Happy Career Technical Education Month® ! This month we are celebrating the best of Career Technical Education (CTE). We’ll be taking part in Twitter chats, advocating for CTE on Capitol Hill, exploring model programs, and lifting up fantastic work happening at the national, state and local level throughout the month. If you haven’t already, email Nicole at nhoward@careertech.org to let us know how your community is celebrating CTE in February.
The following are some ideas to consider when planning the month’s activities:
Use the Right Messages
Despite our best efforts, we don’t always speak about CTE in the way that most resonates with students and parents. Be sure that you’re communicating with these two important audiences by checking out our research on the messages that learners and parents want to hear, Dos and Dont’s for using the messages, and a guide on how you can put this research into action. Use graphics in your social media with compelling research data. Use this social media guide to help you.
Recognize CTE at the State Level
Engage policymakers in the conversation by encouraging them to designate February as CTE month. Use a sample proclamation created by the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE).
Eight of Indiana’s Career & Technical Education Student Organizations were recognized at the Statehouse today in celebration of #CTEMonth. Indiana’s House & Senate passed resolutions to honor the importance of CTE and the continuing success of students! #IDOECTE pic.twitter.com/R3h9BfKFci
— IN Dept of Education (@EducateIN) February 7, 2019
Celebrate!
Recognize those in your community, whether it’s high-achieving CTE students, exemplary educators, or impactful partners that have a positive influence in CTE by celebrating their accomplishments through awards programs.
Whoa!! This is incredible! Jakob earned 2nd best in the state for his @Microsoft PowerPoint test!! That’s how you celebrate #CTEMonth! @MicrosoftEDU #mos @WisconsinCTE @CTEWorks #microsoftofficespecialist #cte #CareerTechEd pic.twitter.com/0ORTzKaJdV
— CTE Travis Wetzel (@CTEtravis) February 8, 2019
Involve Your Partners
The CTE community encompasses all the people that work to make your CTE program great, including education, community, and business partners. Encourage them to advocate for CTE to their own networks, and invite partners to participate in celebratory events or site visits.
ICYMI: N.C. Superintendent Mark Johnson and @NCCommColleges President Peter Hans proclaimed February as Career Pathways Month in North Carolina. #nced #nccommunitycolleges #workforce #career pic.twitter.com/hFKrCV1Gru
— NC Sup. Mark Johnson (@MarkRJohnsonNC) February 5, 2019
Engage Employers
Contact local employers and businesses that aren’t yet familiar with your CTE program and invite them to school visits to showcase high-quality CTE in action or career fairs with already engaged employers. Use Advance CTE fact sheets and talking points designed specifically to address this audience.
Join us at Newton High School CTE event on February 21 from 6-9 p.m.
Enjoy a free dinner and a tour of the CTE Program. Please RSVP by February 15 by emailing Melinda Rangel at Melinda.Rangel@usd373.org
Hope to see you there. #placetobe373 pic.twitter.com/pNtts4iZiE
— Newton Schools (@NewtonSchoolsKS) February 4, 2019
Join the Conversation
CTE Month is celebrated nationwide, including on social media. Join in on Twitter chats, upload photos of your events, feature student work, and engage in discussion with CTE advocates from across the country using the #CTEMonth hashtag. Be sure to tag us too, @CTEWorks.
Celebrating day 5 of #28daysofCTE by announcing our #CTSOchat! The annual chat will take place Tuesday, Feb. 19 at 5pm ET. We encourage both educators and CTSOs to attend – Can't wait to chat! #CTEMonth pic.twitter.com/JIOW4BU7la
— ACTE (@actecareertech) February 5, 2019
Get the word out!
Let the local media know what’s happening and invite them to your planned awards ceremonies, career fairs or school visits highlighting innovative CTE. Get some tips on how to engage key audiences here.
Here’s an example: https://educateiowa.gov/article/2019/02/07/celebrating-career-and-technical-education
Our weekly CTE Month blog series will highlight CTE activities happening throughout the country.
Tags: CTE Month