ACTE's premier annual conference attracts thousands of secondary and postsecondary career and technical educators, business leaders, and industry professionals from around the world. Attendees enjoy featured keynote speakers and leaders on the mainstage, hundreds of concurrent educational sessions and networking events in a variety of formats, and a massive CareerTech Expo. One of our own UNL faculty members and students were honored on the stage at this year's event.
The ACTE National Leadership Fellowship Program began in 2009 initiated by the ACTE Board of Directors. The purpose of the ACTE Fellowship Program is to:
- help establish a leadership development program for educators and assist individuals in further developing their leadership skills in CTE and their involvement in professional associations;
- provide an opportunity for CTE educators to become familiar with and participate in the processes used by policymakers in the development and implementation of laws, regulations, and other public policies at the local, state, and federal levels; and
- identify, train, and motivate a cadre of leaders who will continue to position ACTE as a leader in developing an educated, prepared, adaptable, and competitive workforce.
In summary, the ACTE Fellowship Program is an instrument to provide professional development, policy knowledge, and leadership development. Over the years, this program has grown to now include two cohorts annually - new professionals with less than 5 years experience and experienced professionals with 5 years experience or more. Dr. Dawn Lindsley, UNL's Nebraska Extension - 4-H Statewide Educator in Career & College Readiness, served as the National ACTE Fellowship Coordinator for the new professionals cohort as well as being a CliftonStrengths Coach for both cohorts in 2022. "It has been an absolute honor to walk alongside these educators and administrators from across the country, as a mentor and coach throughout this year, and I look forward to seeing them continue to grow and lead in the future," says Lindsley. She also looks forward to supporting the next team of Fellows just announced for 2023.
In addition, Dr. Lindsley was a selected participant of the National ACTE IAED Mentorship Program in 2022. The Inclusion, Access, Equity, and Diversity Mentorship Program is in its second year and was created with the goal to provide mentors to members interested in this topic, and to encourage ACTE members interested in IAED to pursue leadership roles in the professional association. Lindsley shares, "It was a great experience to be paired with my mentor, Kevin McCaskill, a Senior Administrator at Boston Public Schools in Massachusetts. We had many discussions over the past year challenging us to think deeply about how this impacts our daily lives, how we can continue to educate our own understanding, and in being a positive influence around these issues in the field of education." ACTE promotes high quality CTE programs for diverse audiences, building an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the diversity of the CTE community.
Clayton Thomas, a UNL Agricultural Education major in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR), participated in the Advancing Career & Technical Educators Symposium. He was selected as one of 20 preservice and beginning alternatively certified CTE educators from across the nation. This professional development experience was held in conjunction with the ACTE national conference. Topic areas of the Symposium included:
inclusion, access, equity, and diversity in CTE; classroom management for the CTE professional, including work-based learning; Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs); high-quality CTE framework and curriculum; assessment and certifications; CTE Learn portal and professional development; and networking and mentoring with ACTE colleagues. Thomas described it as, "An awesome opportunity to meet, network, and learn from educators in all areas of CTE, which broadened my perspective of the profession as a whole."
Congratulations to both Dr. Dawn Lindsley and Clayton Thomas for their engagement as leaders in the education field and representing the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on the national level!
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About ACTE
The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation’s largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. ACTE represents the community of CTE professionals, including educators, administrators, researchers, school counselors, guidance, and career development professionals and others at all levels of education. ACTE is committed to excellence in providing advocacy, public awareness and access to resources, professional development, and leadership opportunities.
(additional pictures upon request dawn.lindsley@unl.edu)