The Oklahoma Association of Career and Technology Education (OkACTE) presented Oklahoma State Senator Roger Thompson with the Distinguished Service award at their 51st annual Oklahoma CareerTech Summer Conference earlier this month.
Senator Thompson was recognized for his efforts to improve, promote and develop CareerTech statewide. He was instrumental in making sure CareerTech educators were included in the statewide public school teacher pay increase last spring. His support and advocacy work allows students across the state to continue to pursue top-tier training programs that will improve their lives and their communities.
“Senator Thompson is a longtime advocate for CareerTech, and we are extremely grateful for his ongoing support,” OkACTE Executive Director Skye McNiel said. “He understands that a strong CareerTech system is key to building a highly-qualified workforce. His dedication to the success of Oklahoma’s students will have lasting positive effects on our state.”
Sen. Roger Thompson was elected to the Oklahoma State Senate in November 2014. He represents Senate District 8, which is comprised of Okmulgee and McIntosh counties, and parts of Okfuskee and Muskogee counties. Thompson will serve as the next chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. He is the current president of the Okemah Community Improvement Association (CIA) and serves as an economic development consultant for businesses and municipalities.
“I’m humbled and honored to receive the Distinguished Service Award from OkACTE,” Thompson said. “A highly qualified workforce is vital to ensuring Oklahoma’s economy continues to grow and thrive, and our excellent CareerTech system provides programs that respond to our state’s diverse industry needs. I’m proud to support CareerTech as they fulfill their mission to educate and train Oklahomans throughout the state.”
About OkACTE
OkACTE is the professional association for the state’s CareerTech administrators, teachers and staff members. ODCTE provides leadership and resources to the CareerTech System of nearly 400 public school districts, 29 technology centers with 58 campus sites, 13 skills centers in correctional facilities and 28 adult learning centers with 52 sites.
For more information about Oklahoma Association for Career and Technology Education, visit www.OkACTE.org. For more information about Oklahoma CareerTech, visitwww.okcareertech.org.