CareerTech professionals gather for Oklahoma Summit
Thousands of Oklahoma CareerTech educators, administrators and professionals gathered in Tulsa last week for the 57th annual Oklahoma Summit, the annual state conference for CareerTech professionals.
The conference included professional development sessions and networking opportunities for educators. In addition, CareerTech and OkACTE presented a number of awards to tech centers and educators.
See photos of award winners on Oklahoma CareerTech’s X feed and see pictures on OkACTE’s website.
Oklahoman elected national FCCLA president
Oklahoma FCCLA came home with more than medals from the 2024 National Leadership Conference.
The state association also brought home the 2024-25 national president.
Brandon Weibel, Silo FCCLA, was elected national president during the conference in Seattle, Washington.
Weibel, who previously served as Oklahoma FCCLA president and as state vice president of development before that, gave a three-minute speech on stage, was evaluated by the nominating committee and talked with voting delegates from across the country during the election process.
“The experience was both exhilarating and humbling, and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve in this capacity,” he said. “Throughout the week-long conference, I was inspired by the incredible energy, creativity and dedication exhibited by our members. The experience reaffirmed my belief in the power of FCCLA to foster leadership, community service and personal growth.”
Read more on the Oklahoma CareerTech website.
CareerTech’s mobile meat processing laboratory available for statewide workshops
Oklahoma CareerTech’s mobile meat processing laboratory is available to schools and technology centers looking for a unique learning opportunity.
Justin Siler, CareerTech adult and career development coordinator, recently showed its features to a group of Oklahoma FFA instructors.
Watch the video on Oklahoma CareerTech’s YouTube channel.
Central Tech launches Explorer Program in Mannford and Ripley
This school year, Central Tech will launch the Explorer Program in partnership with Mannford and Ripley public schools. This innovative program is designed to introduce students to a wide range of career options at an early stage, helping them make informed decisions about their academic and career paths.
Kent Burris, superintendent of Central Tech, shared the inspiration behind the Explorer Program through a personal story about his children’s varied career paths.
“My three children each took very different routes to find their career passions,” he said. “My oldest, Mariah, always dreamed of becoming a vet. While inadvertently in eighth grade she ended up on the non-college diploma route, she achieved her goal of becoming a veterinarian. My middle child, Hannah, knew from an early age she wanted to be a teacher and stayed true to that goal. Ben, my youngest, explored multiple careers — from construction to oil field work, then CDL and welding, before finally discovering his passion in electrical trades.
“These experiences made me realize that not all kids know what they want to be when they grow up, and it often takes time and exploration to find their true calling. By creating career awareness earlier, we give students a longer timeframe to explore, allowing them to experience various options and find what fits them. This saves time later in life, provides a better understanding of their options, and helps them focus on their interests, making their education student-driven.”
Read more on the Central Tech 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.
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State Agency Assistance at a Glance
National Research Center for Career and Technical Education
OK Career Guide Training Opportunities
Great moments are born from great opportunities. -- Herb Brooks
