Secretary of Education announced that Indiana's new Honors Plus Readiness seals will connect Hoosier High School students with a direct path to college, employment, or the military.
| We are looking forward to seeing you all at the Region III Conference in June! | | |
Minnesota
MnACTE had a terrific showing at NPS with 43 attendees. We were able to meet with all eight of our members of the House and both members of the Senate and promote CTE. We hosted our first annual MnACTE Hot Topics in CTE conference, in February, with a goal of providing professional learning around state-specific topics not covered at other conferences, including a "save your license" track for teachers that need specific CEUs for renewal.
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Missouri
Planning for the MoACTE summer conference has begun. We are looking forward to having Kim Becking as our keynote speaker. Across the state, CTSO state conferences are happening, which has many CTE professionals very busy! Andrew Wakeman, Director of Warrensburg Area Career Center, was selected to be the next Region III representative from Missouri to serve on the Policy Committee. Andrew will start in his new role on July 1.
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Wisconsin
Exciting progress is being made toward the formation of a new professional CTE state organization in Wisconsin—one that will be aligned with ACTE! This initiative has been more than a year in the making and has included outreach to CTE professionals across the state, conversations with existing CTE-related organizations, and a careful assessment of the need for a unified body to serve K-12, technical and community colleges, and universities.
The answer has been a resounding “yes”—there is a strong need for an organization like this in Wisconsin. We’re thrilled to share four key updates:
Official Name
The new organization will be called the Career and Technical Education Association of Wisconsin.
Bylaws
A first draft of the bylaws has been created, and we are currently working with ACTE to ensure they are comprehensive and aligned with national standards. A huge thank you to our peers in other state organizations whose bylaws helped guide our work.
Scope of Work
A diverse group of CTE professionals from across Wisconsin met to discuss the most pressing needs in our state. The identified priorities include advocacy, professional development, stronger business/education partnerships, and increased public awareness about the value of CTE.
Next Steps
We are now beginning the official formation process, which includes filing required documents with the State of Wisconsin and ACTE.
We’re energized by the progress and look forward to sharing more details soon—including a major launch event planned for the 2026 Region III Conference, which will be held in Wisconsin in June 2026!
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Lead the Future of ACTE
As a member of ACTE's board of directors, you have the opportunity to influence the Association’s direction and make a lasting impact on CTE programs, professionals and students nationwide. Nominations for the ACTE board of directors are open through June 15. Explore the available positions and learn how you can get involved.
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VISION 2025: Early Bird Registration is Now Open!
Join 5,000+ career and technical educators, business leaders and industry experts for an unparalleled professional development experience at ACTE’s CareerTech VISION 2025. As the largest annual gathering of its kind, VISION offers:
• Hundreds of concurrent educational sessions covering instructional best practices, curriculum design, hands-on strategies for improving student outcomes and more
• Inspiring keynote speakers and thought leaders sharing insights on the latest trends and the future of CTE
• The CareerTech Expo, a dynamic space to explore the latest tools, technologies and resources that drive innovation in CTE
This year, we're headed to Nashville, Tennessee! Join us Tuesday–Friday, Dec. 9–12, at the stunning Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center — the perfect backdrop for networking, collaboration and career growth.
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CTE Books, Resources & More!
Check out the complete collection of resources and publications for career and technical educators in ShopACTE, including the all-new Instructional Strategies for Career and Technical Educators, The CTSO Competition Survival Guide, The Advisory Board Advantage, Transformational Work-Based Learning, the Perkins V Guide, and more!
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CTE Educators: Encourage Your Students to Enter ACTE’s Student Design Contests!
Two student design opportunities are waiting for your talented students to make their mark:
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Student Merch Design Contest: In honor of ACTE’s 100th anniversary in 2026, we invite students to submit original artwork for a chance to be featured on official centennial merchandise!
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Student Trophy Design Contest: Have your students design the 3D-printed trophies for ACTE’s prestigious Excellence Awards.
Entries for both contests are due May 1.
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Register Now for ACTE's Spring School Study Visit
Explore one of the nation's most innovative postsecondary CTE centers during the Kirkwood Community College School Study Visit in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Happening June 2–3, this immersive experience includes state-of-the-art facility tours, networking with CTE leaders from across the U.S., and exclusive insights from institutional leaders. Registration includes accommodations, meals, ground transportation, and airport transfers, and there are special rates for educational institution members.
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Elevate Your Leadership: Best Practices for 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 Missouri. Hosted by ACTE and the National Council of Local Administrators, this event offers CTE administrators cutting-edge strategies, innovative solutions and best practices designed to address today’s most pressing challenges in CTE.
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Future Ready: The New Era of Postsecondary CTE
Join a vibrant community of practitioners and researchers dedicated to shaping the future of postsecondary CTE at the Postsecondary CTE Summit 2025! Happening Oct. 5–8 at Hilton Austin Airport in Austin, Texas, this event is packed with innovative professional development, insightful presentations from leaders transforming postsecondary CTE, and evidence-based strategies for emerging sectors and technologies.
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ACTE Impact Awards: Celebrating CTE Champions!
Know an outstanding educator, business partner, or industry leader transforming CTE? The ACTE Impact Awards are seeking nominations. Spotlight exceptional Business-Education Partnerships and Champions of CTE by June 30. Your nomination could honor the innovators driving workforce education forward!
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National Leadership Development Opportunity
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. Applications are open May 1–Sept. 15.
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Apply Now for Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize!
We are excited to announce that the application period is now open for the 2025 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence! The prize, offering $1.5 million in cash prizes, honors outstanding U.S. public high school skilled trades teachers and their programs. The application deadline is May 2.
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Student Scholarship Opportunity!
Encourage students and adult learners, ages 18–35, to apply for Horatio Alger Association Career and Technical Education Scholarships, offering several CTE-specific scholarships for students planning to enroll in CTE programs at public institution. The application is open now through June 15.
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Association for Career and Technical Education
1410 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
703-683-3111
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