emphasizes the association’s mission: “Our role at CTAT is to ensure that educators leading this work are equipped, connected, and empowered.” Addressing the pressing skills gap, CTAT works diligently on advocacy, educational initiatives, and extensive support to educators statewide. ADVOCATING FOR THE TEXAS WORKFORCE Recent legislative successes underscore CTAT’s advocacy impact. During the 89th Texas Legislative Session, significant strides were made, including increased funding for dual-credit programs allowing high school students to earn associate degrees or certificates concurrently. Robin Painovich highlights that CTE funding expansion was declared an emergency item by Governor Abbott, showcasing the priority placed on educational workforce preparation. Additional funding aimed at enhancing Rural Pathway Education Partnerships (R-PEP) is poised to benefit students in rural areas significantly, enabling more focused resource allocation and collaboration with post-secondary institutions. Mark Bosher, Senior Director of Training and Technical Assistance, highlights CTAT’s focus on practical educator support. Recognizing the challenges faced by industry professionals transitioning to teaching roles, CTAT has implemented new teacher academies. These academies equip educators with essential skills, including innovative AI-driven lesson planning techniques and survival strategies for classroom management, fostering higher retention and success rates. Further, the Campus CTE Coach initiative exemplifies CTAT’s innovative approach. Chelsea Reeves, Director of Training and Technical Assistance, explains: “We train campus mentors who serve as reliable resources for inexperienced CTE teachers, providing immediate, practical support right down the hallway.” EDUCATING AND COMMUNICATING WITH ITS MEMBERS CTAT’s member-driven approach ensures that training and resources align closely with realworld educational needs.Through regional training sessions, CTAT bridges gaps between finance and educational departments, facilitating coherent policy 241 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 08 CAREER AND TECHNICAL ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS
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