Techniques September 2012 - 29

CareerTech VISION 2012— Advocacy/Partnerships

The Influence of a Teacher
By Rep. Amy Carter I have the extraordinary opportunity to wear two hats—serving as a state representative and as a CTAE teacher at Lowndes High School (LHS). Have you ever thought about taking your teaching experience to a new level by running for office? Have I told you I am the only active public school teacher serving in the Georgia General Assembly (out of 236 members)? During my presentation at VISION 2012, I will highlight how each ACTE state association needs to encourage its members to run for office at the local, state or federal level. I will discuss my election to the Georgia State House of Representatives as a CTAE teacher in 2006. In my years of service, I have been afforded tremendous opportunities like recently being tapped by current Georgia Governor Nathan Deal

to be one of his administration floor leaders, while also serving as a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee which determines how all funding (including education funds) is allocated and spent. I will bring the classroom and legislative components together for an informative and hopefully inspirational session. Our multifaceted approach of promoting CTAE to local media, school boards, local elected officials, all the way to the state and nation’s capitols, helps to keep CTAE in the forefront of our policymakers’ minds and also garners public support of our programs. With the winds of change all around us on the local, state and federal levels, GACTE remains consistent and focused in communicating the need to keep our programs alive and thriving for the future of our great state. We welcome you to Atlanta in November!

Matthew Gambill serves as GACTE’s executive director and advocate on behalf of CTAE. Most recently, Georgia Trend magazine recognized Gambill as one of its prestigious “40 Under 40” influential Georgians. Matthew can be reached at mhgambill@bellsouth.net. Lynne Wilson is the director of CTAE and public relations for Lowndes County Schools, with a background in business education and work-based learning. She can be reached at lynne.wilson@lowndes.k12.ga.us. Rep. Amy Carter is the teaching-as-aprofession coordinator at Lowndes High School and serves as a state representative in the Georgia General Assembly. Amy also serves as the governor's floor leader. She can be reached at acarter@lowndes.k12.ga.us.

Matthew Gambill, Lynne Wilson and Rep. Amy Carter will be presenting the 1-hour Idea Lab, “Capitol Hill 101—Georgia Strategies” at CareerTech VISION 2012. For more programming information, visit www. careertechvision.com.

Social_Media_TECH_Ad_2012.indd 1 www.acteonline.org

September 2012

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Techniques September 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Techniques September 2012
