My journey: shaping lives through education and technology

Welcome to my ePortfolio. Here, you'll discover my passion for Career and Technical Education (CTE) and how I leverage technology to foster meaningful learning experiences. My journey from an unskilled laborer to a dedicated educator has instilled in me the belief that education, empowered by technology, is key to unlocking potential, creating opportunity, and changing lives. Join me as I share my philosophy and aspirations.

My educational journey: from laborer to leader

My path began with a GED, leading me from the workforce as an unskilled laborer to discovering the transformative power of education. Through diligent effort, I acquired industry certifications, earned an associate degree, and completed my bachelor’s. Currently, I am pursuing a master’s degree, driven by the belief that CTE changes lives—just as it changed mine. It equips students with practical skills, purpose, and dignity in their work, bridging economic opportunity with personal fulfillment. Technology, I believe, is crucial for expanding access to these life-altering opportunities.

Passion, purpose, and pioneering technology

My deep passion as a technology-integrated educator stems directly from my own CTE journey. The strong relationships, clear relevance, and rigorous programs I encountered while earning my associate degree fundamentally shaped my approach. These three values—relationship, relevance, and rigor—now define my educational philosophy and leadership. I'm proud of how digital tools enhance these values, strengthening connections, making learning directly applicable to careers, and supporting rigorous, industry-aligned instruction. Technology allows me to empower students and prepare them for real-world expectations. Inspired by George Washington Carver, I believe technology should serve people, elevate opportunity, and reinforce the dignity of all meaningful work.

Aspiring to influence and inspire

Looking ahead, my greatest aspiration is to continue serving students meaningfully while expanding my influence beyond a single classroom. While I love the direct impact of teaching, I recognize the crucial role of leadership in shaping effective CTE programs. I am driven to step into broader leadership roles to advocate for education that is practical, relevant, and transformative—education that creates real opportunity. My goal is to support instructional programs that provide students with immediate workforce skills, long-term career mobility, and financial stability, benefiting employers, communities, and the entire region I serve in Dadeville, Alabama. My next steps involve strengthening my instructional practice and influencing systems and policies to ensure education remains impactful and aligned with workforce needs.

"I want visitors to understand that success comes from passion, dedication, and a willingness to put in the work. Technology is simply a powerful tool that, when used thoughtfully, helps us become more effective educators and professionals by improving how we share knowledge, skills, and ideas."

Alvin McCormick