A quarterly newsletter bringing you highlights and success stories from the wonderful world of CTE in Florida. Greetings,
welcome letter
As we continue to navigate the opportunities caused by the pandemic, I would first like to express my gratitude for how our career and technical education (CTE) community has responded. I would also like to briefly reflect on what guides our work during these challenging times. In the lobby of the Department of Education building here in Tallahassee, there are two large plaques with quotes from Frederick Douglass and George Washington on the topic of education. Both speak to the transformative nature of education: “To deny education to any people,” Douglass said, “is one of the greatest crimes against human nature. It is to deny them the means of freedom and the rightful pursuit of happiness, and to defeat the very end of their being.” Washington argued the same. He also observed that education, particularly a “higher education,” mattered for the future of democracy and public well-being, since “knowledge is in every country the surest basis for public happiness.” Certainly, this year has been a difficult one for all of us, but in a particular way it has been an inspiring one for our students. With them in mind, I would like to express my gratitude for how our CTE community has responded. I truly appreciate the hard work, innovation, ingenuity and resiliency shown by our CTE faculty, staff and administrators in view of helping our students maintain progress toward their academic and professional goals. Their continued education is so important. Secondly, if the pandemic has taught us anything, it has taught us that valuable workforce education and training matters now more than ever. For example, we saw that those with just a high school diploma or less were twice as likely to be laid off or find themselves struggling to become employed. This has prompted the Governor and Commissioner to double down on efforts to accelerate an equitable recovery. Their recommendations are exciting. In short, CTE matters and is of real value for residents and our great state. Lastly, I want to thank those who have helped compile our first newsletter! The stories contained here are a testament to the resilience and commitment of our faculty and administrators—from K-12, technical colleges and centers, and our Florida College System institutions. Congratulations to all involved! If you have suggestions for enhancements or things you would like to see included in our next issue, please do not hesitate to reach out. Lastly, please know that I am available, day or night, for you and your team members. I am excited about what we have accomplished over the past two years, and what is to come. Together, we will all Get There! Henry Mack Chancellor Division of Career and Adult Education