ACOVA January Newsletter
ACOVA MENTORING MINUTES
Please join us for our Mentoring Minute Monthly Check-ins and get the best practices from the experts! All mentoring minutes check-ins are held virtual. Please check the ACOVA website for meeting links and more details.
Upcoming Mentoring Minutes
- CTE Data Portal
- January 28, 2025
- 2:00-3:00pm
- Hosted by Samuel Irvin from AZ ADE
- REGISTER HERE!
- CNLA Best Practices
- February 18, 2025
- 2:30pm-3:30pm
- Hosted by Gina Schmitz from AZ ADE
- Grants Management
- March 11, 2025
- 2:30-3:30pm
- Hosted by Gina Schmitz from AZ ADE
Celebrate Excellence in AZ CTE – Submit Your Nominations Today!
Do you know an outstanding CTE professional, program, or advocate making a significant impact in Arizona? This is your chance to recognize their dedication and achievements by nominating them—or yourself—for a 2025 Arizona CTE State Award! These prestigious awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and commitment to student success in Career and Technical Education.
Nominations are open now, but don’t wait—submissions are due by February 14. Help us shine a spotlight on the incredible work being done in CTE across Arizona.
Submit your nomination today! Learn more and get started HERE.
Chuck McCollum, Tucson Unified School District-CTE Program Manager
For the month of January ACOVA is happy to highlight Chuck McCollum from the Tucson Unified School District.
Nominated by, Dr. Flori Huitt
Mr. McCollum has impacted our CTE programs in various ways. TUSD boasts over 60 CTE programs and Chuck is continuously looking for innovative ways to support and enhance our many programs. One of these was by supporting each CTE instructor in developing an individual Professional Growth Plan. These plans were strategically built around goals such as improving Technical Skill Assessment, obtaining Industry Certification, refining both direct and lab instruction, and engaging in relevant Professional Development. This forward-thinking approach has not only advanced the skills of CTE instructors but has also positively impacted student learning outcomes.
Mr. McCollum has strengthened TUSD’s CTE programs by building strong external partnerships. He successfully hosted State CTSO Construction, Media, and Culinary competitions in collaboration with the ADE, providing students with valuable hands-on experiences and opportunities to showcase their skills on a larger stage. In addition, Mr. McCollum’s efforts to crosswalk CTE curriculum with academic standards is particularly commendable. He facilitated the alignment of Bioscience with Biology and Chemistry curricula, allowing students to earn academic credit, which demonstrates his innovative approach to expanding opportunities for student success. Similarly, his work in aligning Computer Science programs with 4th-year math credit has broadened the academic pathways available to students.
Mr. McCollum has been guiding CTE instructors in developing effective Technical Skill Assessment strategies. He has recognized that strong, clear assessments are essential to measuring both student competencies and the success of the programs themselves. This focus on data-driven instruction ensures that all students are receiving high-quality education tailored to industry needs.
His leadership extends beyond the sustainability of programs. He has provided all CTE instructors with Professional Development in Teacher Clarity, specifically targeting Learning Targets and Success Criteria. These training sessions have equipped teachers with the tools to make learning outcomes transparent for students, leading to enhanced engagement and achievement.
A significant achievement under Mr. McCollum's direction has been guiding the CTE programs through the Arizona Department of Education Monitoring process, ensuring that all programs are fully compliant with state requirements. His expertise helped instructors navigate this complex process and submit all required documentation to meet ADE standards. Mr. McCollum’s innovative leadership, dedication to professional development, and commitment to aligning CTE programs with academic and industry standards have had a profound and lasting impact on TUSD’s CTE programs. His vision for career and technical education ensures that students are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in both post-secondary education and the workforce.
Congratulations to Chuck McCollum for being recognized as the ACOVA January Administrator Highlight!
The Vision of ACTEAZ is for all CTE Educators, Administrators and Counselors across the state of Arizona to become ACTEAZ members and to provide them with:
- professional and leadership growth opportunities
- creative ideas and statewide networking
- access to local and national companies for products,
- career applications and community outreach
- a forward thinking organization that will continue to
- grow and promote CTE at local, state and national levels
