Director's note
"The connections and resources we help provide lead them (students) to straightforward training paths, prepare them for enriching internships, and help secure for them living-wage careers in our community."
Tabatha Dougherty System Director, CEANCI |
Continuing the Work for Students
The Illinois Education for Employment (EFE) System #150, also known as CEANCI (Career Education Associates of North Central Illinois), provides support to 184 CTE (CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION) programs in our region. With that said, serving more than 130 CTE teachers and their 11,000 students in 14 secondary schools is a tremendous honor. As a former secondary CTE teacher in the Boone-Winnebago County Region, I have personally seen the positive impact on students and their futures when schools use current software and equipment to meet industry technical and professional standards, and when teachers get students involved in career-based projects and work. So, being a part of that support delivery system for students is huge. Even as they enter primary school, students are thinking about what they want to be when they grow up. Then, as they are guided through middle and high school, educators get to supply some road maps—the how to get where they’re going. As the poet Yeats said, “Education is not the filling of a bucket, but the lighting of a fire.” When teachers see kids ignited by big goals for their own futures, it is profoundly rewarding. When local businesses support educators, our whole community thrives long-term on a homegrown workforce. Supporting CTE teachers as they spark a student’s blazing pursuit of a career is our goal at CEANCI. The local, state, and federal grant framework that we manage guides our students through invaluable experiences in and out of their classrooms through site visits, industry certifications, and job shadows. And the connections and resources we help provide lead them to straightforward training paths, prepare them for enriching internships, and help secure for them living-wage careers in our community. As CEANCI transitions to new leadership, our team is excited to explore new career exploration events, simulations, competitions, and professional experiences for students. CTE teachers will continue to receive beneficial professional training and experiences as we connect them with our industry partners, creating a collaborative network to sustain our community’s economy and livelihood. Connect with CEANCI today to learn how you can be a part of shaping our community’s future. |