Thank you for reading along with our blog for the last ever ACTE Annual Convention. We are closing the chapter on 85 years of history as we transition to a new event that will focus on excellence in CareerTech education through more dynamic programming. CareerTech VISION 2012 will be visionary and impactful to everyone in the CTE community, in the United States and abroad. Stay tuned for greatness!

By: Mitchell Shron

I guess as the final numbers of attendees shrinks, you see the hard core who need to see it through the bitter end. The  crowds were smaller but the quality of presentations did not shrink. Many thanks to those who stayed to the end to fill those sessions with insight and humor.

Also a shout out to my fellow bloggers Lee and Wendy. Our collective views on the proceedings brought a series of perspectives that added real value for the 3,000 or so folks who participated as attendees, presenters and vendors. Twenty or so people may have even read them.

And a personal thank you to Catherine Imperatore. Every time I turned around I saw this young lady hard at work holding down the media communications end of the Convention.

I was very impressed with the Closing General Session. It would have been easy to let the Convention end with a coast out. Instead, from the truly excellent Parkway Central Middle Honors Orchestra, the on-task address from OVAE Assistant Secretary Brenda Dann-Messier and the very high-energy closing remarks from Eric Chester, I left the Convention hall charged with great ideas and a renewed sense of purpose.

For me, the biggest takeaway will be in the way I see my role in CTE. I have always advocated for my students and my programs, but my view has begun to lengthen. My work on the state level has given me a nice statewide perspective, but the field is much wider. I leave St. Louis with the goal of being an advocate for CTE in every corner. My tech center will always be my first priority but I will reach out to the teachers and students in my county and in my region and let them know there are people out there who can help them with bringing CTE to the forefront of the education reform discussion. What our teachers do every day is great teaching for the present and the future. They need to know the support is there. Many thanks to ACTE for giving me a nice set of tools to help them.

By: Wendy Chalmers

I am just wowed by the talents of the youth whose talents were highlighted at this year's conference...the local talent at the beginning of each general session but also the talents of the CTE youth who submitted their artwork and videos for CTE Month!

Eric Chester, motivational speaker AND past CTE instructor, successfully left me with more energy than I already had! How is that possible? It doesn't matter, it worked! 

Eric asked us who taught us to work? That seems like the most obvious question....but do we think about that when we look at our students? Hmmm...how do they know what work ethic is? I, certainly, was fortunate...both my parents worked, both for money and because things "needed to be done."  But who teaches our youth to work? Perhaps, in some instances, it is us who teaches them work ethic. Makes me think.

Eric goes on to talk about employer demands and how we help our youth meet their demands.  Attitude, reliability, professionalism, initiative, respect, integrity, gratitude. Employers want these seven values...are we integrating this into our curriculum?

Think about this: Work is doing, Ethic is knowing...so Work Ethic = doing AND knowing. Great definition, huh? And maybe you knew this, but I didn't really think of it specifically like that. Seems like a great poster for the classroom.

Along with work ethic, etc., he reminded us of the importance of recognizing and rewarding our students. This may be one of the most valuable way to help students learn the elements of work ethic. Makes perfect sense, huh? What motivates me? Compliments, positive feedback, recognition for my contributions, etc. Makes sense....but do we do it? Do we do it enough? We have a chance to help each student find their niche....we are their mentors. We must lead by example, we must lead the life we want our students to lead....we must do what we ask....live with integrity, be positive, be reliable, be honest.

And let me just end with....awesome rap...our students would really like that!

For more information from Eric, and even the presentation he did today, visit www.RevivingWorkEthic.com/ACTE. You can also find him on Twitter  (@Eric_Chester).

Reflections on the Days

If nothing else I think most attendees can agree we are leaving this conference with a newfound energy and excitement for career and technical education and our professions.  It can be easy to get used to routine. At least in the world of special education, where I work, it can be easy to get bogged down with paperwork and solving immediate issues. It can be a struggle to step back and look at what we are doing and keep focused on the long-range goals, the dreams of our students, the possibilities for the future. This conference not only helps us do this but encourages us to enlarge our vision.I am grateful to have the opportunity to attend this conference and am sure each attendee appreciates this opportunity as well!  I have met several people who just like myself opted to pay their own way to this conference, because we truly recognize the value of this conference. In the world of education today, where budgets are continually stressed and where we are responsible for helping to train the future workers of our communities in a huge time of transformation, this is a great testament to our dedication and commitment to what we do. Each person I met over the last three days has been an exemplary instructor, administrator, staffperson, leader, etc. I am honored to be here with such wonderful people!

By: Wendy Chalmers

I woke up this morning to a beautiful view out my hotel window...sun rising over the river, evidence of a light wind flowing through the trees. With a mixed bag of emotions I headed to the Convention center to begin the last day of the conference. I am excited to return, and utterly exhausted today, but wish there was more time here to learn even more! There are so many more people to meet, so much more networking, so much more to learn! Even more reason to return next year!

I have met more wonderful people from across the nation, activated my creative thoughts, re-energized my teaching. Last night I sat in my hotel room for a while organizing my list of contacts, compiling the exhibitors' information, and reviewing my notes from the two days. I look forward to bringing back all of this knowledge to my school, administrators, instructors, students.

As I reflect over the last few days, the sessions I attended were very popular...technology was huge! I need a whole week to just play with all the great technology ideas I learned.

If you missed this morning's session in room 220....check out some of these technology sites...www.wallwisher.com, www.animoto.com, www.timeglider.com, www.weebly.com and www.voki.com. My personal favorite that I am going to go check out is animoto. It lets you create really great videos or movies that use pictures, words, music. Students can use this for things like end-of-unit projects. Timeglider is a great way to have students create timelines for things like steps to take to create a project or visually represent the stages of child development. Wallwisher lets the teacher pose a prompt and then students can each respond...the responses post on a common wall that the teacher could then share. Another idea would be to use this as a method of quickly checking on the students knowledge by asking them to list three things they learned, or similarly, students could use it to ask questions they may have but not want to ask in front of others. For more great ideas I would suggest contacting the presenter, Tracy Newman at tnewman@stegen.k12.mo.us.

Now, it's off to the closing...I am sure it will leave me energized and excited to get back and share so much with others at my school. But, first, a quick tour of St. Louis!
 

Last but not least! Here are a few highlights from today:

• Identifying Partnerships and Education Programs to Build a Better Workforce: Room 223, 9:15 a.m.
• ACTE Fellowship Program-Advocates for CTE: Room 229, 9:15 a.m.
• Opening General Session with Eric Chester and Secy. Brenda Dann-Messier: Hall 3, 10:30 a.m. - and the big unveiling of the changes we'll be making in 2012! Be there!
• Eric Chester book signing at the ACTE Bookstore: Plaza Lobby, 12:15 p.m.
• Canceled: Giving High School Students the Power to Know, 9:15 a.m.

Thank you so much for joining us! Safe travels, and we hope to see you next year in Atlanta, Nov. 29 - Dec. 1!

We will have presentations and handouts posted online starting next week, so visit us at www.acteonline.org.

Keep up with ACTE Convention updates with:

• This blog (subscribe to get updates in your inbox)
• Convention Web page
• ACTE on Facebook
• ACTE on Twitter
• ACTE on Foursquare
• ACTE on LinkedIn

By: Lee Smith

The Annual ACTE Convention and Career Tech Expo is coming closer to its end. It has been fast paced, full of energy and communicating a shift toward a change in what Career and Tech teachers have been used to for 85 years now. I will tell readers that I know why our ACTE leadership and staff are referring to this Convention as the "last one." But to keep from stealing their clout, I will save the delivery until tomorrow. If you are here, you’ll find out in the morning. If you’re not here, read one of the Convention blogs tomorrow.

Whoever books the talent for this conventions has either great taste or great luck. We were greeted in the main Convention center this morning by Up Tempo, a vocal ensemble from Timberland High School near St. Louis. Their music had a unique sound... African, maybe. The tune they greeted us with was about coffee - a great song for the morning and much more enjoyable than the $2.50 cup of bitter, black water I bought earlier.

ACTE President, Jim Comer, handed the podium over to a representative from the CTE Foundation to conduct the session. Our collective aspirations were vicariously fulfilled by watching some of our colleagues collect awards for their hard work and dedication to CTE. Every year, the outstanding teacher, educator, new teacher and community service award winners make us all feel and reaffirm that Career and Technical Education has the best and brightest and the most potential for the greatest impact on students’ lives.

The keynote speaker was Ray McNulty from the International Center for Leadership in Education. His message to us was that we become "Ministers of Disturbance." Just what did he mean by that? My position on his catchy, school reform term is to dismantle the system. Here’s an analogy:

When I was growing up, we had a junk drawer in our kitchen cabinets. Its purpose was to be a place for storing any "unclassified" household materials. You know, extra pens and pencils, water hose clamps, old pocket knives, extra screws, various hardware... you get the picture. Anyway, over the course of a year or two, that drawer would get so full of junk that it became difficult to open and close. So, my parents would dump all of its contents and decide just exactly what was needed for the good of the household and trash everything else. Our educational system has collected a bunch of "junk" over the years... "policies" junk, "traditions" junk, "pedagogy" junk, the list is long. Ray was encouraging us to "dump the drawer."

One of the things he encouraged us to dump was the “Us Against Them” attitude that teachers have toward students. He said, “You learn from people you love.” He’s right. I’ll extend his remark with one of my own... “Respect is something you don’t get unless you give it.” Both of these brotherly love philosophies apply to people of all ages - not just our own.

Ray extended his "Minister of Disturbance" keynote with more language intended to shake things up. He told us to work outside of the rules and regulations and use "Disruptive Innovation," saying that “In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities. In the expert’s mind there are few!” Those that do not question the status quo will drown in it. I’ll bet that many of you have taught yourself much of what you know because your teachers really couldn’t because they were operating under the status quo.

Let’s Get Real

Due to region meetings and the delegate session, I was only able to attend one breakout today and I’m glad I chose the one I did. I used the title "Let’s Get Real" because the session I attended was about performance-based assessments in Mississippi - did I spell that right?

Cathy Davis and Denise Sibley from Mississippi State University presented a pilot project that they were conducting in their state. The performance assessments they developed were called GRASPS. G - Goal for the unit. R - Role of the student. A - The audience to speak or write to. S - The situation or scenario the student is to react to. P - The product that is to be created by the student. S - The standard to which everything will be judged.

Trainers work with teachers to create these unit GRASPS within the state frameworks. The teacher recruited experts from the field to grade the GRASPS based upon a set of rubrics. All student products were collected within an electronic portfolio and the results were an addition to the traditional multiple choice End-of-Course assessment to determine technical skill attainment.

The presenters admitted that there were kinks to work out, but we have been dealing with the difficulty in testing technical skills by traditional means. At least there is a beginning to a solution. Maybe this is a method that the Common Core assessment will incorporate since it uses writing and technology to assess students’ understanding of content. It is very similar to Literacy Design Collaborative (LDC) and the template tasks associated with LDC. You can learn more about LDC here.

By: Mitchell Shron

Well, I am almost too tired to blog. This has been a hectic afternoon, even though I skipped a session to catch up with one of my favorite research guys, Dr. James Stone of the National Research Center for CTE. If you don't know Jim Stone, take the time to look at the wonderful work his center does. My Tech Center hosted Jim a few years ago as he worked with our faculty on some very high-end professional development on academic integration. Of course, the thing he remembers more is the wonderful dinner my culinary instructor and I had with him at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, just a few miles up the road from our school. It was great to catch up with him and talk about all of the major changes we are feeling in CTE.

I also had a few minutes to chat with our President-Elect, Doug Major. The challenges we face as an organization mirror the challenges our students face as we deal with the shifting world of education reform. My guess after a few minutes of conversation is that if we don't anticipate the curve and lean into it, we face even tougher times, as an organization and as a discipline. I am eager to see how next year's session (can't call it Convention anymore) meets this challenge. Good luck, Doug.

Tell you what, I am more tired today than after a typical Friday in my school. As invigorating as the exchange of ideas has been, I realize the thing that charges my batteries the most is the interaction with my students. It's nice to get out to a national conference and see the things going on across America. But I am really looking forward to getting back home and trying out some of the things I picked up here.

By: Mitchell Shron

I have just left the highest energy presentation I have seen so far at the Convention. Carrying the very long title "How to significantly increase enrollment, retention and graduation rates with the Millennial Generation," Mark Perna presented to a standing-room-only crowd his take on why we need to think differently about engaging today's students and more importantly, how to do it. In a nonstop barrage of relevant and well-designed graphics, humor and proven track record, Mark laid out a very simple plan to help CTE bridge the gap we all hear about. Although we use the word "engagement" an awful lot in education, Mark made some very astute observations about the whys of the Millennial generation and the hows for we baby boomers to understand.

One vivid example is something many of us take for granted. We recruit the students for our CTE centers in the mid-sophomore year and then assume our job is done until they arrive in September. Mark said students who go to CTE centers are often either running from something or running to something. The ones who are running from something will be there in September. The ones who are running to something have been bombarded with dozens of new things between January of the 10th grade and September of the junior year. We need to move the focus to retention. There was so much information given I will need to wait until I get the PowerPoint to sort through it all. This one was a keeper.

By: Wendy Chalmers

Last year was my first time attending the ACTE Convention...I wondered how this year's conference would compare (afterall, it was in Vegas). I remember the impact last year's Convention had with me. mI remember returning with renewed energy and ideas...I have always been an idea person! Suffice it to say...this Convention is just amazing as last year!

I am still energized from yesterday's keynote and now today's keynote has encouraged me to continue to think outside the box in my own job. Ray McNulty brought up some great keypoints about changing how we, educators, strive to improve our schools and the outcomes for students. He made us think! Question! If you didn't attend the keynote, or aren't at the conference, I encourage you to look him up...some great ideas on how to transform today's educational system to close the skills gap in trained workers. His points make sense to me!

Afterwards I took a walk through the exhibition hall....I decided to use my iPhone to take pictures of vendors of interest. I can't possibly collect all the literature and fit it in my bag. Besides, I will save a tree!

The session "Using technology in CTE to enhance teaching and to connect the tech savvy student of today" provided me with a long list of FREE Web sites to use in the classroom. I consider myself fairly knowledgable about technology, but half of these sites I'm not sure I have ever seen. The presenters said the presentation information will be available on the ACTE Web site starting next week...so be sure to check it out.

Now what to do...lunch or attend a session? So many great sessions! I am presenting at 1:15, Room 230: "A perfect fit: how to increase appropriate CTE placements for students with disabilities." I hope to provide some ideas that may work for others...and open up some dialogue, forming relationships through attendees to provide support for one another. Maybe I will see you there? If you are reading this after my presentation and you attended, I would love your feedback.

Today is full of program sessions on a myriad of topics in CTE. Here is just a small sample:

• Putting the Career into College & Career Ready: Room 267, 10:45 a.m.
• Techniques to Show Alignment to National Education Standards (Common Core) and How to Use Them: Room 225, 12:00 p.m.
• Get College & Career Ready with RPOS2: Room 267, 12:00 p.m.
• Baby Steps-Using the RealCare Program to Support Certifications and Assessments: Room 229, 12:00 p.m.
• InterroBang session is now Immersive Learning: Room 240, 12:00 p.m.
• Effectively Communicating the Value of CTE: Room 267, 1:15 p.m.
• ACTE International Consortium: Room 265, 3:45 p.m.
• Eric Chester book signing: Cengage Booth 703, 2:00-3:30 p.m.

Thanks for taking part in our first program session evaluation system! If you didn't have a SmartCard scanner in your session yesterday, don't worry. You will have a chance to add that missed session when you receive your evaluation e-mail.  

This morning is an early start, but a worthy slate of events:

• Opening General Session with Ray McNulty and Excellence Awards Ceremony: Hall 3, 8:00 a.m. 
• Ray McNulty book signing at the ACTE Bookstore: Plaza Lobby, 9:30 a.m. 
• Career Tech Expo: Halls 4&5, 9:30 a.m.
• Program sessions start at 10:45 a.m.: prepare your agenda with ACTEmobile. If you had trouble logging in yesterday, try again today--it was so popular, the servers got a little overloaded. And thanks for participating in our first ever mobile tool!

We encourage you to celebrate your colleagues' dedication and innovation in CTE during the Excellence Awards presentation!

Keep up with ACTE Convention updates with: 

• This blog (subscribe to get updates in your inbox) 
• Convention Web page 
• ACTE on Facebook 
• ACTE on Twitter 
• ACTE on Foursquare 
• ACTE on LinkedIn 

By: Lee Smith

The Thursday edition of the 2011 ACTE Annual Convention and Career Tech Expo has come to an end and I have to agree with this morning’s keynote speaker, Sir Ken Robinson, when he made reference to the swiftness of time a person perceives when he or she is engaged in an activity and enjoys what they are doing. Today’s activities were a pleasant way to become more informed and to stay engaged with Career & Technical Education and the professionals that make ACTE such a beneficial organization.

The room was full at this morning’s session. The program was preceded by beautiful, a cappella, choral music sung by 8th graders from Carr Lane Visual & Performing Arts Middle School located right here in St. Louis. The room was called to order. The colors were posted. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and our National Anthem made the opening of the session complete. We were greeted by ACTE President, James Comer. He introduced our Past President, Gary Moore and President-Elect, Karen Mason. They each extended their welcome and were followed by ACTE Executive Director, Jan Bray. Jan extended her welcome, as well, and updated the assembly about ACTE’s continuous commitment to shape and guide Career & Technical Education. Both Jim and Jan eluded to this being the last ACTE Convention but did not elaborate on just exactly what that meant.

Oh yeah, Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan greeted us via a pre-recorded video message.

Of course, the best part of this morning’s session was our time listening to Sir Ken Robinson speak about education. We were his type of crowd and he made statements to verify that. He spoke to us, with much pith and humor, about the way that the United States has become "obsessed" with an educational system that focuses on one certain type of ability... he was referring to an academic ability. He reflected to his childhood years and described his brother as a brilliant engineer as early as five years old. This hyperbole was used to point out that children’s talents are there very early in life, along with their creativity. His statement was that his brother could tear an engine apart, put it back together and have it running again with great ease. He went on to explain how he and his brother hated school and found that all of the creativity, enthusiasm and passion they had about their futures was "educated" out of them.

Sir Ken is imploring our nation’s educational leaders to change the system in such a way to nurture creativity and focus on individual talents. He calls No Child Left Behind an incredible piece of irony because our educational system only fits one ability, thus, leaving out students with abilities other than academic. He points out that all of us are responsible for causing this systemic change to take place.

He is very easy to listen to even though he was telling us hard things to accept. The things he was saying, however, are the same things that I have felt since I was a student. I understand, retrospectively, that my steps through high school and then college were guided by the system and a national "group-thinking" among schools that college was the only way to achieve success. The factory-format that schools operate by have killed creativity and have only served to prepare students for one or two tests that determine so much of their future status. Sir Ken did tell us stories of individuals who have succeeded despite their trouble with the system. If you would like to know more about his philosophy and some of the facts that support it, search Sir Ken Robinson on Google and check out a couple of his books. You can also watch some of his speaking events on TED and YouTube.

A CT Teacher’s Toy Store

It’s close enough to Christmas that I can begin my wish list. I saw several things today in the Career Tech Expo that I’d like to have. I don’t think Santa is going to see to it, however.

Truthfully, the expo does incite the same wonderment and imagination that a kid strolling through a toy aisle would have. The expo will give every attendee numerous ideas and conversation pieces. It is years and years of future goals and projects. It’s just hard to describe the learning opportunities that exist for students today. I saw programmable robots, 3-D printers, interactive curriculum, distance learning and industry-supported materials of all kinds. One of the most spectacular hands-on learning/teaching tools I explored was the mobile EMT training lab from Kiamichi Technology Center in Oklahoma. It is an ambulance and hospital room simulator built within a goose-neck trailer. You can see some video of it here on YouTube.

Time to Get Serious

The breakout sessions being offered this year have been organized for all attendees to be able to find the sort of answers of information they are looking for. The first one I attended today was conducted by James Stone of the National Research Center for Career and Technical Education. His session was a continuing report about some longitudinal studies being done on Programs of Study. Even though the studies are not complete, the early indicators show to be promising in that there is significant evidence to demonstrate that students who follow a prescribed program of study that is rigorous, relevant and involves good guidance will cause an increase in academic attainment. That is good news as Perkins V is being written and, locally, programs of study are beginning to mean more to high school administrators who don’t come from CTE.

I was also present at the session titled, “Where Do You Go When You Want To Know? CTE’s Role in Education Reform”. This session was conducted by Gina Benesh from St. Louis Community College. Her message was concerning the demand for curriculum that focused on what industries and employers need. Ms. Benesh described her schools approach to bring in industry professionals and break down the different job duties and tasks that exist within their profession and develop a curriculum that focuses on those skills. The approach she and her colleagues use is very methodical and easy to duplicate. You can read more about the program here. It is called DACUM and it looks to be very useful for community colleges or training centers that are working with new or changing industries in their area.

I hope tomorrow is as complete as today was. Come back to find out more of what’s happening at the 2011 ACTE Annual Convention and Career Tech Expo! Maybe we’ll learn how this is the last one ever.

By: Mitchell Shron

Ah, finally time to catch a breather at the CTE Support Fund Networking Reception. The CTE Support Fund plays a vital role for all of us in CTE, advocating for our needs and the needs of our students.

What a very busy day. After a very invigorating AM keynote from Sir Ken, I spent some worthwhile time talking to vendors on the Convention floor. If you haven't taken the time to go through, find it. You don't have to stop at every booth, but it may be you will find just the thing you need for your program.

As a CTE administrator, I am very appreciative of the efforts ACTE took to set up easy-to-follow strands. The hard part was making the choices. Two outstanding ones were an interactive public relations sessions and a fascinating session on bringing a maritime program to life.

But no doubt, for me, the highlight is talking to CTE educators from all over the country. I've spoken with folks from Arizona, New Mexico, California, Washington, South Dakota, North Dakota, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, my home state of New York, and lots of folks from the Show Me state. The exchange of ideas, and business cards, is what the takeaway will be. At its best, ACTE functions as a clearinghouse of ideas.

We are all facing similar challenges. Our funding is in jeopardy. We face a sometimes indifferent administration that thinks that education is a one size fits all path to 4-year college. We struggle with common core standards and meaningful assessments. But we all agree that what we are doing is worthwhile. I thought about Sir Ken's call for people to be not only good at what they do, but to feel it by being in their element. I think that defines CTE teachers and administrators. We are in our element and no where is that more clear than at the ACTE convention.

And now, I better pay attention to this auction before I accidentally bid on a Snap-on Tool Kit.

By: Wendy Chalmers

The first day of the conference has been packed full of energy, and I am just now finding time to share the excitement from the day!

As always, the start of the day was inspiring and heart warming. Who can't feel the emotion in the air watching the Carlene Visual and Performing Arts MIDDLE School choir perform?! Middle School! Beautiful talent!

Waiting with anticipation of the featured keynote speaker, Sir Ken Robinson, Nai Wang from KP Educational Systems reminded us of the mobile app for the smartphone/iPhone! I am totally loving this feature...if you are hesitant about it, it really is a must have. Instead of continually referring back to the 160-page Convention book...my agenda is on my phone! How great is that? Nai's sense of humor enticed me to attend his session later in the day ("I have an iPad! What do I do with it?")

Finally, the moment I had been waiting for! Sir Robinson! I had seen his YouTube videos several times over the past few years...if you are not familiar with them...look him up! Speaking with passion, demonstrating on an interactive whiteboard, his videos often explain his theory of what needs to change in our educational system today. His keynote presentation did not disappoint! In fact I think everyone in attendance (and the room was filled) remained fully attentive throughout his presentation! Energizing me, setting the tone for the day, Sir Robinson reminded me why I do what I do, why I am passion about career and technical education and youth, and why I am at this conference!

With the energy from this morning's keynote, I had a little time to browse the huge exhibit hall. It is all a bit overwhelming...hundreds of vendors and I know I can't take everything back to share with the teachers at my school...I don't have room in my suitcase!

For conference goers looking for a place for lunch tomorrow...out the south exit of the convention center, across the street from the visitors center is a bank building. Inside is a cafe/deli type restaurant, second floor! VERY reasonable prices and great selection of foods: make your own salads, grill, hot food, deli cold sandwiches, desserts, drinks. I had a fish sandwich and fries for close to $7.

After lunch I attended the Special Populations Division general membership meeting. I found out they have 759 members...and yet not 14 were present and that included the officers. As president of the Pennsylvania Association of Career and Technical Education Special Populations, I was interested in meeting others committed to the field of special education and special populations. I certainly hope others in this Division are here at the conference and I hope I can meet you while I am here! We have so much to share with each other and can really be assets to each other!

The iPad presentation from Nai (after hearing him at the opening, I just had to attend! Oh, and I did get an iPad two weeks ago...so it is relevant!) The room was overcrowded! Amazing introductions to iPads! If you didn't see him, you may want to visit his booth in the exhibit hall. And at his booth, they have a demo key card for KP Compass, described as "...allows teachers and students to access curriculum in the cloud...available online anytime from any device." After this session, I am feeling a bit overwhelmed with technology....but this is the age we are in, and I firmly believe we have to do what we can to keep up with our students!

Maybe tomorrow I can find time away from the sessions to spend more time at the exhibit hall?!

By: Mitchell Shron

The energy started right up this morning with a wonderful presentation from the Carr Lane Visual Performing Arts Middle School choir performing moving and inspirational songs. The program continued with a warm welcome from the head of the St Louis School District, followed by another high energy presentation on ACTEmobile from KP Education Systems' Nai Wang.

The morning's keynote from Sir Ken Robinson hit all the right notes. Using humor and powerful anecdotes, Sir Ken laid out the challenges we face in Career and Technical Education.Focusing on the narrow definition of academic success will not solve the remarkable challenges we face as a nation and as a planet. We need to change the way we address the economic, cultural and personal challenges to offer our students the greatest opportunities for success. We must encourage students to find their own element where they not only are good at what they do, they love what they do. Sir Ken describes this as a race between education and catastrophe. We can avert the catastrophe by promoting educational diversity. By offering a broader array of educational opportunities, we can create the circumstances that will favor our future. "We create our lives according to the talents we find in ourselves." As educators, it is our challenge to give our students the opportunities to harness those talents. All in all, a very fair representation of what we do every day as CTE educators.

Here are just a few sessions of many that will engage and educate you this afternoon:

• ACTE Legislative Update: Room 267, 2:00 p.m.
• How to be an Effective Advocate: Room 267, 3:15 p.m.
• Reading Strategies for Career Academies and CTE: Room 222, 3:15 p.m.
• Common Core Standards-Making the CTE Connection: Room 275, 3:15 p.m.
• From a Program of Study to a Personal Plan of Study: Room 263, 4:30 p.m.
• Common Core State Assessment Consortia: Room 267, 4:30 p.m.
• Birth of an Integrated STEM Program: Room 227, 4:30 p.m.
• CTE TEACH: Empowering Teachers: Room 224, 4:30 p.m.
• ACTE Town Hall Meeting: Room 124, 4:30 p.m.
• Canceled: Certification in the Classroom

Then, cap off your evening with our Networking Reception & CTE Support Fund Auction, 5:45 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the Renaissance Hotel's Landmark Ballroom (just across Washington Ave from the Convention Complex). Expect mingling, munchies, a live auction and our exciting state basket contest. Vote for your favorite basket!

Keep up with ACTE Convention updates with:

• This blog (subscribe to get updates in your inbox)
• Convention Web page
• ACTE on Facebook
• ACTE on Twitter
• ACTE on Foursquare
• ACTE on LinkedIn

To those of you who didn't join us early for tours, pre-Convention workshops and business meetings--welcome! Here a few major events that you won't want to miss this morning:

• First-Timers Orientation & Breakfast: Room 100, 7:00 a.m.
• Opening General Session with Sir Ken Robinson: Hall 3, 8:30 a.m.
• Book signing with Sir Ken: ACTE Bookstore: Plaza Lobby, 10:30 a.m.
• Dedicated Career Tech Expo time: Halls 4 & 5, 10:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m

Clicking the session name link will take you to that session on ACTEmobile, our new conference tool. If you have already created an attendee profile, you will be able to save that session to your agenda by clicking the star at the upper right of the screen.

Watch our video demo or check out our mobile guide for more tips on how to use ACTEmobile for creating a personalized conference agenda, navigating the Convention center and getting alerts about important events and schedule changes. There's also a mobile guide in your tote bag, or come by the ACTE Booth for face-to-face help!

By: Lee Smith

I hope you are fortunate enough to be in St. Louis right now! The ACTE National Convention is about to begin and downtown hasn’t been filled with this many anxious people since the World Series was in town. Well... that may be a bit over-stated, but there’s "big-event" anticipation  none-the-less. There’s something else... there’s a bit of a buzz going around because, from what I am hearing, this will be the last ACTE National Convention ever!

As ACTE members have been arriving in St. Louis throughout the day Wednesday, state leaders, committee members, boards and task forces have been meeting, discussing and initiating the plans that will keep our organization moving forward. There is a lot of excitement building and being shared as I have been witness to various meetings and conversations. Within the talk-about, the ‘last meeting’ phrase has been brought up several times! Concerned, are you? Me too. Skeptical? Me too. Curious? Me too. Just what are they meaning by this being the last ACTE National Convention? Make sure you attend each General Session and we’ll find out at the same time.


This is a 21st Century Event

Duh... 21st Century... That’s the one we are in, I know. I’m referring to ACTE’s use of Showcare Event Solution’s Eventmobi app for your smartphone or mobile device. I have ‘starred’ or selected all of the sessions I plan to attend and now they’re saved on my phone. Using this app will prevent you from having to thumb through the guide every other hour during this convention. Now, you’ll only need the guide to help you pass some of the KP Compass tests on the Eventmobi app (hint, hint). If you’ve created a profile on ACTE’s Eventmobi, you’ll see alerts that pop up on the screen. One of these alerts will read, “Win an iPad 2”. Click and follow the directions to see how KP Compass, an online assessment solution, works.

Besides the Eventmobi app, you will also use a SmartCard to register your attendance at each of your sessions. This will customize your conference survey and attendance hours. Pretty cool.

This being a 21st Century event isn’t just a reference to technology - there’s a 21st Century attitude towards how teaching and learning is done. I am very much looking forward to all of the sessions, but I am especially looking forward to hearing Sir Ken Robinson talk to us. I believe that we CT educators will be an audience he will connect to. I first heard him during an interview he did on Washington Journal. He spoke of how schools were killing creativity in children. That hit a chord with me, so I continued listening as he promoted one of his latest books, The Element. After reading it, I can see how his message being delivered in the United States will bolster Career & Technical Education, that is, if we can break away from our adherence to academia’s notion of effective teaching and focus more on our hands-on, project based, student centered roots. He, and others, are pleading with the U.S. education system to change... change drastically and quickly.


Take Advantage

Take advantage of your time here. Take the time to meet new people at the various events geared toward networking. Talk to folks in sessions with you... one of the great things about attending a national event is to hear what’s happening in schools around the nation. One of the comforting things I’ve gained from visiting with educators at past events is that we all share the same frustrations. We share the same joys, too. But when the grass seems a little less green, it encourages me to roll up my sleeves and go to work right were I am today knowing that the small sample of fellow educators that have shared with me their own frustrations and joys means that there are thousands more out there. So have a great time learning at this convention and try to take back this enthusiasm and attitude so we will sooner see the advancement of CTE!

By: Mitchell Shron

 
There is always a wonderful feeling of anticipation before a national Convention. Couple that with being from 'out of town,' and it is easy to get a bit anxious. So what to do? Walk around a bit and get to know the place. First order of business - stop by the Convention Center and sign in, grab your bag and start poring over the wonderful selections. Perhaps wander about the place, look in on the busy section meetings or chat up some vendors while they set up.

Next on the list, visit the Arch. There were many ACTE folks there, all saying a variation on the same theme: you could not build this Arch without CTE students.  Every participant at this conference needs to take a few moments to marvel at what it took to conceive, design and build this monument to America's frontier.

And last? I think I hear some steak calling my name at Ruth's Chris. See you at the Convention.

Periodically, we will profile some of the sessions that you can look forward to attending at the ACTE Convention. Paul M. Rutherford will present on High School Academics + Real World Experience = Prepared Students, Saturday, Nov. 19 (PLEASE NOTE CORRECTED DATE) from 8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m. in America's Center, Room 225. Check out this session on ACTEmobile--to save it to your personalized agenda, click the star at the upper right (you may be prompted to create a profile so you can start saving your custom agenda):    

What happens when you take a student and place her or him in a corporate environment where mathematics, science and language arts are used on a daily basis? In a word… EXCITEMENT and RELEVANCY. This describes to a tee what Project Lead The Way (PLTW), Engineering Design and Development (EDD) students experience four days of the week during the spring semester at Summit Technology Academy in the Lee’s Summit R7 school district in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. After a fall semester of rigorous and relevant learning in EDD, these seniors take their understanding of the engineering design process and put it to work with either the city’s Public Works Engineering Department or HDR, a local waste water treatment and conveyance firm. Students are exposed to such disciplines as fluid mechanics and structural statics prior to and during their weekly experiences. At the conclusion of their senior year, both sets of students are required to present their designs to the City Council in the Council Chambers or at HDR, all dressed up, ready to convince staff engineers and city administration that their design proposals be the one accepted. What is particularly impressive is that these designs are often adopted by the city and HDR staff for actual implementation. Imagine driving through your own community and pointing out to a friend or family member and saying, “I helped design that!” It doesn’t get any better than this for a young person on their way to a school of engineering.

While the Convention doesn't officially kick off until tomorrow, you wouldn't know it with all the tours and workshops planned for today:

Workshops
How to Significantly Increase Enrollment, Retention and Graduation Rates With Millennials!
Room 260, 8:00 a.m.

Positioning Business and Marketing Education for the 21st Century: Meeting Needs of the Post-millennial Student
Room 265, 8:00 a.m.

Embedding the Common Core State Standards Into CTE Courses
Room 263, 8:30 a.m.

Literacy-in-CTE Jump-start Workshop
Room 241, 8:30 a.m.

Math-in-CTE Jump-start Workshop
Room 232, 8:30 a.m.

CTEDDI Jump-start Workshop
Renaissance Hotel Hawthorne/Lucas/Flora Rooms, 8:30 a.m.

Anatomy in Clay® Staff Development
Room 266, 1:00 p.m.

Tours
Linn State Technical College Tour
Leaving from the Plaza Entrance, 8:00 a.m.

Bio-research and Development Growth Park at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
Leaving from the Plaza Entrance, 12:00 p.m.

Cadaver Demonstration Tour
Leaving from the Plaza Entrance, 1:00 p.m.

Keep up with ACTE Convention updates with:

• This blog (subscribe to get updates in your inbox)  
• Convention Web page 
• ACTE on Facebook 
• ACTE on Twitter   
• ACTE on Foursquare 
• ACTE on LinkedIn

Periodically, we will profile some of the sessions that you can look forward to attending at the ACTE Convention. Cindy Martz will present on Baby Steps: Using the RealCare Program to Support Certifications and Assessments, Friday, Nov. 18 from 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. in America's Center, Room 229. Check out this session on ACTEmobile--to save it to your personalized agenda, click the star at the upper right (you may be prompted to create a profile so you can start saving your custom agenda):    

Explore how hands-on simulation technology can increase learning motivation, improve learning effectiveness and teach students how to “learn by doing”! RealCare™ infant simulators have been used in schools and organizations around the world for more than 16 years. In this session you will learn how RealCare experiential learning program can be an important assessment tool for Early Childhood and Child Care certifications. Featuring discussions on best practices from educators using the program.

Many committees, task forces and other groups take the opportunity to meet at the ACTE Convention. A few new meetings and meeting changes did not make it into our printed Program Guide:

New Meetings 

ACTE Special Populations Policy Committee Meeting
Wednesday, 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
America's Center, Room 221

ACTE Special Populations Business Meeting
Wednesday, 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
America's Center, Room 120

ACTE Postsecondary Task Force Meeting
Wednesday, 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
America's Center, Room 126

Meeting Changes

NC3 Board Meeting
Moved from the Benton Room to the Parkview Room in the Renaissance Hotel
Wednesday, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

ACTE Sustainability Task Force
Time change to Thursday, 10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
America's Center, Room 104

Clicking the session name link will take you to that session on ACTEmobile, our new conference tool. If you have already created an attendee profile, you will be able to save that session to your agenda by clicking the star at the upper right of the screen. 

Watch our video demo or check out our mobile guide for more tips on how to use ACTEmobile for creating a personalized conference agenda, navigating the Convention center and getting alerts about important events and schedule changes.

Periodically, we will profile some of the sessions that you can look forward to attending at the ACTE Convention. Dr. Bragg Stanley will present on From a Program of Study to A Personal Plan of Study: Individual Student Planning and Your Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling Program, Thursday, Nov. 17 from 4:30 p.m.- 5:30 p.m. in America's Center, Room 263. Check out this session on ACTEmobile--to save it to your personalized agenda, click the star at the upper right (you may be prompted to create a profile so you can start saving your custom agenda):    

The Office of Vocational and Adult Education is developing a CTE transformation strategy based on the President’s  mandate of reform that every student has at least one or more years of higher education or career training.  Part of the transformation strategy is establishing programs of study and improving career counseling.  

“From a Program of Study to A Personal Plan of Study: Individual Student Planning and Your Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling Program” will provide you an opportunity to examine your own efforts in helping all students make a successful postsecondary transition through your comprehensive guidance and counseling program.  We will look at the elements that make up the individual student planning process and participants will be provided a rubric to help guide discussions back home about how the process can move beyond “scheduling” to a true individual planning process.  

Presenter: Dr. Bragg Stanley, Director of Guidance and Counseling for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Periodically, we will profile some of the sessions that you can look forward to attending at the ACTE Convention. Jake Prokop will present on The Birth of an Integrated STEM Program: Hillsborough County’s Approach to the Creation of a 6-12 Maritime Program, Thursday, Nov. 17 from 4:30 p.m.- 5:30 p.m. in America's Center, Room 227. Check out this session on ACTEmobile--to save it to your personalized agenda, click the star at the upper right (you may be prompted to create a profile so you can start saving your custom agenda):    

How do we create quality industry cooperatives? How can we engage our industry partners in designing significant learning experiences for our students? Is curriculum integration the means to increased student engagement and performance?  

These are just some of the questions that will be answered in the session “The Birth of an Integrated STEM Program: Hillsborough County’s Approach to the Creation of a 6-12 Maritime Program.”  

Hillsborough County Career and Technical Education have teamed up with the local community to create a brand new program focused around the Maritime Industry. The conversation will focus around the reasons behind the creation of a Maritime program, implications for STEM education, industry and community involvement techniques, industry-developed program content, outreach systems and obstacles to new program development.

Most importantly, participants will be exposed to tools and methods that they can take back to their districts and apply to marketing development of a variety of programs. The specific focus will be on strategic and operational aspects of marketing and educating the public about a new industry/program and the concept of STEM education.

The presenter is Jake Prokop from the School District of Hillsborough County, Tampa. Jake is a CTE administrator charged with implementation and development of 10 STEM programs with CTE themes. Jake is a doctoral student for Career and Workforce Education and has been a curriculum trainer/developer for over 5 years.

We hope to see you on Nov. 17 at 4:30 p.m. in Room 227 for this new and exciting session.

Periodically, we will profile some of the sessions that you can look forward to attending at the ACTE Convention. Nicole Hochholzer will present on Reading Strategies for Career Academies and CTE, Thursday, Nov. 17 from 3:15 p.m.-4:15 p.m. in America's Center, Room 222. Check out this session on ACTEmobile--to save it to your personalized agenda, click the star at the upper right (you may be prompted to create a profile so you can start saving your custom agenda):    

Literacy expert Doug Buehl has said, "If kids don't ever have to access your discipline through reading it in your class, they'll never do it on their own." But that can sometimes feel like a pretty tall order! Want to know more about how to quickly and easily infuse more reading into your classes? Come to the Reading Strategies for Career Academies and CTE session to learn more! Learn WHY incorporating reading into your curriculum is important, WHERE to implement strategies, WHAT strategies are best to use and, most importantly, HOW to use the strategies with your students. Just a few tweaks to the curriculum can get your students better prepared for college and employability. Hope to see you there!

Periodically, we will profile some of the sessions that you can look forward to attending at the ACTE Convention. Greg Smith will present on Identifying Partnerships and Education Programs to Build a Better Workforce, Saturday, Nov. 19 from 9:15 a.m.-10:15 a.m. in America's Center, Room 223. Check out this session on ACTEmobile--to save it to your personalized agenda, click the star at the upper right (you may be prompted to create a profile so you can start saving your custom agenda):    

As the nation is focused on preparing our workforce for the 21st century, education institutions are expected to deliver more rigorous studies that provide knowledge and career-ready skills. Come and hear about teaching practices that develop soft skills, and how institutions are developing partnerships with business and industry to help them develop the future workforce. You’ll learn the methods they use, see examples, and hear about their outcomes in achieving goals for schools and students. You will also learn about the criteria they use to identify comprehensive curricula for student impact. Cisco Networking Academy is Cisco’s largest single corporate social responsibility endeavor. Cisco is committed to transforming education for the 21st century through innovative technology and education solutions.

Speaker: Greg Smith, Area Academy Manager, Cisco Networking Academy.

Periodically, we will profile some of the sessions that you can look forward to attending at the ACTE Convention. Greg Smith and Nancy Null will present on Techniques to Show Alignment to National Education Standards (Common Core) and How to Use Them, Friday, Nov. 18 from 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. in America's Center, Room 225. Check out this session on ACTEmobile--to save it to your personalized agenda, click the star at the upper right (you may be prompted to create a profile so you can start saving your custom agenda):    

Don’t miss this session from Cisco Networking Academy. Join us to understand what career- and college-ready means to the IT industry, and to review a process that one technology education program uses to map and document alignment to national education standards such as Common Core and STEM. You will also see a new tool they use to help education institutions articulate alignment, and hear from one university on how they put it into action. Cisco Networking Academy is Cisco’s largest single corporate social responsibility endeavor. Cisco is committed to transforming education for the 21st century through innovative technology and education solutions.

Speakers: Greg Smith, Cisco Networking Academy, and Nancy Null, Towson University (with expertise in the development and modeling of creative and effective teaching strategies).

Periodically, we will profile some of the sessions that you can look forward to attending at the ACTE Convention. Paul M. Rutherford will present on High School Academics + Real World Experience = Prepared Students, Saturday, Nov. 19 (PLEASE NOTE CORRECTED DATE) from 8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m. in America's Center, Room 225. Check out this session on ACTEmobile--to save it to your personalized agenda, click the star at the upper right (you may be prompted to create a profile so you can start saving your custom agenda):    

What happens when you take a student and place her or him in a corporate environment where mathematics, science and language arts are used on a daily basis? In a word… EXCITEMENT and RELEVANCY. This describes to a tee what Project Lead The Way (PLTW), Engineering Design and Development (EDD) students experience four days of the week during the spring semester at Summit Technology Academy in the Lee’s Summit R7 school district in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. After a fall semester of rigorous and relevant learning in EDD, these seniors take their understanding of the engineering design process and put it to work with either the city’s Public Works Engineering Department or HDR, a local waste water treatment and conveyance firm. Students are exposed to such disciplines as fluid mechanics and structural statics prior to and during their weekly experiences. At the conclusion of their senior year, both sets of students are required to present their designs to the City Council in the Council Chambers or at HDR, all dressed up, ready to convince staff engineers and city administration that their design proposals be the one accepted. What is particularly impressive is that these designs are often adopted by the city and HDR staff for actual implementation. Imagine driving through your own community and pointing out to a friend or family member and saying, “I helped design that!” It doesn’t get any better than this for a young person on their way to a school of engineering.

This year, ACTE has a number of themes or tracks, each featuring sessions on a topic that's vital for CTE right now. You can find these themes by looking at the yellow headings under each session in your Program Guide on site, by checking the addendum you'll receive on site, which has sessions listed by theme, and by searching by theme on ACTEmobile.

• Common Core
• College- and Career-ready Standards
• Postsecondary
• Sustainability
• Marketing and Communicating CTE
• Business and Education Partnerships
• Data
• Credentialing

Keep up with ACTE Convention updates with:

• This blog (subscribe to get updates in your inbox)  
• Convention Web page 
• ACTE on Facebook 
• ACTE on Twitter 

It's not a conference without some last-minute changes! Check out these changes and cancellations as you plan for the 2011 ACTE Convention and Career Tech Expo.

Clicking the session name link will take you to that session on ACTEmobile, our new conference tool. If you have already created an attendee profile, you will be able to save that session to your agenda by clicking the star at the upper right of the screen. 

Watch our video demo for more tips on how to use ACTEmobile for creating a personalized conference agenda, navigating the Convention center and getting alerts about important events and schedule changes.

New Sessions 

Evaluating Career Education Programs and Making Relevant Action Plans: A Showcase on a Pilot Project Using an Innovative Community Career Needs Assessment
Saturday, 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
America's Center, Room 230
Paul Hans, Papillion-LaVista School District, and Coleen Keffeler, Sturgis Brown High School
Educators from two leading CTE districts will present their key findings and experience wiht a recent evaluation of their career education programs, as well as their plans for the future. The evaluation utilized the Kuder Community Career Needs Assessment (CCNA), a set of surveys designed to provide tangible data, directional guidance and improvement actions for program sustainability, goal setting and gaining greater parent and community support.

Beating the Odds and Redesigning the High School Experience with Adobe Digital Certifications
Saturday, 9:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
America’s Center, Room 221
Denise Spence, Dunbar High School, Lee County Schools
Respected CTE certification evangelist, Denise Spence from Lee County Schools, shows you how to increase enrollment, increase state standardized test scores, and increase graduation rate utilizing Adobe Certifications to dramatically change your CTE teaching and learning environment.  Learn how she transformed one school district in Florida that became a national model for two top Career Clusters in CTE programs nationwide.

Session Change

The session on InterroBang! is now Immersive Learning
Friday, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
America's Center, Room 240
Microsoft believes that an excellent education is a basic right and social imperative.  The company continues to explore innovative learning experiences and how new technologies fuel these experiences including Immersive Learning.  Immersive Learning is the feeling that a simulated experience is “real” and can inspire learning outcomes.  Microsoft is dedicated to exploring and pioneering effective immersive learning environments, Microsoft Kinect, for example, is a powerful advance for immersive learning. This session will cover various technologies Microsoft offers in the immersive learning field.

Canceled Sessions

Certification in the Classroom
Thursday, 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Giving High School Students the Power to Know
Saturday, 9:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

Periodically, we will profile some of the sessions that you can look forward to attending at the ACTE Convention. Sandy Pritz will present on CTE’s Focus on Continuous Improvement through Data-driven Improvement of Instruction, Thursday, Nov. 17 from 3:15 p.m.-4:15 p.m. in America's Center, Room 232. Check out this session on ACTEmobile--to save it to your personalized agenda, click the star at the upper right (you may be prompted to create a profile so you can start saving your custom agenda):   

Would you like to be a CTE teacher who has a clear picture of the individual instructional needs of his or her students and the class as a whole, a teacher who, in the first few months of school, has mapped an instructional plan that has the potential to improve student competence?  Meet CTEDDI (Career and Technical Education Teachers Using a Data-Driven Improvement Model), a program based on three years of research through the National Research Center for Career and Technical Education (NRCCTE). CTEDDI is the only professional development program designed to prepare both CTE administrators and teachers to use technical assessment data to continuously improve their programs.

Just one area of CTE’s contribution to education reform is the use of data-driven instructional techniques for improving and focusing instruction on what matters most. Recently, accountability and data have increasingly become a core focus of research, news, and commentary about education. Though some of the attention to accountability and data use may be tied to regulatory requirements, CTE educators also recognize that metrics matter in the classroom. 

This session will help with strategies for use of assessment data to make program improvements that help all students achieve and reach goals, such as certification in a CTE field.  Educators want to make informed decisions! The key is to link measurable results, data, to improved instruction. And of course these measurable results must align with standards for the skills students need for college and career readiness!

CTE educators have been focusing on standards and continuous quality improvement for many years. Now new tools enable them to focus on specific content with far greater precision than before. One of these tools is CTEDDI, which the NRCCTE is offering as a technical assistance option. CTEDDI is delivered by in-state facilitators who also serve as coaches as the educators apply their initial training at their school sites. 

Keep up with ACTE Convention updates with:

• This blog (subscribe to get updates in your inbox)  
• Convention Web page 
• ACTE on Facebook 
• ACTE on Twitter  

ACTEmobile for the 2011 Convention and Career Tech Expo is live! Features include:

• Agenda of sessions by date/time and by track
• Personalized agenda
• Attendee profiles
• Speaker information
• Exhibitor information
• Exhibit hall maps
• Event alerts
• Links to social networks, multimedia news coverage, competitions and more!

ACTEmobile is accessible on all smartphone platforms. We encourage you to create your own profile so you can save items to your personalized agenda and start planning your Convention experience!

We have a few spaces left in these half- and full-day workshops on November 16, the day before the official kick-off of the 2011 ACTE Convention (the workshop on Embedding the Common Core State Standards Into CTE Courses is sold out).

Take advantage of this in-depth content by registering today! (If you have already registered for the Convention and would like to add a workshop, please call 800-826-9972).

How to Significantly Increase Enrollment, Retention and Graduation Rates With Millennials 

Led by CTE enrollment and retention expert Mark C. Perna, attendees will learn the secrets to significantly increasing enrollment, retention and graduation rates. These decisive and timely enrollment strategies are critical in today’s highly competitive "outcome-based" educational marketplace.

8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., with refreshments. The registration fee is $150.

Anatomy in Clay^® Staff Development - Limited to 50 registrants! 

In this half-day staff development workshop, attendees will build human anatomy using clay and a specially designed skeletal model. The goal—explore anatomy from the inside out! Acquire the knowledge to engage health science students with immediate, hands-on learning using a proven method that is nationally recognized to increase student retention and test scores.

1:00-5:00 p.m., with a snack break. The registration fee is $150.

Positioning Business and Marketing Education for the 21st Century: Meeting Needs of the Post-millennial Student - Limited to 25 participants! 

Led by MBA Research, this workshop will provide participants with an understanding of the National Business Administration Standards, resources for teaching and 21st-century learning strategies for the post-millennial student—all designed for immediate application in your classroom.

8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. The $150 registration fee includes all workshop materials, coffee breaks and a boxed lunch.

NRCCTE Jump-start Workshops

8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., including breakfast, lunch and breaks. Register today at $295 (no on-site registration for Math- and Literacy-in-CTE; on-site registration for CTEDDI is $325, check only).

Save With Advance Rates 

You can still save when you register through October 17 online or via our print form. The savings are substantial, especially for ACTE members! 

Periodically, we will profile some of the sessions that you can look forward to attending at the ACTE Convention. Greg DiGiovanni will present "CTE Teach: Empowering Teachers," Thursday, November 17, from 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. in America's Center, Room 224. Check out this session on ACTEmobile--to save it to your personalized agenda, click the star at the upper right (you may be prompted to create a profile so you can start saving your custom agenda):   

Spend some time with CTE TEACH! Come to the CTE TEACH presentation and learn how this burgeoning California program is bringing essential training to CTE and core content teachers throughout the state, and is now available to the rest of the country!

CTE teachers offer students the opportunity to learn real-world skills that can give them an edge in obtaining steady, high-paying jobs. The teachers often have years of experience in the industry, but none in the classroom. To assist these teaching novices in becoming effective educators, the State of California has funded CTE TEACH – an onsite training program as well as a free online professional development program through their SB 70 funds.

Participants in the session will have the opportunity to explore the online tools and learn the three components that CTE TEACH uses to improve teacher effectiveness and retention, which leads to enhanced learning and lower drop-out rates for the students. Session attendees will learn how to replicate this professional development program and be given a tour of the online training tool for CTE Teachers that is available 24/7 at no cost to teachers or administrators.

Leading the CTE TEACH session is Mr. Greg DiGiovanni, Project Coordinator and driving force behind the CTE TEACH program. Mr. DiGiovanni has spearheaded the program from its inception and it is now in its third year with 29 pilot sites around the state and thousands of hours logged on the online modules. Also an educator, Mr. DiGiovanni has 29 years of teaching experience with the Colton Redlands Yucaipa Regional Occupational Program (CRY ROP), and is the recipient of the Golden Apple award, multiple Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) awards and was named CRY ROP Teacher of the Year.

To learn more about CTE TEACH, visit the www.cteteach.org Web site and watch the informative video about the program. The videos are also available for download at http://tinyurl.com/43lufun.  

Keep up with ACTE Convention updates with:

• This blog (subscribe to get updates in your inbox)  
• Convention Web page 
• ACTE on Facebook 
• ACTE on Twitter 

Program at a Glance 

Start to plan your 2011 ACTE Annual Convention and Career Tech Expo experience with our Program at a Glance!

To navigate easily through the Program at a Glance, click on the ACTE Division that interests you in the right sidebar, or the concurrent/affiliated event that you wish to participate in (this includes NAAE, ACTER, NRCCTE, High Schools That Work, IVETA and more), and you'll see the sessions and workshops classed under that category.

Save With Advance Rates 

You can still save up to 20 percent when you register now online or via our print form. The savings are substantial, especially for ACTE members!   

Keep up with ACTE Convention updates with:

• This blog (subscribe to get updates in your inbox)  
• Convention Web page 
• ACTE on Facebook 
• ACTE on Twitter 

We're filling in the 2011 Annual Convention agenda with fun and informative activities that will make the most of your professional development experience in St. Louis:

First-time Attendee Welcome and Orientation
Thurs., Nov. 17
7:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m.

This breakfast session will give you insider tips on how to make the most of the Convention and a chance to meet your fellow attendees. Learn what the Convention has to offer, how the Program Guide and ACTEmobile can help you maximize your experience, what you can expect on the Expo floor, which events you won’t want to miss, the benefits of ACTE membership and more! Sponsored by the U.S. Army.

Carpenters' Training Center Tour and Breakout Sessions
Thurs., Nov. 17
12:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

Tour the Nelson-Mulligan Carpenters’ Training Center, the state-of-the-art flagship facility for the St. Louis region and home to four Department of Labor-registered management/labor joint apprenticeship programs—carpenters, floorlayers, cabinetmakers and electricians. The 160,000-square-foot facility and the outstanding programs housed there have been nationally recognized by the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor. With this unique learning experience, you will get an overview of the mission and objectives of the Center, an in-depth tour of the facility and the opportunity to participate in breakout sessions.

Session A: Sustainability in Construction
Session B: Fall Protection in Training Applications 

You will receive free shuttle bus transportation to and from America’s Convention Center and free lunch, provided by Home Builders Institute. The tour is limited to 50 participants; contact Stephani Anderson to sign up.

Housing Advisory  

BEWARE! A company from Reno, Nevada, is calling Convention attendees and asking them to call an 800 telephone number by claiming that they have important information about ACTE events. THIS COMPANY HAS NO AFFILIATION WITH ACTE. PLEASE BEWARE OF THESE HOUSING RESERVATION SOLICITORS. Please use the official ACTE-sanctioned housing bureau, which you can access here or by calling them directly at 800-916-0096. ACTE does not solicit attendees for housing reservations. Please do not be baited by anyone who does.

Advance Rates 

You can still save up to 20 percent when you register now online or via our print form. The savings are substantial, especially for ACTE members!  

Keep up with ACTE Convention updates with:

• This blog (subscribe to get updates in your inbox)  
• Convention Web page 
• ACTE on Facebook 
• ACTE on Twitter 

Advance Rates 

Early-bird rates have come and gone, but you can still save up to 20 percent when you register now online or via our print form. The savings are substantial, especially for ACTE members!

It's All Happening at Once! 

St. Louis in November will be the hub for CTE activities, with two major events occurring concurrently with the 2011 ACTE Convention and Career Tech Expo:

• National Association for Agricultural Educators Convention, November 15-19
• 2011 CTE Research and Professional Development Conference, jointly held by the Association of Career and Technical Education Research (ACTER), the Academy for Career and Technical Teacher Education and Omicron Tau Theta, November 15-17

Registration packages that encompass the ACTE Convention and the above conferences are available when you sign up online or via our print form. 

Keep up with ACTE Convention updates with:

• This blog (subscribe to get updates in your inbox)  
• Convention Web page 
• ACTE on Facebook 
• ACTE on Twitter 

Early-Bird Rates Through July 15 

Do you  have professional development funds to spend before the end of the fiscal year? Or will you be receiving funds at the start of the new fiscal year? Take advantage of early-bird rates for the 2011 ACTE Convention and Career Tech Expo now through July 15 when you register online or via our print form. The savings are substantial, especially for ACTE members. Members enjoy lower registration rates in general, and during the early-bird period, can save approximately 30 percent!  

Why Attend the ACTE Convention?  

• Sir Ken Robinson 
• Pre-Convention Workshops  
• Tours 
• More than 200 exhibitors 
• Discounts on registration and travel 
• Eric Chester 
• 200-plus sessions that addresses the needs of CTE professionals
• Ray McNulty 
• Fun in St. Louis 

 "I anticipated greatness, but it’s far exceeded my expectation ... If you’re looking for the best of the best, this is the conference—and the organization—that you would want to be a part of."
—Annual Convention Attendee Sharon Lawrence  

Improved Networking Reception 

ACTE is changing the format and content of this year's Networking Reception to make it more fun and worthwhile for you! We will continue our traditional live auction, but instead of bidding on silent auction items, this year's event will showcase a state basket raffle. Each basket will reflect a state "theme." For $10, members will receive five tickets to vote for their favorite basket(s). If you have any suggestions on items to include in your state basket, please contact your state leader. 
 
As always, the live auction promises to be exciting--items include a  Snap-on tool box. More details about the live auction items will be announced this fall.  

 Keep up with ACTE Convention updates with:

• This blog (subscribe to get updates in your inbox)  
•  Convention Web page 
• ACTE on Facebook 
• ACTE on Twitter  

Exhibit Hall
With more than 170 companies already registered to exhibit, the 2011 ACTE Convention and Career Tech Expo will have a wide variety of resources for you to explore. Here is a preview of just a few of the companies you'll see in the exhibit hall:

	CareerSafe The National Youth Safety Initiative provides Web-based federal OSHA 10-hour training and certification to students across the country. Contact: Andrea Foster Mack
	Manufacturer of laser technology solutions for engraving, cutting, marking and imaging. Contact: Debbie Porter
	Argo, our interactive, dynamic online learning system for automotive and transportation technology, is designed for today's digital learners who learn by doing vs. learning by reading or watching. Argo is Learning the way you Live! Contact: Sonny Reeves
	UpWrite Press is a team of authors, teachers, trainers, editors and designers devoted to publishing books and software that help people with their business and workplace writing. Contact: Steve Augustyn
	The National Science Foundation's Advanced Technological Education (ATE) Centers ensure our future technical workforce receives the education and tools necessary to excel professionally/meet the needs of our ever-growing high-tech industries. Contact: Janice Mukhia
	Venture Publications, Inc. is the creator of customized career discovery magazines-On Track (sixth-ninth grades) and Movin' On (10th-12th grades). Used by CTE teachers, college and guidance counselors and Tech Prep consortiums across the nation, they creatively present career pathways and the "postsecondary education" message. Contact: Toni Fitzpenn

See all of the exhibitors signed up for the 2011 ACTE Career Tech Expo!

Early-Bird Rates Through July 15

Do you have professional development funds to spend before the end of the fiscal year? Or will you be receiving funds at the start of the new fiscal year? Take advantage of early-bird rates now through July 15 online (or via print form). The savings are substantial, especially for ACTE members. Members enjoy lower registration rates in general, and during the early-bird period, can save approximately 30 percent!  

 Keep up with ACTE Convention updates with:

• This blog (subscribe to get updates in your inbox)  
•  Convention Web page 
• ACTE on Facebook 
• ACTE on Twitter 

We've completed our general session speaker line-up for the 2011 ACTE Convention and Career Tech Expo and added new tours and pre-Convention experiences you won't want to miss!

Closing General Session with Eric Chester
Close out your Convention experience with Eric Chester, a leading expert on post-Generation Xer's. Chester is a former CTE teacher and coach-turned-motivational speaker for youth who has visited thousands of high schools and colleges. He is the author of the bestselling books Employing Generation Why and Getting Them to Give a Damn. Chester will close the Annual Convention speaking how leaders develop work ethic in the emerging workforce.

NRCCTE Jump-start Workshops
These workshops on November 16, the day prior to the official start of the Convention, are the perfect thing for curriculum integrators and the data-driven. Choose from the National Research Center for CTE's Literacy-in-CTE, Math-in-CTE or CTEDDI (Career and Technical Education Teachers Using a Data-driven Improvement Model) Jump-Start Workshops.

Literacy-in-CTE Jump-Start Workshop
This one-day Jump-start pre-session will introduce administrators, CTE teachers and/or literacy coaches to the core principles of the Literacy-in-CTE curriculum integration model, descriptions of the strategies, strategy selection and the logistics of implementation.

Math-in-CTE Jump-start Workshop
The Math-in-CTE Jump-start pre-session will introduce administrators, CTE teachers and/or math teachers to the core principles of the model, the seven-element framework and the logistics of implementation. States or districts are encouraged to bring teams of participants in different roles, including math teachers, to learn the model from differing perspectives.

CTEDDI Jump-Start Workshop
Imagine a classroom teacher who has a clear picture of the individual instructional needs of his or her students and the class as a whole; a teacher who, in the first few months of school, has mapped an instructional plan that has the potential to improve student competence. CTEDDI (Career and Technical Education Teachers Using a Data-driven Improvement Model), a program based on three years of research devoted to career and technical professional development, is the only program designed to prepare both administrators and CTE teachers to use technical assessment data to continuously improve their programs. Register in teams and learn some of the basics of CTEDDI using mock data or some of your own!

Get more details, cost and registration info on the Jump-Start Workshops. 

Tour: Bio-research and Development Growth Park at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
Join us at the STLCC Center for Plant and Life Sciences, the training site for technicians within the biotechnology industry in St. Louis. It is embedded within BRDG Park, an industrial site designed to house small biotech start-ups and an ideal setting for students to get real-world training and experience. The tour will not only include the STLCC space, but other tenants within the BRDG Park site as well (plus lunch!). The tour is limited to 30 participants, so register today.

Early-Bird Rates Through July 15
Register at early-bird rates now through July 15 online (or via print form). The savings are substantial, especially for ACTE members. Members enjoy lower registration rates in general, and during the early-bird period, can save approximately 30 percent!

 Keep up with ACTE Convention updates with:

• This blog (subscribe to get updates in your inbox)
• Convention Web page
• ACTE on Facebook
• ACTE on Twitter

Start planning your travel and housing for the 2011 ACTE Convention and Career Tech Expo--discounts are available!

Housing
You can easily reserve rooms at the America's Center Convention Complex online. Stay right in the center of the action!

Air Travel
You can take advantage of a discount on air travel to the ACTE Convention through American Airlines. Call American Airlines at 800-433-1790 and refer to the ACTE promotional code 59N1AZ, or visit www.AA.com and choose "More Flight Search Options" then insert the promotional code in the appropriate box.

At this time, there is no ticketing fee for reservations made and ticketed on www.AA.com. However, there will be a separate ticketing charge of $25.00 for tickets purchased via phone or $30.00 for tickets purchased at the airport. This amount is subject to change. 

Register at Early-Bird Rates
You can register at early-bird rates now through July 15 online (or via print form). Whether you're a member or nonmember, it means big savings!

But membership has its privileges when it comes to Convention registration. ACTE members enjoy lower registration rates in general, and during the early-bird period, members can save approximately 30 percent.

 Keep up with ACTE Convention updates with:

• This blog (subscribe to get updates in your inbox)
• Convention Web page
• ACTE on Facebook
• ACTE on Twitter

Planning for the 2011 ACTE Annual Convention and Career Tech Expo is well underway!

General Session Speakers

• Sir Ken Robinson
  
• Ray McNulty, International Center for Leadership in Education
  

Pre-Convention Workshops (November 16)

• Embedding the Common Core Standards Into CTE Courses
• How to Significantly Increase Enrollment, Retention and Graduation Rates With Millennials!
• Anatomy in Clay ® Staff Development
• Positioning Business and Marketing Education for the 21st Century: Meeting Needs of the Post-millennial Student
  

Tours (November 16)

• Cadaver Demonstration: Including a health care panel discussion and pre-dissected cadaver demonstration
• Linn State Community College: Tour this college's innovative programs, including Nuclear Technology, Aviation Maintenance, Electrical Distribution Systems, HVAC Geothermal Technology, Commercial Turf and Grounds Management and more
  

Early-Bird Rates
You can register at early-bird rates now through July 15 online (or via print form). Whether you're a member or nonmember, it means big savings!

But membership has its privileges when it comes to Convention registration. ACTE members enjoy lower registration rates in general, and during the early-bird period, members can save approximately 30 percent.

Keep up with ACTE Convention updates with:

• This blog (subscribe to get updates in your inbox)
• Convention Web page
• ACTE on Facebook
• ACTE on Twitter

Follow-Up Tweet Chat
Join ACTE for a Tweet Chat to gather your post-Convention feedback on Thursday, December 16 at 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT. The hashtag is #actechat. Learn more about Tweet Chats.

Certificate of Attendance
Attendees can access this certificate of attendance to present to their supervisors or professional development providers.

Speaker Presentations
We are adding presentations to our Web site as we receive them from speakers. Check the ACTE Web site periodically as we grow this library!

Thank You!
ACTE sends a big thank you to all attendees, speakers, exhibitors and other participants, in person and virtually! And a round of applause to our Convention bloggers Chris Droessler (www.ctpnc.org/presentations), Janet Goble (@janetcte), Tracey Newman (@hello_newman) and Amanda Sollman (@sollmana).

St. Louis in 2011
Join us November 17-19 in St. Louis for the 2011 ACTE Convention and Career Tech Expo!

Today we wrapped up yet another great NAAE convention. At our last session I was once again the technology guru (i.e. the runner of the PowerPoint presentations), but it gave me a great opportunity to watch as more of our teachers were honored, committee work was brought up for a vote and new officers were elected.

For this final day, we recognized Teacher Mentor, Ideas Unlimited and Teachers Turn the Key award winners. Ag education, like a lot of other subject areas, experiences a high rate of teacher "burn-out" in the first five years. It's great to have individuals, like those who were recognized as Teacher Mentor award winners, who work with beginning teachers to make sure they have positive experiences in the classroom. I was especially excited to see Don Wheeler, the ag teacher at Laker High School in Pigeon, Mich., be recognized as the Region IV winner. I've known Mr. Wheeler since I was little and he is a truly amazing individual when it comes to working with students and fellow teachers.

Like I mentioned in an earlier post, the Ideas Unlimited winners were recognized for their creative lessons at the Organizational Members Reception and then again at the last session. Keeping students engaged is dependent on good teachers with relevant, interesting lessons. These teachers have shown excellent examples of how to do just that. To see the lessons from the Ideas Unlimited Award winners, make sure to check out the NAAE Communities of Practice at www.naae.org/communities.

Recognizing the need to support teachers in their first few years of teaching, NAAE created the Teachers Turn the Key Award. Each state has one beginning teacher receive the award. In addition to the award, Teachers Turn the Key recipients participate in a series of workshops designed specifically for starting teachers and the challenges they face. From many of the teachers I've talked to, including Drew Bender from Ohio (@drewbender) who co-moderates #AgEduChat with me, the Teachers Turn the Key programming is some of the best training out there for starting teachers. It's great that NAAE recognizes the need to support these individuals who will be the future generation of our profession.

Our last activity of the week was Jeff Dunham (the ventriloquist comedian) at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace. After that, it's back to Michigan to get ready for exam week! Thanks for keeping up with us this week and please make sure to check out my personal blog at www.sollmana.wordpress.com and follow me on Twitter at @sollmana. For those of you with an interest in agricultural education, I also would encourage you to join us on #AgEduChat every other Sunday from 7:00 to 8:30 pm EST.

Safe travels to everyone and hope you had a great convention, too!

I had 12 hours between the end of the convention and my flight back home, so I walked downtown to see Gold & Silver Pawn. (No, I didn't see the famous guys!) As for the rest of my free time on the Las Vegas Strip,  . . . well, as they say . . . what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!

We'll see you at the next ACTE Convention in St. Louis.

-- Chris Droessler

In the Closing General Session today we heard from John Hofmeister, Founder and CEO of Citizens for Affordable Energy, Inc.

He convinced us that our energy should be coming from the sun, wind, and tides, since they will never run out. The big problem seems to be that we do a lot of talking about lessening our dependence on foreign oil, but we don't seem to be doing anything about it in a significant way.

Mathew Crawford, author of “Shop Class as Soulcraft” talked about the work of making things and fixing things. He made us proud of the work we are doing in CTE. That is just what we need as we go forth from this Convention to put in place the lessons we have learned from our colleagues.

-- Chris Droessler

There are very few places in education that I've ever seen the passion that comes along with agricultural education. That's not to say it isn't there, but it always amazes me the dedication and love for a subject area that ag teachers have. Whether they're spending upwards of 70 to 80 hours a week at school teaching, doing SAE visits or training teams for FFA contests or if they're retired and continue to donate time to the profession in other ways, it is just unbelievable.

NAAE got to recognize some of these outstanding people yesterday at our luncheon, including those receiving the Lifetime Achievement, Outstanding Service Citation and Outstanding Cooperation awards. Each of these award categories is a little different, yet all honor individuals who have gone above and beyond to make ag education better. Between all of the recipients, we were looking at over 200 years of experience. Some were businesses who donate their time and resources to local and state programs. Others were past ag teachers who retired, then went on to serve career and technical education, FFA or some other related group during the time when most retirees are soaking up the sun somewhere south. All of their service is very, very much appreciated by all in the agricultural education profession.

After the luncheon, we started getting ready for the organizational members reception. At the reception, companies who are organizational members of NAAE set up booths that teachers can visit for resources. Organizational members ranged from Lab-Aids to the U.S. Army to greenhouse manufacturers and more. I thought it was really neat since I got to keep adding to my curriculum collection. I just hope my suitcase can hold it all!

During the reception, it was also really neat to visit the displays of our Ideas Unlimited award winners. These six teachers were awarded for creating a creative, engaging lesson for their students. One lesson was on how to perform sutures using a banana, while others included building a hydraulic robot. I like this award area, because it really gives you awesome examples of what students like and different ways to teach the same old material.

Of course, as has been the case with this past week in Vegas, we didn't end the night without a little entertainment! A group of us made our way to the National Finals Rodeo to watch some of the best cowboys and cowgirls in the business. It made me want to watch the movie "8 Seconds" really bad, that's for sure!

Until next time, make sure to follow me on Twitter at @sollmana and follow the hashtags #naae10 and #acte10 for the latest Convention updates!

 My feet are tired, and my butt is sore from sitting in those wacky chairs, but there is still one more day of great sessions and networking opportunities to go.

I've picked out some great sessions to go to this morning, and then there is the Closing General Session with John Hofmeister who will be talking about our many energy issues.

According to the treadmill app on my iPod, I walked 8 miles yesterday, and that was just within the Hilton and the Convention Center. After the sessions today, I plan to walk over to the Las Vegas Strip to see the sights before heading back home.

“Getting and Using Current Career Data (Labor Market Information) to Help Students Prepare for Careers that will be in Demand when they Graduate” is a mouthful of a session title!!

It's Chris again, back to the blog to brag about the great audience I had for my second presentation of the convention. They were very attentive, and many stayed afterward to talk about what we can do to help kids discover, and then plan for the career that is a perfect match for them. Getting current career information to the kids so they can make an informed career decision is what it's all about (not the Hokey Pokey!).

Get a copy of my PowerPoint files at http://www.ctpnc.org/presentations

http://www.CareerOutlook.US is brought to you by the School-to-Work/Careers section of ACTE.

 

I'm thrilled to report that Utah's own State CTE Director, Mary Shumway, was inducted into the ACTE Family and Consumer Sciences Education Division Roll of Honor this afternoon.  There were two other recipients -- don't mean to leave you out -- but I have to brag about Mary.  The Roll of Honor Fellowship Recipients is an honor to recognize FACS professionals who have made significant contributions to the FACS profession.  This is a very special award in that the honorees are nominated by their peers and a contribution is made to the Fellowship Fund in their honor.  Mary is certainly a very deserving recipient having a vast FACS background.  We are so lucky to have her at the helm for Utah's CTE.

--Janet Goble

What a great session by Dr. Mary Jo Self from Oklahoma State University on teacher burnout.  The room was full (mainly administrators) so apparently this is a topic of concern.  She outlined various teacher stages and strategies to help teachers in each of the stages. 

Here are the lessons she's learned from researching this topic:  (1) teachers may need a new role such as mentoring to energize them; (2) outside influences have a big effect on teachers; (3) teachers approach teaching with different motivations that change during their career, "what kind of legacy do you want to leave?"; (4) it's important to deal holistically with teachers and (5) start with the human element and move onto the school goals.  I'm looking forward to receiving her slides via email -- a lot of food for thought!

--Janet Goble

It always seems like a shame when two or three sessions that sound great are scheduled during the same time slot. I never quite know if I'm making the right choice, but chances are good I've picked a winner when people have filled every chair, are standing along the walls and overflowing into the halls. That's exactly what the scene was at the Google Tools for Teachers workshop. If you didn't get a chance to attend that one (or if you chose poorly!) be sure to check out the presentations that are available on the ACTE convention website. That session was full of strategies that will be useful to almost any teacher!
Tracey Newman

And the award winners are ...

Teacher of the Year: Gary Weese, Region IV
Outstanding Career and Technical Educator: Jeanette Chapshaw, Region IV
Outstanding New Career and Technical Educator: Buddy Neasbitt, Region IV
Outstanding Teacher in Community Service: Joe Wollinger, Region III
Carl Perkins Outstanding Service Award: J.C. Perrin
Lifetime Achievement Award: Rhonda Hoyman

ACTE celebrates all the nominees and all of our members for the contribution you make to CTE every day.

Day 2 is upon us! The following is just a rundown--check your Program Guide, addendum and the cancellation board next to registration to keep up to date. You can also follow us on Twitter or Facebook for updates.

Main Events
8:00 a.m.: General Session with award announcements and a panel on challenge-based learning
9:30-4:00 p.m.: Last day of the Career Tech Expo
3:00 p.m.: Town Hall Meeting in N256
3:00-4:00 p.m.: Chef Jeff of the Food Network signs books outside the Book Store (and you can sign up to win dinner with Chef Jeff at the CTE Support Fund table--the bidding is up to $650 this morning!)
5:00-7:00 p.m.: Network with colleagues, feast on hors d'oeurves and win prizes at the ACTE Networking Reception & Silent Auction in Hilton Ballroom B&C

Concurrent Sessions
Today we have even more concurrent sessions on a range of CTE topics. Search for what appeals to you, or take a look at the sessions we profiled earlier on this blog:
12:00 p.m.: "Don’t Gamble with Student Success: Keep Their Circuits Busy with Technology" in N234
12:00 p.m.: "Integrated Curriculum: Implementing English and Math Credit Into Career and Technical Curriculums" in N249
12:00 p.m.: "Winning Workforce Training and Development Tools!" in N221
1:15 p.m.: "National Youth Safety Initiative CareerSafe Online OSHA 10-Hour Training Program" in N242
1:15 p.m.: "Urban Youths vs. Engineering" in N228
2:30 p.m.: "8 Building Blocks for Success: West Boca Raton High School's Community Academies Advisory Board" in N230
Canceled sessions: "School of Dreams," "Enhancing Student Assessment," "An Essential Skill," "Careful or You May Lose a Finger," "The Reality Store"

Expo Hall
Today is the last day for the expo hall, so get in there, win some giveaways and ride the IndyCar simulator!

Have a great day!

I've been in Las Vegas for five days and, let me just say, there has been nothing disappointing about my trip so far!

This week I'm working on staff for the National Association of Agriculture Educators (NAAE) for their convention that's held in conjunction with the ACTE Convention, over at the Riviera. I'm an agriscience education student at Michigan State and last summer I was a communication intern for NAAE, so they brought me along to Vegas! It's been an awesome experience so far and the next three days are bound to be just as cool.

Our first two sessions started yesterday (we actually start before ACTE) and NAAE awarded their Outstanding Teachers, Outstanding Young Members, Outstanding Middle/Secondary School Programs and Outstanding Postsecondary/Adult Programs. During my internship, I got to read through all of the award applications and it is just amazing what these agricultural educators and agriculture programs are doing for students. From general agriculture to horticulture to robotics and forestry, they are discovering the needs of their students and communities and creating solutions every day. As a student, it's great to see successful teachers doing extremely creative things. It gives me a lot of ideas for lessons and gives me a lot of motivation to keep moving toward my own classroom!

Speaking of lessons, yesterday I got to sit in on the session "Photosynthesis, Respiration and Starches-It's a Plant's Life!" Teachers who participated in a specific training sponsored by DuPont presented the workshop and led us through a lesson dealing with starches and glucose in bean seeds. The lab kit was provided by Lab Aids and gave me some great ideas of how I can use it in a classroom. We even got a free kit that I'll be able to use for one of my microteaching lessons when I get back to school! During the session, I got to partner up with a teacher from Wisconsin and it was really neat to talk to him about what he teaches, how he does lessons, etc. I always find it interesting to talk to current teachers and get their perspectives on the day-to-day life of a teacher, rather than just what my professors are saying.

Outside of the Convention, I've gotten to walk up and down "the strip," take a limo tour of the city and see free country concerts over on Fremont Street. If that's only been the beginning, I can''t wait to see how the end of the week goes!

Check back tomorrow for more of NAAE convention and make sure to follow our activities on Twitter using the #naae10 and #acte10 hashtags!

-Amanda Sollman

Chris, reporting in at the end of my first presentation of the convention,  "A Changing World: Helping Students Prepare for Life in a Scary World That We Know Little About." I had a large and lively audience, that I am sure were blown away from the sheer magnitude of information I passed on to them. According to the convention program, there were about 50 sessions going on at the same time, so I was glad to see a full room. If you missed my presentation, you can get a copy of the PowerPoint at www.ctpnc.org/presentations

I'm presenting again tomorrow (Thursday) at 2:30 on "Getting and Using Current Career Data to Help Students Prepare for Careers That Will Be in Demand When They Graduate." If you are in the neighborhood of room N247, stop by and see what you can do to help kids prepare for their own career.

I'm off to the Career Tech Expo where over 200 companies are showing off their products. It's great to have a big room full of these businesses that want nothing but success for our own programs.

In the gambling capitol of the country, I just hit the jackpot. I stumbled upon "Creativity in the Classroom" presented by Sarah McCoy and Annika Russell thinking I'd come away with a couple of classroom management ideas or maybe some strategies for engaging students a little more and left with a solid thirty + ideas to make my classroom a better place for my students. The techniques shared there were incredible and I have no doubt that they will improve my teaching practices in ways to benefit every student sitting in my classroom.

Tracey Newman, Family and Consumer Sciences teacher, FCCLA Advisor, Ste. Genevieve High School, Ste. Genevieve, MO

This afternoon's session on increasing enrollment, retention and graduation rates, presented by Mark Perna, was very engaging.  He had lots of great suggestions to hook and keep students in CTE programs.  I loved his term "consistent persistence" when referring to marketing CTE.  He likened marketing to rain falling:  you need a constant "drip, drip, drip" to make people think of you.  Marketing efforts need to be bold, personal and fun.  Personally, I enjoy tweeting CTE events in our district.  Not only have we received lots of positive feedback on our activities, but it's been educational to our administration as well.  Tweeting can definitely provide "drips" of information without becoming obnoxious.

The trade show was packed with attendees hearing about all the new ideas available.  I didn't know until today that Adobe provides free professional development when purchasing their products.  We're in the process of upgrading to CS5 so I plan to take them up on their offer to come and train our teachers.  I intended on hearing about green technology in home construction held in the exhibit hall but the room was packed.  Lots of interest in that topic!

Too many great sessions to choose from!  Let's hear about some of the sessions you've found most meaningful.

Janet Goble, Canyons Schools District, Salt Lake City, Utah 

This is Chris Droessler, reporting live from the Opening General Session.

Brenda Dann-Messier, Assistant Secretary of OVAE, spoke at the opening session. She proclaimed that “CTE is an idea whose time has come.” She further encouraged us by saying that “All of us have to work together to ensure that every American is afforded the opportunity to realize the American dream.”


Tim Sanders, who served as Chief Solutions Officer and Leadership Coach at Yahoo, talked about three important intangibles that we should all be giving away. They are knowledge, network, and compassion.

Tim acknowledged that business books could be perceived as boring, yet the best leaders read a lot of books. He put together a list of six books that all educators should read. Get a copy of that list by e-mailing Tim at tim@timsanders.com.

Your network of personal relationships is your net worth, which cannot be taken away from you. He told us to start networking by bringing together people who can help each other and then step out of the way.
For compassion Tim told us that our life is measured by the difference we make in the lives of others. The reason we go to work should be to make a difference in others lives. (I believe most teachers can relate to this)

Tim ended with a moving story about how a single good action by one person can lead to a chain reaction of good.
Tim Sanders has put this convention into perspective, now it is up to us to make the best of the ACTE Convention.
 

Welcome to Vegas and the 2010 ACTE Convention! Here's a rundown on the day, but there is much more so check your Program Guide, addendum and the cancellation board next to registration to keep up to date. You can also follow us on Twitter or Facebook for updates.

Main Events
7:30 a.m.: First-timers orientation in N250
8:30 a.m.: General Session with OVAE Assistasnt Secretary Brenda Dann-Messier and Tim Sanders of Yahoo! (Sanders' book signing to follow)
10:30-4:00 p.m.: Career Tech Expo, including even more Army workshops and student demos that didn't make it into the Program Guide.

Concurrent Sessions
We also have a ton of concurrent sessions on specific topics. Trying to decide which to attend? There are more than 200 to choose from in the Program Guide. We profiled a few earlier on this blog:
2:00 p.m.: "Rock-solid Leadership" in N264
4:30 p.m.: "Problem-based Learning is a Sure Win With Comprehension!" in N227
Canceled sessions: "Using Tech in a Fashion Design," "21st-Century Registered Apprenticeship," "Focus on the Future"

Expo Hall
And the Expo Hall is full of great stuff, with more than 200 exhibitors and workshops. Get listings of exhibitor workshops in the Program Guide, or follow hashtag #acte10 on Twitter to get tweets from attendees and exhibitors.

ACTE TV
You can watch ACTE TV, featuring films on CTE programs and footage of the Convention, on screens around the event or, if you are staying at the Hilton, on channel 31.

Have a great day!
 

This week, you’ll be hearing from several diverse CTE professionals who will be sharing their thoughts and experiences at the Convention on this blog. Let me introduce them:

	Chris Droessler is the president of ACTE's School-to-Work/Careers Section and is a consultant for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction in the areas of College Tech Prep, Work-Based Learning and High Schools That Work. Chris has a passion for helping students discover their own passion and helping them to plan an education pathway that turns their passion into a rewarding career. He will be presenting two different sessions at this year's ACTE Convention.
	Janet Goble is director of CTE at Canyons School District in Salt Lake City, Utah. She previously worked as the Business Education Specialist at the Utah State Office of Education. Prior to moving into administration, she taught business education with innovative online programs like the Stock Market Game. You can follow her tweets about CTE and other education topics at @janetcte.
	Tracey Newman is a National Board Certified Family and Consumer Sciences teacher in Missouri and an adviser for the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. In 2009 she won Missouri Education of Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher of the Year and was honored as the 2005 Outstanding Teacher in Community Service for ACTE. She is an enthusiast for social media. Follow her on Twitter at @hello_newman.
	Amanda Sollman is a Michigan State University student majoring in Agriscience Education with a concentration in Agriculture and Natural Resources Communications and a teaching minor in Biology. She has interned at National Association of Agricultural Educators, among other sites. An avid blogger and tweeter, you can find her co-moderating #AgEduChat on Twitter as @sollmana every Sunday from 7-8:30 p.m. ET.

Phyllis Peters, Nancy Hammerton and Eric DiGiulio from Monroe #1 BOCES and John Lisak from Eastern Monroe Career Center in New York show you how "Literacy Happens!" in a multi-media intensive session (PowerPoint, video, handouts, audio and audience participation):

Don’t miss "Literacy Happens!" at the Las Vegas Convention Center / N253 / Saturday, December 4 at 8:00 a.m.! We will demonstrate that career and technical education is fertile ground for comprehensive, 21st-century literacy instruction. You can successfully integrate full literacy for students without having to take valuable time away from your career-technical education curriculum. ***Since data increasingly points to illiteracy as a major concern in the United States, it is our responsibility as educators to slow down and reverse this alarming trend.*** Come discover how!

Keep up with ACTE Convention updates with:

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Sara Collins and Randa Pirrong, Family and Consumer Science (FACS) educators from Oklahoma, warn you: “Don’t Gamble with Student Success: Keep Their Circuits Busy with Technology" on Friday, December 3, at noon in N234.

Sara teaches Early Care and Education at Metro Technology Center in Oklahoma City and Randa teaches Family and Consumer Science at Emerson Alternative High School, a part of Oklahoma City Public Schools. Their FACS classrooms use cutting-edge technology every day to teach concepts, engage students and promote life skills. Come to their workshop to see some great things you too can do in your classroom.

Learn ways to use non-traditional education delivery systems, “new circuits” to improve student engagement and learning in your classrooms and technology centers. The session will focus on utilizing online resources to build meaningful learning activities, curriculum and core integration to prepare students for postsecondary education and career training in the 21st century. Digital resources will be demonstrated and links and templates will be provided for attendees to take back to their schools.

We look forward to meeting and seeing you! Sara and Randa

Looking for success with career academies? Attend "Eight Building Blocks for Success: West Boca Raton High School's Community Academies Advisory Board (CAAB)" on Friday, December 3, 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m., N230 (there is a small chance of last-minute schedule changes, so check the Program Guide, addendum and cancellation board on site):

Last year marked the 40th anniversary of the first career academy in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the first season of the iconic children’s television show, “Sesame Street.”  These two events shared a central theme, "Cooperation Makes It Happen.” Everyone brings a special ability to the community and when we work together anything is possible.   

West Boca Raton High School, Boca Raton, Florida, became the only high school in the state to earn three National Academy Model designations from the National Career Academy Coalition (NCAC). Spearheading this achievement was the school’s Community Academies Advisory Board, known as CAAB.

Educational companies, including Lego, market interlocking building blocks as a way of helping students reach creative solutions to problems. West Boca High’s CAAB embraces this “hands-on learn by doing" philosophy in their collaborative work. Join CAAB's Susan Bantang, J.C. Perrin and Mark Stenner as they present a photo essay that will inspire you to use your creative, problem-solving and teamwork skills to find solutions to the many challenges involved in facilitating successful Academy programs … because “Cooperation Makes It Happen!”

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This is Chris Droessler, flying high above Oklahoma (34,000 feet, according to the flight tracker web site) on my way to the ACTE Convention in Las Vegas. I started out this morning boarding a 6 AM flight in Raleigh NC, and expect to be in the air about 6 hours. I was kind of disappointed that I didn't have to go through the full body scan at the airport or the pat down. Maybe I did and just didn't notice. It was early in the morning.

I am truly excited about going to the Convention.  There is always so much to learn from my colleagues.

I'll be checking in here from time to time so you can share in my experiences.

 

In "Winning Workforce Training and Development Tools!" Horace Robertson delves into what CTE educators can do to help prepare their students for entrepreneurial success, at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, December 3, in N221:

The entrepreneurial sector of the economy is the sector that is growing fastest in the U.S., so career and technical educators need additional tools to help them connect students with the entrepreneurial skills so essential for the 21st century.

With 87 percent of the businesses in the U.S. having five or fewer employees, entrepreneurial skills are becoming more in demand, and the technical skill job openings are currently the hardest to fill. With an unemployment rate of 9.6 percent in October 2010 it is imperative that career and technical educators focus on helping develop the skills that ensure that individuals can be self-sufficient. Many individuals are finding that being able to create their own jobs is the key to getting back into the workplaces of this nation.  

After conducting a study of the One-Stop Career Centers for the U.S. Department of Labor, the Consortium for Entrepreneurship will share information and effective tools developed and used across the nation to assist individuals to become self-sufficient, helping CTE students connect their technical skills with the entrepreneurial skills that will allow them to be in a position to either create their own job or to work with one of the many emerging businesses that are being developed daily in the U.S.

During this session CTE teachers and administrators can learn about assessment tools and instructional tools and methods that will empower them to integrate entrepreneurial skills into the career and technical curriculum they deliver. The resources shared will generally be free and available on the Internet. Come join the session to learn and share!

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• Convention Web page
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Are you feeling the need to develop yourself as a CTE professional? Randy Goruk, leadership coach, author and speaker, will talk about giving your career a boost in the "Rock-solid Leadership" presentation on Thursday, December 2, at 2:00 p.m. in Convention Center N264 (there is a small chance of on-site room and schedule changes, so check the Program Guide and addendum when you arrive).

This presentation will teach you how to create and implement a personal five-step leadership self-development plan. We all know a leadership self-development plan is essential for all leaders to continue to grow professionally and make advancements in their career. However, with busy schedules, crucial deadlines and tight budgets, formal leadership development training is often minimized.

When training budgets are cut, or don’t exist, individuals are often left to their own resources to continue their education or to grow professionally. In this challenging environment, many put their professional growth aside and wait for a different or better time.

When it comes to professional growth and development, waiting is not an acceptable strategy. I’ll show you the steps I took from my out-of-college entry-level position to a senior vice president leadership role by the time I was 31. It’s a simple and an affordable five-step leadership self-development plan that you can share with others.

Don’t miss it … You won’t be disappointed!

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If safety is a classroom concern for you, check out this session with Andrea Foster-Mack on the National Youth Safety Initiative CareerSafe Online OSHA 10-Hour Training Program.

CareerSafe, the National Youth Safety Initiative, will be presenting on Friday, December 3, from 1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. in Room N242. Come learn about the hazards and associated risks that are plaguing workers 18 and younger.

Every two minutes in the United States, one teen worker is injured on the job; every seven minutes, one teen worker is hospitalized because of a workplace accident; and every five days, one teen worker is killed in the workplace. Learn how to educate about and help prevent workplace injuries and fatalities for your students. The CareerSafe initiative strives to provide safety training for students nationwide per OSHA standards and regulations.  

Academic integration is a key element of Perkins. Attend a session on "Integrated Curriculum: Implementing English and Math Credit Into Career and Technical Curriculums" with Nichole Tews of Cass Career Center on Friday, December 3, 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. in N249.

Undoubtedly, today’s youth must be equipped with the tools of their trades, and now more than ever, they must also master the essential skills of communication and mathematics within their chosen careers. Integrating academics into career and technical education is vital to the success of our students, states and nation. Research has shown that incorporating literacy and numeracy skills within students’ areas of interest dramatically increases the retention and understanding of said skills. But is it merely enough to incorporate numeracy and literacy skills into CTE? Are CTE teachers intimate enough with the knowledge of English and math competencies and state standards across the nation to adequately teach such skills?

As a shared-time center in Harrisonville, Missouri, discovered, it is the collaboration of CTE and English and math instructors that provide the opportunity for students to flourish. Yet Cass Career Center has taken this concept one step further: this shared-time career and technical center is now offering fourth-level English and math credit integrated into CTE. These integrated curriculums of English IV and Math IV are taught simultaneously within CTE, creating a rich academic and technical learning environment that not only prepares students for college and their careers, but allows students to earn fourth-level English and math credit for their efforts in these courses. Visit their session, "Integrated Curriculum: Implementing English and Math Credit Into Career and Technical Curriculums," to learn more. Attendees will have a model of how to implement integrated English and math curriculums into their shared-time career and technical centers across the nation.

Keep up with ACTE Convention updates with:

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Problem-based learning is a natural fit for the CTE classroom. Horace Robertson presents how "Problem-based Learning is a Sure Win With Comprehension!" at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 2, 2010 in room N227. Learn more:

All of the CTE educators coming to Las Vegas want to be winners! Learning how to use problem-based learning is key to the successful use of career and technical skills by our graduates. When students work through problems they apply many academic and technical skills.

CTE educators need to focus on the use of problem-based learning if they are to properly prepare students for the workplaces into which they are heading. Learning skills that will assist the CTE educator to develop effective problem-based learning experiences will enhance the capabilities of CTE to engage students in the learning experiences so that the skill sets are developed more quickly and are retained longer.

Problem-based learning allows CTE students to focus on the strengths of their learning styles and to retain the skills they develop longer. Having done the mental gymnastics essential to solving messy problems empowers the CTE graduates to perform better in the workplace. When students must show that they have comprehended the instruction on an industry-based certification exam, they perform better because of the way they learned it. Comprehension is enhanced! Come join the session to learn and share!

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Kara Gae Neal, E.D., from Tulsa Tech presents "Over-Managed and Under-Led: Developing Horizontal Muscle to Strengthen Today’s Organizations" on Saturday, December 4, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. in Convention Center N237 (there is a small chance of last-minute schedule changes, so check the Program Guide and addendum on site). Learn more:

If the difference between “Management” and “Leadership” is that management is doing things right and leadership is doing the right things, no wonder educational administrators and board members are often managing instead of leading. Checklists, projects and annual goals can get the job done and even garner bonus checks but what are the best ways to position your district to be a leader in an increasingly virtual world of confusing and often contradictory demands on education? Old, hierarchical management “silos” of authority are today’s organizational dinosaurs, still struggling to survive and uncertain how to adapt to the changes swirling around them. Like all dinosaurs, that organizational model will become extinct.

 It can be a painful, slow death ...  or educational organizations can learn to adapt to the dynamics of “horizontal muscle” and “leadership at every level” in order to survive and thrive in the future. Learn how Oklahoma’s largest and oldest Career Tech is making the transition.

Keep up with ACTE Convention updates by visiting this blog (subscribe to get updates in your inbox) or our Convention Web page.

On Friday, December 3, from 1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. in Convention Center N228, Alton Jamison will answer the question of why there are not more “urban youth” in engineering/science:

Why is it is so hard today to get more urban youth involved in the fields of engineering and science? Why are the numbers so low? What is the problem and more importantly, what is the solution?

Don’t miss Alton Jamison’s eye-opening presentation at the ACTE 2010 Convention as he dissects this challenging issue in great detail. As a successful professional speaker and author, Alton will shed light not only on this challenging issue but also on the solution during his session about the 8 Principles of Increased Involvement. Some of the principles which will be discussed during this session include The Postage Stamp Principle, The R.E.L.E.A.S.E Principle and The Hammer Principle.

As a former mechanical engineer for Northrop Grumman, Newport News Shipbuilding and UPS (along with humble beginnings in the urban environment), Alton speaks from the heart as someone who intimately and personally understands the complex dynamics behind this problem.

When working with urban youth, it’s more than just asking them to take a harder course or to study more. You must truly understand the nature of the urban youth. You must grasp the environment and culture they come from. You must understand the mindset of the people they interact with on a daily basis within their own community. Working with urban youth, at its core, is truly “work.” It reaches beyond the four walls of the classroom.

Are YOU ready to make a difference to see more diversity in engineering and science? Then don’t miss this information-filled and solution-oriented session by Alton Jamison!

Keep up with ACTE Convention updates by visiting this blog (subscribe to get updates in your inbox) or our Convention Web page.

Policy support and funding for CTE can depend on your relationship with your local legislator. Sen. Tom Seymour will share tips on Saturday, December 4 from 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. in Convention Center N245 (as always, there is a small chance of location changes on site, so check the Program Guide and addendum). Learn more about this presentation:
 
Senator Tom Seymour from Minot, North Dakota, will be giving an exciting presentation on How To Influence Your State Legislator. This session will stimulate the attendees to return home and immediately work with their local legislators.  These linkages will help give visibility to the career and technical education programs in their state and improve student learning with increased funding for such programs.  Program participants will also get a chance to voice their opinions on how to influence legislators in their particular situation.  This is a fun learning session that attendees will remember for a long time after leaving Las Vegas.

Keep up with ACTE Convention updates by visiting this blog (subscribe to get updates in your inbox) or our Convention Web page.

Pre-Convention Tours and Workshops
We are all sold out of our pre-Convention tours EXCEPT for the tour of UNLV Harrah's Hotel College. All tours occur Wednesday, December 1, the day before the official Convention kick-off. Find out what's involved. EDIT: All tours are SOLD OUT.

We still have space in many of our pre-Convention sessions, also occurring on December 1:

• How to Be Enrollment- and Retention-rich With Millennials
• Designing High-quality Career and Technical Courses That Contribute to Whole School Improvement
• NRCCTE Jump-start Workshops
• Association for Skilled and Technical Sciences (ASTS) Workshops - SkillsUSA Institute, Authentic Welding Partnership
  

Pre-arranged, Pre-paid Airport VIP Shuttle
Be treated like a VIP for about the price of a taxi. An MWTravelVegas.com representative will call you when your plane lands, meet you in the baggage claim area holding a sign with your name on it, help you with your luggage and escort you to the air-conditioned executive van, which will take you to your hotel. Round-trip is available. Book online at www.mwtravelvegas.com.

The Institute for 21st Century Leadership is set to launch its second cohort of leaders at the ACTE Annual Convention, and now is the time to register! Each cohort is limited to a small number of participants to maximize the learning, interactive discussions and peer networking. Registering for the Institute will get you, as a part of the $1,900 registration fee:

• free registration to the 2010 ACTE Annual Convention
• free registration to the 2011 ICLE Leadership Academy
• free registration to the 2011 Model Schools Conference
• dedicated programming, sessions and networking time at each of these events
• Webinars throughout the year that focus on key leadership issues
• access to an interactive Web-based community of practice
• access to best practices and quality research

The Institute was created by ACTE, the International Center for Leadership in Education and the Successful Practices Network to equip you, as a leader or aspiring leader, with the knowledge, dispositions, tools and strategies to guide and influence transformational change in education from wherever you stand. Learn more.

If you haven't already registered, you have until October 29 to register online (or via our print form) at advance rates--an approximately 20 percent discount! Keep up with ACTE Convention updates by visiting this blog (subscribe to get updates in your inbox) or our Convention Web page.

Challenge-based Learning Panel
On Friday, the CTE Foundation and Apple want you to think about learning in the CTE classroom and beyond. What does learning look like? Where does it occur? How can we create learning environments to support the way our students learn? Bring your thoughts and ideas to this interactive panel of teachers and students. Through the use of video, live participants and the audience, attendees will dive into these themes and more! You will be encouraged to submit questions electronically.

Moderator: Don Henderson, Senior Manager, Apple
Panelists: Bryan Albrecht, President, Gateway Technical College; Felicia Nemcek, Principal, Southwest Career and Technical Academy; Gregg Betheil, Executive Director, School Programs & Partnerships, New York City Department of Education; more to be confirmed

Energy Sustainability Day
Saturday  is Energy Sustainability Day, sponsored by Siemens Technologies! John Hofmeister, founder and CEO of Citizens for Affordable Energy, will open the Saturday General Session by sharing his insights on the need to educate citizens and government officials about pragmatic, non-partisan affordable energy solutions, environmental protection, and more. Hofmeister, author of the recently published Why We Hate the Oil Companies: Straight Talk From an Energy Insider, is the former president of Shell Oil. He'll be signing copies of his book following the General Session.

In addition to these speakers, Saturday will also feature a pair of panel discussions related to energy, industry and CTE.

CTE and Pathways for a Green Economy
This session will explore how secondary and postsecondary programs can collaborate to meet the demand for a broad range of competencies necessary for the green economy. Topics: What are the roles for community colleges? How can we link the innovations to a parallel agenda for sustainability-education practices? Do we revise traditional programs or create newer models? What is the process for building partnerships between all levels of education and the business and industry communities for sustainable development that leads to educated and empowered customers, workers and citizens?

Moderator: Debra Rowe, Oakland Community College, President, U.S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development
Panelists: John Hofmeister, former CEO, Shell Oil Company, Executive Director, Citizens for Affordable Energy; Tom Friedeman, Superintendent and CEO, Francis Tuttle Technology Center; Stephanie Sklba, Vice President, Community and Government Relations, Gateway Technical College; Matthew Meyer, Associate Vice President, Innovation and Biotechnology, North Carolina Community College Systems

Fostering Industry Partnerships Through Third-party Certification Development
The National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3) is a network of education providers and corporations that supports, advances and validates new and energy technology skills in the transportation, aviation and energy industry sectors. NC3 is about collaboration and authentic partnership that have at their core transitional skills foundational to their success. The NC3 network includes geographically dispersed schools, industry leaders and organizations that identify and establish standards, and develop certifications to train students, incumbent workers and other educational institutions’ instructors in the transportation, aviation and energy sectors.

Moderator: Bryan Albrecht, President, Gateway Technical College
Panelists: Roger Tadajewski, Executive Director, National Coalition for Certification Centers; Frederick Brookhouse, Senior Business & Education Partnership Manager, Snap-On Industrial; more to be confirmed

Still haven't gotten your sustainability fix? There will also be a range of sessions dedicated to CTE and sustainability topics throughout the Convention. Make sure you're up to date on the future of CTE by registering today!

OVAE Assistant Secretary
We're happy to welcome Assistant Secretary for the Office of Vocational and Adult Education Brenda Dann-Messier to the ACTE Convention in Las Vegas! Dr. Dann-Messier leads the department on education-related issues including adult education and literacy, career and technical education, and community colleges. Stay tuned for more details about when and where.

Tours
Sadly, our tour of Zappos has sold out. But you can still participate in tours of 1) Switch | NAP, 2) Cirque du Soleil, 3) Veterans Tribute and Southwest Career and Technical Academies, or 4) UNLV Harrah's Hotel College. All tours occur Wednesday, December 1, the day before the official Convention kick-off. Find out what's involved. 

Association for Skilled and Technical Sciences (ASTS) Workshops
ASTS will be conducting three pre-Convention workshops: one on leading a SkillsUSA chapter, one on drafting and digital imaging, and one on industry-education partnerships in welding. These will take place on Wednesday, December 1, and the registration fee for each is be $50. Learn more.

You can register for tours and workshops as part of the Convention registration process online (or via our print form). If you have already registered, contact ACTE at 800-826-9972 to add a tour or pre-Convention session. 

If you haven't already registered, you have until October 29 to register online (or via our print form) at advance rates--an approximately 20 percent discount! Keep up with ACTE Convention updates by visiting this blog (subscribe to get updates in your inbox) or our Convention Web page.

To kick off the 2010 ACTE Convention, get a jump start on curriculum integration with two unique, interactive sessions: Math-in-CTE and Authentic Literacy-in-CTE. Hosted by the National Research Center for CTE, these sessions will help you gain a deeper understanding of the science behind these tested curriculum integration models, and practice key aspects of the models. You and your colleagues can register for either the Authentic Literacy-in-CTE track or the Math-in-CTE parallel track. Combined introductory sessions will focus on the models' shared principles and the NRCCTE's emphasis on fully contextualized curriculum integration. Because NRCCTE uses a team approach, it is recommended that state agencies, regional consortia or districts send select teams of teachers to gain optimum benefit from the sessions.

These sessions will be held Tuesday, November 30 and Wednesday, December 1. Learn more, or contact Jennifer Sawyer at jennifer.sawyer@louisville.edu or 502-852-6428.

If you haven't already registered, you have until October 29 to register online (or via our print form) at advance rates--an approximately 20 percent discount! Keep up with ACTE Convention updates by visiting this blog (subscribe to get updates in your inbox) or our Convention Web page.

We are moving, changing and enlivening the Networking Reception and Auction, the major social event of the 2010 Annual Convention.

First things first: the new day and time will be Friday at 5:00 p.m. This will give you plenty of opportunity to network and then get out on the town.

Chef Jeff Henderson, last year’s opening speaker, will be bringing back his enthusiasm to this year’s reception. In addition, he'll be auctioning off lunch or dinner for two with him in Las Vegas! Along with the live auction, we will have a silent auction with lots of items, including four baseball tickets to a Washington Nationals' game for the 2011 season.

New prizes this year include a 50/50 raffle, which is a $1 raffle with the winning ticket taking home half of the final pot, and a $5 raffle for a door prize.

If you would like to donate an item for the auction, please e-mail Sabrina Kidwai by October 29. Items that have sold well in the past are: gift baskets featuring regional items, sports/entertainment memorabilia, tools, crafts, home décor items, student-made items and gifts for the holiday season. Money raised during the reception will go towards the CTE Support Fund, which helps raise awareness about CTE with policymakers, media and your community. All donations are tax-deductible.

If you haven't already registered, you have until October 29 to register online (or via our print form) at advance rates--an approximately 20 percent discount! Keep up with ACTE Convention updates by visiting this blog (subscribe to get updates in your inbox) or our Convention Web page.

We've added more content to our Friday and Saturday General Sessions. Read on!

Friday General Session
The CTE Foundation and Apple want you to think about learning in the CTE classroom and beyond. What does learning look like? Where does it occur? How can we create learning environments to support the way our students learn? Bring your thoughts and ideas to explore this topic with an interactive panel of teachers and students. Through the use of video, live participants, and the audience, attendees will dive into these themes and more! Audience members will be encouraged to submit questions electronically.

The Friday General Session will also include the official announcements of the ACTE National Awards. Come to see, support and cheer for the best in career and technical education.

Saturday General Session
Hear from John Hofmeister, founder and CEO of Citizens for Affordable Energy, as he shares his insights on the need to educate citizens and government officials about pragmatic, non-partisan affordable energy solutions, efficiency, infrastructure, competitiveness, quality of life and more. Hofmeister, author of the recently published Why We Hate the Oil Companies: Straight Talk from an Energy Insider, is the former president of Shell Oil, and speaks with extensive insider knowledge. Stay afterward and have your book signed (you'll be able to purchase the book on site)!

Matthew Crawford, philosopher, motorcycle mechanic and author of Shop Class as Soulcraft, will also be joining us on Saturday!

If you haven't already registered, you have until October 29 to register online (or via our print form) at advance rates--an approximately 20 percent discount! Keep up with ACTE Convention updates by visiting this blog (subscribe to get updates in your inbox) or our Convention Web page.

Tim Sanders, who served as Chief Solutions Officer and Leadership Coach at Yahoo! will welcome nearly 5,000 career and technical educators to Las Vegas as he opens the 2010 ACTE Annual Convention and Career Tech Expo. His presentation will focus on the value of creating, growing and nurturing strong business relationships. Sanders’ insights are extremely valuable to career and technical educators as they prepare their students for the world of work while at the same time they engage and work with the business community. Sanders has written three books that cover the topics of knowledge sharing and networking; the concept of emotional talent and creating an engaging experience; and corporate social responsibility. He will definitely set the stage for an intense, engaging and rewarding three days of professional development and you won’t want to miss him!

If you haven't already registered, you have until October 29 to register online or via our print form at advance rates--an approximately 20 percent discount! Keep up with ACTE Convention updates by visiting this blog (subscribe to get updates in your inbox) or our Convention Web page.

The deadline for early-bird rates has passed, but you can still save approximately 20 percent off of basic registration when you register for the ACTE Annual Convention and Career Tech Expo by October 29. It's a significant discount, so don't let the date pass you by!

Also, we have more details on our exclusive tour of Cirque du Soleil for attendees. The tour, held Wednesday, December 1, from 1:30-4:00 pm, will focus on automation and electrics as part of the Southwest Technical Academy Entertainment Engineering program. It's limited to 50 attendees, so let us know if you want to attend by indicating your interest when you register or by calling ACTE at 800-826-9972.

Almost every week we're adding more fun activities to the ACTE Annual Convention! This week it's a sure-to-be-delicious student-catered lunch from one of the nation's highest-rated culinary arts and hospitality programs, UNLV Harrah's Hotel College. You will also tour the school, including lecture halls, culinary kitchens, a gaming lab, conference rooms and back-of-the-house areas. The tour will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 1, from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Transportation to and from the Convention Center is included.

In other pre-Convention news, you can now register for the National Research Center for CTE pre-Con Jump-start Workshops. These unique, interactive sessions, "Math-in-CTE" and "Authentic Literacy-in-CTE," will help you gain a deeper understanding of the science behind these tested curriculum integration models, and practice key aspects of the models. Jump‐start workshop sessions will be specific to integration of math or literacy, so you must choose and register for one or the other. Because NRCCTE uses a team approach, it is recommended that state agencies, regional consortia or districts send select teams of teachers to gain optimum benefit from the sessions. These sessions will be held Tuesday, Nov. 30 and Wednesday, Dec. 1. The cost is $495 per person before August 15, or $550 on or after that date. Click here for more information, or contact Jennifer Sawyer at jennifer.sawyer@louisville.edu or 502-852-6428.

Most importantly, you can save $125 when you register by Friday, July 9, for the 2010 ACTE Annual Convention and Career Tech Expo! After that, registration fees go up, so lock in now at this lower rate. Find all the info you need about the ACTE Convention by visiting this blog (subscribe to get updates in your inbox) or our Convention Web page.

Remember to register by July 9 to receive the 2010 ACTE Annual Convention and Career Tech Expo early-bird rates!

You can also save with travel discounts! ACTE has partnered with American Airlines to provide you a 5 percent discount. The valid travel dates are November 27-December 7, 2010. Use the promotion code 76N0AG. This special discount is valid off any applicable published fares listed for American Airlines, American Eagle and American Connection. Telephone reservations can be made at 800-433-1790 (please refer to promotion code 76N0AG). International originating guests will need to contact the local reservation number and refer to promotion code 76N0AG. There is a $20.00 ticketing charge for all tickets issued by phone.

We've also partnered with AVIS Rent A Car for discounted auto rentals. Use the Avis Worldwide Discount number J991598 when making a reservation by phone (800-331-1600) or online. The discount is effective seven days before and seven days after the Convention.

And we've added a tour of Cirque du Soleil: more details coming soon!

Find all the info you need about the ACTE Convention by visiting this blog (subscribe to get updates in your inbox) or our Convention Web page.

You can earn up to two graduate credits for attending the premiere professional development event for career and technical educators: one credit for attending the ACTE Annual Convention and an additional credit if you also attend the NOCTI, ACTER or IVETA pre-Convention activities. You will have a Penn State University instructor assigned to you, and you will be responsible for preparing to come to the Convention, attending the Convention and demonstrating the implementation of new concepts learned during the Convention.

Choose one of the Penn State credit options when you register online (or using our print form). For general questions about the program, contact Peter Magnuson (703-683-9341). For questions about registering as a non-degree student at Penn State, contact Erin Garthe (814-865-9654). For information regarding academic requirements, contact Robert Clark (814-867-2652).

We also are proud to unveil the accepted concurrent sessions that you will see in December. Check out 200+ sessions, listed by Division or by topic area, and get excited about this year in Vegas!

Find all the info you need about the ACTE Convention by visiting this blog (subscribe to get updates in your inbox) or our Convention Web page.

For the first time ever, the ACTE Annual Convention is offering attendees the opportunity to join together in a Day of Service.

On Saturday, December 4, in the afternoon, registered attendees will assist Habitat for Humanity in building homes for needy families in Clark County. The Home Builders Institute’s generous support of this event will provide participant meals and transportation.

Register online for this activity (or use our print form), or call ACTE at 800-826-9972. Space is limited, so please only register if you are committed to participating. Remember, your travel plans will need to allow you to stay in Las Vegas through 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 4, 2010.

Get all the info you need about the ACTE Convention by visiting this blog (subscribe to get updates in your inbox) or our Convention Web page.

Watch and share this video on what you can expect at the 2010 Annual Convention and Career Tech Expo:

Share the link to this video, or embed this video on your school or organization's Web site by going to SchoolTube and copying and pasting the Embed Code into your code.

The tentative agenda for the 2010 Convention is now available!

In addition, we have a couple new pre-Convention activities for you: 
•  NOCTI will be hosting a pre-Convention session, "Successful Programs, Successful Schools." This session will focus on how programs around the country are improving their students’ technical competence, improving their instructional programs and becoming leaders in the educational community through their use and analysis of assessment data.
•  High Schools That Work will be hosting a pre-Convention session, "Designing High-quality Career Technical Courses That Contribute to Whole School Improvement," a full-day session that will address designing career technical courses that engage students around challenging authentic workplace assignment and assessments in which they develop 21st-century skills related  to teamwork, accountability and problem solving.

Register online (or print form) by July 9 to get early-bird rates. 

Get all the info you need by visiting this blog (subscribe to get updates in your inbox) or our Convention Web page.

It's time to start preparing for the 2010 ACTE Convention, December 2-4, in Las Vegas! We'll be adding more info on speakers, sessions, exhibits, tours, workshops and more throughout the year, but here is what you need to get started.

Registration: Now open! (print form). Early-bird rates end July 9.

Housing: ACTE has arranged for discounted rooms at the following hotels in Las Vegas:

Las Vegas Hilton (print form)
3000 Paradise Road
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Renaissance Las Vegas (print form)
3400 Paradise Road
Las Vegas, Nevada 89169

Riviera Hotel and Casino (print form)
2901 Las Vegas Blvd South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Headquarters for the 2010 NAAE Convention

General Sessions: Matthew B. Crawford, author of Shop Class as Soulcraft, will speak Saturday.

Concurrent Sessions: Proposals are no longer being accepted for sessions at the Convention, but you can vote on potential sessions with our survey (deadline March 31).

The Association for Career and Technical Education Research (ACTER) is accepting submissions for its 2010 CTE Research and Professional Development Conference in Las Vegas, November 30-December 2.

Tours: See how the companies for which you prepare your students operate and rely on a trained workforce with tours at Switch | NAP, the world's most powerful data center, and Zappos.com, the ultimate online shoe provider. Or tour schools and see your colleagues' best practices in action at Veterans Tribute Career and Technical Academy and Southwest Career and Technical Academy. 

Pre-Convention Sessions: "How to Enrollment- and Retention-rich with Millennials." More to come!

Exhibit Hall: Interested in exhibiting at the Career Tech Expo? Information is available here.

Get all the info you need by visiting this blog (subscribe to get updates in your inbox) or our Convention Web page.

The 2009 ACTE Convention is over and life is returning to semi-normalcy. Many thanks to everyone who participated in the conference or followed from afar using ACTE's online resources. Special thanks to our official bloggers Chris Droessler, Tracey Newman and Barry Brantley.

This blog will be on hiatus until the spring, when we'll start running announcements on the 2010 Convention in Las Vegas, December 2-4! Until then, check out ACTE online tools such as:

• CTE Policy Watch Blog
• ACTE on Twitter
• ACTE on Facebook
• ACTE's LinkedIn group
• ACTE discussion forums
• Career Tech Talk podcast

By Chris Droessler

This introvert is totally exhausted after four long days of social networking at the ACTE Convention, but it's a good kind of tired. I've met new colleagues and renewed acquaintances with those that I see only at these conventions.

I've learned a lot from others and had an opportunity to share a little of what I know. This is truly a great professional association whose members are committed to helping each other become better educators.

In order to stay connected between conventions, come join me and your colleagues at the ACTE discussion forums. I frequent the School-to-Work, Tech Prep, Career Guidance, and other discussion forums. It's a great place to share with colleagues between conventions.

I hope to see you all in Las Vegas in 2010.

 
From Chris Droessler

Stedman Graham gave the same talk that he gave recently at the NCPN Conference. His talk was a seemingly disconnected collection of stories. What was the overall point he was trying to make? What was he hoping that we would take away from his presentation?

This was the second time that I have seen this same presentation, and I'm still trying to figure out the essential message that he was trying to convey. If you found the message, please add it here.

 By Chris Droessler

I've been noticing throughout the conference that I'm usually the only one in a session who is typing my notes on a laptop computer. But here in this session on social media, all four of the people sitting at my table are typing away. Two have little HP computers and two of us are on Macs.

Blogs, twitters, FaceBook, discussion forums, photo galleries; which is the best for you to communicate your message? Which formats is your audience already using?

by Tracey

Well, I guess I can't call them all the best session ever, but I really did hit the session jackpot this year--all I attended were full of excellent resources I can use in my classroom. The most recent was a presentation from the guidance division by Steve Beutler who demonstrated the My Life Junior online simulation he created to help students understand the relationship between lifestyle and spending choices and the career needed to support such a lifestyle. Anyone who teaches careers or personal finance has probably been searching for this type of resource--I know I was. Here's the website if you would like to check it out:
http://pages.minot.k12.nd.us/votech/File/mylifejunior.htm

On Saturday, November 21 from 2:15-3:15pm in Governors Chamber C, Evan Sveum from the University of Wisconsin-Stout will present “Determining and Comparing the Computing and Internet Skills and Learning Experiences of Freshmen and Senior Education Majors at the University of Wisconsin-Stout.”

You can view a preview of this presentation, or read about this session’s learning objectives:

Session Learning Objectives
1.    Challenge the notion, through performance data, that students from the 'digital generation' possess a basic computing and Internet literacy.  Destroy assumptions of students possessing basic computing and Internet skills.
2.    Understand that preparation for students to use computing and Internet technologies in the public school system is marginal at best; inconsistent at worst. Students do not have enough quality formal and informal learning experiences connected with developing computing and Internet technology skills.
3.    Based on the results of this study, speak to the need of providing future educators with planned, appropriate formal learning experiences and to encourage every student to develop their own 'self-directed' informal learning system.

Learn more about this presentation.

 From Chris Droessler

Thanks to the folks who participated in my lunchtime keynote address about preparing our kids for the future.  Second Life and all of the other realities that I presented are a lot to digest for educators who spend most of their time in the classroom.

We've got a tough road ahead getting these kids ready for a world that is hard to define, but working together, we can turn this next generation into passionate employees who look forward to Monday morning in what ever they choose as their profession.

Have your say about ACTE face to face, 3:30-5pm in Governor's A/E.

Also, "Energize Your Classroom: Which Modules Work in Teaching Alternative and Renewable Energy" at 3:45 has been cancelled.

 by Tracey

I wanted to start this post by saying I just left the best session I've been to in a long time, except the ones I attended yesterday were great, too. Ellen Thompson & Natasha Mortensen just shared a ton of activities that any teacher in any subject can use to get their students engaged and having fun while learning! I'm really excited to get some hands on things that I know my students will love. You know its a great session when you don't check your watch once to see what time it is. Great job, ladies, thanks for sharing! This afternoon: on to learn more about the art of digital storytelling--something I've been trying to use in my classes but need to know more about in order to really use it well.

This is the first time I've been an trespasser at the ACTE conference. All I mean by that is I usually only check out the sessions from my division. As I browsed through the program, though, I found some great sessions addressing topics I know are relevant for my students--service learning, using wikis and blogs, total student engagement, digital storytelling are all things I'll be able to take back home. I would strongly encourage all attendees to mix it up and don't be afraid to check out the sessions that other divisions are offering, there's just too much you might miss out on if you don't!

 By Chris Droessler

What a shock it was to hear Brenda Dann-Messier, the new Assistant Secretary for Vocational and Adult Education, talk about many of the topics that I am going to talk about in my “Changing World” presentation later in the day. In reality, it confirms that I'm right on track and know that there are more people looking the same direction that I have been for many years. I'd like to think that maybe she attended one of my past presentations to get the information that she presented this morning.

The bottom line is that the world is changing faster than ever, and it will not be an easy task to get this next generation prepared for careers that we truly know little about. Together we can do it.

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Please consider attending my Friday session for what will appear to be a continuation of Ms. Dann-Messier's talk. If you do attend, please let me know that you saw me here on the blog. The session is at lunchtime, so feel free to bring your lunch and eat while I talk.

A Changing World: Helping Students Prepare for Life in a Scary World that We Know Little About
Friday, Nov 20, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM, Lincoln D (upstairs from the Presidential Ballroom)

On Saturday, November 21, from 8-9am in Canal E, Debbie Peabody will present “Job Search 101: Putting Your Students a Step Ahead.” Here’s the 411 on this presentation:

All students need to leave high school with basic job search strategies. To ensure your students have these survival skills a Mock Job Interview Fair could just be the answer.

Union Grove High School, in McDonough, Georgia, has hosted such an event for every Career, Technical, Agriscience and ROTC student for the past nine years. More than 10,000 interviews have been given to Union Grove students by hundreds of advisory committee members as well as business and community leaders.

Learn the steps to manage a successful Mock Job Interview Fair for your students. Organizational strategies, timelines, sample assignments and rubrics will be shared.

With the job market as it is, plan to attend the “Job Search 101: Putting Your Students a Step Ahead” session so you can help your students reach the top of their job search potential.

To stay current with Convention news and attendee blogger feedback, check this blog frequently, or subscribe by e-mail or by RSS (click the orange icon next to "Blog RSS" above the photos in the right column).

unConference sessions

Friday, November 20
10:00 a.m. Professional Development and CTE, Al Silberstein, professional development section of the New and Related Services Division
10:30 a.m. Employability Transcripts, Elaine Metcalf, Lee's Summit R-7 School District
11:00 a.m. Ed Tech Idea Swap, Catherine Imperatore, ACTE
1:00 p.m. Science in CTE, Donna Pearson, NRCCTE
2:30 p.m. ACTE Policy and Advocacy Resources, ACTE Public Policy staff
3:00 p.m. March2Success as an Effective Assessment Tool, Al Silberstein, United States Army

Cancelled sessions

"National Honor Society of Sports Medicine for Secondary School Students," 10:45-11:45am
"The Best High School Career Fair Ever," 1:15-2:15pm
"Is Online Teaching for You?" 2:30-3:30pm
"From Pencil and Paper to the Push of a Button: Automation Takes Guesswork out of Career Clusters and Student Coding," 3:45-4:45pm
"Classroom Tech for Diverse Learners," 3:45-4:45

Repeated sessions

"GE2: Girls Exploring Engineering," 3:45 in Canal C

By Barry

Can you believe the line for book signing? I don't remember a line that long in the past 11 years I've participated in the convention. Chef Jeff was genuine and inspiring. I love the fact he is from Culinary Arts too as I teach in the Culinary Arts & Hospitality program in New Orleans.

By Barry

Wednesday was the longest day of the convention so far with committee orientation begining at 7:30 am. The Nominating Committee met to interview two candidates and we are excited to have them meet our attendees at the regional meetings later this week. The rest of my day included the Region IV Policy meeting and Marketing Division Policy meeting. Region IV is hosting our Southern Hospitality in Jack Daniels's Saloon 6:30 - 9:30 pm on Friday night. Sure to have lots of country dancing!

By Barry

I started my week with the NEDA meeting on Tuesday afternoon. Pam Ferguson from Arizona did a great job in covering a very full agenda. I love sharing ideas from other states. The ACTE Board joined us for dinner Tuesday evening and we had a great discussion among the state executive directors and board on engaging members with value and relevant products.

by Tracey

Chef Jeff brought us a great message this morning, the exhibitors had excellent materials to share, and sessions I attended this afternoon gave me some great ideas about incorporating wikis and blogs into my classroom as well as service learning and new strategies for helping the mathematically challenged students working with measurements and fractions in my nutrition classes. Long day, good day, can't wait for tomorrow.

By Chris Droessler

I was a little nervous going into my first presentation of the conference. First, I was scheduled to present from 4:30 to 5:30. Having been a teacher, I know that teachers turn off their brain at 3PM unless there is a faculty meeting, where they keep half their brain engaged until 4PM at the latest. And here I was faced with a 4:30 PM presentation time and a big shopping mall across the street enticing the conventioneers to go shop. And to top it off, there were about 40 other presentations or committee meetings happening at the same time. And if that's not enough, I was in a remote meeting room that almost took a GPS to find!

I was truly impressed that 40 of my CTE colleagues found and participated in my presentation. Forget about afternoon nap time and the shopping mall, these folks are here because they are committed to improving instruction in order to get this next generation ready for the real world.

I'm proud to be a part of the ACTE. I hope you are too!

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Please consider attending my Friday session, and if you do, please let me know that you saw me here on the blog. The session is at lunchtime, so feel free to bring your lunch and eat while I talk.

A Changing World: Helping Students Prepare for Life in a Scary World that We Know Little About
Friday, Nov 20, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM, Lincoln D (upstairs from the Presidential Ballroom)
 

I've never been to a convention or conference (what's the difference?) where there are so many brightly colored ribbons descending from name badges. I really didn't need to wear a necktie today, since I have a long string of nine colorful ribbons hanging down from my name.

So what does it all mean? Without trying to seem like I'm bragging or anything, this myriad of colorful ribbons means that these educators are committed to their professional association. Each ribbon relates to a committee, office, or other commitment that the wearer has made to further the mission of the Association for Career and Technical Education.

How many ribbons are you wearing?

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If you are still undecided about which sessions to attend, please consider coming to one of my two presentations, and let me know that you saw me on the blog.

Getting and Using Current Career Data (Labor Market Information) to Help Students Prepare for Careers that will be in Demand When they Graduate
Thursday, Nov 19, 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM, Lincoln C

A Changing World: Helping Students Prepare for Life in a Scary World that We Know Little About
Friday, Nov 20, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM, Lincoln D

From Chris Droessler

The lunch speaker for the Guidance and Career Development Division talked about Serious Gaming using America's Army Technology.
The Army showed off their simulation programs that they use to train the troops. They hope to bring this technology to the classroom, since kids seem to like to play video games. This technology turns video games into real learning experiences.


====
If you are still undecided about which sessions to attend, please consider coming to one of my two presentations, and let me know that you saw me on the blog.

Getting and Using Current Career Data (Labor Market Information) to Help Students Prepare for Careers that will be in Demand When they Graduate
Thursday, Nov 19, 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM, Lincoln C

A Changing World: Helping Students Prepare for Life in a Scary World that We Know Little About
Friday, Nov 20, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM, Lincoln D

 

by Tracey

There is a poster hanging outside the library in the school where I teach that reads, "You miss school--you miss out." I understand that the point of it is to encourage high attendance in our students but I always think of it when I'm not at school as well. It sort of popped into my head today at the ACTE conference during the exhibit time, but it didn't stay long.

I started thinking about all the things I'd miss out on if I weren't here....new teaching strategies for my classroom, networking with other professionals (some of whom have figured out how to handle issues I'm dealing with at school) and new and innovative instructional materials available from our many exhibitors. The FEFE booth looked like a lot of fun, with an actual free lesson plan about how to use a Twister game in class to reinforce financial education requirements, a few booths away I found a huge line--people couldn't wait to spin the Army wheel, and all the many areas of CTE in our country were represented whether it was with textbooks, fundraisers, or instructional equipment.

Yes, it can be tough to arrange for a substitute and make sure your own family can survive for a couple of days without you, but if you miss ACTE, you miss out! 

From Chris Droessler

“Chef Jeff” Henderson keynoted the Opening General Session. He went from crack dealer to celebrated chef, and he's not ashamed to admit it.
He's working with kids with low self-esteem to help keep them from making the same mistakes he made. He grew up in a family where education was not important. While in prison he learned the value of education and hopes to empower kids with an education.

He got to work in the prison kitchen as a form of punishment, but he soon saw it as a way to get better quality food, and he then discovered his passion for cooking.

Chef Jeff says that the most important teacher is the effective teacher. They take real interest in the students. They go to work everyday to make a difference in somebody's life. Are we doing that?

====
If you are still undecided about which sessions to attend, please consider coming to one of my two presentations, and let me know that you saw me on the blog.

Getting and Using Current Career Data (Labor Market Information) to Help Students Prepare for Careers that will be in Demand When they Graduate
Thursday, Nov 19, 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM, Lincoln C

A Changing World: Helping Students Prepare for Life in a Scary World that We Know Little About
Friday, Nov 20, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM, Lincoln D

 

"The Role of Career/Technical Education in High School Reform" at 2pm today has been cancelled. FYI!

Our remaining unConference sessions today are: 

1:30 p.m. Professional Development for Educators on the Use of Assessment Data, Sandy Pritz and Pat Kelley, NOCTI
2:00 p.m. ACTE Policy and Advocacy Resources, ACTE Public Policy staff
3:00 p.m. Business and Computer Science Teacher Curriculum Search, Roderick Hames, Crews Middle School
3:30 p.m. Student Outcomes in Programs of Study, Marisa Castellano and Kirsten Sundell, NRCCTE  

Carol Dvorak, last year’s winner of the Community Service award, will present a session on Saturday, November 21 from 2:15-3:15pm in Governor’s chamber D on “Community Service: What You Do When Things Slow Down.” Here’s how she describes the session:

The presentation that I’m going to do this year is on how you can incorporate community service activities into your regular classroom. I’ve been able to do that in the years that I’ve been teaching here at Meridian Technology Center. We’ll choose the kinds of community service that are related to what we do in the classroom.

For instance, on handling a blood drive. My students that are all business technology students get out promotional materials, they do all the scheduling, they make sure that the details for the event are all taken care of up front. And then we do participate and help on that day, but it really lends itself to a nice learning experience because they do learn the importance of scheduling very carefully and just the management of that day, management of time for that day. Since many of them could end up being office managers, it’s very helpful.

I think [attendees could walk away with] ideas on how they can take different kinds of community service activities, look at what their program is and just figure out a way to choose activities that become a learning opportunity for their students. There are needs everywhere for volunteers, and I think with some creative brainstorming we can help people in every different kind of program come up with ways they can incorporate some of that community service into what they’re already doing, make it part of their curriculum.

You know what I’m trying to do is get it to where people don’t see it as “well, this is a time-consuming extra activity and how can I possibly work that in?” to “Well, this is just part of what we do.” In some cases it could be that the community starts counting on it. I hope that it makes it interesting and fun, and I do hope that some of the people that come to this session come with their own ideas or share how they’ve made it work in their classroom and have an opportunity to do a little bit of brainstorming with that.

To stay current with Convention news and attendee blogger feedback, check this blog frequently, or subscribe by e-mail or by RSS (click the orange icon next to "Blog RSS" above the photos in the right column).

From Chris Droessler

Wow, this hotel is big! It reminds one of those themed hotels in Las Vegas. I should have brought my GPS to help me find my way around.

Seriously, it's a great hotel with a friendly staff, and it appears as if they have rolled out the red carpet for our convention. (I actually walked on a red carpet coming in the front door.)

I'm going to spend some time this evening looking through the convention program to plan my schedule of sessions to attend. There are so many to choose from, and sometimes there are as many as 40 to choose from that occur at the same time.

If you are still undecided about which sessions to attend, please consider coming to one of mine (see below), and let me know that you saw me on the blog.

More from me later...

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Getting and Using Current Career Data (Labor Market Information) to Help Students Prepare for Careers that will be in Demand When they Graduate
Thursday, Nov 19, 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM, Lincoln C

A Changing World: Helping Students Prepare for Life in a Scary World that We Know Little About
Friday, Nov 20, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM, Lincoln D

 

Attendees have two opportunities to attend a listening session with the Office of Vocational and Adult Education about the Workforce Investment Act reauthorization.

When: Thursday, November 19, 10:45am-12:45pm and 3:15-5:15pm
Where: Ryman Ballroom B

From Chris Droessler

I just finished participating in a High Schools That Work visit and am now sitting in the airport waiting for my flight to Nashville. It's been many years since I've been to Nashville, and I'm looking forward to the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. I understand it is magnificent!

My first meeting at the ACTE Convention is the New and Related Services Division Policy meeting. The officers in the New and Related Services Division get together once a year to talk about policies. As president of the School-to-Work/Careers Section, I will represent the section at the New and Related Services Division meeting.

I look forward to seeing my colleagues form across the country at the Convention.

==============

Getting and Using Current Career Data (Labor Market Information) to Help Students Prepare for Careers that will be in Demand When they Graduate
Thursday, Nov 19, 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM, Lincoln C

A Changing World: Helping Students Prepare for Life in a Scary World that We Know Little About
Friday, Nov 20, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM, Lincoln D

Learn about "Understanding by Design (UbD) for Trade and Industrial Education" in a session hosted by Steve Hurdle. He describes his presentation below:

Do you sometimes feel like all you do is prepare your students for end of course testing? Are you experiencing success at getting your students to master key concepts and practices within your area? This session will allow you the opportunity to develop lesson plans and curriculum with the goal of increasing students’ mastery of subject matter and at the same time preparing them for end of course assessments without "teaching to the test". Career and Technical educators are already experts at teaching students usable knowledge and skills. This session is designed to help you focus more of your energy on what you do best. By utilizing the information from this session teachers and curriculum developers can better prepare lessons and assessments to ensure that students are getting the "big ideas" of the subject.

Join me Friday at 3:45 in Canal E for a fast paced presentation and information that you can put into use as soon as you get home.

To stay current with Convention news and attendee blogger feedback, check this blog frequently, or subscribe by e-mail or by RSS (click the orange icon next to "Blog RSS" above the photos in the right column).

Here are a few cancellations and room changes to alert you to:

Cancelled Sessions

Thursday:
"The PIC Programming for the Awesome Cube and Much More!" 2-3pm
"Getting More from Web 2.0: Using Twitter and Google to Enhance CTE Student Collaboration," 4:30-5:30pm

Friday:
"National Honor Society of Sports Medicine for Secondary School Students," 10:45-11:45am
"The Best High School Career Fair Ever," 1:15-2:15pm
"Is Online Teaching for You?" 2:30-3:30pm
"From Pencil and Paper to the Push of a Button: Automation Takes Guesswork out of Career Clusters and Student Coding," 3:45-4:45pm

Saturday:
"Sit and Get Lessons are Gone, Integrative Lessons have Arrived," 1-2pm
"Life in Career and Technical Education," 1-2pm
"Assessing Student Technology Literacy," 2:15-3:15pm

Meeting Room Changes

Wednesday:
The Pre-Convention workshop on developing a crisis response plan has been moved to Governors Chamber D.

Join Roderick Hames of Crews Middle School on Friday, November 20 from 10:45-11:45am in Canal A for his session on “Stock Market Simulations: Bullish on Engagement, Blogs and Brainy Work.” What it’s all about:

Mirroring real life problems is a critical element that can turn a boring computer project into a highly engaging and brainy experience that increases information retention. This stock market simulation is a proven successful instructional method. It saves teachers the time to create these lessons from scratch. This session will provide participants with direct access to class notes, teacher handouts, PowerPoints, assessments and valuable online resources.

In this project using the stock market, a novice teacher or veteran teacher can leave with tips, links, and specific strategies for use in their classroom. With some minor adaptations, this project can be used with students from 5th grade to college. The unit is easily broken down into specific components that can be simply adapted to suit the needs of the teacher.

This stock market project relies on collaboration, mathematics, literacy, analysis, competition, and most importantly a strong focus on student engagement and autonomy. The unit begins with students who know little to nothing about the stock market and finishes with student-executives who own and operate their own simulated investment firm trusted with over half million dollars from different clients. If this sounds engaging, challenging, and fun just imagine what students will think.

Rod will also be presenting at the unConference at booths 429 and 435 in the exhibit hall on Thursday, November 19, from 3-3:30pm. He’ll lead an interactive presentation and discussion on project-based learning curricula, with an emphasis on middle school students and business and computer science courses.

To stay current with Convention news and attendee blogger feedback, check this blog frequently, or subscribe by e-mail or by RSS (click the orange icon next to "Blog RSS" above the photos in the right column).

Josette Schlafer discusses “Education and Career Planning: The Right Tools for Success!” in a Guidance and Career Development Roundtable Session on Friday, November 20, from 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM in Governor's C. She describes the roundtable below:

My name is Josette Schlafer. I am the CTE Computer Lab Coordinator in Cumberland County, Tennessee. One of my job responsibilities is to make sure all students in Cumberland County, beginning in the eighth grade, have the tools they need to help them choose, plan and prepare for their intended career. In Cumberland County that means approximately 2,500 students. I'd like for you to join me for this roundtable discussion on what I've found to be the right tools for this task. I will zero in on our use of the Tennessee College and Career Planning System powered by Kuder as the right tools for the overwhelming majority of our students. (We use CareerScope for the few students for which Kuder is not appropriate. CareerScope is not free though for anybody.)

We're in our third year of implementing the Kuder program countywide. I'll be glad to admit the mistakes I've made, humbly tell you about some of the successes we've had and share additional resources we've created to use along with the wealth of resources Kuder provides.

Colleagues from all states are welcomed but those of you from Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Carolina and Tennessee will be especially happy to hear the word "FREE" for your students in my discussion! (If you're wondering why it's not free for your state, go talk to the Kuder folks at their exhibitor booth 917.)

By the way, I am not an employee of Kuder. I just discovered their program, love it and am willing to endorse it because it's good for students. It's the right tool!

To stay current with Convention news and attendee blogger feedback, check this blog frequently, or subscribe by e-mail or by RSS (click the orange icon next to "Blog RSS" above the photos in the right column).

ACTE has taken the lead in developing an U.S. Consortia to promote the export of U.S. technical and vocational education training goods and services around the world. The workshop at the Convention will introduce the Consortia's objectives, services and opportunities.
 
When: Thursday, November 19, 4:00-5:30pm
Where: Exhibitor Workshop # 2 in the Ryman Hall

Carol Larkin, a practitioner and teacher for over 30 years, will present “Rigorous and Relevant Technical Writing in the Career and Academic Classroom” on Friday, November 20, from 10:45-11:45am in Ryman Studio L. Why should you attend this session?:

Why would you want to include technical writing in the tech and academic classroom? Two reasons: preparing your students properly for college and actively engaging them in writing and thinking. Come and join this presentation for an upbeat, energizing and creative experience. This session provides you with three critical components to creating rigorous writing assignments. The first is an explanation of how tech writing differs from the academic writing we are all used to experiencing. The second component discusses solutions about bringing together Academic and Tech teachers to create rigorous writing assignments and projects, and last the presentation offers some real time projects that combine the technical class work with Language Arts Standards. It is an exciting, energizing presentation. Please join us.

Is something missing in your classroom? Arland G. Reinhard presents a session entitled “No Heart Left Behind” on Thursday, November 19 from 4:30-5:30pm in Ryman Studio AB. Learn more about this presentation:

As teachers focus on standards and paperwork, they sometimes lose sight of their special opportunity to touch student lives. Distracted by “No Child Left Behind,” teachers may be leaving the hearts of their students behind, as well as their own. If you sense a need to rekindle your passion for teaching, this presentation is for you.

The goal is to inspire, encourage, challenge, and stimulate the thinking of both new and seasoned teachers.

An award winning teacher and speaker, in the past four years Arland has spoken at 23 venues in 6 states. During his PowerPoint presentation, he gives listeners a peek into his teacher’s heart and soul, sharing things he wishes an experienced teacher would have shared with him during his early years, and even now as he approaches retirement.

LISTENER COMMENTS & REACTIONS: A blessing. A great motivational speaker. Very inspirational. He is amazing. Very encouraging. I want more. The best in-service in my 35 years. Very informative and entertaining. His positive attitude is inspiring. Listeners laugh as they connect and reflect, and at the end many wipe away tears.

Sit back, relax, and soak in the message.

To stay current with Convention news and attendee blogger feedback, check this blog frequently, or subscribe by e-mail or by RSS (click the orange icon next to "Blog RSS" above the photos in the right column).

Looking for something to do after a day at the Convention? The Grand Ole Opry is offering five dollars off Grand Ole Opry tickets and two dollars off Ryman Auditorium Tours for attendees. To order tickets, visit www.opry.com or call 800-SEE-OPRY (733-6779) and use code CONV09.

With all the activities going on at the Convention, make sure you don’t waste any time getting situated. Here are a few tips, highlights and resources to get you going once you arrive in Nashville.

Hours and Locations of Some Key Areas
Registration – Delta Ballroom Concourse
Tuesday, November 17
4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
 
Wednesday, November 18
6:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Satellite registration will remain open until 7:00 p.m. for those who already have their badge.
 
Thursday, November 19
6:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
 
Friday, November 20
6:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
 
Expo Hall
Ryman Hall
Thursday, November 19
10:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
 
Friday, November 20
9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
 
Bookstore
Near ACTE Registration in Delta Ballroom Concourse
Wednesday, November 18
12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
 
Thursday, November 19
7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
 
Friday, November 20
7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
 
Saturday, November 21
8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
 
Book signing for General Session speakers Jeff Henderson and Stedman Graham will occur immediately following their sessions. Signings are located just outside the bookstore.
 
E-mail Stations
Near ACTE Registration in Delta Ballroom Concourse and ACTE's Expo in the Ryman Hall.

Jump Drives in Convention Bags
In an effort to reduce waste and use of paper, each registered attendee will receive a USB flash drive in their tote bags. Generously provided by the National Research Center for Career and Technical Education, this device includes a number of resources as well as your certificate of attendance.

Also, attendees can use the flash drives to download presentations, which will be available at specified computers near the registration area.

Here are the unConference presentations and discussions we have lined up:

Thursday, November 19

10:30 a.m. Using ACTE's Web Site & E-Media Resources, Catherine Imperatore, ACTE
11:00 a.m. Career Integration for Our Future Workforce, Dr. Joseph Iannetti, Western Area (PA) Career and Technology Center
1:30 p.m. Professional Development for Educators on the Use of Assessment Data, Sandy Pritz and Pat Kelley, NOCTI
2:00 p.m. ACTE Policy and Advocacy Resources, ACTE Public Policy staff
3:00 p.m. Business and Computer Science Teacher Curriculum Search, Roderick Hames, Crews Middle School
3:30 p.m. Student Outcomes in Programs of Study, Marisa Castellano and Kirsten Sundell, NRCCTE  

Friday, November 20

10:00 a.m. Professional Development and CTE, Al Silberstein, professional development section of the New and Related Services Division
10:30 a.m. Employability Transcripts, Elaine Metcalf, Lee's Summit R-7 School District
11:00 a.m. Ed Tech Idea Swap, Catherine Imperatore, ACTE
1:00 p.m. Science in CTE, Donna Pearson, NRCCTE
2:30 p.m. ACTE Policy and Advocacy Resources, ACTE Public Policy staff
3:00 p.m. March2Success as an Effective Assessment Tool, Al Silberstein, United States Army 

The ACTE/NRCCTE unConference will feature short, informal sessions emphasizing openness and dialogue, located at booths 429 and 435 at the 2009 ACTE Convention and Career Tech Expo. The unConference is for you if you have a passion for and knowledge about CTE that you want to share outside of the formal Convention session schedule, or if you like to learn and engage in an informal environment.

Today is the last day to sign up for a half-hour slot using the online form (check the schedule for available times). After November 16, sign up on-site at the unConference area at booths 429 and 435. To attend a session, check out the schedule online or on-site at booths 429 and 435, then grab a seat to listen, learn and share your thoughts.

The Career and Technical Education Equity Council (CTEEC), an affiliate of ACTE’s Administration Division, will be holding its business meeting on Thursday, November 19 from 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. in Delta Island B. During this meeting, which is open to all attendees, CTEEC will be reviewing its next year’s program of work and would like input as it moves forward to help CTE’s efforts to meet the needs of diverse students.

Learn about preparing the next generation of FACS educators when Dr. Darby Sewell and Dr. Yvonne Gentzler present the following session on Thursday, November 19, from 3:15-4:15pm in Lincoln E:

Maintaining and growing Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) education programs is a common concern for current FACS educators at the secondary and postsecondary levels especially when demand for FACS educators outweighs the supply. Are you interested in discovering what has motivated today’s undergraduate FACS education majors to pursue this area of study? This presentation focuses on three significant outcomes gleaned from a study examining the development of passion for the profession in undergraduate students majoring in FACS education: 1) Increasing and sustaining the supply of FACS educators; 2) Examining the development of professional passion and commitment to FACS education by FACS education majors; and 3) The significance of instructing undergraduate students majoring in FACS education about democratic engagement with a focus on involvement in public policy. A model depicting the process of developing professional passion for FACS education will be shared. The content of this presentation is of interest to both secondary and postsecondary FACS educators.

To stay current with Convention news, check this blog frequently, or subscribe by e-mail or by RSS (click the orange icon next to "Blog RSS" above the photos in the right column).

 Here’s Chris Droessler (dress-ler), getting ready for the ACTE Convention next week.

In North Carolina I’m the state coordinator for College Tech Prep, Work-Based Learning, and High Schools That Work.

For my professional association, I’m the national president for the School to Work/Careers Section, and I post a lot of text to the ACTE discussion forums (http://www.acteonline.org/memberforums.aspx). Those forums are a great place to share and learn from your colleagues from around the world. Try it, you’ll like it!

I was excited to receive my credentials in the mail this week. That’s a sure indicator that the convention is really close at hand. I’m finalizing my travel plans and putting the final touches on my presentations that I will be doing at the convention. Which neckties should I take with me?

The Convention is only a week away! ACTE wants to make sure your Convention experience gets off to a great start. Here are a few things for you to check on this week so that you’re all set once you arrive.

Registration
Online registration is closed, but you can still register on site. If you are already registered, your Convention registration materials were mailed to you at the end of October. Please bring this badge with you to the Convention to pick up your program guide, bag and name badge holder.
 
If you are pre-registered and you did not receive your materials in the mail, you can get your badge at the registration counters labeled "Onsite Registration."
 
Hotel Information
If you have not done so already, you will want to book your hotel. ACTE has sold out at all five hotels and has recently contracted with the Residence Inn Nashville Airport, 615-889-8600 (mention ACTE).
 
You may also want to browse through the room- and ride-share forum to find available space for your stay or to find a roommate to help you cut costs.
 
Convention Online Tools
In addition to this blog, we have other online resources you can check before your departure to get a heads up on any last-minute news. Or if you can't be with us, you can use these resources to keep up to speed with what's happening:

• ACTE on Twitter: Get real-time reminders and play-by-play action by following ACTE on Twitter. Use the hashtag #09acte in your Convention-related tweets so that we can pull together updates from everyone conversing about the conference. (What is a hashtag?)
  
• Attendee Twitter and Blog Roll: Planning to update your own blog or Twitterstream from Convention? Add your blog URL and/or Twitter ID to our directory and connect with colleagues who are also blogging or tweeting about Convention.
• Convention Discussion Forum: Share anything and everything about your Convention plans and your experiences at the conference and expo.
• Flickr Photo Gallery: Photos from the Convention, updated constantly! Send your photos to cimperatore@acteonline.org to be posted. If you have your own Flickr account, add “ACTE Career Tech” as a contact.
  

Visit our tutorials page to see how easy it is to use these and other ACTE online resources.

Paul Vitale of Vital Communications, Inc., a professional speaker and author, will present a session on leadership skills on Thursday, November 19, from 3:15-4:15pm in Jackson C. Paul describes what attendees will gain from this session:

Throughout generations there have been those called on to lead—courageous individuals who have taken great interest in the well-being of others. In the presentation Legendary Leadership in Action, I demonstrate concepts crucial to becoming a legendary leader. I outline ideas that might seem basic at first glance, but are vital for the continued success of any organization. (1) Express genuine interest in mankind; (2) encourage steady streams of dialogue; (3) ignite the eagerness in others; (4) compose unique designs; (5) exhibit authentic actions; (6) reinvent tendencies and techniques; and (7) trust in the truth of courage are the primary concepts introduced during this thought-provoking and energetic presentation.  For more information about me and my leadership topics and to view segments of past presentations, visit online at www.paulvitale.com/video or www.youtube.com/user/paulvitalespeaks.

To stay current with Convention news, check this blog frequently, or subscribe by e-mail or by RSS (click the orange icon next to "Blog RSS" above the photos in the right column).

There has been a flurry of activity surrounding the Convention these past few weeks. We’ve been updating the blog with every detail, but in case you need to catch up…

• Today, November 11, is the last day to register online!
• Newly appointed Assistant Secretary to the Office of Adult and Vocational Education, Brenda Dann-Messier, will speak at Friday's General Session. 
• The unConference will take place in the Exhibit Hall at the ACTE booth. Join us for informal, lively discussions and explore common interests with your colleagues.
• KP Education Systems is now generously sponsoring the opening General Session with "Chef Jeff" Henderson. 
• You can attend a fun evening of networking and fundraising at the CTE Support Fund Silent Auction. 
• We're offering members the chance to become more involved with the Association with a Young Professionals Feedback Session.
  

The closer we get to the Convention, the more frequent updates will be. To stay current, check this blog, or subscribe by e-mail or by RSS (click the orange icon next to "Blog RSS" above the photos in the right column).

In “Fractions and Fraction Operations: The Gate Keeper to Successful Mathematics Performance,” Lloyd Richardson presents techniques for helping students with fractions, a concept that readies them for problem solving and higher level math. The session will be held Thursday, November 19, from 2:00-3:00pm in Ryman Ballroom E. Richardson describes the presentation below:

Learners lack of understanding of fractions results in mathematics under performance. Learners are overwhelmed with too many confusing rules. A successful approach to developing conceptual understanding of fraction operations using “Dr. Loyd’s Fraction Kit,” a manipulative modeling all the fraction operations and supplement to any current curriculum materials used, will be demonstrated.

Focus will be on the rationale for deep fraction knowledge serving as readiness for proportional thinking & algebra readiness. Models connecting the fraction concept to numeral operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of fractions.

Continued difficulty with fraction operations is the result of a weak knowledge of the underlying fraction concept. Operations are presented rotely rather than conceptually. This model is the basis for all fraction operations and algorithms. Fractions are readiness concept for algebra and problem solving.

Attendees will be able to:

• Describe (1) the role of fraction concepts in developing deep knowledge of fractions, fraction operations and (2) connections to basic algebra skill and problem solving.
  
• Illustrate and relate the use of fraction manipulatives in teaching fractions and fraction operations.
• Explain the role of fraction manipulatives in modeling the fraction operations.

Visit the Convention Web site for more information and to register online by November 11 (tomorrow!). Subscribe to this blog by e-mail, or by RSS (click the orange icon next to "Blog RSS" above the photos in the right column), to keep up with news and, during the event, to follow official ACTE bloggers as they share what they’re learning, who they’re meeting and what fun they’re having in Nashville.

Assessment is a critical step in preparing students for careers. Below, William Camp describes a model for comprehensive student assessment that he will present in a session at the 2009 Convention:

The Agricultural Education Technical Assessment System (AETAS) is a model with significant implications not only for ag education but for many other areas in CTE as well.  A workshop entitled "Technical Assessment for Agricultural Education" scheduled for Friday afternoon, 2:30-3:30 in Gaylord Opryland, Cheekwood G will provide details about a comprehensive student technical assessment system for agricultural education that was developed for use in New York State.  Agricultural education curricula vary greatly between schools and across states so the essential consideration of AETAS is flexibility.  The system is designed to be individualized to the local curriculum and can be personalized to each student's individual program.  AETAS includes three components:

Part 1 is a written examination designed to be individualized to the specific program needs of local schools based on the nature of the curriculum. The examination includes questions on:

• Agricultural Foundations and at least two of the following specialized areas:
• Agricultural Business
• Agricultural Mechanics and Technology
• Animal Science
• Plant Science
• Natural Resources Management
• Environmental Science
• Small Animals
• Veterinary Science
• Equine Systems 
  

Part 2 is an individualized general student skills portfolio with a series of optional ways to demonstrate achievement in:

• General Employability
• Personal Development
• Work Experience
• Academic Integration
  

Part 3 is a competency-based system in which the student demonstrates industry-specific skills as related to the chosen career pathway and consistent with the agricultural education curriculum offered locally.

Visit the Convention Web site for more information and to register online by November 11 (tomorrow!). Subscribe to this blog by e-mail, or by RSS (click the orange icon next to "Blog RSS" above the photos in the right column), to keep up with news and, during the event, to follow official ACTE bloggers as they share what they’re learning, who they’re meeting and what fun they’re having in Nashville.

The easiest way for you to keep up with this blog during the Convention is to subscribe by e-mail or RSS! If you subscribe by e-mail, updates will be delivered to your inbox. If you subscribe by RSS, you can get updates in your RSS feed reader (learn more about RSS).

In addition to attendee updates from our official Convention bloggers--which are starting this week (scroll down to see introductory posts)--we are also publishing profiles of specific Convention sessions, with descriptions and photos, to give you a taste of what you can expect in Nashville.

We've already published profiles on the following, and more are on the way!

• Entrepreneurship
  
• Helping Students Get the Picture: memory techniques and more
• Career and Living Skills Programs
• Career Academies and the Community
• Instructional Tech in the CTE Classroom
• E-Mentoring
• Moodle in Action
• Literacy in CTE
• Demonstrating the Benefits of CTE
• Grant Writing
• Preparing Students for Future Careers
• Using Career Data

SuperShuttle Nashville is offering Convention attendees a $5.00 discount on round-trip tickets to/from the airport and the Gaylord Opryland. Reservations can be made here or by phone at 800-258-3826 (attendees staying at the Radisson, Holiday Inn, Hyatt Place, Doubletree or Residence Inn, click here). The discount code is QNPVP.

By Barry

Better late then never. I am planning my daily schedule and entering the time/location on my cell phone of my selected workshops and presentations in order to make sure I don't miss a thing. The days will fly by and I want to make sure I maximize this year's trip. I know I'll have a few conflicts with timing so hopefully I can plan my appointments with the hotel floorplan online.

by Tracey

In just a little over a week I’ll be at the ACTE Conference in Nashville and I’ve got to say, “looking forward to it” is an understatement! As a secondary family and consumer sciences teacher, I often have students who are not the overachieving type as well as a lot of students who are interested in a culinary career. No pressure, Chef Jeff, but I’m really looking forward to some insight about success with students who are not familiar with success—I can’t wait for that opening session.

Along those same lines, this population of students really tends to struggle with some of the required courses—like math. I continue to be amazed every year at the teenagers in my room who have not yet grasped some of the essential math concepts—like fractions. One particular session I found on the program for Wednesday offers new approaches for students who find this concept challenging.

In all, to say there are lots of choices as far as this year’s sessions, presenters, and exhibits go would be another understatement—I think my biggest problem might be deciding which sessions to attend. Look out, Nashville—only six days until ACTE!!

Hotel rooms at the Gaylord Opryland, the Radisson Hotel, the Holiday Inn Opryland/Airport, the Hyatt Place Opryland and the Doubletree Guest Suites are now SOLD OUT. ACTE has secured rooms at the Residence Inn Nashville Airport. Please call 615-889-8600 and mention ACTE. All hotels will run shuttles to and from the Gaylord.

If you have a room, please help a colleague in need of housing on ACTE's room-share forum. You can cut your costs in half by finding a roommate!

Young Professionals Feedback Session

What will ACTE look like in five or 10 years? We want to find out, which is why we are inviting you to participate in the Young Professionals Feedback Session that will take place on Saturday, November 21, in Governor’s Chamber E, starting at 1:00 p.m. If you are under 40, we want to learn from you during this session. Bring your insights, thoughts and ideas as well as answers to questions such as: How do you want to learn? How do you communicate? Does ACTE have the resources and networks you need? What can we change to make ACTE a more responsive association? Is ACTE relevant? The future of ACTE will be driven by its younger members—let’s hear what you have to say!

Students and Exhibitors Record, Tweet from Convention

As you explore the aisles of the Career Tech Expo, you may run into one of our teams of videographers who will be recording the Convention. These video teams include exhibitors from SchoolTube, a moderated media sharing site for schools, and students from local Mount Juliet High School working with Apple. Students will also be twittering about the event. It’s all part of our attempt to capture what’s really happening at the conference. If asked to share your opinion, please do!

Entrepreneurship is no longer the arena of a lone genius with a million-dollar idea. Future entrepreneurs can develop the skills and hone the knowledge needed to launch a successful business. During the 2009 Convention, Horace Robertson of the Consortium For Entrepreneurship Education will present on “Entrepreneurial Skill Building through Business Education.” Learn more about this session below:

I will be presenting a session on Saturday, November 21st at 9:15 AM in Canal Room A that will help educators prepare students to take their business skill to the market places of the world. Come gain insights into our changing workplaces that require students to be more in charge of managing themselves as entrepreneurs in order to be self sufficient in our rapidly changing economy. Learn about the free tools available from the Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education for assisting individuals who desire entrepreneurial skills to position themselves for self sufficiency. Prepare to use these free tools available to assist teachers as they prepare students for the future in a world whose workplaces have become increasingly entrepreneurial. Also you will see new tools developed in conjunction with the US Department of Labor around the Entrepreneurship Competency Framework recently posted on the Web.

Bring your questions and listen to what has been learned from member organizations of the Consortium as well as from initiatives of the Workforce Investment Boards across the nation. Your questions will direct a portion of the session so that you can return to your school ready to use some new instructional resources.

Visit the Convention Web site for more information and to register online by November 11. Subscribe to this blog by e-mail, or by RSS (click the orange icon next to "Blog RSS" above the photos in the right column), to keep up with news and, during the event, to follow official ACTE bloggers as they share what they’re learning, who they’re meeting and what fun they’re having in Nashville.

We're trying something new! The first ever unConference will feature short, informal sessions emphasizing openness and dialogue, located at booths 429 and 435 during the 2009 ACTE Convention and Career Tech Expo. The unConference is for you if you have a passion for and knowledge about CTE that you want to share outside of the formal Convention session schedule, or if you like to learn and engage in an informal environment.

How to sign up for the unConference
Sign up for a slot, using this form, through November 16 (check the schedule for available times). We'll get back to you within 2-3 business days to confirm your slot, at which point you will be added to the chart. After November 16, sign up on-site at the unConference area at booths 429 and 435.

How to present at the unConference
Any way you want to! We’ll have a microphone on hand, as well as a monitor into which you can plug your laptop, if desired. This is your stage—unplugged or plugged in, with or without note cards, you can deliver your own presentation or host an informal discussion.

How to attend the unConference
To attend a session, check out the schedule online or on-site at booths 429 and 435, then grab a seat to listen, learn and share your thoughts.

Questions? Contact Catherine Imperatore or stop by booths 429 and 435.

Dr. Mark Johnson and Dr. Mark Threeton present a 2009 Convention session entitled “Helping Students Get the Picture!” on Thursday, November 19, 3:15-4:15pm, Ryman Ballroom E. They describe this interactive and fun session below:

Participants will not want to miss one of ACTE's most popular presenters in this lively demonstration of helping students discover the hidden power of their photographic memory that lies within. Participants will experience firsthand amazing techniques on how to remember names, dates, definitions, facts, details instantly. Plus, the presenters will give hands-on tips how to drastically improve PowerPoint and slide presentations that are lasting and memorable. Dr. Johnson, ACTE's National CTE Educator of the Year in 2000, and his former student and a current Assistant Professor at Penn State, Dr. Threeton, will share picture making techniques that can be effectively learned in just a few short minutes and practiced a lifetime. After this session, you will be able to learn ALL of your student's names in just a few minutes and teach them this incredible skill easily and effectively!

Visit the Convention Web site for more information and to register online by November 11. Subscribe to this blog by e-mail, or by RSS (click the orange icon next to "Blog RSS" above the photos in the right column), to keep up with news and, during the event, to follow official ACTE bloggers as they share what they’re learning, who they’re meeting and what fun they’re having in Nashville.

Do you want to create or expand a career and life education program? Then plan to attend the 2009 Convention session “Developing and Enhancing Career And Living Skills Educational Programs,” presented by Mrs. Mary Sue Burkhardt, CFCS, a Family and Consumer Sciences educator at Twin Lakes High School in Monticello, Indiana, on Thursday, November 19, 4:30-5:30pm, in Lincoln E. Mrs. Burkhardt briefly describes her session:

This session will provide information to educators, counselors, and administrators interested in developing or enhancing career education. The focus will be on equipping students with skills and attitudes necessary for successful high school careers and transitions into postsecondary, community, family, and workplace environments.  Students will investigate personal career preferences, trends in careers, and life skills via a wide variety of resources and activities which the session will provide.

Visit the Convention Web site for more information and to register online by November 11. Subscribe to this blog by e-mail, or by RSS (click the orange icon next to "Blog RSS" above the photos in the right column), to keep up with news and, during the event, to follow official ACTE bloggers as they share what they’re learning, who they’re meeting and what fun they’re having in Nashville.

It's very exciting that so many CTE professionals are attending the 2009 Convention, but it's causing a run on hotel rooms! Rooms at the Gaylord, Radisson, Holiday Inn Opryland/Airport and the Hyatt Place Opryland are SOLD OUT. ACTE has secured rooms at the Doubletree Guest Suites; please call 615-889-8889 and mention ACTE. The rate is $109.

You can also check out ACTE's room-share forum to share a room with a colleague who has already secured housing, or if you are one of the lucky ones who already has a room, you can cut your costs in half by finding a roommate!

Part of the growing popularity of the career academy model is the impact these schools can have on their communities. Jerry Crocilla and Dr. Kathleen Weigel of Atlantic Community High School will present a session at the 2009 Convention entitled “Meeting Community Needs Through Career Academies” on Friday, November 20, 10:45-11:45am in Lincoln E. Read what they have to say about their session and what attendees will get out of it:

Career academies are more effective if they tied to their community. At Atlantic Community High School, our career academies reflect the needs of their city, Delray Beach, Florida.  

Hear how Atlantic Community High School’s nationally recognized Criminal Justice Academy started as a recruitment tool for the city’s police department or how the Eagle Nest construction academy participated in the city’s affordable housing program by building a three-bedroom house that turned a $37,000 dollar profit for the construction academy. Hear about our Sports Marketing Academy students in action as they will work the nationally televised Delray Beach International Tennis Championships in February. Atlantic’s Army JROTC is more than just a color guard available for city functions--hear how they partnered with the city to write grants to fund the city-sponsored literacy program with cadets reading and working with struggling elementary students. Learn how the school built on the success from these city-sponsored career academies and has blossomed into a growing Fire Academy with working Delray Beach fire fighters that are now part of Atlantic’s instructional staff.

Learn how Atlantic fosters the school-to-city relationship to create effective career academies that meet community needs.

Visit the Convention Web site for more information and to register online by November 11. Subscribe to this blog by e-mail, or by RSS (click the orange icon next to "Blog RSS" above the photos in the right column), to keep up with news and, during the event, to follow official ACTE bloggers as they share what they’re learning, who they’re meeting and what fun they’re having in Nashville.