Connecting for Success Conference SAVE THE DATE: June 23-27, 2025 Connecting for Success is the premier professional development conference for vocational, technical, and agricultural educators in Massachusetts. This year’s conference will be June 23-26, 2025, at Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School in Marlborough. This includes the pre-conference on June 23-24 and the main conference … Read more

Friends of Vocational Technical & Agricultural Education, This morning our Executive Director shared this terrific message: The “Boston Globe” today published a front-page article titled: “Something to build upon: Increasingly popular vocational schools look to the state for help to grow.” The piece, written by Christopher Huffaker, highlights the growing popularity of voc-tech education and … Read more

Oct Colleagues, We are always excited to share good news when a Chapter 74 vocational technical student uses their skills to win a contest. A Bristol-Plymouth junior captured the City of Taunton Lights On Festival Logo Contest. MAVA extends its congratulations to Jake Aumock and wishes him continued success. David Bristol-Plymouth Tech Student Wins Lights … Read more

Friends of Vocational Technical & Agricultural Education, Although we were all aware….this official announcement marks an era of consummate statewide and national leadership…. Best wishes and thank you Mike from all of us. David Blackstone Valley Tech needs a superintendent for the first time in 31 years. Tom Benoit The Milford Daily News UPTON — … Read more

Friends of Vocational Technical & Agricultural Education, Let me begin with an apology. Ray Budd, now a junior studying arboriculture at Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School, wrote this amazing piece last Spring. It was published in a national trade magazine but unfortunately I failed to share it when it was first published in … Read more

MAVA Leaders … We just received this wonderful picture from Karen Ward, Executive Director of SkillsUSA Massachusetts. It shows our SkillsUSA state officers heading to the Leadership Training Institute in Washington, D.C. As we have in past years, MAVA is helping to fund the trip. Karen and the officers are very appreciative. At some point, … Read more

Colleagues, Good news to share from Greater Lowell Technical High School as it is expanding its Early College partnership with UMass Lowell (UML) through the Commonwealth Collegiate Academy (CCA). Superintendent-Director Jill Davis praised the partnership, stating, “This initiative perfectly aligns with our mission of providing a 2-in-1 education, paving the way for career and college … Read more

MAVA Colleagues, No surprises in this recent survey. Students need to be engaged in their learning . Interesting comments are highlighted. David Do Students Think What They’re Learning Matters? What a new survey shows about Gen Z students, their outlook for the future, and how engaged they are at school <![if !vml]><![endif]> By Caitlynn Peetz … Read more

Friends of Vocational Technical & Agricultural Education, Students from Shawsheen Valley Technical High School returned from the SkillsUSA National Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, with exceptional accomplishments, marking a historic milestone for both the school and the state of Massachusetts. Senior Cole Kelley made history by securing his third consecutive gold medal in the HVACR competition, … Read more

Friends of Vocational Technical & Agricultural Education, We are pleased to share this exciting partnership developed by a Chapter 74 vocational technical school’s Adult Education Program. These collaborations, at Shawsheen Valley Tech in Billerica, respond to the growing demand for skilled professionals and designed to address workforce shortages in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Municipal … Read more

Friends of Vocational Technical Education, It is our sincere pleasure to share a message from Karen Ward, Executive Director of SkillsUSA Massachusetts. We are proud to share an incredible announcement, “the release of our inaugural annual report, a significant milestone for our organization! This report aims to highlight our achievements over the past year, celebrate … Read more

MAVA Colleagues, This morning, I had the pleasure to watch the panel session from Harvard’s Emerging School Models entitled “What policies are needed for CTE to work?” The panel included Shaun Dougherty (Boston College), Mikko Silliman (Aalto University, Finland), & Jamie Gass (Pioneer Institute). It was very well done, and Jamie Gass was outstanding in … Read more

Time to Enroll in Leadership Academy ONE Colleagues, The future is now!!! We are most excited to announce that now is the time to enroll your future leaders in Leadership Academy ONE. This Academy is an intensive course that encompasses all aspects of leadership and organizational behavior within CTE. Academy Coordinator Kathy Conole will again … Read more

MAVA Colleagues, We are pleased to share this information concerning a conference this week at the Harvard University Kennedy School. It certainly is not common for CTE to be discussed at a Harvard conference, but it will be on Friday morning. The two-day conference, which is completed sold out, is entitled “Emerging School Models”. Our … Read more

Colleagues, It is common for Chapter 74 vocational technical & agricultural schools to open their doors in service to their communities. We are pleased to share wonderful news from Greater Lowell Technical High School. Police Chief Richard Howe, Fire Chief Wes Russell, and Superintendent Jill Davis report that the Tyngsborough Police and Fire Departments partnered … Read more

Colleagues, Some interesting facts were included on this piece on school choice. “Currently, three high schools, Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy, Central High School and Duggan Academy are the most popular, and both Putnam and Duggan have a wait list this year.” “But it still worries School Committee members, especially since there are not … Read more

Colleagues, Most interesting Cooperative Education experience for a Blackstone Valley Tech Senior! David Mentoring the Next Generation of Tradesperson Sound the Alarm! August 7, 2024 There is an alluring to a fire. It’s cozy, warm, and inviting on a cool fall evening. But a fire can occur unexpectedly and escalate rapidly. When it does, a … Read more

Colleagues, Good news to share from Greater Lowell Technical High School as $500 scholarships and tools were awarded to six students who have worked collaboratively with the “Officer Sean A. Collier Memorial Fund”. David R for Police, Greater Lowell Technical High School Students Receive Scholarships from the Officer Sean A. Collier Memorial Fund August 22, … Read more

Friends of Vocational Technical & Agricultural Education, Very interesting piece from today’s “Contrarian Boston”. Please take a moment to read this piece written by David Mancuso, President of Mancuso Communication Strategies. “More than 8,000 aspiring electricians, plumbers, nurses, and other students want to attend state’s vocational high schools, but can’t, due to a shortage of … Read more

Friends of Vocational Technical & Agricultural Education, We are please to share some excellent news from Worcester which has expanded access to Chapter 74 vocational technical programs. A major issue statewide is the lack of available seats to expand the enrollment and to reduce waiting lists nearly every everywhere in the Commonwealth. Worcester is no … Read more

Colleagues, Blue Hills Regional Technical School welcomes a new four-legged member to their community, Luca the Comfort Dog. He will be found on campus this upcoming school year to help put smiles on students’ faces. David Police, Comfort Dog Luca Brings Positivity to Blue Hills Tech August 13, 2024 Elizabeth Kalaijian / John Guilfoil Public … Read more

Friends of Vocational Technical & Agricultural Education, Very interesting editorial from the Sentinel & Enterprise. This legislation would upend vocational school admissions that have been part of Chapter 74 admissions for decades. Please note that despite the information below this bill is not dead. Some quotes from the editorial: “Absent the construction of additional vocational … Read more

Colleagues, We are most pleased to share this terrific story from Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech, as graduates return to teach at their vocational technical high school. David Once a student, now a teacher. Who’s new, and who is back at Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech Kathryn Gallerani The Standard-Times On Tuesday, Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational … Read more

From Your Friends at MAVA On Labor Day, we pause to recognize the proud hands, backs, and brainpower of our Nation’s workforce that has built this great country. As vocational technical & agricultural educators, we enthusiastically train the workforce of tomorrow and assist in the growth of the Massachusetts economy. With a new school year … Read more

MAVA Members, We are pleased to share this announcement from Sheila Harrity, MAVA Extended Campus Program Coordinator. The fall semester starts the week of September 16th. Please assist us by forwarding this notice to all members of your professional staff. Much appreciated!! David Course List for the Fall 2024 Extended Campus (Cohort) Posted The MAVA … Read more