Sessions of 2025 Summer Conference: Genna Adams
Mrs. Adams, Genna
Education Professions Instructor
Valley Academy for Career & Technology Education (VACTE)
My name is Genna Adams. I am a dedicated educator with over forty years of diverse experience in the field. I've held various roles, including teaching in grades K-12, curriculum development, administrative work, and program development. Throughout my career, I have consistently sought innovative practices that deliver desired outcomes. I have mentored many teachers and remain passionate about coaching them to develop effective skills in the classroom. In my current role at Verde Academy for Career Technology Education, I have nineteen dual-enrolled high school students. I teach seven courses in person and one course online. My students participate in classroom curriculum days, which are combined with practicum assignments at a local elementary school in the Verde Valley. Through this model, I've observed young students who aspire to be future teachers demonstrating effective skills in their assigned classrooms. The partnership between in-school learning and interactive hands-on experiences in the schools is developing educators who are well-equipped to teach. I am passionate about identifying effective pathways to develop teachers within our local communities who possess both the desire and the skills to enter classrooms fully prepared to address the challenges present in today’s educational environment. Teachers play a crucial role in our society and significantly impact every student who sits in their classroom. With my extensive experience in education and four decades of observing various trends and techniques that have come and gone, I remain hopeful that new models may pave the way for encouraging more individuals to pursue careers in education.
Sessions:
Education Professions - A Pathway to Certification
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Loews Ventana Canyon
- Administration
- Education and Training
The Ed Professions program at VACTE is a great model for integrating classroom instruction with practical experience. Students participate in weekly practicum assignments in local schools, lead small groups, and teach lessons while being mentored by highly effective teachers, and have the opportunity to earn college credits. This session provides insights into starting a similar program, focusing on partnerships with school districts, detailed practicum structures, and mentorship, and is ideal for CTE administrators and educators looking to build or enhance Ed Professions programs.
Successful Education Professions Program Using Mentor Teachers and Weekly Practicums
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Westin La Paloma
- Education and Training
The Ed Professions Program at VACTE is a unique model which has had a tremendous success in producing educators to past three years. The classroom coursework and school practicum assignments have been particularly noteworthy. In the face of the significant challenges the education sector faces in promoting and retaining teachers, it is crucial to address these issues now with great mentorship teachers from local school leading the practicums. The program is dual enrolled, and the students earn up to 12 college credits in education each year.
