Rita Johnson, Kansas’ newest State CTE Director, has had a lifelong career in education. She began teaching in 1973, and after a stint as an executive assistant and office manager outside of the education sector, Johnson returned and served in a variety of roles including business and computer studies coordinator, college competency-based curriculum specialist, director of admissions and student affairs, director of administrative services and as an institutional effectiveness specialist. While serving in these roles she also managed the Carl D. Perkins grants for both a large urban school district as well as the local technical college. After working on the Perkins grant for a number of years, Johnson made the leap to the Kansas Board of Regents, where she had to quickly shift focus from a local to state perspective, further expanding her growth and knowledge of Career Technical Education (CTE). Now as the Regents Vice President for Workforce Development and Perkins State Director, Johnson is witnessing a resurgence in strategies that were popular when she began her career such as work-based learning, employer engagement and apprenticeships.

While the role of employer engagement in CTE remains a priority, her major focus is strengthening the connection between secondary and postsecondary education programs throughout the state. Though students should absolutely have a broader-based education and the chance to explore a variety of careers and pathways in high school, Johnson wants to ensure there are realistic intersections to pathways where learners have a multitude of options. Pathways should enable high school graduates to continue their education or jump into the workforce with the ability to re-enter the education system at any time to gain more skills as they advance through their careers. “Students should be able to find a pathway that is within their passion and interest,” said Johnson. “As they explore a wide swath of careers, I hope we strengthen these connections so that students can see a pathway to where they want to go.” In addition to creating strong pathways, Johnson described the work to be done in educating students, parents and guidance counselors about the vast opportunities that CTE provides.

As Johnson reinforced the idea that education should be a lifelong pursuit, it was clear this concept is evident in her own life as she describe her excitement at beginning this new chapter as the State CTE Director in Kansas.

Katie Fitzgerald, Communications Associate