One of the greatest challenges facing education today is not recruiting talented educators; it’s keeping them.
Career and technical education professionals are passionate people. They invest countless hours into supporting students, building industry partnerships, coordinating events and creating opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom. But even the most dedicated educators can become exhausted when the demands of the work begin to outweigh opportunities for growth, connection and renewal. That reality has shaped the way our organization approaches professional development.
Several years ago, we began viewing ACTE’s CareerTech VISION as more than a conference. We saw it as an opportunity to invest in our team.
The sessions, keynote speakers and industry tours provide valuable learning opportunities. Our team returns with new ideas, fresh perspectives and practical strategies that strengthen career pathways for students. But some of the most meaningful moments happen be-tween the conference sessions.
After a day of learning, our team reconnects over dinner. We take the time to reflect on what we’ve experienced, and we share ideas about how those lessons might apply back home. We explore a new city together, laugh together and strengthen relationships that often get pushed aside during the demands of the school year.
Shared experiences matter.
It is exciting to watch team members connect with educators from across the country who are facing similar challenges and celebrating similar successes. Conversations that begin in a convention center hallway often continue long after the event ends. Educators return home with new professional contacts and a renewed sense of belonging to something larger than themselves. Perhaps most importantly, they return energized.
Anyone who has worked in education knows that enthusiasm is contagious. When educators feel inspired, students benefit. When educators feel supported, they are more likely to remain in the profession. And when teams trust one another, they collaborate more effectively on behalf of students. We have found that VISION helps accomplish all three.
The conference reminds our team why they entered teaching as a profession in the first place. It leads us back to innovative ideas, emerging workforce trends and the broader mission of preparing students for meaningful careers. It also reminds us that we are part of a community of professionals committed to the same work.
Professional development should not simply fill notebooks with ideas. It should fill people with purpose. For our team, CareerTech VISION has become an annual opportunity to learn, reconnect and recharge. The knowledge gained at the conference is valuable, but the relationships strengthened and the enthusiasm renewed may be even more important. In a time when educator retention remains one of our greatest challenges, investing in experiences that support both professional growth and personal connection has proven to be one of the best moves we can make.
Danielle Wahlen is a business onboarding specialist and school-based coach at Co-operative Educational Service Agency No. 7 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
David Gordon is the director of CTE at CESA 7.
