It is vital that we speak out within the next few weeks to convince the House Representatives that President Bush's budget is not adequate for career and technical education programs, or education overall, and that we need an increase of $275 million for the Carl D. Perkins Act in the Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations Bill.  You can go to the ACTE Web site and e-mail your representative or mail or e-mail your representative found below:
 

The following is a sample letter you may use:
 

Dear Member of Congress: I am writing on behalf of the Association of Career and Technical Education  (ACTE), the largest national education association dedicated to supporting the programs and people to prepare youth and adults for successful careers.  We ask that you oppose the FY03 Labor/HHS/Education Appropriations bill that reflects the President’s budget. The Presidents’ proposed overall increase of only $1.4 billion, or 2.8 percent, is inadequate in meeting the growing needs of America’s students.  Further, the Presidents’ budget cuts rather than increases funding for career and technical education. Instead, we request that you support an increase of $275 million for the Carl D. Perkins Act funding career and technical education.  Funding provided under the Perkins Act is critical to program improvement and expansion throughout our country. Career and technical education helps students gain the skills they need to thrive in a competitive workplace. Career and technical education helps expand the pool of qualified people to keep American productivity high and spur economic growth.  Please support funding increases in the Perkins Act to help students achieve their educational and career goals. If you have further questions please feel free to contact Nancy O’Brien, Senior Director of Public Policy at ACTE 703-683-3111. Sincerely, Your Name

Thank you for your attention to this request.  It is not the people that win all the awards that we remember throughout life.  The applause dies, awards tarnish, achievements are forgotten, accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.  The ones we remember are the ones that care.  Each one of you cares about your students and your career and technical program or you would not be a member of this great organization. 

Have a wonderful year, and I look forward to seeing each of you at the summer conference in Coeur d’Alene in June.

Leile Poppleton, President

Check your calendar and make your plans to attend.  Remember, there are some $200 stipends available for new professionals from the PTE Division.  Check your Techniques magazine for an application or go online at the ACTE website.  There is a reduces registration fee for first-time attendees. 

In order to do the work of our association, people must be willing to "step-up-to-the-plate".  Your officers, representatives, and committee chair people provide some of that involvement.  Yet, as time passes, new members must come forth.  One of the best places to become involved within the leadership of CTEI, is as a nominee for President-Elect.  This office then progresses to President, and Past President.

Each division of CTEI with the exception of IATFACS, and IOTA are eligible for providing nominees for President-Elect.  Wouldn't it be great if we had a nominee from each possible division?  We can!!  You just need to become involved enough to offer yourself as a nominee.  What do you say?  What are you waiting for?  Step up to the plate and have your division provide a nominee.

Nominations may be sent to Miles Carroll, Past-President CTEI at carrmile@d91.k12.id.us or to cbarthree@aol.com.  Further information and nomination vita will be returned to you for completion of the nomination.  Remember we will be meeting June 15th to 19th in C.D.A. so get those nominations rolling.
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Conference Highlights
Lorraine Rapp

Sherry Iverson, from the Women and Children's Community Education Department at St. Luke's Hospital was introduced by Sue Madarieta, the Center Manager for the Business Division at BSU Selland College of Applied Technology. Sherry spoke on stress management and gave great tips on how to relieve our stress by using our vehicles as weapons...I mean on eating right, getting proper rest, and engaging in some form of exercise. Staci Leavitt, Former IBEA President (Business Teacher, Nampa High School) hands the IBEA Presidency over to Karla Stroud, Idaho State University Business Teacher for the College of Applied Technology. Good Luck!

The workshops were great with Andy Lanning showing us new tricks in Microsoft Office and Amy Ulen on integrating academic and technology classes. The exhibits gave us the latest adn greatest textbooks. Thanks to the Culinary Art students at BSU, a wonderful lunch was provided during our business meeting.
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What is HOSA?  Idaho HOSA is the newest student organization in Idaho.  We are part of a national student organization with over 67,000 students in 36 states, Guam and Puerto Rico.  The HOSA program works in the classroom to enhance health occupations training; to teach students technical skills required in health occupations and development of the total person.

IdahoHOSA began strong and we are now going into our third year.  There has been two State Leadership Conferences with students participating in over 25 competitions.  This year (2003), State Leadership Conference will be held in Post Falls, Idaho and we are looking forward to an enriching experience for students and advisors.  Students who qualify at the State level are allowed to go to the National Leadership Conference, which is held each year in different locations throughout the United States. Year 2003 National Conference will be held in Atlanta, Georgia. 

The year 2002 conference was held in Anaheim, California.  We had 34 student members attending.  Competition was fierce, yet our exceptional students presented themselves in a manner we can all be proud of with 4 members placing in the top ten of their categories.   Kathy Churchill (Post Secondary) at Riverbend Professional Technical School in Post Falls placed in Job Seeking Skills, Erin Buckel (Secondary) from Riverbend Professional Technical School in Post Falls placed in the knowledge test on Health Care Concepts, Lorraine O’Connor (Secondary) from Hillcrest Highschool placed in the knowledge test on Pharmacology, and Kristy Bolander (Secondary) from Firth High School placed in Physical Therapy.

Two of our Chapter Advisors received recognition awards for outstanding chapter advisors, Vicki Trefz of Riverbend Professional Technical Academy in Post Falls and Jan Moyer from Bonner’s Ferry.  Additionally, IdahoHOSA was awarded recognition for the increase in membership with a plaque.  I offer thanks and congratulations to the entire hardworking student membership and Chapter Advisors, they are what makes IdahoHOSA Special.
 

P r o g r a mS p o t l i g h t

The Health Professions program and HOSA have changed my life to a great extent. Through my education and experiences, I have obtained goals beyond my expectations. I have gained confidence, leadership skills, and the beginning of a career in the health field. As a State HOSA officer, it gives me great satisfaction to pass along information and to be a possible role model for my peers.       Because of my involvement at Riverbend P/T Academy and HOSA, I obtained part-time employment at Life Care Center of Coeur d'Alene and I have recently applied at Kootenai Medical Center (our local hospital), where I hope to work as a CNA. Although none of this would have ever happened if it were not for my teacher, Mrs. Trefz. She was the one that had faith in me, encouraged me through all the difficult times, and pushed me to exceed my limits. Kodie Burge, C.N.A., 10/9/02 Senior at Lakeland H.S. and Riverbend P/T Academy

Marjorie Foster is the Professional-Technical Education Coordinator for Districts 91 and 93 in Idaho Falls.  She also works with School Districts 59 (Firth), 60 (Shelley) and (252) Ririe.  She is the administrator for the Eastern Idaho Professional-Technical High School and for the high school programs located on the Eastern Idaho Technical College campus.  This includes working with seven high schools plus nine middle and junior high schools. 

Helping teachers with their advisory committees, program improvement, budgets, and new program proposals are all included as part of her job.  Marge’s work goes a long way to provide opportunities for students in Professional-Technical Education.  Since only approximately 25% of the students who graduate from high school will go on to complete a four-year degree, we need to provide students with skills that will help them become contributing members of society.  The Professional-Technical programs pave the way so students can advance into all types of post-secondary options or enter the workforce. 

Marge has been in education since 1979… when right after she graduated from Idaho State University she began teaching at Clair E. Gale Junior High School in Idaho Falls.  After 17 years of teaching Family and Consumer Sciences and 8th grade English, in 1996 she began working in the coordinator position.  She also enjoys playing golf (although it doesn’t always look like she knows what she is doing out there), retail therapy (which can happen in any mall or boutique), and traveling. 

Marge appreciates all of the professional-technical teachers and knows how hard they work to provide quality programs for their students.  They are a pleasure to work with and it is wonderful to see how students respond. 
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Allison Touchstone has been teaching at Kuna High school since 1997.  She began teaching both agriculture and science courses in introduction to agriculture, zoology, landscape design, and physical science. She also serves as PTE Coordinator and Department Head, and is one of the technology mentors for the high school.  Over the course of her tenure, she has revitalized the tech prep program with over 240 college credits earned by KHS ag students over the past 2 years.  She and her teaching partners have had 30 State FFA Degree recipients, 2 state FFA officers, and 12 state winning teams in the last 5 years. Allison is married to Justin Touchstone, intern architect, also of Kuna.

She completed the requirements for National Board of Professional Teaching Standards Career and Technical Education endorsement in the summer of 2002, and by November hopes to be able to say she is the first Idaho Ag Teacher who is National Board Certified.

Allison believes that career and technical education provides the greatest opportunity to its students: The opportunity to fail.  This may sound harsh, but we teach students skills, teach them to apply information, and then through lab and student organization activities, we let them try their hand, while we are right behind them to give them a shove or catch them so they don’t fall to hard.  Students can evaluate their successes and failures so they can “do better next time”.  In others words, we provide students a safe environment to try, and as long as they try, all students are successful even if it means finding a new thing to try.

Allison plans to be an agriculture teacher and perhaps a PTE administrator for the long term.  She hopes to continue to better herself, her students, and her profession through personal and professional development coupled with a passion for Idaho, agriculture, and professional-technical education.
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Support for education is automatic for Emma—She still sees herself as an educator, and spends a lot of time doing just that for her associates, organizations, students, and more.  As the owner of 4 retail stores in Pocatello, she represents Business on the Idaho Workforce Development Council (one of three members who have continued as carry-overs from the Idaho Vocational Education Advisory Council).  If you attend a meeting you’ll find that her input consistently reflects the input of both business and education.  As a member of the Hobby Industries of America, she serves nationally on the Consumer – Education committee, and the educator/business owner input is evident there as well.  In fact, several months ago she presented a workshop to regional educators focusing on recent research that has validated the use of crafts as a tool to help teach basic concepts in school.

She continues to challenge herself to learn and grow and then use the information she gains to teach others.  Her recent efforts have focused on helping associations manage themselves more effectively using Policy Governance.   She has worked with 2 national Board of Directors and has currently volunteered to work with the Pocatello Chamber of commerce Board of Directors.

Even though Emma left Idaho State University almost 9 years ago, she continues to be an educator in a business environment.  We are very fortunate to have her on our team and in Idaho.
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Frank has taught Auto Mechanics at Malad High School for 31 years.  He teaches all three levels:
· Auto I – in classroom
· Auto II & III – in the shop getting hand-on experience
· Taught over 1500 students during his time at Malad

Many of Frank’s students have started their own mechanic and repair business with Madsen’s teaching as their foundation. Frank looks at teaching as a lot of work but he enjoys the challenge and loves working with the students of Malad High School.

Madsen has also spent many years in other positions within the school district during his teaching career. 
· 22 years as the transportation supervisor – Keeping the district’s fleet of buses running and staffed with drivers
· 15 years as wrestling coach.
· 11 years as Rodeo Club advisor -  this is his last year.

The Masons selected Frank as the Oneida County Teacher of the Year for the 2001/2002 school year. Frank and his wife Gayle have been married 37 years.  They are parents of five daughters.  They enjoy spending time with their daughters, sons-in-law and 11 grandchildren.

Frank enjoys restoring old automobiles, fishing, camping, and hiking.

Mr. Schow, Superintendent of Oneida County School District # 351 made this statement about Frank:

“Frank Madsen is one of the best teachers I have ever worked with.  He is well respected by the other teachers and administration.  Frank expects respect from his students and he gets it.  He prepares his students well for further education.  Two of my own boys have gone through Frank’s program and I know how well they were prepared for post-secondary education in this area.  Frank goes well beyond normal classroom time.  He makes himself available to his students at all times even when the students are out of school for break.”
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In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Pam has contributed many hours of service for the benefit of CTEI.   For the past three years Pam has been the coordinator for the Exhibits and Tradeshow.  Her other activities are summarized as follows:

· Idaho Delegate to ACTE National Convention
· Finance committee Chair Position on CTEI Board
· IBEA rep to CTEI
· Exhibits and tradeshow Coordinator for Region V Conference
· Idaho Delegate to ACTE Region V Conference in SunValley
· Created and maintains CTEI website at www.ctei.org
· Her printshop at Filer High prints and mails out the CTEI newsletter produced by Susie Bunt
· Has created various brochures and other documents for CTEI

Some words that describe Pam are competent, hard working; creative and innovative; incredible technical skills; polite, quiet, unassuming; tremendous asset to organization; and easy to work with.  Pam enjoys life with her husband of 26 years, Lande, and two grown children in Twin Falls.