Oklahoma CareerTech represented in ACTE Excellence awards
Two Oklahoma CareerTech educators received national ACTE Excellence awards at the CareerTech VISION Conference recently. Another was honored as a regional winner and national nominee, and three more received divisional awards.
Wyatt Gerth, creative marketing communications instructor at Tri County Technology Center, was named New Teacher of the Year, and April Blackwell, director of instructional services at Northeast Technology Center, was named Teacher Educator of the Year.
Jona Kay Squires, agriculture business coordinator/manager at Mid-America Technology Center, was the Region IV Postsecondary Professional of the Year.
Divisional award winners were Karen Nail, Southern Technology Cener, ACTE New and Related Services Support Staff Member of the Year; Amanda Longan, Green Country Technology Center, Health Science Education Division Teacher of the Year; and Sidney Cates, Red River Technology Center, Trade and Industrial Education New Teacher of the Year.
Workforce Commission CEO named
The Oklahoma Workforce Commission has named Kyla Guyette as its CEO.
Guyette is the first CEO of the commission, which was formed to coordinate workforce development in Oklahoma.
The commission is composed of business, industry and government leaders. Its purpose is to help government agencies, private industry, educational institutions and community organizations to work together to develop Oklahoma’s workforce.
Read more about Guyette on the Oklahoma Business Voice website.
CareerTech Champion: Kaitlyn Kirksey - FCS and FCCLA
For Kaitlyn Kirksey, teaching family and consumer sciences is more than just a job; it’s a lifelong passion. The Edmond Public Schools teacher is driven by a commitment to empower her students and prepare them for successful futures.
“Teaching FCS is my dream job,” Kirksey said. “I’m grateful to play even a small part in my students’ lives, and I can’t wait to see what they’ll achieve in the future.”
Kirksey’s dedication to FCS education began with her own journey as a student. Growing up in Stillwater, she took her first FCS class in middle school. It was there that a teacher recognized her leadership potential and encouraged her to run for office in the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America chapter. Kirksey’s election as chapter president was just the start of a path that would help define her career.
Read more on the Oklahoma CareerTech website.
MNTC program preps students for film work
Moore Norman Technology Center’s digital cinema production program gives students hands-on experience in editing, filming, crew management and other aspects of media production.
Students produce music videos and short films while earning industry certifications as well.
“We’re preparing them for jobs and communication throughout the state,” second-year instructor Amy Smith told News 9.
Students have discovered new passions and careers in the program, News 9 reported.
Read more and see video on the News 9 website.
Useful links
Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) at @okcareertech and find us on Facebook at OklahomaCareerTech and on Instagram at oklahomacareertech. Find our podcast at https://www.ctconversations.org/ and watch our news show and other videos on our YouTube channel.
For news about Oklahoma’s CareerTech System, subscribe to CareerTech communications.
State Agency Assistance at a Glance
National Research Center for Career and Technical Education
OK Career Guide Training Opportunities
The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible. -- Arthur C. Clarke
