Relevance of the topic to the CTE field: Career and Technical Education (CTE) is essential for preparing students for the workforce, and introducing career exploration in middle school helps build early awareness of high-demand industries. Learning Blade provides middle school CTE educators with free, ready-to-use STEM career exploration resources that align with South Carolina’s workforce needs. This session directly supports CTE goals by offering practical tools to engage students in real-world career pathways such as advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, and engineering.
Value to participants: Participants will gain hands-on experience with Learning Blade’s interactive career-focused STEM missions and learn strategies for integrating these resources into their CTE classrooms. They will leave with free, ready-to-implement activities designed to help students make connections between classroom learning and future careers. The session will also provide insights into how CTE educators can align instruction with industry expectations and workforce development initiatives.
Presenter knowledge and experience: As the State Manager for Learning Blade in South Carolina, I have extensive experience supporting educators in integrating career exploration into their classrooms. With a background in curriculum, assessment, and instruction, I have worked with teachers, administrators, and industry leaders to bridge the gap between education and workforce readiness. My role involves training educators, developing implementation strategies, and ensuring that CTE teachers have access to high-quality, career-focused learning tools.
