Jim Comer
Business and Industry Coordinator
Francis Tuttle Technology Center
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
In addition to a long history of work with ACTE's Standing Committees and most recently as vice president of the Adult Workforce Development Division, Comer was selected by ACTE membership to be the Association's new president-elect for 2010. His enthusiasm for and dedication to career and technical education can inspire anyone to supporting CTE.
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What influenced you to become an ACTE member, and how do you feel you benefit from this membership?
My state is a unified state. This means that when you join your state association, you are required to join the national Association, as well. This ensured that I was exposed to activities at the state, Region and the national levels. When you believe in CTE, not joining both would be like buying half of a Dan Brown novel! You’re missing out on the answers! I benefit from my membership in ACTE because of what I give: My time, my efforts and my donations go to help improve CTE for all the members.
What made you decide to work in the CTE industry?
I was given the opportunity to help design and start new programs at my school to assist new and small businesses. I then saw the value of the full-time programs for both adult and high school students by the quality of the teachers and administrators and the results of the training. These were high-skill, high-wage jobs the students were training for! Later, my wife, in her job as director of surgery for a local hospital, was given the opportunity to help start up a surgical technologist program, and I quickly learned even more. Then, my daughter used the career ladder to go from EMT Basic to EMT Intermediate to paramedic to registered nurse. CTE works, no doubt about it!
As a CTE educator, what has helped inspire and guide you?
Throughout my time in CTE, I have been guided by working with some of the most dedicated, passionate educators. At the start of my career, it was Dr. Jim Strate. Most recently it has been Dr. Tom Friedemann and Dr. Peggy Geib. Our career tech system is full of leaders like these that our younger members can observe and learn from. I always have been inspired by the Association leaders as well. Observe, ask questions and listen to the Division and Region leaders. That’s what I have always tried to do.
Tell us about one of your most memorable students.
Let me share one instance from my school. It was told to me by one of the teachers: “A past student stepped in my room with a huge smile on his face: 'Come look, come look.' I went outside with him to see a beautiful car. With tears in his eyes, he softly said, 'Remember when I had nothing? No home, no car, no job? This is because of you Ms. C. Thank you.' And that, my friend, is what it is all about.” There is nothing I need to add to this story. It happens hundreds of times every week. And there are so many stories like this that aren’t told! CTE improves lives, changes lives and saves lives.