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Summer Quarterly Newsletter

Dear Region IV ACTE Members,

Welcome back to a new school year! As educators, administrators, and champions of career and technical education (CTE) across Region IV, your dedication continues to shape the future workforce and inspire innovation in every classroom, shop and lab.

This year brings renewed opportunities to empower students through hands-on learning, industry-aligned instruction and meaningful career pathways. As we navigate evolving educational landscapes, your leadership remains critical in strengthening CTE programs and supporting student success.

As we begin this new year, we also take a moment to celebrate the many successes of the past year — from celebrating our members from Region IV at our 2025 conference below to the new Cohort of Region IV Fellows, we have much to be proud of within Region IV. Looking ahead, ACTE offers a wealth of opportunities for continued growth, networking and advocacy that will help us build on our achievements and reach new heights together. Take a moment to see what all ACTE has to offer you as a valued member this year!

Here’s to a successful and impactful 2025–26 school year! 

In service,

Michael Culwell

ACTE Region IV Vice President

Region IV News

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. 

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

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!