VOTE FOR YOUR NEW CACTE OFFICERS!

VOTING IS NOW OPEN for CACTE officers! Have your ACTE/CACTE member ID handy when you are ready to vote. Find your number on the mailing label of your Techniques magazine or go to acteonline.org, click "login" at upper right, then "Update My Info" Your Member ID is on the left. Or contact CACTE Assistant Director, Sheri Bryant, at asstdirector@cacte.org.

You'll be voting for CACTE President-Elect and CACTE Treasurer. We are pleased to announce the candidates:

• President-Elect candidate - Sean Norman, Director of Applied & Advanced Learning, Falcon School District 49

• Treasurer candidate - Bernadette Bille, Business & Marketing Teacher, Ponderosa High School, Douglas County School District

DETAILS ABOUT PRESIDENT-ELECT CANDIDATE, SEAN NORMAN

BRIEF BIO: 

A level-headed professional with a diverse background in education, leadership, and mentorship, Sean Norman has consistently worked to expand learning opportunities for students. His experience spans roles from classroom educator to senior leadership, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of the educational landscape. This journey has included designing postsecondary and career programming pathways, overseeing daily operations of an early college and Career and Technical Education magnet school, and coordinating efforts to support work-based learning, concurrent enrollment, and Career and Technical Education programs.

EXPERTISE & CACTE/ACTE AFFILIATIONS:

My approach to leadership is based on the idea that a professional association only thrives when it fosters genuine trust and transparency among its members. I have worked in various roles, from classroom educator to High School Principal, and now as the Director of Applied and Advanced Learning. This background gives me a balanced view of the complexities of Career and Technical Education (CTE). I have a unique set of skills for leading an organization like CACTE.

Systems-Level Vision: My experience as a Malcolm Baldrige CAPE Examiner enables me to view professional associations through a lens focused on organizational quality and sustainable growth.

Rural and Urban Insight: With a strong background in rural leadership and years of experience in the Greater Colorado Springs Area, I understand the different challenges our educators in Colorado face.

Communication and Advocacy: I have a strong track record of managing the public image of educational institutions. I ensure our mission is clearly communicated across all modern platforms.

A Culture of Mentorship: I do more than just lead; I develop leaders. Whether overseeing teacher mentor programs for five years or coaching adjunct professors, I am dedicated to keeping top instructors and leaders engaged.

CACTE/ACTE Involvement: My dedication to the CTE community is shown through my active participation in professional growth and leadership programs. My involvement includes:

ACTE CTE for ALL Mentor: I have shared my knowledge to help guide future CTE leaders.

ACTE CTE for ALL Mentee: I believe in lifelong learning and have participated in this program to improve my advocacy and administrative skills.

Pathways Leadership (2016–Present): For almost a decade, I have been involved in designing and building Career Pathways, coordinating efforts to support work-based learning, and enhancing Career and Technical Education programs.

My career has been a journey of curriculum innovation and educational growth, and I look forward to applying my years of experience to the CACTE Board.

COMMITMENT TO CACTE’S MISSION:

My professional journey has focused on expanding learning opportunities and closing the gap between traditional education and career readiness. As a professional with experience from the classroom to senior leadership, I see Career and Technical Education (CTE) not just as a program but as a vital foundation for student success in today’s economy. My dedication is evident in my efforts to integrate career-technical education with college-level learning and real-world work experiences.

Relevant Experience & Leadership

I have spent years at the crossroads of secondary education and industry, ensuring that "Early College" and "Career Options" are more than just labels in a school’s name. My experience includes:

Systemic CTE Oversight: In my current role as Director of Applied and Advanced Learning for School District 49, I support the integration of CTE, work-based learning, and concurrent enrollment.

Pathway Innovation: I have a solid record of designing career pathways, including creating the Sustainable Agriculture and Green Education (SAGE) and Multimedia Graphic Design pathways.

Operational Excellence: As past Principal of Odyssey Early College and Career Options, I managed all aspects of a CTE magnet school, focusing on providing students access to industry certifications, associate degrees, and internships.

Advocacy & Mentorship: My commitment to the field is also shown in my roles as a CTE for ALL Mentee and Mentor, demonstrating my belief in the ongoing professional development of CTE leaders.

Value to the Executive Committee and CACTE Board

I believe I would be a valuable member of the Executive Committee because I combine strong vision with practical operations. Having served as a Malcolm Baldrige California Awards for Performance Excellence (CAPE) Examiner, I have a keen eye for organizational performance and overall improvement. My background in rural leadership and my experience as a Colorado Secondary Principal of the Year Finalist allow me to represent diverse stakeholder voices across the state. On the Board, I will work to build trust, transparency, and community, ensuring that CACTE remains a strong example of how we can nourish the relationships between our schools and the industries they support.

DETAILS ABOUT TREASURER CANDIDATE, BERNADETTE BILLE

BRIEF BIO:  

Strategic Financial Leader | CTE Advocate | Adobe Luminary Ambassador

MBA-qualified Business Educator with 18 years of experience running multi-unit franchises and managing seven-figure budgets. I specialize in connecting real-world business operations with high-level CTE instruction. Having managed the financial health of over 45 business units, I am ready to apply that same fiscal discipline and board-level advocacy to ensure the growth and stability of CACTE.

EXPERTISE & CACTE/ACTE AFFILIATIONS:

I’m not just a Business teacher; I spent 18 years in the "owner’s chair" responsible for every dollar that came in and went out of my franchises. Managing a professional association requires the same level of fiscal discipline I used while overseeing a $1.3M annual budget and directing operations for over 45 studios. I know how to read a P&L, I understand the importance of an audit trail, and I know how to make every cent count toward a strategic goal.My real strength is being able to translate 'business talk' into something that works for educators. Whether I’m managing a payroll for 15+ employees or facilitating college-level marketing courses, I stay focused on transparency and follow-through. I’m here to ensure that CACTE’s finances are rock-solid so the board can focus on what matters most: our students and our teachers.CACTE and ACTE Involvement:CBAM (Colorado Business and Marketing): Elected Board Member, 2025–Present.CACTE Legislative Committee: Member, 2025–Present. I am currently in 'learning mode' within this committee, leaning in to understand the nuances of policy while remaining fully committed to advocating for our state's funding and legislative priorities.ACTE Professional Development Committee: Member, 2025–Present.Adobe Luminary Ambassador: 2025–Present.CACTE Summit: Attendee, 2025.ACTE VISION Conference (Nashville): Attendee, 2025.

I’ve spent the last year deeply involved in the CBAM board and the legislative side of CACTE. I understand how this organization works from the inside out, and I have the financial background to step into the Treasurer role on day one."

COMMITMENT TO CACTE'S MISSION:

Bernadette Bille's commitment to CTE is rooted in a simple belief: students deserve an education that is as rigorous and relevant as the industry they are about to enter. After 18 years in the private sector—owning franchises and managing the financial health of over 45 business units—she transitioned to the classroom to bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world fiscal reality. Bernadette doesn’t just teach marketing and entrepreneurship; she teaches the professional standards and financial discipline that she lived for nearly two decades.Beyond the classroom at Ponderosa, Bernadette has committed herself to the broader health of our profession through active service within the CACTE umbrella. As an Elected Board Member for CBAM, she has gained firsthand experience in how our divisions feed into the statewide mission. This role, alongside her work on the CACTE Legislative Committee and the ACTE Professional Development Committee, has given her a front-row seat to the policy and advocacy work required to keep CTE sustainable in Colorado. Attending ACTE VISION and the CACTE Summit wasn't just about professional learning; it was about understanding how we can better support our teachers through changing workforce demands.Bernadette believes that she would be a valued member of the Executive Committee specifically because she is comfortable at the intersection of advocacy and accountability. As a Treasurer candidate, she brings a level of fiscal stewardship—managing seven-figure budgets and complex payrolls—that is vital for the board’s success. Having already served within the CBAM leadership, she understands the importance of divisional collaboration. Bernadette is ready to apply her business discipline to CACTE’s finances, ensuring our resources are managed with transparency and aligned directly with our mission to empower educators and students across the state.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE NOW!