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| Laura Scheibe |
Laura Scheibe is the South Dakota Department of Education's director of college, career, and student success.
As we celebrate CTE month this February, I would like to
give a shout out to all our teachers who are doing amazing things to
prepare our students for what comes next, whatever that looks like.
We know that the time our children spend within the K-12
classrooms is formative. Every teacher has a role in shaping the path a
child’s life will take. We also know that our CTE teachers play a special
role in connecting students to experiences, content, and skills that will serve
them in the world beyond the safe space of K-12. Every day you work with
students to put together the pieces of core content, CTE learning, and career
exploration and preparation. You are essential to helping our students
see the bigger picture around them, to know what a career in South Dakota can
offer, and the pieces they need to get there. In a time when we are
seeing increased numbers of students disengaged from their learning, you help
them see the relevance. In a time when so many other classrooms across
the country are or have been virtual, you have been there day in and day out,
teaching them safely. In a time when students need to be able to see how
their future connects to their lives today, you give them that vision.
CTE month is an opportunity to celebrate what goes on in our
classrooms every day of the school year. One way we can see the outcomes
of that work is through the higher graduation rates of CTE students – tangible
data that demonstrates the success you help students achieve. You can
find that information and more on the newly-launched CTE report card, found on
the state and district tabs here. Use this public tool to show your impact.
Connect across your school buildings and across your
communities – share your stories, spread the word, and help make CTE a part of
every student’s academic journey. Let’s make this #CTEMonth epic for
#SDCTE22.
