TAFE State Historian, Grace Carnes attended the Capitol Leadership Day in Austin on Thursday, January 31 with the Texas Association of Future Educators. She paired up with other CTSO state officers to advocate for CTE while visiting state legislators. Grace had dinner with Donna Bahorich, the Chair of the State Board of Education, and discussed the current issues and plans for education. She also met with the Texas Department of Agriculture to talk about how to get produce from local farmers to be served in the school cafeterias. The TDA also talked about programs offered in communities that affect infants to adults, scholarship opportunities, and career options that directly involve education and the school system. Grace attended a general session at the TEA office, on Friday where they recognized February as Career and Technical Education Month in Texas.

“This was an amazing opportunity that allowed me to grow my education and meet some amazing new people,” said Carnes. “Getting to advocate for the importance of education and future educators was a once in a life time chance that could impact how legislatures and many others view the importance of education.”

Carnes will travel to the 35th Annual ‘Teach Tomorrow Summit’ in Allen Texas, Feb. 28 through March 2. She will help host the conference with the other State Officers as her TAFE State qualifiers compete.