Making an Impact on the Hill
Visit with Senator Rob Portman, Legislative Aide to Senator Rob Portman, and Legislative Aide to Representative Pat Tiberi
“Forging New Paths,” was the theme for this year’s ACTE National Policy Seminar in Washington D.C. which as I think back on it, was definitely ironic in multiple ways. This was my first time attending NPS, so I was definitely forging new paths in meeting with legislators, but there was also during a very unexpected snowstorm on the Hill in the middle of March! Being from Ohio, I’m used to the snow, but wasn’t prepared and actually had to buy a pair of boots to make my legislative visits! Who would’ve thought I’d be wearing boots and gloves in D.C. in March!
Besides the weather, I had a great opportunity to meet with Ohio Senator Rob Portman and his legislative aide and also the legislative aide to Ohio Representative, Pat Tiberi. These were both great opportunities to talk about the importance of Career and Technical Education and advocate for our students. Both legislators are supporters of CTE but it really impressed me that they were interested in hearing from us on a local level. They asked what issues were affecting our students, our teachers, our administrators, and what they could do to help on a larger level.
Senator Rob Portman also took the time to attend the CTE in Action reception that evening. He interacted with local CTE students from my area that are part of a growing CTE program. They showcased their skills and projects and you could tell that they were very impressed they had the opportunity to meet him. It was great to see a federal legislator take time to learn more about CTE in Ohio and how it can move our state and economy forward in the coming years.
My trip to the Capitol Hill taught me a lot about advocating not only on a local and state level, but also on a federal level. Our legislators want to hear from us. They want to see what our students are doing and how what we are doing in our CTE districts can help move our communities and states forward. If the goal is to grow our workforce, then what better opportunity than to invest in CTE?
If you have the opportunity this coming year, I would definitely plan to attend that National Policy Seminar. It was a great experience and almost immediately, I was able to use what I learned at NPS to help promote CTE on a local and state level. My advice to you is definitely plan to attend this year in March, but be sure to pack your boots!
Sen. Rob Portman and Carrie Sheiderer
Carrie Scheiderer
2017 ACTE Region I Fellow
Central Ohio Technical College
Newark, OH