ACTE AND ARMY CONTINUE TO PARTNER TO ENHANCE EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP AMONG STUDENTS
In an effort to provide professional development resources for both secondary and post-secondary teachers, counselors, and administrators, the U.S. Army continues its partnership with the Association for Career and Technical Educators (ACTE) by supporting the organization’s Regional Conferences.
The ACTE Regional Conferences are annual professional development events for CTE leaders to learn the latest insights on instructional leadership, mentoring, professional best practices, marketing their districts, tech skills and CTE, and business and industry partnerships. As part of the Army’s strategic partnership with ACTE, this year the Army sponsored ACTE’s Region IV and Region V Conferences by leading leadership workshops, participating in speaking opportunities and hosting exhibit tables at each of the events.
The ACTE Region IV conference took place at the Embassy Suites by Hilton in Albuquerque, NM from April 3-5, 2018. The three-day conference brought together over 300 education practitioners from Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.
On April 4, Sergeant First Class James Stosh from the Phoenix Recruiting Battalion welcomed approximately 230 attendees at the Region IV Luncheon. He shared his personal career path in the Army, his goals for continuing his education, as well as the Army’s educational tools and resources, such as March2Success.
Sergeant First Class James Stosh greets attendees during the ACTE Region IV Conference on April 4, 2018.
Later that afternoon, Lieutenant Colonel Alissa McKaig, Professor of Military Science at the University of New Mexico and Sergeant First Class James Stosh led attendees in a discussion about good and bad leadership and the traits and qualities in strong leaders during their leadership workshop titled, “Lead, Develop and Achieve: Enhancing Your Leadership Skills.” Lieutenant Colonel McKaig emphasized the importance of being goal-oriented when leading to improve an organization as a whole. The workshop also included an in-depth look at Army leadership doctrine, cultivating leadership, and adaptable leadership. As part of the adaptable leadership portion of the workshop, Lieutenant Colonel McKaig covered emotional intelligence, which she mentioned was part of the leadership curriculum at the University of New Mexico Army ROTC Program.
Lieutenant Colonel McKaig and Sergeant First Class Stosh lead a leadership workshop on the Army’s core leader competencies and how to apply them during the ACTE Region IV Conference on April 4, 2018.
The ACTE Region V Conference took place at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs, CO. from April 11-14, 2018. The four-day conference brought together over 160 education practitioners from Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
On April 13, Captain Kelly Leaverton, Assistant Professor of Military Science at the University of Colorado (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Sergeant First Class Markal Hansen from the Denver Recruiting Battalion presented a workshop on leadership development to ACTE members. Sergeant First Class Hansen discussed his experience being a part of the Army Reserve and his career trajectory of both Army and civilian jobs in technical fields. The workshop also focused on Army leadership characteristics, the importance of mentoring and coaching, and the parallels and differences between Army leadership and corporate leadership. The presenters emphasized how it is an Army leader’s job to ensure their subordinate can reach or surpass their proficiency level, and if they cannot, it is a fail for the leader. Captain Leaverton gave examples of how ROTC programs match up seniors with younger cadets so they can mentor each other during the school year and how this same practice can be applied to civilian jobs.
The next morning at the Region V Brunch, Staff Sergeant James Gordy from the Denver Recruiting Battalion spoke to a group of approximately 160 educators about Army leadership and opportunities. He began his remarks by explaining his post-secondary education path and the road that led him to the Army. Staff Sergeant Gordy enlisted in the U.S. Army upon graduating from college so he spoke about the financial benefits he received when he enlisted to help him pay his college loans. He shared his future plans to earn a master’s degree in education in order to become a science teacher.
Captain James Gordy welcomes ACTE Region V attendees during the Region V Brunch on April 14, 2018 in Colorado Spring, Colo.
This year marks the Army’s second year sponsoring both the Region IV and Region V Conferences. The Army will continue to support ACTE this year by sponsoring the ACTE Oregon Conference from July 30-31, 2018, the ACTE Region II and Best Practices Conference from Sept. 26-28, 2018, and the ACTE CareerTech VISION Conference from Nov. 28-Dec. 1, 2018.
To learn more about ACTE, please click here.
