Meet Lavyne Rada

ACTE Agricultural Education Vice President
Email: lrada@mncte.org

Region: III
Division: Agricultural Education
Occupation: Director of Recruitment and Retention for Career and Technical Education

Employment History
Lakes Country Service Cooperative: present; Minnesota FFA Association: 2014–2024; Hutchinson (MN) School District: 2008-2014; Ridgewater College: 2006-2008; Beresford (SD) School District: 2005-2006

Education
Ph.D., University of Minnesota; M.S., South Dakota State University; B.S., South Dakota State University

Regional ACTE Involvement
Region III Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) audit committee, 2014-2018

State ACTE Involvement
Minnesota Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) Secretary/Treasurer: 2013-present

Divisional ACTE Involvement
National Association of Agricultural Educators, 2005 – Present; Minnesota Association of Agricultural Education, 2008 – Present; Minnesota Association of Agricultural Education Secretary, 2011 – 2013

Other CTE Involvement
Minnesota Foundation for Student Organizations Board, 2010 – Present; Minnesota Team Ag Ed, 2014 – Present; National Professional Agricultural Students Organization Board, 2021 – Present

Platform Statement
Educators play a pivotal role in shaping the future, so I have a desire to foster an environment for Career and Technical Education (CTE) teacher retention. I will advocate for strategies aimed at empowering while retaining high quality CTE teachers. I believe in investing in professional development opportunities that build a network and support system while also refining knowledge and skills for the classroom. I would like to encourage more collaboration across CTE divisions and intentionally have supports in place for early-career teachers, teachers transitioning between school districts, and teachers looking for continual professional development and support.