As a career and technical education (CTE) teacher, you know the importance of preparing students for the workforce — no matter which CTE career cluster or pathway they follow.

But how do you express that importance to your students, school, and community?

That’s where CTE Month comes in!

Every February, students, educators, and administrators raise awareness of CTE programs by celebrating CTE month.

What can I do to celebrate CTE Month?

• Invite a different guest speaker each day (for a week) or once a week who holds a different career related to CTE.
• Start a service-learning project for your community.
• Encourage the entire CTE department to decorate their doors/classrooms, or digitally on your virtual backgrounds, based on their area/careers.
• Find local college/university connections and opportunities.
• Get together with the CTE department to create a promo video for all CTE programs. 
• Focus on a different aspect of CTE each week: Week 1-Schools that offer CTE career programs, Week 2- CTE Clubs, Week 3- CTE Careers,  Week 4- All CTE Celebration (Spirit Week).
• Take over school announcements highlighting different students, clubs, and activities for the month: CTE Student of the week, CTSO of the week, CTE Teacher of the week, etc.
• Plan a CTE (or virtual) Community Fair- Each CTE class can invite someone from their industry to showcase program-related careers.
• Download the CTE Month logo for use with any print or digital outreach.

Please note, the “CTE Month” or “Career and Technical Education Month” must be followed by the trademark sign (®) the first time it appears in a document or visual presentation.

Upcoming Career and Technical Education Events

Montana Ready Celebration Day State Capitol Rotunda - Helena, MT April 12, 2023

Montana ACTE Capitol Rotunda Day State Capitol Rotunda - Helena, MT February 6, 2023

SkillsUSA Montana State Conference Helena, MT March 29 - April 1, 2023

HOSA Montana State Leadership Conference Montana State University - Billings, MT April 4 - 5, 2023

TSA Montana State Conference Bozeman, MT April 3 - 4, 2023

Montana BPA State Conference Billings, MT March 13 - 15, 2023

Montana FCCLA State Conference MSU Student Union Building (SUB) - Bozeman, MT March 16 - 17, 2023

Montana DECA State Conference Fairmont Hot Springs - Anaconda, MT February 5 - 7, 2023

Montana FFA State Convention Great Falls, MT March 21 - 25, 2023

Montana Work-based Learning Collaborative:
2023 Montana Teacher Externships

Educator Externships are a unique professional development opportunity where teachers are immersed in a company to learn about the skills and competencies needed to succeed in that industry or career path. The experience strengthens an educator’s teaching abilities and brings relevant, real-world context into the classroom. Externships are often transformative for educators, students, and industry partners. Impacting just one teacher allows a company to reach between 20-150 students each year.

You must complete registration to be considered for the externship. Upon completion of the externship, you will be eligible to receive a stipend paid by the Montana Work-Based Learning Collaborative and up to 20 renewal units.

REGISTER HERE

SkillsUSA Montana Updates:

Free Access to National Officer Candidate Resources

Becoming a SkillsUSA national officer is the ultimate personal growth and student leadership experience within SkillsUSA, and the 2023-24 National Officer Program Guide and application are now available. Before filling out the application, make sure you fully review the guide; it contains a wealth of information on what certifications and Career Essentials coursework candidates must complete before applying. SkillsUSA provides no-cost access to these certifications to national officer candidates, but you’ll need to apply for those by Jan. 16. See the guide for more details. All national officer applications must be submitted by June 1 at 6 p.m. ET.

Register Members by February 15, 2023, Deadline

The national SkillsUSA membership deadline is Feb 15. Student members must meet both state and national deadlines to be eligible to participate in national competitions; serve as voting delegates; run for national office; participate in national programming; or apply for scholarships, awards, and honors. As a benefit of membership, professional members receive online access to a host of powerful resources. Learn how to access your professional membership benefits in this Google doc.

SkillsUSA Technical Fridays Workshops

Join us for “SkillsUSA Technical Fridays,” a series of virtual workshops led by industry experts to help teachers develop specific technical skills relevant to their career fields. Leave the sessions with new knowledge and skills to implement in the classroom. On Jan. 20, from 4-5 p.m. ET, Greg Klever of Penske’s technical school and national partnership relationships will lead an “Air Disc Brakes” session that will uncover the proper tools, inspection, serviceability, and troubleshooting for air disc brakes.  Learn more about the workshops here. The workshop is free, but space is limited. Register here. If you have questions, contact Karolina Belen.

Earn Recognition and Presidential Honors

At the 2023 National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC), SkillsUSA will recognize advisors, students, and registered alumni for their community service through the President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA). To qualify, SkillsUSA members must submit a record of their service hours. With SkillsUSA’s focus on community service, you may have already met the requirements. For details on how to apply, visit the website. Applications must be received by April 1 for recognition at the 2023 NLSC.

Show Us What You Made … and What You’re Made Of!

SkillsUSA is still showcasing the great accomplishments our students make every day as skilled workers and leaders in the #MadeInSkillsUSA social media campaign. Share photos on social media that highlight something your students made with their hands (a construction project, a hairstyle, a culinary creation, etc.) or a personal achievement earned through SkillsUSA (landing an internship, delivering a speech, leading a meeting, etc.). To participate, simply post a photo with the hashtag #MadeInSkillsUSA. Learn more here. For questions, contact Hayley Uffelman, SkillsUSA’s social media manager.

Montana BPA Wraps Up Regional Competitions

BPA Montana's eight regions have finished up their regional competitions.  These conferences were held throughout the state during December and January. The top finishers in each of the competitive events will now advance to the State Leadership Conference that will be held in Billings on March 12-14.   During the State Leadership Conference, students have the opportunity to demonstrate occupational competencies in areas of Finance, Business Administration, Management Information Systems, Digital Communication and Design, Health Administration as well as Management, Marketing and Communication. BPA will recognize the top 10 in each of the 126 competitive events.  Students also have an opportunity to expand their leadership and human relations skills, attend a college fair, participate in a day of service, and receive recognition for their excellence at the State Leadership Conference.  Each student’s goal at State Leadership Conference is to have success so that they advance to the National BPA Leadership Conference. BPA Montana has 1751 members this year at the middle school, high school, and collegiate levels.

NAITCO Teacher News Bite

NAITCO News - Winter Virtual Teacher Professional Development

Join us from the comfort of your home for engaging workshops and sessions to energize ag literacy efforts within your classroom! Saturday, February 18, 10:30-1:00 pm EST.

Register Here

2023 National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference

The 2023 National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference will take place June 26-29, 2023, in Orlando, Florida.  Watch this short video to see a sneak peek of what the Sunshine State has in store for you!

Conference registration will open in mid-March 2023!

Great Falls Public Schools Invite you to
a High Voltage Weekend in the Electric City

Would you like to promote your business to college graduates who might be moving to Great Falls to begin their careers as a teacher?  If so, they are sure to need healthcare, a financial institution, insurance, dental care,  a place to live, a spouse needing employment and so much more!  If you are interested in supporting this weekend financially, we have benefits such as displaying your banner and meeting our guests in our headquarters: Hotel Arvon / Dark Horse or if you want to give items (pens or notepads) that is wonderful as well! 

To welcome our student guests representing colleges from around the state of Montana, we are assembling registration bags full of promotional materials from our community, "swag" such as notepads, coupons to local businesses and more!  Feel free to "promote" your business by adding 35 items to reach our guests!  

I have hard copies of this postcard below for mailing if you know of a college junior or senior who would be interested in attending this weekend. Along with an interview to teach next fall by our principals, the event will feature great food and some fun (all hosted by GFPS).  Please feel free to share in your upcoming emails etc. These cards will be mailed to all colleges and universities in Montana! We are hoping for 25 college students to join us in February to take their next step with Great Falls Public Schools!

Thank you for your continued support,
Becky Nelson
406-899-8642

The OPI is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation, require an alternate format, or have questions concerning accessibility, contact the OPI ADA Coordinator, 406-444-3161, opiada@mt.gov, Relay Service: 711.