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updated 06-30-10

President’s Message
Linda Padgett

     A year in review...  We make plans for many things, graduation, weddings, and family reunions. If you have ever been the one in charge, you know the gamete of emotions that you can experience. You plan, rearrange, rush, lose sleep, and anguish over all the details. When the moment of the occasion arises, you breathe a sigh of relief, blink your eyes, and the months of preparation come to fruition. In a few days, a day, several hours, or depending on the occasion, just forty five minutes, the event has come and gone. Along the way, you learn with each new task.  The next time the planning of a monumental occasion presents itself, you are better prepared. You use what you learned from the first time. Serving as your SCACTE president has many similarities to this scenario.

     During my year as president elect, I was charged with assisting in the planning of the EBS for the year 2012. My specific task was to ensure the division day agendas were submitted in a timely manner to the SC DOE Ed Associate, who at that time was Wofford O’Sullivan. There were months of planning, meetings in Columbia, and many conversations by phone, emails, and text. I know we are told to be anxious for nothing, but as the deadline approached, I was anxious! Through the teamwork of division president elects, presidents, and involved SCACTE members, we were able to have ALL division day agendas in to Wofford on or before the due date.

    The opening day of EBS 2012 came. The summit was a success, not to mention that the division days were phenomenal! The multi day program went off without a hitch and all those in attendance benefited. I breathed a sigh of relief that my small part was successful and completed. In addition to these duties, throughout the year, I participated in the Region II Conference in Asheville, N.C., aided in representing SC at the ACTE Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, and, for the first time, “climbed the hill” with many others from SC at the National Policy Seminar in Washington, DC. There was networking with officers from other states, and dinners in Columbia with our SC representatives and business partners. I was fortunate to be encouraged to enroll in a two year long class sponsored by ACTE. I attended my first session in St. Louis, Missouri and my second session in Washington, DC. The class, for the emerging leader, aided me in the development of my leadership skills. I learned how important and strong the connection is between the states in our region, that flying alone is really okay, and that secure check points are no joke in Washington! I blinked, and my year as president –elect had come to a close.

Even before assuming the role of president, I began to work on the SCACTE strategic plan. This plan was submitted and approved by the SCACTE board. Our team of officers began to address each item, one by one. I was charged with developing the schedule for the 2012-2013 SCACTE board meetings. This sounds like a small feat, except having to take into consideration all the other activities of the year. I repeated some of the same activities I had participated in the year before, a little less anxious this time. There were meetings in preparation for hosting the Region II Conference in Greenville, SC. I contacted many businesses to secure donations, but received none.  As the first day of the conference arrived, I helped to assemble goodies bags for attendees. I assisted with the setup and clean up at the welcome reception. I worked as a team member to ensure projectors and laptops were available for our speakers. We blinked… and the conference was over. Our officer team represented SC at Vision 2012 in Atlanta, Ga., privileged to attend the Region II policy committee meeting. I also completed session three of the leadership class. While in DC, I completed the leadership training and received my certificate. Once again, we “climbed the hill” at the National Policy Seminar in Washington, DC. Having learned from my previous experience, this time I wore more comfortable shoes and paced myself a little better.

     This year, 2012-2013, our SCACTE executive team has been more focused on our membership. Through the efforts of the each member of the executive team, we have been able to “extend greetings” at many of the division conferences. We have spoken to new agriculture teachers and to DIRECT attendees. In sharing the message of SCACTE, our goal has been to forge a friendship with these new CTE teachers and encourage potential members.  Once again, there have been lots of emails, texts, phone calls, and letters exchanged. I have learned SC is blessed with many talented educators, how to navigate the subway a little better in both Atlanta and Washington, and how to navigate rescheduling of a cancelled flight, pack my belongings in less than fifteen minutes, and be at the airport in under thirty!

    Wow! And now, as I blink, this year is coming to a close. What a journey, and what a learning experience!

    It is said that everything you do in life, each time you do something new, you have the opportunity to learn and grow. I have learned so much during my time in office. I have learned:

• You are never too busy to be kind (Thanks Wofford!)
• To plan better for any absences from class.
• My students, and my family, appreciate me when I return. Thanks!
• SC is blessed with many dedicated and devoted fellow CT educators.
• There is nothing that can’t be accomplished when dedicated people come together and combine their talents.
• Time flies when you get involved.
• Administration will support you if you take the initiative and ask. (Thanks Mrs.Y)
• Support of your family is vital to be successful! If your spouse needs clarification about the ways he or she can support you in your profession, please contact my very supportive husband Arlen or Ray’s “Boss”, Marcelle Boland.
• If you have a question about CTE in SC, ask Ray Boland … because he knows the answer.
• If you want sage advice and wisdom, talk to Kathy Bradford.
• If you need a mover and a shaker, contact Tammy Haile.
• If you want anything organized and all details addressed, solicit the assistance of Dr. Rick Kalk.
• If you want to have peace of mind that SCACTE is in good hands, speak to Dr. Johnny Murdaugh.

     On a personal note, I have grown because others took the time, encouraged me, and contributed to my development. I am a better educator, a better leader, and a better person because of each one who shared words of advice, moral support, or offered up a prayer.

     Dr. Murdaugh will assume the reigns as the president of SCACTE, and I will assume the duties of Past- President. I plan to do my best to be supportive and continue to grow as I complete my duties in this role. I will pull from all the experiences and knowledge I have gained over the past two years. I believe in career and technical education and I believe is SCACTE.  I am not crying because it is over, I am smiling because it happened.

Linda Padgett, SCACTE President

SCACTE Photo/Video Release Form

SCACTE Board Meeting
June 23, 2013 - 2:00 pm
TD Center Room 103, Greenville, SC

SCACTE Annual Business Meeting
June 25, 2013 - 4:30 pm
TD Center - Ballroom Classroom, Greenville, SC

Business Meeting Agenda