Professional Development
Testimonials:
Engaging, enlightening and practical.”
Phil Kudish
Dean at Cumberland County College
This stuff works. Our instructors want to do better and now I have tools to help them build a plan to achieve what they want.”
Roger Snow
VP of Instructional Services at Ogden-Weber Technical Colleges
What a refreshing session! Being in a room with like-minded professionals who want the best for their academies make me feel like I’m not alone. Knowing how to effectively communicate our purpose to families/community is the foundation of our success.”
Brittany Anderson
Coordinator at The Academy of Hospitality & Tourism/Frank W. Ballon HS
Greatly appreciate the Career Tree model and the step by step approach to building out a successful showcase model.”
Emily Carter
DCPS
Thank you for being an advocate for CTE. As a professional, I can see how it can produce change and directly affect the students’ success and outcomes.”
Samantha Tukey
Recruitment & Retention Specialist at Seacoast School of Technology
This session made me reflect on the career opportunities and how we market them at my HS and my district. I plan to create/recreate the professional skills rubric for my academy in preparation for Job Shadow Day & Internship Prep.”
Kourtney Purham
ADE Director at DC Public Schools, Dunbar HS
Mark’s energy and message are riveting!”
Kerrie Benning
Aspire Coordinator at Great Oaks Career Campuses
The entire session game me an idea for a system to set in place for recruiting and retention.”
Gary Carter
Career Academy Coordinator at Indianapolis Public Schools
Concepts are outstanding. Engaging and encouraging, enriching. Truly a remarkable and enjoyable learning experience.”
Anthony Haddard
Instructor at Cumberland County College
Re-energized our vision for CTE in our division.”
Bo Bundrick
Director of Career & Tech Ed at Louisa County Public Schools
Everything was outstanding!”
Brian Sarvello
CTE Director at Marquette-Alger Resa
Excellent strategies & techniques presented to reach Generations Y&Z.”
Joseph Caniglia
Associate Professor at Hudson County Community College
A lot of the psychological tips were way off my radar and super important to hear.”
Steve Donahue
Grant Director at Cumberland County College
It was actually affirming to learn more about my generation (I’m an “old” millennial). I felt immediately heard, which was energizing and helped with my own goal setting.”
Kim Halterman
Bedford Science & Technology Center/Bedford Co PS
I loved Mark’s energy. I believed his passion about his message.”
Michael Hawkins
Public Safety Program Coordinator at GVHSD
Mark’s comments hit the target of essential discussions needed in communities about CTE.”
Wayne Dorr
Student Services Coordinator at Bath Regional Career & Technical Center
Thank you for sharing your passion and your love for learners.”
Sharon Jacobsen
Dean of Business & Learning Support at Rak Valley College
The concept of hearing the branch creak…brilliant. I very much enjoyed your presentation. Being a millennial, I can relate to always asking why. You reminded me that this is a powerful driving force rather than an annoying question.”
Grady Bagwell
Math Teacher at Warren County Career Center
Wonderful presentation. Excited to go back and share this message with CTE staff members, teachers and leadership. Love the Career Trees to present careers and pathways to students and especially parents. I love all of the eye-opening “common sense” advice to strengthen our programs in a counterintuitive manner.”
Amanda Shively
Director of CTE at Glendale Union High School District #205
Practical ideas and thoughts.”
Mary Jo Self
Associate Professor at Oklahoma State University
Mark’s presentation caused me to think differently about my role as a CTE Admin. Most people don’t know what that is but they understand and embrace Workforce Developer!”
Kristina Truell
CTE Director at Hopewell City Public Schools
Give the students a reason to succeed and they will go further. One of the most inspirational and inspiring presentations that I have heard.”
Kevin Walker
CTE Dean at Dubiski Career High School
Loved the stats about skills gap, working on professional skills.”
Mary Kosirog
Instructional Supervisor CTE at Glenbrook North High School
Inspiring and relevant presentation on the important work and where we are as a country and the role CTE is playing.”
Dawn Hall
Instructional Supervisor at Glenbrook South
Mark has devoted his life’s work to changing the way our country perceives preparing our students for their life’s work, their career.”
Cindy Friedemann
EO, District Strategy, Economic Development at Metro Technology Centers
Best knowledge of generations I’ve heard.”
David Schuster
English Teacher at Warren County Career Center
Thank you Mr. Perna! You’ve motivated me to have a better outlook at a very depressing time on our district i.e. budget cuts & overcrowding in our school. Thank you!”
Jackie Wells
CTE Specialist at Moses Lake School District
There are those that walk amongst the living that are living into the purpose they are intended for…Mark C. Perna is one.”
Stephen Tauach
Lecturer III Business at University of New Mexico Valencia Campus
Awesome energy.”
Joni Simpson
College & Career Coordinator at Fairbanks North Star Borough School District
One of the most powerful and impactful presentations that I have witnessed.”
Kevin Walker
CTE Dean at Dubiski Career High School
Mark is motivating. Presentation has lots of energy and I left having things that I can do tomorrow.”
Glen Bailey
Asst. CTE Director at Alpine School District
Genius!”
Michelle Snow
Director at C-TEC
Practical, relevant, mind-opening, several ah-ha moments.”
Matt Hopkins
Student Services/WBL Coordinator at Cattaraugus-Allegany BOCES
This program was definitely dynamic and thought provoking!”
Marilyn Bonham
Teacher at Green Forest School
Loved the strategies about how to market. I realize I have been reaching out the wrong way.”
Jared Ferguson
Principal at Utah County Academy of Sciences
Career Tree — I will be using this with my freshmen seminar class!”
Majeda Sultana
Academic Counselor/Instructor at Bergen Community College
Excellent presentation with new perspectives on CTE.”
Hayden Fink
Owner at Mountain STEM Initiative
Great communicator.”
Octavius Barnes
College & Career Coordinator at DCPS, Paul L. Dunbar HS