CTE For All Section

CTE For All Section Leader

Krista Paul
Lkpaul03@gmail.com
Letter from Krista Paul

Krista Paul is an educator in High School District 214. Much of her focus has been on elevating CTE to ensure all students have access to meaningful and enriching learning experiences that prepare them for postsecondary career success. Paul has developed an extensive background with culturally diverse populations; delivered consultation to educators on intervention models for least restrictive environments; and worked with and alongside educators to design explicit specially designed instruction, just to name a few. As the district’s former Assistant Director of CTE, Paul was the founding leader of the district’s Center for Career Discovery, whose focus was on providing students with authentic work-based learning and career development experiences. Her professional organization roles include Illinois Association for Career and Technical Education Work-Based Learning Division Immediate Past-President, and Illinois Association for Career and Technical Education Past-President. Paul was the recipient of the 2022 ACTE Region III Award of Merit; 2019 ACTE Illinois Career Guidance award; 2019 ACTE Region III Career Guidance; and was honored as one of five in the nation as ACTE’s Career Guidance finalist. Paul earned her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Aurora University; Master’s Degree in Reading, and Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education from Northeastern Illinois University; and Director of Special Education endorsement from Aurora University.

CTE for All Section Committee

Interested in serving the CTE for All Section? Your service is integral in growing our section membership to reach Division Level. Becoming a division will provide next level leadership opportunities to support colleagues develop and deliver quality CTE programming that ensures equity of access and treatment for students. Answers in this survey will be used to develop sever internal committees such as Policy, Professional Development, Advocacy, etc.

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Mission

We are dedicated to creating an environment where every individual, especially special populations, underserved communities, and protected classes, can thrive and excel in the CTE ecosystem.

Vision

CTE for ALL stands as a symbol of our unwavering dedication to excellence, diversity, and unity within CTE. As we embark on this transformational journey, we aspire to create a legacy where CTE thrives as an all-encompassing ecosystem, empowering every member to contribute their unique strengths and achieve limitless success. Together, we are driven by the vision of a more inclusive future in CTE, leaving no one behind and embracing the opportunities that come from supporting ALL.

Core Principles

  1. Cultivate Inclusivity: Embrace diversity and promote a culture of respect, acceptance, and belonging for all members of the CTE community.
  2. Expand Access: Promote access to high-quality CTE programs, resources, and opportunities for every CTE professional and student.
  3. Champion Equity: Advocate for equity and justice, addressing disparities and removing barriers that impede progress in the CTE community.
  4. Empower Every Individual: Provide the tools, support, and mentorship needed to empower individuals to reach their full potential.
  5. Collaborate for Impact: Engage all stakeholders and partners to collectively drive positive change and elevate the impact of CTE for All.
  6. Promote Transformational Leadership: Nurturing and developing leaders who are catalysts for innovation, advocating for transformative practices, and driving positive impact.
  7. Inspire Innovation: Encourage creativity and forward-thinking in CTE, driving innovation to address emerging challenges and opportunities.

Members of the CTE For All Section of New and Related Services are professionals working with youth or adults, who are:

  • Individuals with disabilities
  • Individuals from economically disadvantaged families
  • Individuals preparing for non-traditional fields
  • Single parents, including single pregnant women
  • Out-of-workforce individuals
  • English learners
  • Homeless individuals
  • Youth who are in, or have aged out of the foster care system
  • Youth with a parent who
    • Is a member of the armed forces
    • Is on active duty

As defined by the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V), professionals working with individuals with the above demographical attributes will provide training, services, and/or extra resources to support successful outcomes in educating and preparing these individuals to be competitively employed in our global workforce.

The CTE For All section of ACTE strives to support our professionals on multiple levels, including:

  • Providing resources and support in aligning programs with new Perkins V legislation
  • Developing professional attitudes and standards in programming for Special Populations
  • Offering assistance to provide, maintain, extend, and expand career and technical programs and services
  • Offering promising practices in developing work-based learning opportunities
  • Acting as a clearinghouse for the dissemination of new ideas and research
  • Advocating for and promoting professional relationships with other agencies, organizations, and institutions that support persons within the Special Populations demographic
  • Collaborating with educators, business representatives, and community stakeholders to create locally responsive, relevant work-based and school-based learning experiences.
  • Providing professional development opportunities through webinars, workshops, and guidance to materials and resources to support the development of postsecondary workforce readiness (PWR) skills that lead to technical skill attainment for students in any chosen occupation with a focus on high wage occupations or high skill in high demand industries

We encourage you to join the CTE For All section of ACTE. As our numbers grow, so will our ability to advocate for resources and opportunities to support our students. Your participation strengthens our voice and involvement with ACTE in supporting new and experienced teachers by increasing funding to use for professional development, resource development and programming at the national and local level.