What if we viewed CTE standards not simply as requirements to meet, but as a roadmap for creating meaningful, real-world learning experiences?

I've been exploring CTE Reimagined: The Blueprint for Education's Future by Kristy Volesky and Jeff Frost, and the message is both inspiring and timely: CTE has the potential to lead the way in transforming how students learn, connect with industry, and prepare for their futures.

In this first installment of a series of bite-sized takeaways inspired by Chapter 1, Designing Transformative CTE Pathways, let's start with something familiar to every CTE educator: standards that drive learning.

Three Small Shifts to Consider

1. Start with the skill, then design the experience.

Rather than asking, "How will I cover this standard?" consider, "What could students do to demonstrate this skill in a real-world setting?"

Schools across the country are rethinking screen time, particularly in elementary classrooms, and our region is no exception. As ODE develops statewide guidance, many local districts have already begun these conversations.

If you’re wondering what that means for teaching coding and computational thinking, there are plenty of hands-on ways to keep those skills growing. For our youngest learners, opportunities to move, manipulate objects, and share ideas may be an especially good fit!

Imagine students arranging arrows to guide a partner through a paper map. When the directions don’t reach the destination, they find the problem and try a change. That’s algorithm design and debugging—without a device.

These activities also give students more ways to share their thinking. Young learners and multilingual students can demonstrate ideas through pictures, gestures, and objects as their reading and English skills develop.

Already using Code.org?  Its K–5 unplugged resources bring a familiar look and feel to hands-on…

Update! Gemini Gems and Skills Transition Guide from Google If you know me, you know my love for Gemini Gems! I’ve had so much fun working with many of you to create Choose Your Own Adventure style Gems, daily math warm-up Gems, and Gems that use familiar K–5 STEM lessons to teach AI literacy.

Now, Google is transitioning from Gems to Skills, and Skills are starting to arrive in education accounts! Have no fear, fellow Gem aficionados: Google says Gems in Workspace for Education won’t go away before June 1, 2027, and remaining Gems will automatically transition to draft Skills. But if you’re ready to start exploring now, here’s how to manually recreate your favorites. There’s also a Gemini-powered creation option, which I’ve had good luck with!

Step 1: Gather Your Gem Information & Files

1. Open your browser and go to gemini.google.com.

2. Click Open Sidebar at the top, then select Gems.

3. Find…

Who made this? Can I trust it? Why is it showing up in my feed?

A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend the inaugural News Literacy Project convention, and I came away thinking about the deep connections between digital literacy and media literacy, and what those connections mean for our classrooms.

With Media Literacy Week coming up October 26–30, I wanted to share a few great resources I brought home. Whether you teach elementary, middle, or high school, there’s something here to help students ask thoughtful questions about what they see, read, hear—and create.

Where do digital literacy and media literacy intersect?

Knowing how to use a device is one piece of digital literacy. Students also need practice finding reliable information, evaluating online content, and using digital tools thoughtfully. Media literacy builds on those skills by asking: Who created this message? What is its purpose? How…

What helps students make thoughtful choices online? The same skills we nurture throughout the school day: curiosity, empathy, critical thinking, and good judgment.

Digital citizenship means putting those skills into practice as we learn, connect, and participate in a digital world. It includes protecting personal information, treating others with respect, checking sources, and recognizing how technology affects our attention and well-being.

Digital Citizenship Week is October 19–23, making next week a great opportunity to start a conversation or build on work you’re already doing! Common Sense Education has free activities for every K–12 grade band, with this year’s focus on critical thinking in a world with AI. Activities take approximately 20–40 minutes.

Here’s a peek at what students can explore:

• K–2: Ask questions, search for answers, and practice checking information.

Looking for ways to bring more real-world relevance, career exploration, and durable skills into your classroom? Meaningful industry connections can start small - and grow into lasting opportunities for students.

At our 4th Regional CTE Advisory Convening on September 24, K–12 educators, postsecondary faculty, and industry and community partners explored how guest speakers, industry site visits, and hands-on projects can create richer learning experiences. Together, they brainstormed practical ways to move beyond one-time interactions toward deeper conversations, stronger partnerships, and sustained student engagement.

The takeaway? Career-connected learning doesn't have to be complicated. It starts with intentional connections and grows through collaboration.

💡From Connections to Action: Three Ways to Start

1. Start small, but be intentional. Invite an industry professional to share their career journey, demonstrate a skill, or connect a classroom concept to a real-world challenge. Give students opportunities to ask questions and actively participate.

2. Make durable skills visible. Whether visiting a…

What do you want to be when you grow up? My three-year-old wants to be an entomologist and a ballerina. Just last night she was modeling her best bug dances for me (and was delighted when I shared that bees actually communicate by dancing!). 🐛🐜🐝

We often think of career prep as a high school conversation, but data from a recent Discovery Education and Hanover study tells a different story:

• 78% of students discover a career interest before high school.

• 54% say that initial spark happened back in elementary school.

• 81% of students agree career exploration should start well before high school.

  
  

The interest is clearly there! However, the study also highlights a significant gap: while 71% of administrators report that weekly career learning occurs, only 19% of students experience it. Additionally, 95% of teachers expressed a need for better resources to integrate career concepts into daily instruction, noting that one-off events (like isolated field trips) have…

As we gear up for our region’s fourth CTE Regional Advisory Convening, I came across two articles that left me feeling inspired - and encouraged. The work we’re doing to strengthen connections between education, industry, and community isn’t happening in isolation. There are models taking shape in other regions that we can learn from, adapt, and make our own.

Indiana’s Partners for Professions and WestNext initiatives offer a helpful blueprint for moving from individual career-connected experiences toward a more coordinated regional approach.

A few ideas especially stood out:

🤝 Create a clear front door for partnership.

Make it easy for educators and industry partners to find one another, share what they need, and get support turning an idea into an experience.