2023’s MS ACTE Conference at the Gulf Coast Boasts Largest Attendance Ever Reeling ‘Em In

By Nathan King

In July 2023, more attendees than ever before experienced the Mississippi Association for Career and Technical Education (MS ACTE) conference. This was one of the many reasons the three-day event was a resounding success. The substantial attendance accentuated the growing importance of Career Technical Education (CTE) in the overall educational landscape and reflects the rising interest and engagement in CTE within our state.

The conference included a series of presentation sessions and industry tours that concentrated on emerging topics applicable to each of the pathways currently offered within Mississippi. Simultaneously, the 2023 Innovative Institute was held at the MS ACTE conference location and was organized and led by Cindy Ming, the Research and Curriculum Unit’s (RCU’s) professional learning manager and lead instructional coach.

Adrienne Minor and Chance Carden, the RCU’s Division of Professional Learning and School Innovations project managers, assisted.

“The Innovative Institute was an ideal addition this year, focusing on sharing innovative stories from across the state. Teachers had opportunities to learn best teaching practices and share their experiences with and learn from one another,” Ming said.

“The atmosphere around the entire center was filled with enthusiasm and fellowship.”

Overall, the Mississippi Coast Convention Center in Biloxi provided a picture-perfect environment for both events. This conference allowed opportunities for teachers to gain insights from industry professionals relevant to each of their pathways. It also served as a platform for creating long-lasting, effective connections between certified teachers, their administrators and state and local business-related partners. Under the direction of the MS ACTE Summer Conference Executive Planning Team, Brett Robinson from the Mississippi Department of Education,, Suzanne Kelly from MS ACTE, and Pam Stafford and Betsey Smith from the RCU collectively anticipate an increase in attendance in the coming years.

“The wonderful professionals who conducted a presentation made this year’s MS ACTE and Innovative Institute a triumph. Rachel Mann, our MS ACTE keynote speaker, guided us to focus on the urgent need for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and CTE in every learning space,” Stafford, the conference organizer said.

“Innovative Institute’s keynote speaker, Eric Sheninger, influenced and guided planning and delivered a moving presentation on digital leadership and learning and instructional strategies necessary for student-centered instruction,” Ming said.

“All presenters brought challenging and inspiring perspectives to the conference participants, whose excitement is already building momentum for 2024’s event,” Stafford said.

A general list of the local and statewide business partners that participated in MS ACTE 2023

General Motors

• Gulfport CTE

• Biloxi Visitors Center

• Ingalls Shipbuilding

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (Animation

Cybersecurity Range Activity

• Diesel Technology

• Coding

• EMS Program

• J. Allen Toyota

• Culinary Training Lab

• Game Design

• Nursing & Allied Health Simulation Center

• Performance Arts Center

• Simulation

• Unmanned Maritime Systems)

Welding

• MP Design Group

Mississippi Cyber Center

• MS Forensics Laboratory

• Mississippi Power (Plant Watson)

• Naval Seabee Construction Training Center

• William Carey University

The agenda was packed with enlightening sessions covering an extensive array of CTE pathways. The sessions were led by presenters in both the educational and industrial realms. They covered topics ranging from student work-based learning success, community disaster preparedness in Health Science, industry certifications, and immersive experiences within Architecture and Drafting, among many others. This diverse array of experiences provided valuable knowledge and resources that enhance classroom teaching aptitude across all pathways.

The events at this convention provided opportunities for teachers to earn Continuing Education Units, and administrators can earn School Executive Management Institute or Orientation to School Leaders credits, further emphasizing the focus on professional growth and development. This demonstrates Mississippi’s commitment to providing practical learning experiences and fostering strong connections joining CTE educators and industry partners.

MS ACTE Awards are announced yearly at the convention, with 2023’s event congratulating MS ACTE Teacher of the Year, Jennifer Frye; the New Teacher of the Year, Zachery Bettinger; Counseling and Career Development Professional of the Year, Paulette Edwards; and the Innovative Institute awards including all of the new Schools of Innovation.

Beyond the recognition of exemplary educators and the provision of professional development opportunities, the 2023 MS ACTE convention expanded its offerings to include engaging industry tours near the Biloxi area. These tours provided firsthand, meaningful experiences that directly enriched the content of classroom discussions and potentially influenced student projects. Covering a diverse array of fields such as allied health, animation, automotive technology, construction training, culinary labs, cyber centers, emergency medical services, forensics, game design, power generation plants, nursing, shipbuilding and welding, these tours underscored the convention’s commitment to bridging the gap between CTE educators and industry partners.

“Our generous industry partners showed unwavering commitment to our CTE educators, opening their doors and minds to provide transformative tours of their facilities,” said Stafford, one of the visionary orchestrators behind our conference’s success.

Complemented by the introduction of the Innovative Institute, 2023’s MS ACTE Conference showcased the escalating importance of CTE within Mississippi’s educational framework. Record MS ACTE attendance, diverse content, emphasis on practical learning and meaningful industry tour opportunities coalesce to underscore the state’s commitment to bringing real-world knowledge of industrial workforce skills to Mississippi’s CTE classrooms.

“We are already planning the conference for this summer and can’t wait to surpass last year’s participation, with the help of our keynote speakers, presenters, industry partners, the convention center staff and the RCU team,” Stafford said.