Ohio Association of Career Tech Superintendents

🌟 NASA Member Spotlight 🌟 Clint Rhodes, Assistant Superintendent at Mid-East CTC, brings more than 20 years of K-12 education experience into his first year in Career & Technical Education leadership. Clint has quickly seen the impact CTE has on students through increased engagement, hands-on learning, and opportunities to earn valuable skills, certifications, and professional connections that prepare them for success both during and after high school. He also shared how impressed he has been by the collaborative culture within Ohio’s CTE community and the willingness of leaders across the state to support one another through shared ideas and innovation. One pathway Clint is especially excited about is Mid-East CTC’s new Fire and EMS program, which will welcome its first class of juniors this coming school year. He is also exploring ways to strengthen apprenticeship opportunities with a local hospital, inspired by the partnerships highlighted during the OACTS Spring Issue Forum. Clint encourages education leaders to find more ways to bring stakeholders into career centers to experience firsthand the incredible work happening inside CTE classrooms and labs every day. Reflecting on his NASA experience, Clint highlighted the relationships and collaborations built among his cohort, along with memorable opportunities to engage with state leadership at the Ohio Statehouse. Thank you, Clint, for your passion and leadership in Ohio’s CTE community! #CareerTechOhio #CTEWorks #CareerTechChangesLives

🌟 NASA Member Spotlight Kaitlyn Randall, Assistant Director of Student Services at Great Oaks Career Campuses, is passionate about helping students connect their education to meaningful career pathways through Career & Technical Education. From a student services perspective, Kaitlyn sees CTE as a powerful way to increase engagement, motivation, and postsecondary readiness by making learning more relevant and connected to real-world opportunities. Through hands-on experiences, certifications, internships, and work-based learning, students gain practical skills while building confidence and direction for their futures. As a former Teaching Professions student herself, Kaitlyn remains especially passionate about Early Childhood Education and Teaching Professions programs. “I would not be where I am today without the opportunity to explore and grow my passion for education in high school.” Kaitlyn also shared that one of the most impactful aspects of CTE is the clarity and purpose it provides students, helping them understand what they are working toward and how their learning connects to future goals. Reflecting on her NASA experience, she described it as a fast-track for growth that expanded her understanding of CTE across Ohio while fostering meaningful collaboration and relationships with colleagues across districts. Thank you, Kaitlyn, for your leadership and dedication to Ohio’s CTE community! ❤️ #CareerTechOhio #CTEWorks #CareerTechChangesLives

Congratulations to Polaris Career Center on the grand opening of its new Engineering Technology, Robotics & Automation program facility! This exciting expansion will provide students with hands-on experience using advanced manufacturing, robotics, and automation technology while preparing them for high-demand careers in STEM and industry sectors critical to Ohio’s economy. We’re excited to see the impact this program will have on students, communities, and the future of advanced manufacturing in Ohio. #CareerTechOhio #CTEWorks #CareerTechChangesLives

Beginning May 14, 2026, eligible institutions can apply through ODHE for Workforce Pell approval - expanding access to Pell Grant funding for short-term programs tied to in-demand careers and strong employment outcomes. Programs must meet federal standards related to completion, job placement, stackable credit, and alignment with Ohio workforce priorities. Learn more: bit.ly/4eMnplM #CareerTechOhio #CTEWorks #CareerTechChangesLives

OACTS congratulates SHP on celebrating its 125th anniversary! 🎉 Thank you for being a Gold Level Sponsor and a great business partner to OACTS. We appreciate your continued support and commitment to strengthening education and communities across Ohio. Congratulations on this incredible milestone! shp.com/2026/02/26/125… #OACTS #SHP #125Years #Partnership #CareerTechEd

OACTS is pleased to join in congratulating Vantage Career Center Superintendent Rick Turner on being named the SkillsUSA Ohio Superintendent of the Year! 👏 Announced during the SkillsUSA Ohio State Championship Ceremony in front of more than 8,000 students, advisors, educators, and industry partners, this prestigious recognition honors Superintendent Turner’s outstanding leadership, dedication to career-technical education, and continued support of student success both in and out of the classroom. Under his leadership, Vantage Career Center continues to grow as a leader in career technical education, providing students with hands-on learning, industry credentials, and real-world opportunities that prepare them for successful futures. Congratulations, Superintendent Turner, on this incredible and well-deserved honor! #SkillsUSA #CTEWorks #VantageCareerCenter

NASA Member Spotlight 🌟 OACTS is proud to highlight Jennifer Blackstone, who is a member of our 2025-2026 New and Aspiring Superintendents Academy (NASA). Jennifer Blackstone, Assistant Superintendent at Eastland-Fairfield Career and Technical Schools, has spent the past three school years making an impact in Career & Technical Education through leadership, collaboration, and student-focused innovation. For Jennifer, one of the greatest strengths of CTE is the connection among educators and the shared commitment to student success. She is especially excited about the K2 Energy Pathway and the opportunities it creates for students preparing for future careers. Jennifer also shared that one of the most meaningful parts of CTE is seeing students develop a true sense of belonging through career-focused learning connected to their interests and goals. Her advice for aspiring education leaders: 👉 “Go and see other programs! I learn the most from visits to other schools.” Reflecting on her NASA experience, Jennifer highlighted the relationships built through the program and the opportunity to learn about advocacy and best practices during visits to St. Louis and Washington, D.C. She shared that the bonds formed through NASA will continue to support her throughout her career. Thank you, Jennifer, for your leadership and dedication to Ohio’s CTE community! ❤️

Governor DeWine announced $3.2 million in grants to help Ohio schools expand access to career tech manufacturing programs. The funding will support equipment, instructors, hands-on training, and partnerships that prepare students for high-demand manufacturing careers across Ohio. See grant information here: education.ohio.gov/Topics/Career-… #OACTS #CareerTechEd #Manufacturing #WorkforceDevelopment #OhioEducation #CTE

Career-tech educators are building Ohio’s future workforce every day. 🔧💡 This Teacher Appreciation Week, we’re celebrating the teachers who give students the hands-on skills, confidence, and career pathways that lead to success beyond graduation. Thank you for the impact you make in every lab, classroom, and community. ❤️ Happy Teacher Appreciation Week from OACTS! #CareerTechOhio #CTEWorks #CareerTechChangesLives #TeacherAppreciationWeek

🔧 At career centers across Ohio, students are gaining the skills employers need most. It’s In-Demand Jobs Week - a time to recognize the hands-on learning and career pathways that lead directly to success in today’s workforce! #InDemandJobs #CTEPride #CareerCenters #SkilledWorkforce

🎉 Congratulations to Miami Valley Career Technology Center (MVCTC) on an incredible achievement! Their recruitment video has been recognized with the OHSPRA “Best of the Best” Video Award - a testament to the power of storytelling in career-technical education. This award highlights the impact of strong communication strategies that elevate student voices, showcase hands-on learning, and connect communities to opportunity. ▶️ Watch the award-winning video below and see why it stood out: vimeo.com/957326024?fe=c… #CareerTechOhio #CTEWorks #CareerTechChangesLives

Registered apprenticeships provide a critical talent pipeline that can help address some of our nation’s most pressing workforce challenges. In Ohio, many of our career centers offer registered apprenticeships to both secondary and adult students. We also thank the many industry partners who collaborate with us to make apprenticeships available to youth and adults. #CareerTechOhio #CTEWorks #CareerTechChangesLives

Happy Administrative Professionals Day! 💼 Thank you to the dedicated professionals who keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes. We appreciate you today and every day. #CareerTechOhio #CTEWorks #CareerTechChangesLives

Congratulations to @DelawareAreaCC on being featured nationally on Public Television’s All Access! 👏 These videos showcase the power of #CareerTechEd in action—preparing students for college, careers, and life. 🎥 Watch the 60-sec spotlight + 6-min feature: delawareareacc.org/article/2619010

In the Spring Edition of ConnectED, learn more about our Ohio Technical Centers and the critical role they play in serving adult learners across the state. Our centers provide flexible, career-focused training that helps individuals build in-demand skills, earn industry-recognized credentials, and quickly enter or advance in the workforce. Discover how our Ohio Technical Centers strengthen communities and support business needs through workforce-ready education: issuu.com/ohiohighered/d… @OHEducation #CareerTechOhio #CTEWorks #CareerTechChangesLives

Financial Literacy Grants are open 💡 If you’re teaching budgeting, saving, and money management skills, this opportunity is for you. bit.ly/4shJgUU #CareerTechOhio #CTEWorks #CareerTechChangesLives

Real skills. Real opportunities. Real impact. That’s the power of Career and Technical Education. CTE prepares students with the knowledge, certifications, and hands-on experience needed to succeed in high-demand careers and strengthen our communities. This video, created by our partner and sponsor iCEV, showcases CTE in action and the impact it makes every day. youtu.be/Xrdmy2BRKu0?si… #CTE #CTEWorks

🌟 Sponsor Spotlight: Energy Optimizers, USA Energy Optimizers, USA is an Ohio-based company that partners with educational institutions to improve building efficiency and facility performance. Their team works closely with organizations to analyze energy use, identify savings opportunities, and support long-term facility planning. We appreciate Energy Optimizers, USA for their support of Ohio’s career-technical education community and their commitment to strengthening workforce development across the state. #CareerTechOhio #CTEWorks #CareerTechChangesLives

OACTS congratulates Dr. Philip H. Wagner on being selected as Ohio’s next State Superintendent of Public Instruction by the @SBOEOhio. With more than three decades of service to Ohio’s education community - as a school psychologist, administrator, and superintendent - Dr. Wagner brings deep experience and a strong commitment to supporting educators and students across the state. We look forward to working alongside Dr. Wagner and the Ohio State Board of Education as they continue advancing Ohio’s education workforce and strengthening opportunities for learners across our state. Congratulations, Dr. Wagner, on this well-deserved appointment! #CTE #CTEWorks #CTEOhio

In Ohio, 97.1% (43,220) of career-technical education students graduated in 2024 - an achievement that reflects the strength of Ohio’s career centers and the impact of hands-on, career-focused learning. During Career-Technical Education Month, we’re proud to highlight outcomes like these that show how CTE keeps students engaged, supported, and on track for success. By connecting education to real-world skills and clear pathways after high school, Ohio’s career-technical education programs are helping students graduate ready for what’s next. 🎓 #CareerTechOhio #CTEWorks #CareerTechChangesLives #CTEMonth