Changing the World One Student at a Time
Warning: Be ready for a little rah-rah session, warm and fuzzy read, and a change the world story!!!
Changing the world one student at a time… this is my educational philosophy. I am a product of CTE and remember still after all of these years my positive high school experience in CTE business programs. I pursued business in college based on my success in high school and my passion developed for this occupational area. While I was interested in the many aspects of business, I found through coaching that I loved having a direct influence and impact on shaping others. Coaching to me was more than teaching the fundamentals of the sport, it was about teaching the fundamentals of being a leader, a role model, a positive contributor to society. I then decided I wanted to expand my impact and my lessons to a larger group. I wanted to “teach a man to fish!” And thanks to career and technical education, I could take my subject of knowledge and interest (business) and combine it with my passion (to educate and develop students’ futures). We are so fortunate in CTE to have these paths we’ve traveled, these experiences to connect to the classroom, and this passion to share. We are fortunate to be able to take real-world skills and knowledge and provide students with opportunities.
I now work in the same building where I found my passion for CTE. I sought to be an educator, a life changer, and now I seek to be an administrator and take this ambition to an even larger scale. I want to establish a culture of innovation and achievement, I want to empower teachers to make greater contributions to our students, and I want to inspire students to make the most of their educational journey. Education today is a challenge. We have an increasing amount of requirements, mandates, and legislation, all of which can sometimes pull teachers away from the passion of teaching and relegate them to simply fulfilling then act of teaching. We have to remember to keep the kids in this equation. We have to make sure they are not lost in this attempt to balance. We have to remember why we are in this profession. I have a folder in which I keep thank you notes, stories, letters, articles, and any other testimonies from my past students that provide me with the inspiration to persevere when I feel the weight that is sometimes placed on us. I wear my positive statement shirts of “Live Your Dream” and “Trust Your Journey” to empower me on the days that I feel defeated. And I go into the halls and interact with the students when I need their energy to remember why I am here and to recharge.
When I reflect on my educational philosophy, I believe I have had as many students change me as I have changed them. I am a better person, parent, wife, friend, educator, community member, and leader because of them!
I have witnessed success stories from the students with special needs to the students enrolled in honors courses. I have seen students take their CTE program and directly apply the knowledge and skills to their postsecondary and career plans. CTE students are exposed to industry/worksite visits to see the connection from their classroom and curriculum to the career options available. CTE students are placed into work-based learning experiences and thrive. I have seen them sought after by employers due to the unparalleled experience and competitive status they obtained. CTE students participate successfully in CTSOs and develop leadership skills, networking opportunities, and confidence.
CTE students excel, defy boundaries, and continue to meet and exceed the standards of excellence! They are CTE – career and technical education students, also known as ‘Competitive, Talented, and Empowered!’
By Nicole Lord the 2016 Region I ACTE Fellow