Shows
The Conservative CaucusMark Chenoweth - Chevron, Civil Liberties, and Government Overreach #11Welcome to the Conservative Caucus podcast! On this episode of the Conservative Caucus podcast, host Jim Pfaff talks with Mark Chenoweth, President of the New Civil Liberties Alliance (NCLA), about the growing power of the administrative state and its threat to Americans' constitutional freedoms. Mark breaks down the NCLA's mission and recent legal victories—such as overturning Chevron deference at the Supreme Court—while providing practical examples of government overreach, due process concerns, and explaining why the fight for civil liberties matters now more than ever. For anyone concerned about bureaucratic overreach and the future of American liberty, this is a...
2025-08-121h 23
Unwritten LawWho Judges the Judges? NCLA Defends Judge Pauline NewmanIn this episode of Unwritten Law, NCLA President Mark Chenoweth and Senior Litigation Counsel John Vecchione sit down with NCLA’s Greg Dolin to unpack his recent oral argument before the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in Newman v. Moore. At 97 years old, Judge Newman has been sidelined from the bench for over two years without impeachment or medical incapacity. NCLA argues that her removal from judicial duties violates both constitutional protections and due process. The conversation covers the limits of judicial discipline, the dangers of letting judges act as both witnesses and adjudicators, and why this case coul...
2025-05-0226 minUnwritten LawMonarch Madness—Inside NCLA’s 2025 King George III PrizeIn this special episode of Unwritten Law, NCLA President Mark Chenoweth and Senior Litigation Counsel John Vecchione are joined by NCLA’s Director of Engagement, Karen Harned, for a behind-the-scenes look at the 2025 King George III Prize. They reveal the “Egregious Eight” still in the running for the prize no one wants to win—awarded annually to the worst violator of Americans’ civil liberties in the administrative state. From Richard Cordray’s student loan fiascos to Jennifer Easterly’s censorship collusion, the matchups are fierce, the stakes are high, and the voter engagement is at an all-time record. Tune in to hear this...
2025-04-0316 min
NCLA PodcastCareer Literacy and Middle School Engagement with Rahsaan BartetRahsaan Bartet joins the NCLA Podcast to discuss career literacy and the importance of introducing career exploration in middle school. He shares his own career journey, insights on helping students make informed decisions about their futures, and strategies for integrating career-driven education into classrooms.
Rahsaan started his career in education as a member of City Year, an AmeriCorps program, where he dedicated a year of service in Cleveland, Ohio, helping students stay in school and prepare for college and careers. After City Year, he worked in the Youth Services Department at Goodwill, connecting young people ages 16-24...
2025-02-0335 min
NCLA PodcastGrowing Together: The Role of the Western Statewide CTE Consortium in Rural Development with Fawn WildeIn this episode of the NCLA podcast, our host, Rachael Mann, is joined by Fawn Wilde, the director of the Western Statewide CTE Consortium in South Dakota. The discussion centers around innovative CTE programs and the consortium's mission to bridge education and industry, enhancing student success and workforce readiness across over 20 school districts. Fawn emphasizes the importance of community and industry collaboration in advancing CTE, highlighting significant investments in facilities like the Spearfish High School CTE Center and Wall School District's new facility. Fawn sheds light on how these expansions align with workforce development goals and local job market n...
2025-01-2933 min
NCLA PodcastInterview with Massachusetts's Longest Serving School Superintendent, Dr. Gerry PaistGerry Paist has been the Superintendent of the Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School District in Palmer, Massachusetts since 1974 and is currently the longest-serving school superintendent in Massachusetts. He credits that longevity to the students and staff of the District and especially to the outstanding members of the Pathfinder School Committee (a.k.a. School Board). Previously he spent six years as an administrator at Westfield State College in the office of the Vice President and Academic Dean. At Westfield State, he oversaw the Vocational Teacher Training Program and was responsible for creating the college’s first full-time day gr...
2025-01-2637 min
NCLA PodcastHigh School to Highway: Paving Pathways for Future CDL Drivers with Guest, Keely GantIn this episode of the NCLA Podcast, Rachael Mann is joined by Keely Gant to discuss an innovative initiative, "High School to Highway."
Keeley Gant, Director of Career and Technical Education at the Educational Service District 123 in Pasco, Washington, provides leadership support for four surrounding small rural school districts of North Franklin, Kiona Benton, Dayton, and Columbia School Districts. In this role, she brings a collaborative career-connected learning approach focused on developing student readiness for career, college, and life. Keeley’s experience in education originated when she served in Admissions and Recruitment at Washington State and Boise State...
2024-12-1832 min
NCLA PodcastHands-On Futures: CTEC Students Lead the Way in NCLA’s First Podcast TakeoverIn this episode of the NCLA podcast, we hand the mic to the students of CTEC, Salem, Oregon’s Career Technical Education Center, for our first-ever podcast takeover. Hosted by Dr. Mark Covelle of Middle Bucks Institute of Technology, this episode spotlights students actively shaping their futures through hands-on learning and industry partnerships.
To kick off the conversation, Heidan Trinidad Esquivel, a second-year student in the Residential Construction program, and Jack Arthurs, a future professional in Cosmetology, alongside their principal, Rhonda Rhodes, share their experiences. Next, we’re joined by three students from CTEC’s innovative Behavioral Health...
2024-11-0852 min
NCLA PodcastBuilding Future Careers with Drone Technology: A Conversation with Rick Turner and Dan JoyceIn this episode of the NCLA podcast, host Rachael Mann interviews Rick Turner, Superintendent of Vantage Career Center, and Daniel Joyce, a STEM instructor specializing in drone technology. They discuss the evolution and impact of Vantage's Career Technical Education (CTE) programs, highlighting the innovative approach to integrating drone training in STEM education. The conversation explores various applications of drones across industries, including law enforcement, agriculture, real estate, and healthcare, emphasizing the future potential and industry demand for drone technology. Rick and Daniel share valuable insights on starting a drone program, including curriculum development, necessary certifications, partnerships, and the ongoing...
2024-10-0144 min
NCLA PodcastMac Beaton WBL Getting Creative with WBLIn this episode, Rachael Mann sits down with Mac Beaton, the Director of Workforce and Career Development for Henrico County Public Schools, to explore the transformative power of creative Work-Based Learning (WBL) opportunities. Henrico County students recently took on an ambitious project to renovate 48,000 sq ft of a mall in under a year, gaining invaluable commercial construction experience. This unique WBL opportunity not only provided hands-on skills but also allowed students to work closely with local businesses, showcasing the vital role of Career and Technical Education (CTE) in today's educational landscape.
Mac Beaton shares his extensive experience...
2024-08-2836 min
NCLA PodcastEducate Education with Zach KinzlerIn this episode of the NCLA podcast, our host, Rachael Mann, is joined by Zach Kinzler, a master's student at the University of San Diego and head of growth at Uflow.io, an AI education startup. Zach shares his journey from industrial and systems engineering to AI education, the potential and challenges of AI in education, the importance of ethical considerations, and the need for collaboration between educators and tech professionals to create meaningful AI tools. Zach emphasizes the transformative role of AI in making education accessible and personalized, aiming to bridge the gap between curiosity and confidence in...
2024-05-2832 min
NCLA PodcastA New and Disruptive Pathway for Generation Z and Generation Alpha in the AC-Stage of Education (After COVID-19)In this podcast, Rachael Mann is joined by Dr. Michael Conner to discuss a range of topics in CTE and how leaders can prepare for the next stage of education. Dr. Michael Conner is a trailblazer in the field of education, renowned as the CEO/Founder of the Agile Evolutionary Group and an international award recipient. His storied career spans from Superintendent of Schools to Teacher, with pivotal roles as Chief Academic Officer and Assistant Superintendent. Dr. Conner's expertise in educational transformation is encapsulated in his innovative Disruptive Effect Model, redefining traditional pedagogical approaches. The Disruptive Effect Model is...
2024-05-2740 min
NCLA PodcastTools of Tomorrow: Bridging the Skills Gap with Andrew BrownIn this episode of the NCLA Podcast, we sit down with Andrew Brown, co-founder of Toolfetch.com and a fervent advocate for the skilled trades. Andrew brings a unique blend of entrepreneurship and a deep passion for vocational education to our discussion, offering invaluable insights into the stability and potential of careers in skilled trades.
Throughout the conversation, Andrew addresses how skilled trades can serve as recession-proof careers, highlighting his perspective on why these jobs provide economic stability. He shares effective ways to engage the younger generation, combating the prevailing bias towards four-year degrees with attractive alternatives...
2024-04-1426 min
NCLA PodcastEmpowering Tomorrow's Workforce Through CTE with guest, Frank PolenIn this episode of the NCLA podcast, our host, Rachael Mann, is joined by Frank Polen for a discussion on implementing all-day labs, using classroom reduction aids, workforce development through CTE summits, the challenges of funding CTE programs, best practices in CTE, community impact, and ensuring visibility and growth of CTE programs.
Frank Polen is the Assistant Superintendent, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Adult Education Director at Buckeye Career Center in New Philadelphia, Ohio. He has helped students of all ages discover their passion and prepare for their future through career and technical education...
2024-03-3030 min
NCLA PodcastBuilding Pathways to Success: A Conversation with Board Member Glen CosperIn this episode of the NCLA podcast, our host, Rachael Mann, is joined by Glenn Cosper, a distinguished board member from Moore Norman Technology Center, who talks about the evolving landscape of career and technical education (CTE). They discuss the critical role of board members in CTE programs, personal journeys in the CTE space, challenges in starting new CTE programs, engaging with advisory committees, overcoming hurdles, and building strong relationships to benefit CTE students.
More about today's guest:
Glen Cosper currently serves on the Moore Norman Technology Center Board of Education, representing Zone 5, Office 5. Mr...
2024-03-1333 min
NCLA PodcastBuilding the Future: Innovations in Career & Technical Education with Rachael Mann & Lindsey HoerbertJoin host Rachael Mann in this enlightening episode of "Building the Future," as she converses with Lindsey Hoerbert, the Assistant Principal and Career & Technical Education Coordinator at the Life Ready Center at Lawton Public Schools. Dive deep into the transformative journey of CTE, from Lindsey's personal path starting in high school FFA to leading substantial growth in CTE programs district-wide. Discover the innovative Life Ready Center (LRC) and its role in addressing the evolving needs of students, offering a staggering 21 distinct programs, and nurturing future-ready individuals through partnerships with higher education and technology centers. This episode is a testament...
2023-12-2823 min
NCLA PodcastFrom Math Teacher to Superintendent: Navigating the Journey in Career and Technical Education with Guest, Shelley GrovesIn this engaging podcast episode, our host, Rachael Mann, sits down with the accomplished Shelley Groves, Superintendent/CEO of Eastland-Fairfield Career and Technical Schools in Groveport, Ohio. Shelley brings over 26 years of experience in education, with a diverse background that spans from teaching mathematics to her current role as district leader.
Throughout the episode, Rachael delves into Shelley's inspiring journey and explores the transformative moments that led her from the classroom to her esteemed position as Superintendent/CEO. Listeners will gain valuable insights into the motivations and aspirations that fueled this transition.
Shelley candidly shares...
2023-12-2723 min
NCLA PodcastTransforming Culture: Beyond the Curriculum with Aaron PolanskyA husband, and father of six, Aaron Polansky currently serves as a Superintendent in the state of Massachusetts and as an Executive Committee Member for the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, Executive Board Member for the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators, and as part of an advisory council on equity in higher education for Massachusetts Governor, Maura Healey. Aaron completed his Certificate in School Management and Leadership (CSML) from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Certificate of Specialization in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from the Harvard Business School Online. Aaron has a Master of Science from Springfield College in...
2023-11-0735 min
NCLA PodcastDr. Mark Covelle's CTE Leadership Journey and the Power of YesIn this episode of the NCLA podcast, our host, Rachael Mann, is joined by Dr. Mark Covelle to discuss navigating leadership in career and technical education and the power of yes. Dr. Mark Covelle serves as the Administrative Director at the Middle Bucks Institute of Technology (MBIT) in Jamison, Pennsylvania, Bucks County. Before his impactful tenure at MBIT, he was the esteemed Director of Academics and Special Programs at the Lehigh Career and Technical Institute in Schnecksville, Lehigh County. Tracing his pathway to career and technical education, Dr. Covelle has a rich and varied 19-year career in public education...
2023-10-1921 min
NCLA PodcastCrafting Leaders of Tomorrow: The Intersections of CTE, Relationships, and Holistic Success in Workforce DevelopmentIn this episode of the NCLA podcast, the Assistant Superintendent at Buckeye Career Center shares powerful insights on effective leadership, building relationships, and having the right mindset to ensure success.
More about Frank:
Frank Polen is beginning his ninth year as the Assistant Superintendent, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Adult Education Director at Buckeye Career Center in New Philadelphia, Ohio. He has helped students of all ages Discover Their Passion and Prepare for Their Future through career and technical education. This year also marks his twenty-seventh year in public education. Prior to BCC, Frank served...
2023-08-3042 min
NCLA PodcastInnovative CTE Practices in Building Oklahoma's Workforce wtih Superintendent and CEO, Brian RuttmanFor 20 years, Brian Ruttman has been instrumental in building Oklahoma’s workforce through
his visionary leadership for Oklahoma CareerTech. With a passion for helping others improve
their lives through education and employment, Ruttman is a true innovator and inspiring
community servant.
Ruttman’s service to the Oklahoma CareerTech system began in 2003 at Metro Technology
Centers in Oklahoma City, where he served as chief officer, executive officer and associate
superintendent. Since 2019, he has led the Moore Norman Technology Center (MNTC) district
as superintendent and...
2023-05-2224 min
NCLA PodcastDr. Christopher Bonn: Increasing Enrollment, Attendance, and achievement with CTEIn this episode, we are joined by Dr. Christopher Bonn to discuss the role of Career and Technical Education in getting failing schools out of trouble. Dr. Bonn is a highly accomplished educator and leader with over 32 years of experience in various roles, including as an educator, athletic coach, culinary arts teacher, special education teacher, principal, university faculty, mentor, and superintendent. He is the President and CEO of Bonfire Leadership Solutions, a renowned authority, and speaker on transforming failing schools and school districts using innovative and non-conventional practices. Throughout his career, Dr. Bonn has worked in Arizona, California, and New...
2023-04-2343 min
NCLA PodcastEstablishing and Sustaining a Successful Statewide Consortia Model with Dr. Sara Vande Kamp and Fawn WildeIn this episode, Dr. Sara Vande Kamp and Fawn Wilde discuss best practices in establishing and sustaining a successful statewide consortia model for stronger networking, collaboration, and greater use of Perkins funds. Learn more about this initiative in this podcast and by diving into the resources below:
Techniques Magazine
SD Governor's Office of Economic Development Magazine
Global CTE Podcast Episode
Fawn Wilde is the Western SD CTE Consortium Director, based out of Western Dakota Technical College in Rapid City, South Dakota, where she works with over 20 rural school...
2023-04-0725 min
NCLA PodcastAcademic Esports' Engaging Students in Future Emerging Technologies with Dr. Jill RanucciIn this episode, Rachael Mann and Dr. Ranucci discuss engaging students in future emerging technologies and the growing role that Academic Esports is playing in Career and Technical Education.
Meet Dr. Ranucci:
Dr. Jill Ranucci is a College and Career Readiness advocate and has an extensive
background in Career and Technical Education (CTE) as an administrator and teacher.
Dr. Ranucci has held district positions in CTE in Arizona and Texas, as well as, serving
as an Assistant Principal in Arizona. Additionally, Dr. Ranucci taught for 7 years...
2023-04-0232 min
NCLA PodcastChanging Perceptions of CTE for All Stakeholders in K-12 School with Dr. Crowder"One of my passions is changing the perception of all stakeholders that CTE students are “less than” vs. “greater than.” As educators, we all know that there are many professions out there that make an exorbitant amount of money in comparison to teaching. We also know that many of these professions require far less formal college education, but yet, we still hesitate to promote these careers. Why? I’ve thought about this a lot over the last several years and I think the answer is simple. I think it is lack of familiarity or knowledge of these career paths. Many educators...
2023-03-2731 min
NCLA PodcastWhat should students be learning to succeed in today's world - and how can schools bring that learning to the classroom? With Dave ConeliasAbout Dave Conelias:
Dave jumped into entrepreneurship in the education industry running after school and summer camps, evolved into being a full-time classroom teacher, and is now a well-rounded STEM educator who loves sharing his experiences and teaching others. Before education, Dave worked in both large and small engineering companies holding a variety of positions including leadership level. His career was cross-disciplinary in electrical, pneumatics, hydraulics, systems, design, and manufacturing. Dave supported production, prototype and, development programs throughout his engineering career.
Stats:
Bachelors of Science Math and Economics at Union College
Management of Technology Mas...
2023-03-0634 min
NCLA PodcastIt's All About The Job: The Critical Role of Fire Science Education in CTE with Firefighter Bob DipietroBob DiPietro has dedicated his life to his calling as a fire fighter, and now to spreading that passion to young people as a Fire Science Instructor at Central Arizona Institute of Technology (CAVIT).
Connect with Bob at rbipietro@cavitschools.org and follow his work on social media:
LinkedIn: rdipietro14
Twitter: dipietro1414
Books that Bob recommends in this podcast:
Leading Change: An Action Plan from The World's Foremost Expert
Leadership on the Line: Staying Alive through the Dangers of Leading
2023-02-2739 min
NCLA PodcastThrive Through the Five with Dr. Jill SilerWe all deal with a small percentage of lives and work that is really hard. Sometimes it's 5% and sometimes it may feel much larger. In this episode of the NCLA podcast, Rachael Mann is joined by Dr. Jill Siler for a countdown of ideas to help you along your leadership journey and for tips on how to ensure that the percentage that is hard doesn't overshadow the purpose and portion that brings joy.
Jill Siler, Ed.D is a leader, speaker and author. Dive deeper into Dr. Jill's work on practical truths to powerfully lead through challenging t...
2022-12-1625 min
The Blondie Beauty PodcastElin Dannerstedt, CEO & Anh-Thu Dannerstedt, COO of NCLA BeautyThis week we are chatting with sisters, Elin & Anh-Thu Dannerstedt, the CEO & COO of NCLA Beauty! The duo chats about doing their entrepreneurial journey together, how they land monumental collabs like Barbie, Beyoncé, and their latest, The Beverly Hills Hotel! We cover lots of topics from personal faves, Allure Best Of Beauty awards, expanding the range, fave holiday nail shades + so so so much more!You can connect with Elin & Anh-Thu and NCLA Beauty on Instagram at @nclabeauty You can shop on nclabeauty.com To connect with me...
2022-12-0930 min
NCLA PodcastThe Dope Teacher Mobile Shop Class: Acclaimed Teacher, Evin Jarrett Shares Innovative Approaches to Inspiring Young MindsIn this episode of the NCLA podcast, Evin Jarrett, aka The Dope Teacher shares his innovative approaches to teaching young minds. He is the Building Trades instructor at the Mayfair School. It’s the first and only Building trades program for Middle School Students in the Philadelphia School District. His program has been featured on:
6 ABC
Philadelphia Tribune
Forbes magazine
American Plumber Stories
CBS 3
Philadelphia Chalkbeat
Philadelphia School District website
Numerous podcasts
Mayfair CTE At Fox Chase Farms Teaching Kids Valuable Real-Life Skills
https://youtu.be/ntUW0LILFUo
He also has an RV that he converted into a m...
2022-11-2617 min
NCLA Podcast"Earning While Learning through Apprenticeships" with Dr. Doug DarlingDr. Doug Darling has been President of Lake Region State College since May 2013. Dr. Darling has 34 years of experience in Higher Education, Career and Technical Education, Workforce Development and Work Force Training. He has led the development of numerous CTE programs to meet industry employment needs in North Dakota. Dr. Darling believes strongly in the Community College mission and in providing access for all to education and training. Under his leadership, Lake Region State College has developed innovative models for distance delivery of degree programs.
Darling received his PhD in Education from North Dakota State University in 2012 a...
2022-11-1325 min
NCLA PodcastInterview with Dr. Kevin Fleming on Redefining Professional Development with Relevance and AccessibilityDr. Kevin Fleming is a CTE administrator, keynote speaker, CEO of Catapult, and author. He has dedicated over 20 years to advancing the dialogue around eliminating the skills gap and helping students secure a competitive advantage upon graduation.
He has produced multiple viral animation videos, including Success in the New Economy, and he has written four books, including the educational bestseller, (Re)Defining the Goal and the CTE children’s book, There’s a Hat for That!
Dr. Fleming has secured and managed over $80 Million in grants to advance economic & educational opportunities within the community college syst...
2022-09-2549 min
NCLA PodcastSylvester Chisom's journey in CTESylvester is the CEO and founder of Global CTE, an online career and technical education publishing company. He is responsible for developing strategic partnerships with school districts and colleges to provide digital curriculum and books that serve over 50,000 students in over 600 school districts across the country.
Sylvester keeps a busy schedule traveling the world as a keynote speaker and consultant for fortune 500 companies like Fedex and Enterprise; Organizations like NBMBAA; US government agencies like the SBA and US Embassy; and internationally with ministries of education in Brazil and Costa Rica. He is also the author of four b...
2022-09-0727 min
NCLA PodcastMission Critical: Construction and Women in the WorkforceBonnie Brown and Krystal Atcheson are amongst the 14% of female construction professionals. In this episode of the NCLA podcast, Bonnie and Krystal share their journey at the Whiting-Turner Construction company and discuss misconceptions around gender-specific roles and how CTE programs can encourage more females to enroll in non-traditional programs and pursue careers in the construction industry. Learn more about Whiting-Turner here:
https://www.whiting-turner.com/construction/
2022-08-2515 min
NCLA PodcastBreaking Barriers: How PTECH schools create a Pathway from School, to College, to Career and the global PTECH programStanley S. Litow is a Professor at both Columbia and Duke University. At Duke University, he
also serves as Innovator in Residence. Stan is the author of The Challenge for Business and
Society: From Risk to Reward and co-author of Breaking Barriers: How P-Tech Schools Create a
Pathway from High School to College to Career.
He previously served as President of the IBM International Foundation and as Deputy
Chancellor of Schools for the City of New York. Before his service at IBM and the NYC public
schools, h...
2022-08-2341 min
NCLA PodcastCreating a Learner-centered, Experiential, Equitable Ecosystem with Maureen O’ShaughnessyMaureen O’Shaughnessy is on a mission to connect the dots between education, belonging, and youth empowerment. She is the founder of the human-centered micro-school, LEADPrep. This learner-focused middle / high school is a national model for micro-schools, helping students learn from a place of love and personal alignment. Dr. O’Shaughnessy is the author of Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids, host of the Education Evolution podcast, and co-founder of the EdActive Collective. She recently shared innovation ideas on her TEDx talk: Changing My Mind to Change Schools.
Social Links
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/m...
2022-07-2814 min
NCLA PodcastLeveraging Student Identity, Culture, and Power to Unlock Excellence with Colin SealeColin Seale was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, where struggles in his upbringing gave birth to his passion for educational equity. Tracked early into gifted and talented programs, Colin was afforded opportunities his neighborhood peers were not. Using lessons from his experience as a math teacher, later as an attorney, and now as a keynote speaker, contributor to Forbes, The 74, Edutopia and Education Post and author of Thinking Like a Lawyer: A Framework for Teaching Critical Thinking to All Students (Prufrock Press, 2020) and Tangible Equity: A Guide for Leveraging Student Identity, Culture, and Power to Unlock Excellence In...
2022-07-2844 min
NCLA PodcastGoing Back to Your Community with Dr. Larry Martinez
Larry Martinez, Ed. S. has been an educator for over 30 years, serving K12 students with a passion for improving academic achievement. He has had many roles in the educational environment as a teacher, administrator, educational consultant, and Director. His work has been primarily in high minority and low socio-economic schools. Larry retired as the Director of Curriculum in Queen Creek, AZ. Prior to this, he served as a Deputy Director for Turnaround in the Denver Public Schools and Network Director for Blueprint Schools Network in Boston. He also worked with WestEd, supporting underperforming/high-performing schools/districts...
2022-07-2334 min
NCLA PodcastUnderstanding the Return on Investment for Business Partners when Working with Local School Districts, with Jim MichligJim Michlig is the Director of the Muskego-Norway School Districts CONNECT Academy. Through Muskego’s CONNECT Academy, Jim’s role is to build partnerships with local and national businesses, so students are able to develop their professional portfolios by gaining real-world experience.
In one year, Jim increased opportunities for students by 200%. He believes this success is due to having a strong vision and open and honest communication between business partners, students, parents, and community members.
Jim and his wife Andrea have a 13-year-old daughter who is actively involved in dance and enjoys reading and a 10-yea...
2022-07-1440 min
NCLA PodcastFundraising, Programming, and Stakeholder Support with NCLA Board Member, Eric Ripley“The willingness of NCLA members to share their best practices and their willingness to host visitation teams was the launching pad for our grant application. It allowed us to visualize what it could be for us in our region. Seeing high-quality CTE centers in other areas across the nation was a very important step in getting our application developed and approved.” Eric Ripley
Eric Ripley has 23 years of professional experience in Career and Technical Education (CTE) including his current roles as the Executive Director of CTE & Technology for the Grand Forks Public Schools (North Dakota) and CTE Direc...
2022-06-2719 min
NCLA PodcastTransformational School Leadership with Ohio ACTE Administrator of the Year, Dr. William SpranklesDr. William Sprankles currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent of Innovation, Teaching & Learning for Butler Technology Career & Development Campuses just north of Cincinnati, Ohio. William oversees the instructional culture for Butler Tech’s 4 campuses, 11 associate school districts, and over 250 teachers. He collaborates with others to lead the district with strategic planning, development of coaching and instructional models, strategic resourcing, and emerging best practices. Prior to Butler Tech, Sprankles served as Executive Coach and Partnership Manager for the Center for Transformative Teacher Training (CT3), where he worked with school districts in major cities providing strategic guidance on strengthening school culture, lea...
2022-05-3034 min
NCLA PodcastRefocus on the Skilled Trades to Reduce the Critical Skills Gap in a Post-Pandemic World with Dr. Michael HerreraIn this episode, Michael Herrera, Ed.D., shares how to refocus on the skilled trades to reduce the critical skills gap in a post-pandemic world. Dr. Herrera is a proven, innovative, collaborative, and nationally recognized school leader & workforce development professional. Served eighteen years as a successful and published CTE administrator in two states. Additional experiences include serving one rewarding year as principal of a large comprehensive high school. Dr. Herrera is currently serving as the acting executive director of Upper Bucks County Technical School.
THE STRENGTHENING CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION FOR THE 21ST CENTURY ACT (PERKINS V...
2022-05-2329 min
NCLA PodcastCollaboration for Success: Arizona’s Administrators Working Together for High-Quality CTEThere are so many best practices featured in this podcast! Spoiler alert: the best is saved for last so be sure to listen all of the way through and catch the bonus tips at the end!
ACOVA, Arizona’s CTE Administrator’s professional organization, supports data-driven decision making and provides support through innovative means for district and regional CTE Administrators. This episode explains the organization’s role in statewide collective efficacy, data-driven training, and mentoring for CTE Administrators. Learn more here: https://acova.org/ and follow ACOVA on Twitter: @acovacte
This episode features Anne Dozeman-Wisener and Joe...
2022-05-0836 min
NCLA PodcastPromoting and Showcasing Your Students on Social Media with Khristen MassicKhristen Massic www.khristenmassic.com @khristenmassic
Let’s face it, you need to feature your CTE program. Your program is not naturally getting featured on the internet or social media. In my school district, sports dominate school websites and social media. Every once in a while, there will be an academic feature, but I rarely see something about CTE.
Why is this?
Your school social media manager is always looking for content. I’m in a group right now with over 350 school social media managers across the United States. The group admin asked what...
2022-05-0318 min
NCLA PodcastIntroducing Opportunity with CTE in Middle SchoolAs many college-age students will explain, when they reach their later years of high school, teachers, advisors, and counselors begin introducing them to possible career paths. This type of preparation serves as an introduction to the typical four-year college experience, which seems to be the mainstream expectation for planning after high school. The issue with this limited approach to career prep is that it gives students a narrow view of the opportunities that lie ahead of them, which is an injustice to students, as well as a variety of industries.
All students deserve to be exposed to...
2022-04-1428 min
NCLA PodcastBuilding Connections in CTE and Beyond with Aaron Polansky"If you can learn a name, you can change a life."
"Rapport before reports."
"Open minds lead to open doors."
Tune into this episode of the NCLA podcast for these actionable nuggets of wisdom and more! Aaron Polansky is the Superintendent-Director of Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School in Rochester, MA and a speaker, author, and consultant who travels the US in his spare time. Connect with Aaron and learn more about his work here: AuthentricitySpeaks.com
2022-04-0124 min
NCLA PodcastTeaching and Learning in a Gradeless Thinking Classroom with Graeme LachanceWhen I was asked to teach grade 7 math for the first time, I had been working as a special education teacher for a few years, teaching at both the elementary and secondary level. Like anyone would do given a new position, I reached out to the people I would be working with and let them know that I would happily take anything and everything that they could provide. I was lucky. The whole curriculum was mapped out by week, assessments had already been made, many slide decks of notes created. This was a dream come true and meant that...
2022-03-1725 min
NCLA PodcastInnovative Practices in Career and Technical Education with Doug MerrillDoug Merrill has been teaching Engineering Related classes at Wenatchee HS since 1989. Design and build is the core focus of his pre-engineering curriculum and creating unique experiences keep things fun for him and his learners. His newest class: Ski Design and Adaptive Play allow kids to design and build skis and snowboards along with hacking electronic toys and electric ride-on cars for special needs students.
Next year he will be starting a new class on Turf management and athletic field maintenance, with future plans to build a Pitch and Putt golf course and Driving Range.
...
2022-03-1423 min
NCLA PodcastTransformative Learning Initiatives with John Turcic and Lindsey BalderazIn this episode of the NCLA podcast, our host, Rachael Mann, is joined by guests Lindsey Balderaz and John Turcic to discuss the formation and related evolution of their Education-Business Partnership Development program. Tune in to hear about this innovative approach to transforming learning spaces in order to equip students for tomorrow.
To learn more about today's guests and these initiatives, visit:
John Turcic's Bio
Dr. Lindsey Baleraz's Bio
Transformative Learning Initiatives
Transformative Leadership Academy
UTB Professor Starts Her Own School
2022-03-1132 min
NCLA PodcastDefining the Needle in Order to Move Forward with the Great Oaks Leadership TeamTune in to this episode to discover how to overcome the challenge of a "that's the way we have always done it" culture while pursuing what's best for students. Great Oaks Career Campuses increases flexibility in its offerings and delivery while expanding access through remodeling physical spaces and adjusting to on-campus, satellite, and adult ed programming. Simultaneously, they are adopting new strategies for enrollment and marketing.
Excerpts from this episode:
"We are guilty of trying to solve a problem before we define the problem or trying to improve something before laying out the target. What ne...
2022-02-2153 min
NCLA PodcastIt Takes A Village To Improve Student and Workforce Outcomes with guest, Cheryl Carrier at FordNGLIT TAKES A VILLAGE TO IMPROVE STUDENT AND WORKFORCE OUTCOMES
Cheryl Carrier, Executive Director, Ford Next Generation Learning
We have all heard the saying, “It takes a village.” Nowhere is that phrase more applicable than in the case of educating and preparing our young people for success in college, career, and life. If you are an educator, you know just how critical and monumental an undertaking that is. To get the results we are all looking for, it does indeed “take a village.” To continue reading, click here.
Cheryl Carrier’s Bio
...
2022-02-1739 min
NCLA PodcastRandy Squier shares readiness for career, life and college and how CTE pathways are supporting all students to be readyHighlights from this episode:
"We want all of our students to be exemplary communicators, collaborators, critical and creative thinkers, and to be able to self-direct their learning in any setting."
"The diploma means more than a diploma, it means they are ready for their life, they are ready for their career, and they are ready for post-secondary if they choose to go to college."
"It’s important for school leaders to always be asking, 'What is next? What’s down the road? What do we have to make sure that kids are ready for...
2022-02-1421 min
NCLA PodcastBreaking Barriers through a Community Approach with Jessica Golden and Peter KelpinToday's Podcasts guests are Jessica Golden, Senior Director, K12 District Partnerships and Peter Kelpin, Director, K-12 District Marketing.
The educational journey includes so much more than traditional academic subjects. When young people learn about real-world skills in school, they’re equipped with the tools they need to navigate life’s daily challenges and set in motion skills that will propel them towards a successful future.
District administrators work tirelessly to provide resources that empower teachers to develop critical life skills in their students. Used by more than 7,500 districts, EVERFI provides free online programs to teach criti...
2022-02-0725 min
NCLA PodcastThe Changing Role of CTE with Amy BoscanAmy currently serves as the Coordinator of Career & Technical Education, World Languages, and Global Studies for the Parkway School District in St. Louis, MO. As a professional developer, Amy focuses on the systemic and sustainable integration of “how do we do school differently” in order to prepare students for a global society and an ever-changing world. Her work encompasses creating authentic solutions to meet the needs of all students with rigorous and relevant learning experiences. In that work, she is exploring choice options for students, experiential learning, virtual course offerings, and global-ready academic programs. Through community partnerships and establishing global c...
2022-01-2119 min
NCLA PodcastKeeping CTE Teachers in the Classroom with Jodi Adams, Director of the New Teacher InstituteA quick search on Google Scholar will show research is deep and wide when it comes to retaining teachers, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers are no different. In fact, retention of CTE teachers may have a more profound importance - high school teacher turnover impacts CTE programs due to the dependence on relational connections that motivate a student to continue taking CTE courses. While retention of CTE teachers is vital to the continued success of a pathway, CTE teachers often have options outside of teaching, making it easier for the teacher to transition out of the classroom...
2022-01-0138 min
The Bill Walton ShowChallenging Leviathan with Mark Chenoweth and Jenin YounesIn this episode, we're talking again about the coercive power of the Administrative State and its serious threat to our constitutional freedoms. No other development in contemporary American law denies more rights to more Americans. Joining me to discuss is Mark Chenoweth, Executive Director, and Jenin Younes, Litigation Counsel for the New Civil Liberties Alliance (NCLA) a public interest litigation and pro bono advocacy law firm. NCLA represents both plaintiffs and defendants engaged with administrative state actions to make sure that their civil liberties are not being violated. Although Americans still enjoy the shell of their Republic, the administrative stat...
2021-12-0748 min
NCLA PodcastCTE in a Changing World with Harry Snyder, President/CEO of Great Oaks Career CampusesFor more than two decades Harry Snyder, President and CEO (Superintendent) of Great Oaks Career Campuses, has been committed to ensuring that youth and adults are prepared with the competitive skills necessary for economic growth. Because he understands that this means business and education working together, he has become a major voice in workforce training.
In 2014, the Great Oaks Board of Directors named Harry its fifth President and CEO. He is responsible for four campuses and career technical training for over 20,000 youth and 15,000 adults from 36 partnering school districts. Great Oaks is one of the largest career-technical school...
2021-12-0230 min
NCLA PodcastBuilding Systematic Approaches to Streamline CTE with Jim Michlig, Director of Muskego Norway School District's CONNECT AcademyJim Michlig is the College Career & Experiential Learning Coordinator for the Muskego Norway School District. Jim is the director of the district's CONNECT Academy which is the umbrella program for all experiential learning within the Muskego Norway School District. Jim believes that building strong relationships with business partners and helping students and families make informed decisions on their career path through CTE and experiential learning is the key to future success for all.
Connect with Jim: james.michlig@muskegonorway.org Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-michlig-strategicadvisor/
2021-11-1626 min
NCLA PodcastSteve Ward: Helping Other's Find Their Purpose through DreamcatcherSTEVE WARD’S PURPOSE - HELPING OTHERS FIND THEIR PURPOSE
Engaging Educational Leaders and Students by bringing the conversation of personal Purpose into the classroom to:
intrinsically motivate adolescents and young adults in their education;
inspire youth to examine their skills and interests to drive academic decisions;
level the playing field to increase equality among youth of different abilities, ethnicities, cultures, social, and economic backgrounds;
introduce Aspirational Dataä providing teachers, counselors, social workers, and parents the insights to further guide their students;
encourage people to pursue fulfilling careers by design, rather than by debt.
One of...
2021-09-2732 min
NCLA PodcastWork Ethic Development with Josh DaviesJosh Davies is passionate about helping others make a difference in their lives, jobs, and community. Through his work as a speaker and trainer, he has engaged and encouraged professionals across North America, the Middle East, and Asia. His engaging and connecting speaking style combined with relevant content make him an in-demand speaker, giving more than 75 keynote presentations and workshops to education, workforce, and corporate events annually. Mr. Davies has been named by the Global Forum for Education and Learning as one of 2021’s Top 100 Visionaries in Education in recognition for his contributions to education globally. Additionally, Training Magazine na...
2021-08-1136 min
NCLA PodcastBest Practices in CTE in Amarillo, Texas with Jay L. Barrett: A Vision for the FutureThis past June, Jay became the principal of AmTech Career Academy in Amarillo, Texas, a $60 million renovation of an old Sears/Hastings facility. Tune in to hear about the inception story for this center and his vision for the future of Career and Technical Education in this community.
Take a virtual tour of the campus here: https://youtu.be/c83_49bo1FI
Find out more about Jay's background and experiences in education and CTE below.
Educational Career
Jay has 36 total years of experience in public education.
He has been a p...
2021-07-2945 min
NCLA Podcast(Re)Defining the Goal with Purpose-Driven Education- Interview with Dr. Kevin FlemingIn this episode of the NCLA podcast, Rachael Mann is joined by Dr. Kevin J Fleming to discuss purpose-driven education. Dr. Fleming is an educator, national speaker, entrepreneur, and author. He is the producer of multiple, viral animation videos including Success in the New Economy, author of the educational bestseller, (Re)Defining the Goal, and currently Vice President of Planning and Development at Norco College in Southern California. Dr. Fleming is a passionate advocate for ensuring all students intentionally equip their potential, enter the labor market with a competitive advantage, and find their purpose, on purpose.
"The p...
2021-07-1737 min
NCLA PodcastThe Career & Leadership Readiness Institute (CLRI) at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) with Guests Tiffanie Rosier and Brittany HollisIn this episode, Rachael Mann is joined by Tiffanie Rosier and Brittany Hollis to discuss initiatives at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) including STEM and leadership opportunities for students. Learn more about the successes that are happening here: https://blogs.nvcc.edu/systemic/2021/04/29/nova-students-recognized-for-clri-success/
Tiffanie Rosier is a STEM Education Coordinator for Northern Virginia Community College. She has a Bachelor’s in Public Relations from James Madison University, a Masters in Higher Education Administration from Western Kentucky University, and holds the Global Career Development Facilitator Certification. Tiffanie has worked in Career Services at several institutions. She is also...
2021-06-2935 min
NCLA PodcastMBA Research: The Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative High School ProgramIn this episode of the NCLA Podcast, our host, Rachael Mann is joined by panelists April J. Miller, Krysti Conlin, and Charlie de Belloy to discuss the Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative High School Program. To learn more about this initiative and to access the free materials, please visit mbaresearch.org/ethics
Podcast Guest Bios:
April J. Miller, Vice President of Product Development for MBA Research & Curriculum Center, is dedicated to providing guidance and support to educators involved in the development, implementation, and evaluation of standards-based curriculum. Having led several state and national projects for M...
2021-06-0331 min
Tactical BusinessDefending Constitutional Freedoms With Caleb Kruckenberg Of The NCLAWhether it's gun rights, or other civil liberties, there are crucial organizations and individuals that work to defend them with a litigation strategy and background. Caleb Kruckenberg is litigation counsel for the New Civil Liberties Alliance (NCLA) and joins the show to discuss the importance of navigating the judicial system in defense of citizen rights. Caleb has tried cases before juries and argued appellate matters all over the country, sometimes in the same week. Listen in for his unique expertise and insights. For more information and to view the show notes, visit: https://w...
2021-06-0135 min
NCLA PodcastMarketing CTE Programs and Rediscovering Your Brand with Guest, Dr. Amanda HoldsworthMarketing CTE Programs
Now, more than ever, parents have choices for their children’s education. During the pandemic, some families switched schools or even educational models in pursuit of what would work best for their children and for their personal situations. Many families may not return to the traditional classroom, with plans to stick with virtual or homeschooling. Others might recognize that their children need something different; something more hands-on.
And that’s where career and technical education come in.
With news surrounding the labor shortages in manufacturing and the statistics highlighting the tale...
2021-06-0134 min
NCLA PodcastA Faster Way Forward: Interview with Superintendent Greg DonovanThroughout the pandemic schools and students alike have faced unprecedented challenges. Now in 2021, as Arizona starts to revive, students are looking for the education option that best fits their needs. Western Maricopa Education Center (West-MEC), a local public career and technical education district, has returned to their in-person, hands-on learning model, which is necessary for the variety of programs and certifications they offer.
West-MEC operates four campuses throughout the North and West Valley which serves more than 37,000 students from 48 high schools from districts in the Phoenix Metropolitan area. West-MEC students are prepared to earn a certification and...
2021-05-1852 min
NCLA PodcastSuccess by Design with Guests Tammy Bonner and Jennifer BrooksIn this episode of the NCLA podcast, Tammy Bonner and Jennifer Brooks share grassroots efforts to statewide consortia and current partnerships in Arizona. Our guests address best practices and strategies that CTE leaders should consider when planning for career and technical education programs in schools and districts.
Tammy Bonner is currently the Director of the Arizona CTE Curriculum Consortium. As the Director she manages the development of the AZCTECC curriculum resources and provides professional development to CTE teachers across Arizona. Before moving to Career and Technical Education at Pima JTED and then to the AZ CTE Curriculum...
2021-04-2636 min
NCLA PodcastEntrepreneurial Education in a Virtual WorldIn this episode of the NCLA podcast, the Chief Executive Officer of the Virtual Startup Academy, Gregory Keele M.A. Ed shares his vision for the future of Career and Technical Education.
Bio: My professional experience includes five years at California Virtual Academies, an online charter school in California, where I have taught Entrepreneurship. I have a BA in Economics from Claremont McKenna College and a MA Ed in Learning and Technology from Azusa Pacific University. I hold a Single Subject Business credential, an Economics authorization, and CTE Credentials in Marketing, Service and Sales, and Business and Fin...
2021-04-2644 min
NCLA Podcast"CTE in a Virtual World" with Milton Hershey School CTE Director, Dave CurryWhen the world turned upside down a little over a year ago, many things had to stop and pivot with it. The in-person learning and hands-on experiences that were the norm for teaching trade and vocational skills had to be reimagined factoring in physical distancing and virtual instruction. Educators had to be creative, and students had to be open to these new models, knowing that it would be worth it–and that’s exactly what happened at Milton Hershey School. As a result of the pandemic, career and technical education has become more important than ever. There is a high...
2021-04-0743 min
NCLA PodcastBalance Boundaries and Breaks with Evan WhiteheadEvan Whitehead has been an educator for more than 20 years spanning three decades. Over the course of his career, he has held the following positions: special education paraprofessional, special education high school teacher, Latino parent outreach coordinator, dean of student discipline, community outreach coordinator, director of special services, director of bilingual education, and English learners, Title I director, and assistant superintendent of special services.
Currently, Evan is the director of special services for a PK–8 school district in Illinois. In his current role, Evan oversees all federal programs (special education, McKinney-Vento, English learners, and Title I); early chil...
2021-02-081h 23
NCLA PodcastPanda Pilots, Harry Potter, and Doc Brown: Leading with Fun (Interview with Eddie Small)Eddie Small is a passionate leader, instructional coach, and innovative educator. His work in education and educational technology has focused on connecting teachers and students in engaging solutions and instructional design.
As a Principal Consultant with Instructure, Eddie works with educators, administrators, and district leadership in designing success for Canvas. Eddie believes in digital learning strategies that make an immediate K-12 impact.
As a former CTE Innovation Coach for Central Nine Career Center, Eddie developed several innovative solutions to educational technology in a career-based environment. He also created digital learning initiatives through their LMS with...
2021-02-021h 02
NCLA PodcastIncreasing Career Opportunity Awareness While Decreasing Opportunity Cost: Interview with Joe BelsterlingJoe Belsterling is the Founder and CEO of MajorClarity, an academic planning and career exploration platform serving thousands of schools nationwide. He previously has consulted schools and organizations on building entrepreneurship programs for students, worked on political campaigns, and done various advisory work including helping the U.S Department of Education build better resources and guidelines for schools conducting EdTech pilots. Joe is a graduate from the College of William & Mary.
MajorClarity Trailer: http://bit.ly/MajorClarityTrailer
Learn How COVID-19 is Impacting CCR: http://virtual.majorclarity.com/
Email Joe at joe@majorclarity.com
2021-01-2533 min
NCLA PodcastCredentialing Additional Language Proficiency across CTE Career Pathways with the Seal of Biliteracy (Interview with Dina R. Yoshimi)Our nation’s multilingual talent has long been one of our best-kept secrets, but it’s one we can no longer afford to keep. With our 21st century penchant for stretching supply lines, educational opportunities, production processes, collaborative research endeavors, and leisure travel around the globe, the need for proficient multilingual skills in the workforce has never been greater. Addressing this need is not merely aspirational; it is essential. The competitiveness of American industry, the strength of our national security, the global engagement of our researchers and educators, and the equitable access to human services for limited English proficient popul...
2021-01-0855 min
NCLA PodcastReal World Connections through EVERFI with Guests, Samantha du Preez and Erica HartWe have to show students that there is a real connection between what they learn in school and the world beyond the classroom. How can educators help students connect with real-world problems, and navigate them in a low-risk environment?
Engage students in many ways. One size does not fit all, and students need to hear and engage with content in many different ways. CTE programs are integral to diversifying students’ learning opportunities. EVERFI supports that learning with another method of practicing skills using interactive, online lessons and games. In EVERFI: Financial Literacy, students learn about personal finance, pl...
2020-12-2146 min
NCLA PodcastAn Education-Business Relationship: The Story of a Partnership Journey with Guests Lindsey Balderaz and John TurcicIn this episode of the NCLA podcast, our host, Rachael Mann, is joined by guests Lindsey Balderaz and John Turcic to discuss their proof-of-concept initiative with the Transformative Leadership Academy (TLA) in West Texas. This project is part of an education/business partnership development pilot effort to test the effectiveness of the program’s methodologies, concepts, and curriculum approaches. Tune in to hear about this partnership, a discussion on disruptive technology, innovation, leadership, and more.
To learn more about today's guests, visit:
John Turcic's Bio: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Xcxwsl9V9FxeVreDiSTWXkDCuACG0kPCwZNKtm28J0w/e...
2020-11-0758 min
NCLA PodcastProfessional Organization Membership, Engagement, and Leadership: Interview with Jon QuatmanBio: Jon Quatman was Assistant Superintendent and Vice President for Great Oaks, the career-technical school district serving 30,000 youth and adults at four campuses in southwestern Ohio. After earning his BA at Thomas More College and his Masters from Xavier University, Jon held administrative positions in a large Cincinnati suburb, Forest Hills. When Jon came to Great Oaks in 1996 as Director of the largest Great Oaks campus, he was immediately charged with restructuring the school into professional academies. After successfully completing this challenge, Jon earned a vice presidency position.
At Great Oaks, Jon successfully integrated assessment and accountability i...
2020-11-0634 min
NCLA PodcastInterview with Dr. Aaron Smith: The Future of Work Depends on the Autonomous Learning Skills We Build TodayIn this episode of the NCLA Podcast, Dr. Aaron L. Smith reminds listeners to remember that academia must bridge careers (ABCs) through CTE and STEM and discusses building a robust workforce in these areas through collaboration. Aaron is an author and international speaker, and an active educator leading one of the most award-winning STEM magnet schools in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Specializing in advanced workforce development, Dr. Smith brings an inspiring message all over the nation on the transformation of STEM Career and Technical Ed public education.
Visit the following links to learn more about Dr. Smith's...
2020-11-0632 min
NCLA PodcastLeading the Way with NCLA Board Member, Eric RipleyEric Ripley has 18 years of professional experience in Career and Technical Education (CTE) including his current roles as the Director of CTE for the Grand Forks Public Schools (North Dakota) and Director of the Grand Forks Area Career & Technology Center. A graduate of the University of North Dakota, Eric’s educational background includes a Bachelor's Degree in Business Education and a Master's Degree in Career & Technical Education/Educational Leadership. Prior to his current administrative position, Eric previously taught as a middle school CTE computer teacher and high school information technology instructor. Eric is passionate about the importance of Career an...
2020-11-0326 min
NCLA PodcastCommunication and Collaboration are KEY to CTE! Interview with Fran Bromley-NorwoodPodcast Subject: K-12 and Post-Secondary Collaboration
Fran Bromley-Norwood is the Computer Science and Cybersecurity Lead for the Clark County School District in Nevada, where she trains teachers and prepares Career and Technical Education students to be career-ready for industry positions. Fran earned her Bachelor's Degree at Towson State University in Maryland and her Master's Degree at Dowling College in New York. She continues to earn college credits and industry certifications in order to stay up-to-date with industry standards. She is a 2020 ACTE Fellow and Nominating Committee member representing the eTED Division. She was also selected to be...
2020-09-3035 min
NCLA PodcastUnEarthing Leadership Mastery with Del JohnsonDel Johnson is the Vice President of Business Development at Orgametrics. Del’s education and corporate experience, most notably running the college and career center for Minneapolis Public Schools, gives him unique insight into understanding the challenges of organizations wishing to develop truly effective and aligned teams and leaders.
https://orgametrics.net/
2020-09-2916 min
NCLA PodcastLooking Forward with NCLA Board Member, Dave KeatonDave Keaton began his current CTE Regional Director/Superintendent position at Region Two School of Applied Technology located in Houlton, Maine, in July 2012. Previously, Dave was CTE Director of Somerset Career & Technical Center in Skowhegan, Maine for 6 years, was a Pre K -12 Principal at Ashland Schools, Director of Learning at Loring Job Corps, CTE Director at St. John Valley Technology Center, and K - 12 Principal at Limestone Community School. Dave earned his Bachelor's Degree at the University of Maine at Presque Isle, his Master's and Certificate of Advance Studies Degrees at the University of Maine in Educational Leadership...
2020-09-2730 min
NCLA PodcastNot Your Father's Shop Class: CTE is an "Everybody Option" with NCLA Board Member, Chris BaileyIn this episode of the NCLA podcast, Chris Bailey shares the importance of CTE to economic development and how teachers need to think of themselves as industry trainers and recruiters. Tune in to hear why every student should be required to take a Career and Technical Education class and how his daughter's experience in CTE saved him potentially $200k in a potentially wrong career decision.
Learn more about his CTE program in Onslow: https://www.ednc.org/not-your-fathers-shop-class/
Chris Bailey is the Career & Technical Education Director for Onslow County Schools in southeastern North Carolina. Beginning h...
2020-09-0544 min
NCLA Podcast"If You're Not Improving, You're Backing Up" with Pat EdmundsPat Edmunds is the Director of Arkansas Tech Career Center in Russellville, Arkansas. Spending more than 25 years in CTE, she has accepted the role as an educational administrator, leader, and mentor excitedly. She took a 1972 vo-tech model and modernized it by facilitating a merger with a two-year institution, updating programming, incorporating industry credentials, and growing enrollment by 200%. She brought industry to the table to have real conversations about growing a local modern workforce. Her motto is, “If you’re not improving, you’re backing up.” When she’s not in her garden, she and her husband, Jerry, love spending time with...
2020-08-2234 min
NCLA PodcastSafely Opening Careerteched: Best Practices and Considerations for Fall 2020 with Dr. Edward BouquillonIn this episode, Dr. Edward A. Bouquillon, Superintendent-Director of the Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School District, shares the details of his district's efforts to navigate a global pandemic while ensuring that the needs of students, staff, and the community are met. This podcast features best practices and innovative approaches that CTE leaders across the country can implement for the 2020-2021 school year to integrate on-site school learning with e-learning while ensuring safety first for all stakeholders.
Podcast note: Dr. Bouquillon started as the vocational coordinator in 1988.
Connect with Dr. Bouquillon to discuss the podcast, ask...
2020-08-1455 min
NCLA PodcastCTE, STEM, and The Future of Work with Guest, Larisa SchelkinLarisa K. Schelkin is CEO & Founder, Global STEM Education Center, Inc. 501(c) (3) nonprofit and President, Global STEM Education Consulting, LLC. Larisa is the author of the Global STEM Classroom® - globally connected teaching and learning model. She develops and runs collaborative global STEM programs with schools in Massachusetts and around the world. Larisa is the recipient of MAVA Friend of Career & Technical Education Award (2016) and serves on the Steering Committee of MAVA Connecting for Success Annual Conference. She is a frequent speaker at career technical education conferences on the topics of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, BIG Data, the Future o...
2020-08-1147 min
NCLA PodcastAccess to Critical Thinking and The Education Equity Equation with Colin Seale“Adults need to commit to changing the narrative and stop treating critical thinking as a luxury good. Closing this gap for all students is our only hope for giving all students access to 21st-century opportunities.” Colin Seale
Colin Seale is an award-winning educator, advocate, entrepreneur, critical thinking expert, author of Thinking Like a Lawyer, Forbes contributor, and the founder of Think Law.
Connect with Colin and learn more about his work: https://www.thinklaw.us/about/.
Twitter: @ColinESeale
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ceseale
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thi...
2020-07-1646 min
NCLA PodcastTeachers Need Coaches Now More Than Ever, with Will MorrisWhen you think of essential workers in career and technical education, what comes to mind? If your first thought was coaches, you are ahead of the game. Our teachers need coaches now more than ever. In this episode, Will Morris, the founder of social enterprise EdConnective, shares how coaching can help teachers embrace distance learning and help students thrive during this challenging time.
There isn’t a teacher in America who was teaching during the last pandemic that caused schools to close en masse. That happened in 1918. With COVID-19 forcing teachers to deliver distance learning practically overnight, sc...
2020-06-2844 min
NCLA PodcastSTEM Careers and CTE Events Gone Virtual with Tiffanie Rosier and Brittany HollisIn this episode, Rachael Mann is joined by guests, Tiffanie Rosier and Brittany Hollis to discuss Northern Virginia Community College's STEM outreach program and the successful move to a virtual platform.
Virtual STEM Careers Event Recap, written by Tiffanie and Brittany
Many programs at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) have effectively adjusted their events from in-person to virtual and NOVA SySTEMic, NOVA's STEM outreach program, has done the same with STEM Camps, STEMinars and CTE Career Exploration. In March, NOVA SySTEMic successfully pivoted major in-person events to a virtual format using Zoom, including Virtual Interviewing...
2020-06-2053 min
NCLA PodcastThe Urban Access: Providing Access and Opportunity for Underserved and Underrepresented Groups with guest, Kevin McCaskillBlog post written by Kevin McCaskill, Executive Director at Madison Park Technical Vocational High School
Malcolm X once quoted, “education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” That preparation has been disrupted by the current COVID-19 pandemic. School districts across the country have turned to remote learning to salvage formal education, a far cry from normalcy. Although means and methods have been put in place by districts across the country to supplement learning, inequities abound. As school districts remain closed and the summer learning opportunities
In our urba...
2020-06-0220 min
NCLA Podcast"Think Back. Look Forward. Build the Future" with Guest, Snehal BhaktaIn this episode, Snehal Bhakta and Rachael Mann discuss looking forward while building the foundation and what’s in store for the future of education and CTE.
Blog post by Snehal:
Normally, as the school year wraps up, I try to reflect on the work of our CTE Department and myself to support our schools, principals, teachers, and most importantly our students. For whatever reason, this year feels different. Almost like that, there isn’t an end in sight at all.
The 2019-2020 school year will be known as the year education changed...no rea...
2020-05-2448 min
NCLA PodcastMaintaining Balance in a COVID-19 World with Guest, Shelly ThomeBy Shelly Thome
We are living in unsettling and unpredictable times. COVID-19 has taken a toll on our country’s economy, medical systems, and schools. It has also rocked the foundation of our feelings of safety, social connection, and hope.
During this COVID-19 world, we now find ourselves in, it is of increasing importance to find and then maintain balance in our lives. This need for balance is critical for educational staff. In a matter of days- not months or years- schools were asked to turn educational structures upside down and create new distance learning method...
2020-05-1742 min
NCLA PodcastReal Talk About Education- Distance/eLearning with Guest, Ken SheltonIn this podcast, Ken Shelton and Rachael Mann discuss remote learning in career and technical education and the equity and access issues that are magnified in the face of a global pandemic.
Excerpt from Ken's Blog:
"Distance Learning, Remote Learning, eLearning, no matter what you call it or how you package it, is not working. Here's the thing, it never had a chance in the first place. When the decision to shut down in-person schooling swept the country, even the world, educators, and support staff across the educational spectrum had to make significant adjustments. In f...
2020-05-1154 min
NCLA PodcastPBL in a Remote Learning Environment with Guest, Tisha RichmondProject-based learning in a remote learning environment is a challenge for our Career and Technical Education programs, but it's also an opportunity to find innovative approaches to hands-on learning. In this episode, listeners will learn about tools that CTE leaders can share with teachers to help students engage in real-world projects.
Our guest for this episode is Tisha Richmond. Tisha is an innovative district Tech Integration Specialist, speaker, and author from Southern Oregon. She has taught Family and Consumer Science for 25 years and has served in various leadership roles in her school and district a...
2020-05-0456 min
NCLA Podcast“CTSO and CTE Programs Ruin Students and Educators for Life!” with Guest, Frank Kitchen“CTSO and CTE Programs Ruin Students and Educators for Life!” I shared this comment while working with a group of student leaders, CTE advisors and State Directors in Virginia. The statement was in reference to my thoughts about CTE programs. The statement shocked some at first, then I continued speaking.
“CTSO and CTE Programs Ruin Students and Educators for Life in a good way!” I see CTE and CTSO programs as a career and leadership incubator. A combination of soft skills and hard skills are gained through participation. These skills and knowledge will be applied to their lives an...
2020-04-1855 min
NCLA PodcastWest Sound Technical Skills Center Tackles Remote Learning, with Guest, Shani WatkinsBlog post by: Shani Watkins, Director of West Sound Technical Skills Center
Friday, March 13, our school superintendent, along with the rest of the superintendents in our local educational service district, told us at noon that it would be our last day of school for a while. Though we knew from the sessions with the governor and state superintendent that the time was likely coming, we were hopeful that we would be out of school for a few weeks and then return.
The following Monday, our governor and superintendent of public instruction that all schools across...
2020-04-1834 min
NCLA PodcastRemoving the Restraints During COVID-19 with Guest, Crissy LauterbachCOVID-19 has profoundly transformed our education system, and this isn't necessarily a bad thing. In this episode, listeners will hear innovative approaches to online leading and learning, ways to navigate the digital divide, how to streamline processes, how to balance the roles of remote leading while parenting, homeschooling, and navigating an epidemic, what limits to place on social media intake, and so much more!
Connect with our guest, Crissy Lauterbach, on Twitter @ContactLearning or visit her website, www.contactlearning.com.
2020-04-1134 min
NCLA PodcastFinding Balance in a Time of Uncertainty, with Guest, Aaron PolanskyThis week's guest, Aaron Polansky is the Superintendent-Director of Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School in Rochester, author, and keynote speaker with over 20 years of experience in the field of education. In this episode, Aaron will share how to find balance in a time of uncertainty.
“Is our delivery powerful enough to move the masses? We don’t move unless we are moved. It’s time to lead with love and teach resilience. When times are tough, we cannot buckle. We can’t curl up in fear or avoid the important. It is okay to be afraid. G...
2020-04-0338 min
NCLA PodcastWhat COVID-19 and Remote Learning Means for CareerTechEd: Updates from our guest, Alisha HyslopWe are seeing the impact of COVID-19 across all aspects of our lives. In light of the rapid spread of the virus, many schools across the country are closing. The move to remote learning comes with unique challenges and issues for CTE programs. This week's guest, Alisha Hyslop is the director of public policy at ACTE and plays a pivotal role in keeping Career and Technical Education leaders updated. In this episode, Alisha will share how ACTE is responding to the COVID19 pandemic, resources that are available for leaders as we move to remote learning environments, and policy changes...
2020-03-2725 min
FedSoc ForumsLeaving Them Speechless: Does the SEC Silence Criticism?Few Americans know that when they settle a case with the SEC (or the CFTC which has a similar “rule”) that they will be forced to agree to a lifetime gag, a subject of much concern to Americans across the political and economic spectrum. Whether in small businesses or large, Americans charged by these powerful government agencies settle 98% of the cases brought against them, meaning that those defendants cannot question the strength or the merits of the government’s case against them—for life.For nearly 50 years the SEC has settled cases in this manner even though the “rule” that...
2020-03-2432 min