Magazine High School vocational agriculture teacher and FFA advisor Cortney Hicks has been selected to the 2023-24 Arkansas Association for Career and Technical Education (ArACTE) Leadership Fellows Program 2nd Cohort Class.
Hicks is one of eight CTE (Career Technical Education) teachers from throughout the state to receive this honor. She is joined by Bailey Dunn, Marked Tree High School business teacher; Emily Geels, Monticello High School FACS/human services teacher; Jenn Jacobs, Pea Ridge High School culinary arts teacher; Ashley Rodden, Hope High School vocational agriculture teacher; Shelby Thornton, Prescott High School business and careers teacher; Misty Waddle, Waldron High School business teacher; and Tracie Opolka, director of ArCTE Leads Program.
The purpose of the ACTE National Leadership Fellowship Program is to help establish a leadership development program for CTE educators in ACTE and assist individuals in further developing their leadership skills in CTE and their involvement in professional associations, to provide an opportunity for CTE educators to become familiar with and participate in the processes used by policymakers in the development and implementation of laws, regulations and other public policies at the local, state and federal levels and to identify, train and motivate a cadre of leaders who will continue to position ACTE as a leader in developing an educated, prepared, adaptable and competitive workforce
The ACTE Fellowship Program is an instrument to provide professional development, policy knowledge and leadership development.
“CTE means that we prepare students to be career-ready upon graduation,” said Hicks in an announcement from ArACTE. “CTE courses are vital to supplying students with skills that are needed in today’s workforce. CTE gives students career goals and provides them with a roadmap to get there.”