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Winter Quarterly 2024

Career Academy Section Newsletter

1st Quarter 2024 Career Academy Section Newsletter

“You don’t have to be perfect to help people. All you have to be is real.”

Trent Shelton, Motivational Speaker

Happy New Year! For most of us, it is a time of optimism; of resolving to do more and better; of looking forward to positive change; of striving to improve who we are. Have you set your resolutions? In my case, New Year’s resolutions have never really worked. In fact, they often leave me feeling a bit like a failure. So, in the spirit of positive change, I am starting off 2024 by embracing the fact that I am unapologetically imperfect! That’s right. I am officially unapologetically imperfect. Let me explain.

If you set New Year's resolutions and achieve your stated goals, I applaud and admire you. I only know that for me, this time around, I am opting out of well intentioned resolutions and trying something new. I am embracing being unapologetically imperfect! I learned about this mindset from two, very wise and successful women who touched my life — women who I have always wanted to be more like. It is a philosophy that worked for them, and, given my imperfections (known and unknown) I feel confident of my “qualifications” and am optimistic about my ability to succeed!

Let’s consider my new mindset in the context of our collective focus — the student. The young people we serve within our schools and in our classrooms care less about perfection and more about authenticity. They want to know you are there for them — that you sincerely care about them and their future. They need to know that you, too, have experienced failures and still found ways to learn from those shortcomings and move forward. You, of course, know this, but it is well worth reminding ourselves how critical it is to be authentic and real. When I walk through a school alongside its principal or with the superintendent and a student comes up and receives a high-five or the principal calls out their name and asks how they are doing — it happens because there is a real bond. It happens because the student knows they are seen and are worthy individuals. Students want to know you are there for them. The same is true for teachers, custodians, administrators, or other staff. They each need to know that you are real, that you care, that you share some things in common — that you are authentic and unapologetically imperfect.

I hope you enjoy this newsletter. We are always looking for stories to highlight, and I welcome your suggestions and input. Feel free to reach out to me at ccarrier@fordngl.com if you want to share a meaningful example or experience. This year, I will be taking back the responsibility for the newsletter from Jenn Edge. I’m sure you’ll agree, she did an outstanding job for the Career Academy Section of ACTE. Hopefully, I can somehow fill her shoes and continue to bring you news, views, and insights that help you make 2024 more successful and rewarding!

Also, please hold these dates on your calendar for upcoming career academy webinars/discussions. More details to follow.

• March 12 at 3:30 p.m. EST
• Sept. 9 at 3:00 p.m. EST

Sincerely,

Cheryl Carrier

Executive Director, Ford Next Generation Learning (Ford NGL)

What Does It Mean to Be a

Community-Connected School District? 

On November 8th, at the Mirro Center in Fort Wayne, more than 300 community members, district representatives, and students gathered for a celebration and dinner honoring the Fort Wayne Schools of Success. The event began with a performance by a student jazz band, followed by the Presentation of Colors and a moving rendition of the National Anthem by a talented 6th-grade student. The performances left us in awe!

Dr. Mark Daniel, Superintendent, shared insights into the journey with Ford Next Generation Learning (Ford NGL), and the City of Fort Wayne made it official with a proclamation designating Nov. 8 as the Schools of Success Day in Fort Wayne. Indiana Secretary of Education, Dr. Katie Jenner; Executive Director of Central Indiana Education Center (CIESC), Dr. Andy Melin; President/CEO of Greater Fort Wayne Inc., John Urbahns; and CEO of Northeast Indiana Works, Edmond O'Neal, all addressed the audience with an emphasis on the importance of improving student outcomes and preparing students for the work of the future.

Fort Wayne is among several districts partnering with Ford NGL to develop K-12 master plans. FWCS is leading the way as the first district in the state to adopt a K-12 master plan. Dr. Andy Melin, former Superintendent at Greater Clark County Schools, now the Executive Director of CIESC, has been instrumental in bringing the Ford NGL Model to the district. He is actively engaged in bringing other high-potential communities to the table while securing support from the Indiana Department of Education.

Dr. Kimberly Fifer and Donna Gilley serve as the Ford NGL coaches for FWCS and have dedicated nearly 18 months in support of plan development. Despite the fact that students who served on the master planning committee had not experienced the Schools of Success themselves, they passionately contributed to ensure the benefits for their siblings and future generations.

Fort Wayne is a capable and inspired community, determined to make a meaningful difference in the future of its students. Fort Wayne is indeed a community to watch!

Upcoming Events

More Learning Opportunities & Events from ACTE!

Celebrate CTE Month!

Generously sponsored by NAHB

Join us as we celebrate CTE Month^®, generously sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Each year in February, we celebrate educators like you and spread awareness about the importance of CTE by sharing your success stories via #CTEMonth on social media, encouraging your students to participate in this year’s CTE Month-NASA HUNCH student video challenge, “Why Go to the Moon?,” gearing up with festive CTE Month merchandise at shopacte.com to show your support for CTE, and much more!

2024 Events

Hone Your CTE Advocacy Skills & Raise Awareness for CTE

With a featured event from the CTE Research Network

Come voice your opinion on CTE policy and programming, and share what your community needs, at ACTE’s National Policy Seminar, happening March 17–20 in Arlington, Virginia. Featured sessions will cover best practices for influencing federal policy and CTE advocacy and messaging. And on the last day of the event, March 20, the CTE Research Network will address topics that will help expand the evidence base for CTE.