CMS CTE Newsletter

Wednesday, September 16 was a monumental step forward for our students! Over 250 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools girls from STEM-focused schools and Corridors of Opportunity attended the inaugural InnovateHER Charlotte Event at the Spectrum Center in Uptown Charlotte.

Partnering with the City of Charlotte, our students engaged in an extraordinary workforce development experience featuring:

• Interactive, hands-on STEM experiments and technical workshops.

• Direct networking with local tech employers and female industry trailblazers.

• Inspiring panel discussions on leadership and tech pathways.

As City of Charlotte Chief Information Officer Markell Storay highlighted, "Innovation is not just about technology; it is about people, opportunity and making sure the next generation can see themselves in the future we are building."

In an era where headlines frequently lament severe teacher shortages and the exodus of seasoned professionals from the classroom, education can often feel like a lost profession. Finding passionate, dedicated individuals willing to step into the role of an educator has become an uphill battle for school districts nationwide. Yet, amid these modern challenges, the Third Annual Aspiring Educators Summit at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC) served as a powerful reminder that the heart of teaching is still very much alive.

Throughout the day, these future teacher leaders immersed themselves in dynamic breakout sessions designed to prepare them for the realities and rewards of modern education. Discussions spanned from honest panel sessions like "What Is It Really Like to Be a Teacher?" to practical skill-building workshops on discovering personal leadership styles and crafting a strong professional persona. Attendees explored the power of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), learned how to maximize their impact in the classroom, and even delved into cutting-edge topics like integrating artificial intelligence into future elementary, middle, and secondary classrooms.

Oct 3-English Learner Family Academic Symposium

Inviting our Multi Language Families to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools English Learner Family Academic Symposium (ELFAS) on October 3, 2026, at Garinger High School.

Families will find Information about programs including Career Technical Education, free resources, parent workshops, cultural celebrations and activities. English Flyer. Here is the link to the translated flyers.

Link to event flyer

Oct 13-8th Grade Day In the Life-Central Piedmont:

8th Grade Day in the Life at Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) takes place on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. This immersive event hosts 8th-grade Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) students across CPCC campuses to give them a real preview of high school career pathways, college life, and dual-enrollment options.

Link to event flyer

Oct 30-Aero Xperience-Monica Meadows and Aviation-Park Expo.

Aero Xperience-Aviation in Action, powered by Piedmont Airlines takes place on Friday, October 30, 206. This free hands-on event introduces students and educators to the world of aviation and aerospace careers.

Great things happen when dedication meets opportunity!

Earlier this year, Providence Career and Technical Education (CTE) Educator Michelle Edens applied for a grant through the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission—an organization dedicated to funding projects that boost farm income, foster agricultural innovation, strengthen rural infrastructure, and empower farmer education.

Ms. Edens put together an outstanding proposal and was awarded the $7,800 FFA Tobacco Trust Grant. This award marks a major milestone for the expansion of the Providence Agriculture & Horticulture program, setting the foundation for hands-on agricultural learning through Phase 1 fencing.

A massive congratulations to Ms. Edens and the entire Providence Ag & Hort team for their hard work and commitment to expanding opportunities for our students!

Our CTE programs don't just teach; they prepare students for the real world. That success is driven by our CTE Advisory Board, a dedicated coalition of local business executives, seasoned educators, and community leaders.

Together, these industry experts work behind the scenes to review our curriculum, upgrade our lab technology, and align our classroom training with high-demand, high-wage careers. By bridging the gap between education and industry, our board ensures every student graduates with the competitive, real-world skills regional employers are actively looking for.