CareerTech professionals gather for conference
Oklahoma CareerTech educators and professionals from across the state gathered last week at Oklahoma Summit to honor colleagues, learn what’s new in CareerTech education and attend professional development sessions.
The annual conference is presented by Oklahoma CareerTech and the Oklahoma Association of Career and Technology Education.
Award winners included Nimisha Sweetman, Moore Norman Technology Center biomedical sciences instructor, OkACTE Teacher of the Year; Shawn Freie, Canadian Valley Technology Center workforce development coordinator, OkACTE Postsecondary Professional of the Year; Tyler Bell, Francis Tuttle Technology Center practical nursing instructor, OkACTE New Teacher of the Year; and Tracy Hannaford, Canadian Valley Technology Center bookstore clerk/bursar, OkACTE Support Staff Member of the Year.
Other top award winners were Brooke Kusch, Autry Technology Center, Arch Alexander Award; Teresa Pinkston, Tulsa Technology Center, Francis Tuttle Award; Traci Thorpe, Pioneer Technology Center, Bob Funk Advocate of Excellence Award; and Terri Helvey, Moore Norman Technology Center, Lifetime Achievement Award.
Read more about the conference on The Journal Record website and see photos and more on the OkACTE website.
Kiamichi superintendent discusses southeast Oklahoma economy
Kiamichi Technology Centers Superintendent Shelley Free recently discussed the Federal Reserve and the economy in southeast Oklahoma in TEN Magazine, a publication of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.
“A lot of times we see urban policy shrunk down for rural communities, but the Federal Reserve makes sure rural perspectives are included in broader economic conversations,” she told the magazine after a recent Tenth District business roundtable in Atoka. “The Fed really listened to the needs of southeast Oklahoma.”
Free discussed southeast Oklahoma’s diverse economic base and how Kiamichi Tech is able to see what the labor market is and what training is needed for the future.
Read more on the TEN Magazine website.
CareerTech director participates in education panel discussion
Oklahoma CareerTech State Director Brent Haken talked about the role CareerTech plays in students’ journeys to prosperous careers during the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber’s State Education and Workforce Luncheon.
He was joined by Lindel Fields, state superintendent of public instruction, and other education leaders to discuss how improving education can boost Oklahoma’s workforce.
Read more on The Oklahoman website.
Metro Tech training technicians for medical facility
Metro Technology Centers is helping train workers for a new 72-bed behavioral health center that Oklahoma Children’s OU Health is opening in December.
The tech center created a class to meet the requirements of the positions in the new center, said Casey Rainbolt, Metro Tech economic and workforce development coordinator.
Students in the eight-week course will be able to become registered behavioral health technicians. They will attend a two-week clinical rotation after the program. The next class begins in October, according to a KOCO article.
Read more on the KOCO website.
Useful links
Follow us on X at @okcareertech and find us on Facebook at Oklahoma CareerTech and on Instagram at oklahomacareertech. Watch CareerTech 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
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