Areas of Expertise

	The Vocational and Technical Administrators’ Leadership Academy is an exciting leadership initiative for all career and technical administrators. James E. Sardin, Associate State Superintendent, paved the way for this initiative by charging the Office of Vocational Education and Workforce Development (OVE&WD) and the Research and Curriculum Unit (RCU) to partner with The National Career and Technology Center at Ohio State University and the Southern Regional Education Board to begin the creation of the Vocational and Technical Administrators’ Leadership Academy. This professional development experience is a comprehensive, ongoing program designed specifically for career and technical administrators.
	The Mississippi Department of Education, along with the Research and Curriculum Unit, worked together to provide professional development opportunities for all Mississippi career and technical educators. These workshop opportunities have been designed to meet state and national standards.
	The Exemplary Teaching Program is designed to elevate the quality of teaching and learning in career and technical programs, identify exemplars for replication, increase visibility of programs, and provide a statewide network of support. This program supports the overarching goal of the Office of Vocational Education and Workforce Development to improve student achievement, course completion, and placement.
	Online Professional Development is an opportunity for ALL Mississippi Educators to receive Continuing Education Units through online delivery. Sessions include a wide variety of topics, including technology-based training, classroom management, and strategies for improving professional practice. Each session is developed and delivered by a C.O.O.L. (Certification Of Online Learning) graduate. These sessions are not open entry, open exit, but are interactive, facilitator-led sessions. All sessions are aligned with National Staff Development Council (NSDC) and Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) e-learning standards.
	The Vocational Instructor Preparation (VIP) Program is a systematic approach to the induction of new career and technical teachers/instructors into the teaching profession. It is designed to assure that these new teachers achieve their potential during the period of special licensure – up to three years of initial employment of non-degree and non-education degree career and technical teachers.