Learning & Leading with CTE

Welcome to the September edition of the ACTEAZ newsletter! As we kick off the fall, we are excited to share updates on the vital work happening in YOUR association. The Board of Directors recently gathered for the annual retreat, where we engaged in strategic planning to ensure a bright future for CTE in Arizona. We're also thrilled to launch the new Fellows Cohort, empowering CTE and educational leaders to enhance their leadership talents and advocacy skills. Plus, we will continue to advocate for the difference YOU make and CTE's role in Arizona’s workforce development initiatives. Stay informed and inspired as we continue driving CTE forward!

Dual enrollment is a game-changer for Arizona students, allowing them to earn college credit while still in high school. This advantage opens doors to higher education and career success, with students who participate in dual enrollment being twice as likely to attend college, stay enrolled, and graduate with higher GPAs. However, despite the growing interest, the availability of dual enrollment classes is limited due to a shortage of certified teachers.

ElevateEdAZ has stepped in with a new incentive program to expand access to dual enrollment in Career and Technical Education (CTE) classrooms to address this critical need. Teachers who become certified to teach dual enrollment courses are now eligible for a $1,000 incentive, making it easier for educators to take the steps necessary to qualify. In addition, the Arizona Teacher’s Academy is offering tuition assistance to those pursuing certification to teach dual enrollment courses. These combined efforts will play a pivotal role in increasing the number of qualified teachers, thereby enhancing access to dual enrollment for Arizona students.

Furthermore, the Arizona Teacher's Academy supports this initiative by offering tuition assistance to individuals interested in becoming dual enrollment teachers. This additional support removes financial barriers for educators looking to expand their qualifications and contribute to this vital educational program.

The Association of Career and Technical Education of Arizona (ACTEAZ) applauds these efforts to strengthen the connection between secondary and postsecondary education. By investing in teacher development and dual enrollment programs, we are investing in the future of Arizona's students and workforce.

Educators interested in taking advantage of this opportunity can learn more about the incentive program and application process by visiting https://elevateedaz.com/educators/incentive-program/. Together, we can elevate career and technical education in Arizona and pave the way for student success.

Over 100 CTE educators have participated in the Premier Series course, Instructional Best Practices, in the last three months. Many teachers from all over the state joined us for our course at the ACTEAZ Summer Conference in Tucson in July, while many others participated in their professional development within the Flagstaff, Yuma, Benson, and Chandler areas after that. During the course, teachers worked collaboratively with other educators to gain engagement strategies and strengthen lesson objectives.

Here’s what AZ CTE teachers are saying about their IBP experiences:

• “The Instructional Best Practices course through ACTEAZ was a Godsend for me. As a new teacher, my first year was less than ideal, and I lacked student engagement during lectures. Active learning and engagement have drastically improved. Additionally, I received clarification about Bloom's taxonomy and how to describe and classify objectives, and I zeroed in on what I was trying to accomplish day by day. Having the appropriate vocabulary is truly important and needed for effective teaching.” – Alex Anzar, EVIT

• “The AZCTE Premier Series "Instructional Best Practices" has been the game changer in my classroom this year! It was a much-needed refresher and a HUGE tool, added to my toolbox, on how to engage students and keep them focused from bell to bell. The program’s emphasis on engagement helped me refine my classroom skills and add the needed flare to keep high school students active and participating! The instructors were top-notch and modeled best teacher practices that gave us great "what to do when" scenarios we see daily in the classroom. This year is off to a fabulous start!” – Carrie Tumey, DVUSD

IBP Course Description: This course introduces the design and use of the CTE curriculum. In this highly engaging course, teachers will focus on designing and delivering relevant and engaging lessons. Special emphasis is placed on active participation strategies, a strong introduction to each lesson, clear and appropriate objective(s), various ways to meet the objective(s), and closure to assess learning. These strategies will be woven across the entire workshop. This course is excellent for every teacher. Ace your next evaluation!

To see a flyer with all of the upcoming dates, click HERE. To schedule a future Premier Series course, email: premierseries@acteaz.org. Or click HERE for The ACTEAZ Premier Series course calendar.

ACTEAZ is excited to share that the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity has launched the ReadyTechGo Initiative, a significant development that will advance Arizona’s workforce. This innovative program is a collaboration with our state’s network of community college CTE programs. It is designed to expand Arizona’s emerging advanced manufacturing workforce by providing the training necessary for entry-level positions in this rapidly growing industry.

Participating community colleges include Mesa Community College, Estrella Mountain Community College, Central Arizona College, and Pima Community College.

Community College programs work alongside Arizona's leading advanced manufacturing partners to ensure that Arizona’s students and job seekers have the foundational skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the advanced manufacturing sector. CTE is working collaboratively to bridge the gaps between education and industry, to prepare individuals for in-demand careers that offer opportunities for growth and innovation.

ReadyTechGo offers access to cutting-edge curriculum and hands-on training across essential technical skills, ensuring participants are well-prepared to enter Arizona’s advanced manufacturing workforce. This initiative addresses the immediate talent needs of today’s employers and lays the foundation for the long-term growth and sustainability of the state’s economy.

For more information on how to get involved or to learn more about the available training programs, visit ReadyTechGo Arizona.

The Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity and Arizona’s Community Colleges continue to work together to create pathways to success for Arizona’s future workforce!

As Arizona continues to develop its workforce to meet the demands of a growing economy, the role of Career and Technical Education (CTE) has never been more critical. A new report, “Missed Opportunities: Credential Shortages in Programs Aligned with High-Paying Middle-Skills Jobs in 55 US Metro Areas,” by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, highlights significant gaps in workforce preparedness across the country. This report is particularly relevant to Arizona, as it underscores the need for more robust credentialing in CTE programs that prepare students for high-demand, middle-skills careers.

The report reveals that many CTE programs in metro areas, including Phoenix, are not producing enough graduates with the credentials needed to fill high-paying jobs in fields such as healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and information technology. These middle-skills jobs—roles that require more than a high school diploma but less than a four-year degree—are essential to Arizona’s economic growth and stability. However, without addressing these credential shortages, we risk missing out on the opportunity to develop a well-prepared workforce.

For Arizona CTE teachers, counselors, and administrators, this is a call to action. Our state’s CTE programs are in a unique position to bridge this gap by aligning curriculum with industry demands and increasing access to credentialing opportunities for students. By ensuring our students graduate with the skills and certifications employers need, we not only enhance their career prospects but also contribute to Arizona’s competitiveness in the national and global economy.

Now is the time for us to strengthen our commitment to preparing students for the future and ensuring that no opportunity is missed. CTE professionals play a vital role in this mission, and together, we can rise to the challenge.

cew-missed_opportunities-fr.pdf (georgetown.edu)