Technological and Educational Learning Gets a Boost From CTE

Apr 17

Written By Columbia Community Connection

From Columbia Gorge STEM Hub:

The Dalles, Ore., April 17, 2025 — The inaugural Career and Technical Education (CTE) Regional Advisory Committee meeting was successfully held on March 13th, bringing together a diverse group of educators, industry leaders, and community partners to strengthen connections between education and workforce development.

The event was spearheaded by programs of the Columbia Gorge Education Service District— Columbia Gorge STEM Hub and Department of Education & Innovation—with support from the High Desert Education Service District.

The event saw an impressive turnout of 51 attendees, including 26 regional CTE educators, 3 high school administrators, and 25 industry and community partners. Hosted at The Dalles High School, the meeting served as a platform for meaningful discussions on enhancing career pathways and hands-on learning opportunities for students across the region.

“We were thrilled to see such a strong and engaged group come together to support CTE programs and student success,” said Kate Wurster, Career Connected Learning Coordinator at the Columbia Gorge STEM Hub. “This collaboration is key to ensuring our students gain the skills and experiences they need to thrive in today’s workforce.”

A Night of Recognition and Collaboration

Leah & Brook - CTE New Teacher of the Year

A special acknowledgement goes to Kurt Evans, Principal of The Dalles High School, for hosting and kicking off the meeting, and to The Dalles High School students, who served as tour guides, welcoming guests at the start of the evening.

We were proud to recognize Leah Ferguson, The Dalles High School Graphic Arts CTE Teacher, for her nomination as Oregon’s ACTE New CTE Teacher of the Year—an honor that highlights her dedication to career and technical education.

The event featured insightful presentations from:

Brook Rich, CTE Regional Coordinator, High Desert Education Service District
Mauree Donahue Revier, Columbia Gorge Education Service District
Kristyn Fix & Jennifer Graham, East Cascades Works
Mike Moreno, Youth Compass Program, Columbia Gorge Community College
Lisa Farquharson, The Dalles Chamber

These speakers provided valuable insights on workforce trends, regional economic needs, and strategies for connecting students with real-world learning experiences. In industry-specific groups, educators, industry, and community partners collaborated to identify existing and untapped resources, address key barriers, and define strategic priorities for strengthening career-connected learning and expanding work-based opportunities in the region. Looking Ahead: Strengthening Industry-Education Partnerships

The energy and enthusiasm from the evening have set the stage for continued collaboration. The next CTE Regional Advisory Committee convening is planned for Fall 2024 at Hood River Valley High School (date and time frame TBD).

The successful launch of the CTE Regional Advisory Committee marks a significant step toward building stronger career pathways for students in our region, empowering them with the skills and experiences needed for future success.

Get Involved!

If you are an industry partner interested in engaging with local educators and students, we invite you to complete this online form and be part of shaping the future workforce.

For more information, please contact Kate Wurster, Columbia Gorge STEM Hub at kwurster@cgesd.k12.or.us.

Columbia Gorge STEM Hub is a department of Columbia Gorge Education Service District. To learn more about the STEM Hub’s work in our region visit: www.gorgestem.org.