Celebrating CTE Month!

Hi Illinois DECA, it’s Francisco Soto from the Illinois DECA Rising Leaders Team, sharing how Illinois DECA members can celebrate CTE Month. 

February is Career and Technical Education Month. CTE Month is a public awareness campaign that happens every February to celebrate the achievements of CTE programs across the country! DECA and CTE go hand-in-hand. While CTE teaches the skills and knowledge students need for careers in business, marketing, and finance, DECA gives students the chance to apply those skills through competitions. Together, they prepare students to succeed in college, careers, and beyond!

CTE programs help students explore career pathways, gain real-world experience, and build skills that employers and colleges value.

So how can you celebrate CTE Month?

1. Advocate for CTE

Advocacy is a crucial part to secure the future of CTE. Talk to your classmates, parents, and community members about the impact of CTE programs. 

2. Use Your Platforms

Use social media to celebrate CTE month! Share posts, photos, or videos highlighting CTE and DECA experiences from your school. 

3. Share Impact Stories

Sharing the impact CTE and DECA have is really important and could inspire many. Highlight how CTE and DECA have impacted you and your fellow chapter members!

4. Thank Your CTE Teachers and DECA Advisors

Teachers and advisors are the core of CTE and DECA. Show your appreciation through thank-you notes and shoutouts to recognize their hard work in supporting your growth. 

5. Collaborate with other CTSOs

Share the impact of CTE alongside other CTSOs in your school, like HOSA, SkillsUSA, and FCCLA, to spread awareness on a broader scale.

CTE programs can make a real difference for students by providing the opportunity to learn skills that could be used in the future. Through CTSOs like DECA, students get to apply what they have learned through competitions, leadership experiences, and more!

CTE Month is a great time to celebrate the opportunities and skills that CTE programs and DECA provide. By advocating and sharing your stories, you can help inspire others and secure the future of CTE!