Representative speaks about CareerTech’s vital workforce role
Rep. Mike Lay, R-Jenks, touted Oklahoma CareerTech’s role in building Oklahoma’s workforce during a recent panel hosted by the Tulsa Regional Chamber.
As founder of Layco Electric Innovations, Rep. Lay understands firsthand that people are the state’s greatest asset. His passion for workforce development and commitment to lifelong learning reflect the very spirit of CareerTech.
“Seventy percent of our young people are looking for a direction,” he said during the event. “CareerTech and Tulsa Tech … that’s the avenue to bring that workforce into existence.”
Read more on the Tulsa Regional Chamber’s website.
30 graduate from Teaching to Lead
Thirty CareerTech instructors from 26 technology centers and four Skills Centers graduated recently from Oklahoma CareerTech’s 2025-26 Teaching to Lead.
Participants explored classroom management, lesson planning, feedback strategies and more. They were guided by educators, Southern Regional Education Board trainers and CareerTech staff members in sessions hosted across the state, giving teachers the chance to see best practices in action.
Highlights included panels with past T2L participants, instructional coaching visits and workshops on essential first-year strategies.
Learn more about Teaching to Lead on the Oklahoma CareerTech website.
Oklahoman wins NTHS scholarship
Casey Westreicher, a National Technology Honor Society alumni member from Western Technology Center, recently received the C. Allen Powell Alumni Scholarship from NTHS.
The $1,000 scholarship is named in honor of an NTHS co-founder and longtime executive director. It supports NTHS alumni who plan to continue their education and skill development.
Westreicher was one of two NTHS alumni to receive the scholarship.
Southwest Tech receives literacy grant
Southwest Technology Center received a $10,000 literacy grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation.
The foundation donated approximately $180,000 to Oklahoma nonprofit organizations, libraries and schools to support adult, family and summer literacy programs.
Read more on The Journal Record 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
In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is. – Yogi Berra
