TEA Approved CPE Provider #902-548
TDLR Continuing Education Provider #2098
Foundation for Advancement of Career & Technical Education Inc.
Career & Technical Education Content Area Expert Directors
We are proud to introduce our Career and Technical Education Content Area Expert Board of Directors. These professionals bring many years of experience to our organization. They can share their stories of success. Equally important, they can share their stories of failure. In the words of C.S. Lewis, "“Failures are finger posts on the road to achievement.” It's through these successes and failures that our C.A.E. Directors will assist you in providing opportunities of success for your students. They are available to answer questions, mentor new teachers and are responsible for gathering information from our members regarding their need for innovative, quality professional development in their respective career cluster or area of expertise. If your school is in need of a consultant in their area of expertise, we encourage you to submit a consulting survey. Upon receipt of this survey, we will examine your needs and be in touch with our recommendations, and if needed, a plan for an onsite visit.
Architecture & Construction
FCT Education is grateful for the support and guidance of Mr. Cotten! The CAE Board Member position for Architecture & Construction will be available in July of 2018. Do you know someone who would be willing to serve on the board of FACT Ed? Perhaps you yourself are interested! Please, submit nominations here. Feel free to nominate yourself!
Business Administration
Mrs. Renda Songer is currently serving as the Executive Director of F.A.C.T. Education and as a Career & Technical Education Consultant. Her background includes 20 plus years as a small business owner in both the restaurant and cosmetology industry. She firmly believes that one of the most important keys to success is asking yourself how you can serve others. During her time as a full time High School CTE Teacher, she instilled this virtue in her students leading by example. Renda will tell you that that serving as a SkillsUSA Advisor was the very best part of her job. She was able to witness first hand the impact the organization had in the life of her students. She holds a Texas Cosmetology Operator Instructor License, an AAS in Cosmetology from Navarro College, an AS in General Studies from Navarro College, a BA in Business Administration and is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Public Administration at Tarleton State University. If you would like to reach out to her, please click on her name to send an email or fill out our consulting survey and we will put you in touch with her as soon as possible.
Career & Technical Student Organizations
Mr. Tommy Spence is an Automotive Instructor and SkillsUSA Advisor at Seminole High School in Seminole, Texas. Tommy is a product of career and technical education, holding an AS in Automotive Technology from Universal Technical Institute followed by completing his Teacher Certification at Wayland Baptist University. He has advised some pretty remarkable SkillsUSA student members with successes at the District, State & National Level including a SkillsUSA National Silver Medal for Secondary in Community Service. Tommy was recently elected to the SkillsUSA Texas State Board of Directors for his Region. His heart of service and passion for delivering the employability skills that his students need to be successful in any career pathway make him an excellent member of out CAE Board of Directors. He is available to assist new teachers as they become involved in the Career and Technical Student Organization experience and will be heading up our professional development training in the area of SkillsUSA as the premiere choice for CTSO's. If you would like to reach out to Tommy, click on his name to send an email or fill out the consulting survey and we will be happy to put you in touch with him.
Health Science
FACT Education is GROWING! We are interested in adding a CAE board position for Health Science in July of 2018. Do you know someone who would be willing to serve on the board of FACT Ed? Perhaps you yourself are interested! Please, submit nominations here. Feel free to nominate yourself!
Hospitality & Tourism; Culinary
FACT Education is GROWING! We are interested in adding a CAE board position for Hospitality, Tourism, & Culinary Arts in July of 2018. Do you know someone who would be willing to serve on the board of FACT Ed? Perhaps you yourself are interested! Please, submit nominations here. Feel free to nominate yourself!
Human Services
Mr. Eloy Reyna in an enthusiastic and innovative Cosmetology Instructor who works for Victoria ISD. Additionally, he serves as the President of Texas Cosmetology Educators, He believes in the ability of career and technical education to have a positive impact in the lives of all students. During the school day, you will find Mr. Reyna energetically teaching his students cosmetology skills because he knows that's the hook that put his students in front of him. However, his approach to really reaching his students and impacting their lives is through building relationships to inspire them to become self-confident, productive and successful professionals in any industry. In his free time, you will find Eloy out mentoring to new teachers and learning new skills himself. He has a life-long love of learning that serves to not only inspire his students, but other teachers as well. If you would like to reach out to Eloy, click on his name to send him an email or fill out the F.A.C.T. Education consulting survey and we will be happy to put you in touch with him.
Information Technology
Mr. Jake Mickley is employed an an Engineer for ATD & MEG Global in the Supporting Engineering Operations for McAfee. Jake lives in St.Paul, Minnesota with his family, however many of you may recognize him from the State SkillsUSA Texas Contest where he has served as a judge for Information Technology Contests. He is a determined security professional with years of support, security, troubleshooting, and mentoring experience within information technology. He holds a degree in Network Management from Minneapolis Business College and has proven ability to accurately troubleshoot and resolve networking, configuration, efficiency, and security issues in a timely manner. Additionally his in-depth knowledge of the threat life-cycle including prevention, detection, and correction by aligning and integrating a variety of applications to cover perimeter and end-point devices. Jake definitely has the heart of an educator and brings great insight about the needs of the Information Technology industry with regard to the desired skills of future employees and the need to bridge the skills gap. We are thrilled to have him on board. If you would like to reach out to Jake, click on his name to send him an email or fill out the F.A.C.T. Education consulting survey and we will be happy to put you in touch with him.
Law, Public Safety & Corrections
Mr. Justin Harper works as a Law Enforcement Instructor at Grand Prairie High School in Grand Prairie, Texas. Most of his background is in Law Enforcement, and some dabbling in Corrections and Security. Has been a Department Chair for 2 years and oversees all of CTE at his campus. He was previously employed with Irving Independent School District for 10 years as the lead Law Enforcement Instructor and Department Chair as well. He has previously been employed with Washington County Sheriff’s Office Fayetteville, Arkansas as a Deputy in the County Jail, Dallas University in Irving Texas as a Security Officer, Arlington Police Department (4 Years), Lake Worth Police Department (1 Year), Venus Police Department (Reserve Police Officer – 9 Years) and currently works for Blue Mound Police Department (Reserve Police Officer – 5 Years). At these agencies, he has worked as a patrol officer. While he was employed with Irving ISD and Grand Prairie ISD, he has been asked to be on TEKS Review Committee, Textbook Review Committee, has written Curriculum and TEKS for Forensic Science, Criminal Investigations, Disaster Response and Juvenile Justice, and teaches the new CTE Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security teachers for TEA. He has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Criminal Justice and a Minor in Sociology from Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri. He is an advisor for Texas Public Service Association, SkillsUSA, Texas and for Grand Prairie Police Department Police Explorers Post #342. If you would like to reach out to Jake, click on his name to send him an email or fill out the F.A.C.T. Education consulting survey and we will be happy to put you in touch with him.
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM)
FACT Education is grateful for the support and guidance of Ms. Lawrence! The CAE Board Member position for STEM will be available in July of 2018. Do you know someone who would be willing to serve on the board of FACT Ed? Perhaps you yourself are interested! Please, submit nominations here. Feel free to nominate yourself!
Transportation, Distribution, Logistics & Robotics
Mr. Eddy Parker is an Automotive & Diesel Technology and Robotics Teacher at Comanche High School in Comanche, Texas. He is certified in ASE Automobile & Medium Heavy Truck, Forklift Operation and Safety Operations. Prior to answering the call to teach career & technical education, he was employed as the General Manager & Safety Director for Gore Incorporated. Eddy holds a degree in Business Administration - Management & Operations and received his teaching certificate through Wayland Baptist University. Eddy serves CTE and his community in many different ways; previously he has served with the Comanche Chamber of Commerce as Vice President and President, he is a member of the Kiwanis, Comanche Noon Lions Club, Comanche Country Car Club, Comanche County Historical Museum, just to name a few. Additionally, he is the SkillsUSA Texas District 10 Director and a SkillsUSA Advisor for his campus where he has coached successful SkillsUSA student members to positions of District Officers and successful competitions at the district, state and national level. Eddy also serves as a Coach for BEST Robotics and engineering events for the Science Olympiad Team. The amount of knowledge Eddy possesses makes him an ideal CAE Director for Transportation, Distribution, Logistics and Robotics. His proven leadership abilities also provide F.A.C.T. Education with great leadership, as he also serves as the President of our non-profit organization. If you would like to reach out to Eddy, click on his name to send him an email or fill out the F.A.C.T. Education consulting survey and we will be happy to put you in touch with him.