CONTRIBUTORS feature
OPENING LETTER This school year brought a number of new education initiatives for the state of Mississippi as we began implementing Common Core, introduced new teacher- and principal-evaluation models (p.30), and began baseline CPAS testing for CTE students. I commend the teachers, administrators, counselors, and other CTE educators for rising to the challenges. You took these changes in stride and continue to focus your efforts on helping Mississippi students reach their potential as students and future members of the workforce. As I read through the stories in this issue of Connections, over and over again I was reminded of your commitment to CTE in our state and of the amazing work your students complete in your classrooms, shops, and labs. Some of you are using the state-of-the-art simulators available to collision-repair and welding programs (p.22), and others are incorporating artistic projects to teach health sciences (p.25). Whatever the method, your students are completing creative, engaging projects and connecting their coursework to a bigger world just outside the classroom door. This issue also brings exciting news of the first agriculture academy in the state (p.10) and a new logistics pathway (p.20 ), along with compelling profiles of 34-year veteran agriculture teacher Dan Stuckey and the 2013 CTE Student of the Year John Andrews (p.17 ). Additionally, a number of school-based enterprises around the state are running successful businesses (p.13 ) and Attala students completed a service-learning project with the Natchez Trace Parkway (p.4 ). All of the work featured in this issue demonstrates how students are learning outside the classroom and gaining real work experience. Finally, as you all know by now, we converted learningmanagement systems this year by moving from Blackboard to Canvas (p.9). For the 900+ who have already moved your class sites, thank you for your hard work and commitment to creating as smooth a transition as possible. For those who are still in the process, please know that the MDE and the RCU are ready and willing to help in any way needed. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for assistance (helpdesk@rcu.msstate.edu, 662.325.2510).
Connections contributors
MANAGING EDITORS
Lynn Eiland Kristen Dechert Ashley Brown Leanne Long Alexis Nordin Denise Sibley Suzanne Tribble Brooke Boyd Heather Craig
Want your school featured in
Connections? We want to hear about your success stories, awards, and program accomplishments. If you have a story idea, please contact Lynn Eiland, lynn.eiland@rcu.msstate.edu.
I hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as I did and that you share these inspiring CTE stories with stakeholders in your area.
Mike Mulvihill Director, Office of Career and Technical Education Fall 2013 CONNECTIONS 3