CareerTech director optimistic about future
CareerTech State Director Brent Haken recently told the Tulsa World that new high school graduation requirements will help students, the workforce and the economy by encouraging interest in CareerTech education.
Haken told the newspaper that the new requirement will let students tailor their educational paths for their goals in career training, higher education or military service.
“This is maybe the biggest change that we’ve seen in education in our lifetime,” he told the newspaper.
Read more on the Tulsa World website.
CareerTech awards $4.61 million in lottery grants, scholarships
The Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education has awarded more than $4.61 million in lottery funds.
CareerTech awarded 28 grants worth a total of $2,044,417.22 to 24 technology centers for the 2024-25 school year and 152 grants worth a total of $2,144,847.53 to K-12 school districts for the 2024-25 school year, along with 437 scholarships worth a total of $420,887.52 for the 2023-24 school year.
“Our mission to give students the skills they need to enter the workforce and make informed career choices is bolstered greatly by funds from the Oklahoma Lottery, which benefit instructors and students throughout the CareerTech system,” said CareerTech State Director Brent Haken. “The money is used to invest in classroom and training experiences, including new equipment, technology and instructional resources.”
Read more on the Oklahoma CareerTech website.
Top Oklahoma CareerTech educators, professionals recognized at annual conference
At the recent 57th annual Oklahoma Summit, the Oklahoma Association of Career and Technology Education and Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education honored outstanding Oklahoma CareerTech educators and professionals for 2024. Cash awards were funded by Robert A. Funk Sr., president of Express Employment Professionals, who donated $27,500 among four categories:
- OkACTE Teacher of the Year – $10,000 awarded to Robert Johnson, pre-engineering instructor at Moore Norman Technology Center.
- OkACTE Postsecondary Professional of the Year – $7,500 awarded to Kebi Allen, practical nursing instructor at Tri County Technology Center.
- OkACTE New Teacher of the Year - $5,000 awarded to Eva Woolman, teacher prep instructor at Northeast Technology Center.
- OkACTE Support Staff Member of the Year - $5,000 awarded to Karen Nail, executive assistant at Southern Technology Center.
- OkACTE Bob Funk Advocate of Excellence - Kent Burris, superintendent of Central Technology Center.
Read more on the Oklahoma CareerTech website.
Student financial aid specialists honored
Four student financial aid specialists in the Oklahoma CareerTech system were honored at Oklahoma Summit.
They were recognized for outstanding contributions and achievements at their technology centers and also to the Oklahoma CareerTech Counseling and Career Development Division, said Sandra McKnight, financial aid specialist in the Oklahoma CareerTech Accreditation Division.
Donna Barton, Gordon Cooper Tech, received the Belinda McCharen Award, which is presented to an individual OkACTE CCD member who consistently contributes to the advancement of career guidance/counseling during the year.
Audra Main, Moore Norman Tech, was named the CCD Administrator of the Year. The award recognizes school counselors and career development professionals who demonstrate commitment to connecting students with opportunities for success, show innovation in career exploration and development and advocate for CTE as a viable option for all students.
Kalin Henneke, Autry Tech, received the Dennis Portis Rising Star Award, which recognizes individuals who have demonstrated leadership, devotion and a strong commitment to the success of the CareerTech system.
Justin Streater, Northeast Tech, received the Carl Perkins Community Service Award, which recognizes individuals who have used CTE to make a significant impact on the community and demonstrated leadership in programs and activities that promote student community service.
“While we regularly have a student aid officer recognized each year, having four recognized for this variety of OkACTE CCD awards was terrific,” McKnight said.
Enid Community Corrections Center credits CareerTech with lowering recidivism rates
Oklahoma CareerTech’s Enid Skills Center is helping lower recidivism rates at the Enid Community Corrections Center, an article in the Enid News & Eagle reported.
Inmates at the corrections center receive trade-related training along with training in soft skills through the Skills Center program; instructor Darlene Staples told the newspaper that about 40 of the inmates are on work release. She added that staff members work with the inmates one on one, “which makes it unique for reducing recidivism.”
Oklahoma CareerTech operates 16 Skills Centers campuses, including at three juvenile facilities. Read more about the Enid Skills Center on the Enid News & Eagle website.
Useful links
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State Agency Assistance at a Glance
National Research Center for Career and Technical Education
OK Career Guide Training Opportunities
The person who makes a success of living is the one who sees his goal steadily and aims for it unswervingly. -- Cecil B. DeMille
