Why We Are Here

Staff Attend Ohio ACTE Conference

Eleven career-technical educators and administrators from Upper Valley JVS attended the 2010 All-Ohio Career, Technical and Adult Education Conference held in Columbus on July 28-30. The conference was sponsored by Ohio Association for Career and Technical Education (OACTE).

2010 OACTE President Celena Roebuck, Assistant Superintendent, Cuyahoga Valley Career Center, and President-Elect James Scott, Turf, Landscape & Greenhouse Management Instructor, Tolles Career & Technical Center, welcomed the members to the conference. After a Presentation of the Colors by the Paint Valley Air Force JROTC Color Guard, the National Anthem was sung by Taylor Pettit, Mid-East Career and Technology Centers.

Deborah Delisle, Ohio State Superintendent for Public Instruction, delivered the opening address. She shared highlights of her 30 years of experiences in five Ohio school districts and thanked attendees for their contributions to public education.

Matthew Crawford, author of "Shop Class as Soulcraft; An Inquiry into the Value of Work," shared some of his wide-range of life and career experiences that have led to the development of his philosophy about the nature and value of work today. Crawford is currently a fellow at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture at the University of Virginia. He also runs a motorcycle repair shop. Jan Bray, ACTE Executive Director, was in attendance at the Ohio conference to represent the more than 30,000 career-technical and adult education professionals across the United States. As Executive Director, Jan is actively involved in the strategic public policy efforts of the Association and works on legislative and public awareness issues for the profession.

Kathy Shibley, Director, ODE Office of Career-Technical Education shared that her work focuses on implementing Ohio’s five-year plan for career-technical education, as required by federal Carl D. Perkins legislation, and aligned with 21st century needs, including the necessary link between workforce education and the economy. These efforts are being done in collaboration with multiple local and state partners, including the Ohio Board of Regents, the Ohio Department of Development and the Governor’s Office.

The ACTE Awards Luncheon was coordinated and conducted by student officers from Ohio career technical student organizations—Business Professionals of America (BPA), DECA, Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), Future Educators of America (FEA), FFA, and SkillsUSA.

During the conference, many additional professional development sessions, hands-on workshops, and vendor exhibits were organized by each of the Ohio ACTE’s divisions and made available to convention attendees.

A highlight of the conference was the recognition of outstanding educators. Three JVS staff members received awards for their educational accomplishments.

John Villers, Adult Education Director, from Piqua received a Distinguished Service Award from the Administrative Division. The purpose of this award is to encourage and recognize superior teaching and/or other professional commitment within each division of the Ohio ACTE. These awards are presented to individuals in each division who have made the highest contributions to improvement, promotion, development, and progress of career-technical and adult education.

Mike Shellabarger, High School Executive Director, from Bradford and Sarah Heilers, Ag. Business Instructor, from Botkins received the Pacesetter Award from their Divisions—Administration and Agricultural Education respectively. The purpose of the Pacesetter Award is to recognize individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership or innovative program achievements through service to Ohio ACTE.