2025 SC Education + Business Summit

As the 2024 SC CCR ELA Standards are implemented across educational settings, it is imperative for CTE instructors to understand the relationship between literacy skills and students’ success in the workforce. Our sessions will focus on how the new standards integrate essential literacy competencies with CTE curricula, thereby supporting CTE teachers in fostering an environment where students not only gain technical expertise but also develop the critical reading, writing, and communication skills needed for success in postsecondary education and the modern workforce.
The 2024 SC CCR ELA Standards emphasize the development of key literacy skills—such as reading comprehension, writing proficiency, and effective communication—that are essential across all career pathways. CTE instructors often teach students who are at various levels of literacy development, and integrating these standards into CTE instruction provides a clear, actionable framework for improving student outcomes in both technical and academic areas.
By attending this session, CTE teachers will gain a deeper understanding of how the new standards can be woven into their existing curricula. They will learn practical strategies for incorporating literacy instruction that aligns with their industry-specific content, helping students bridge the gap between technical skills and the soft skills required by employers. This integration is not only relevant but necessary for ensuring that students are truly prepared for success in the workforce or in further academic pursuits.
Our sessions will also highlight strategies for embedding literacy across all CTE content areas, with a focus on real-world applications. From interpreting technical manuals to crafting professional emails or delivering presentations, the integration of literacy standards into CTE classrooms enhances students’ readiness for both higher education and their careers. These competencies are critical to student success and will contribute to the overall mission of Career and Technical Education to prepare students for life after high school, whether they choose to enter the workforce directly or pursue further education.

This session offers participants a unique opportunity to enhance their ability to prepare students for real-world STEM careers by providing access to resources, training, and industry connections. Here’s why educators and school counselors should attend:

Access to Industry-Leading Resources: Participants will learn how to use Discovery Education's STEM career resources available through the SC Department of Education Instruction Hub. These tools are designed to engage students with interactive and multimedia-rich lessons, making career exploration exciting and accessible.

Career Connect Preview: Attendees will get an exclusive look at Career Connect, launching in August 2025. This feature will allow educators to schedule virtual classroom visits with professionals, bringing industry insights directly to students and enriching their understanding of STEM careers.

Hands-On Industry Collaboration: The session highlights the collaboration with NUCOR Steel Mill and the Design Team Project. Educators will gain first-hand knowledge from industry leaders about the skills and career opportunities within manufacturing and other STEM fields. This partnership offers a rare opportunity to develop lessons with professionals to better prepare students for future careers.

Real-World Lesson Development: Participants will learn how to design career-focused lessons, developed in collaboration with industry professionals, that reflect the needs of South Carolina’s local workforce. Educators will walk away with practical, ready-to-implement lesson plans that can inspire students to explore careers in high-demand industries like manufacturing and engineering.

Technology touches all areas of CTE. Helping our schools find a more effective way to teach the required courses and knowing that it has to start in the early grades is very important for our state. We were the first to require a CS credit but its time to re-evaluate how effective it really is for preparing our student for the future careers. I feel all CS and STEM related educators need to hear the success we are having but also how it is time for a change in focus for Computer Science in our state.

20 years in education with 4 years at Assistant Director of CTE in Lexington School District One. Coordinator of STEM and Computer Science for grades K-12.

As the 2024 SC CCR ELA Standards are implemented across educational settings, it is imperative for CTE instructors to understand the relationship between literacy skills and students’ success in the workforce. Our sessions will focus on how the new standards integrate essential literacy competencies with CTE curricula, thereby supporting CTE teachers in fostering an environment where students not only gain technical expertise but also develop the critical reading, writing, and communication skills needed for success in postsecondary education and the modern workforce.
The 2024 SC CCR ELA Standards emphasize the development of key literacy skills—such as reading comprehension, writing proficiency, and effective communication—that are essential across all career pathways. CTE instructors often teach students who are at various levels of literacy development, and integrating these standards into CTE instruction provides a clear, actionable framework for improving student outcomes in both technical and academic areas.
By attending this session, CTE teachers will gain a deeper understanding of how the new standards can be woven into their existing curricula. They will learn practical strategies for incorporating literacy instruction that aligns with their industry-specific content, helping students bridge the gap between technical skills and the soft skills required by employers. This integration is not only relevant but necessary for ensuring that students are truly prepared for success in the workforce or in further academic pursuits.
Our sessions will also highlight strategies for embedding literacy across all CTE content areas, with a focus on real-world applications. From interpreting technical manuals to crafting professional emails or delivering presentations, the integration of literacy standards into CTE classrooms enhances students’ readiness for both higher education and their careers. These competencies are critical to student success and will contribute to the overall mission of Career and Technical Education to prepare students for life after high school, whether they choose to enter the workforce directly or pursue further education.

Relevance to the CTE Field:
Workplace safety is a critical skill across all career pathways, and industry-recognized credentials help students stand out in a competitive job market. CareerSafe’s OSHA 10-Hour training aligns seamlessly with Career and Technical Education (CTE) by equipping students with essential safety knowledge tailored to their industry. This program supports CTE’s mission of preparing students for success by providing real-world, job-ready skills that employers value.

Value to Participants:
Attendees will gain practical strategies for integrating OSHA 10-Hour training into their classrooms without adding extra workload. They’ll learn how this student-driven, self-paced program enhances employability, engages learners, and meets industry safety standards. Educators will also hear success stories from schools that have successfully implemented the program and walk away with actionable insights to help their students graduate with both a diploma and a valuable credential.

Presenter Knowledge and Experience:
As a former teacher, principal, and district administrator, I understand firsthand the challenges educators face in preparing students for the workforce while balancing curriculum demands. My experience in both education and workforce development has allowed me to support schools in implementing CareerSafe’s OSHA 10-Hour training in a way that benefits both students and educators. I am passionate about equipping students with the knowledge and credentials they need to enter the workforce safely and successfully.