Video showcases Making It Work Day
Making it Work Day celebrates Oklahomans who changed their lives after facing adversity, along with the teachers, administrators and businesses who helped make the changes possible.
The Oklahoma Career and Technical Education Equity Council honored 15 Oklahomans and three businesses and organizations at the 30th annual Making It Work Day at the Capitol earlier this month.
Making It Work Day recognizes nontraditional students and individuals who are committed to removing barriers to success for single-parent families by providing educational experiences for students beyond the classroom.
Oklahoma CareerTech produced a video of the Making It Work Day ceremony. Watch it on the CareerTech YouTube channel and read more about the individual recipients on the CareerTech website.
CareerTech Champion: Addison Archer - Northeast Tech, FCCLA and FFA
Addison Asher wants to study occupational therapy after high school. It’s not an unusual career choice, but her career path might seem a bit unconventional.
To prepare for her career, the Kansas High School junior is learning to weld. It’s not because she thinks welding will be included in her job responsibilities as an occupational therapist, but because welding is going to help her pay for college.
Asher is enrolled in welding and metal fabrication at Northeast Tech, and it’s all part of her master plan.
“Welders make good money, and they can have flexible schedules,” she said. “I can work around my class schedule.”
Read more on the Oklahoma CareerTech website.
STEM in the spotlight
KOCO 5 has been putting science, technology, engineering and mathematics in the spotlight each week and has focused it several CareerTech programs.
This month, the spotlight has shined on Putnam City Public Schools and Francis Tuttle Technology Center.
In Putnam City, a high school aviation program is helping address an industry workforce gap. A Francis Tuttle program is helping recruit young girls to STEM careers and introducing students to careers they may not have known about.
Both videos can be seen on the KOCO website.
Tools for Schools applications open
Applications have opened for the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence awards.
The prize recognizes outstanding instruction in the skilled trades in U.S. public high schools and the teachers who inspire students to learn skills to prepare for life after graduation. This year, Harbor Freight will award $1.5 million in cash prizes to 25 skilled trades teachers and their programs.
Oklahoma instructors have been finalists in 2021 and 2022.
Applications must be received by May 3. Finalists will be announced June 11, and winners will be announced in the fall.
Find out more about the prize and the application process on the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools 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 biweekly 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
Be your own artist and always be confident in what you’re doing. If you’re not going to be confident, you might as well not be doing it. -- Aretha Franklin
