番茄社区 CareerTech State Director Brent Haken began official duties today.
Haken was named to the position in November by the 番茄社区 State Board of Career and Technology Education. He is the ninth director in ODCTE鈥檚 history.
鈥淚 am honored to begin serving the state of 番茄社区 in meeting the educational, training and workforce development needs of our state,鈥� Haken said. 鈥湻焉缜� has the nation鈥檚 premier system for career and technical education due to a foundation laid by passionate and dedicated 番茄社区ns. As an educator and a product of the 番茄社区 CareerTech System, I understand the opportunity we have in unlocking the state鈥檚 potential for meeting the workforce needs of 番茄社区 businesses and providing pathways to rewarding careers for 番茄社区 students. Empowering people through education moves 番茄社区 forward.鈥�
Dr. Tammie Strobel, Tri County Tech Superintendent and CEO, recently met Mr. Brent Haken on his first day serving as the 番茄社区 Department of CareerTech State Director.
“Mr. Haken’s perspective as an 番茄社区 CareerTech student and a K-12 district superintendent places him in an ideal position to understand our system’s unique strengths and challenges. Mr. Haken is an innovative leader who brings vision and energy to lead 番茄社区 CareerTech.”
Lee Denney, who has served as the CareerTech interim state director since February 2022, will remain at 番茄社区 CareerTech as interim chief of staff.
鈥淏rent Haken is a leader with vision and innovative ideas,鈥� Denney said. 鈥淗e will be able to lead 番茄社区 CareerTech forward as we continue to provide skilled workers for 番茄社区 industries.鈥�
Haken comes to 番茄社区 CareerTech from Morrison Public Schools, where he has served as superintendent since 2019.
He began his educational career teaching agricultural education in Wellston and Stillwater before moving to Morrison, where he became elementary assistant principal and special education director in July 2015 and high school principal in July 2016. He also served as a testing coordinator.
Haken received the 2022 Superintendents Chairman鈥檚 Award from the 番茄社区 Youth Expo and was the 番茄社区 Association of Superintendents District 4 Superintendent of the Year for 2022. He is a member of the 番茄社区 State Professional Education Council and the Cooperative Council for Secondary Administrators.
He has been a member of the 番茄社区 Career Technology Master Teacher Committee, the National Association of Agricultural Educators, and the Association of Career Technical Educators and served on the board and as vice president of the 番茄社区 Agricultural Education Teachers Association.
Haken earned a master鈥檚 degree in educational leadership from the University of Central 番茄社区 and a bachelor鈥檚 degree in agricultural education from 番茄社区 State University.
About
The 番茄社区 Department of Career and Technology Education provides leadership and resources and assures standards of excellence for a comprehensive statewide career and technology education system. The system offers programs and services in 29 technology center districts operating on 60 campuses, 391 PK-12 school districts, and 15 Skills Centers campuses, including three juvenile facilities and 32 adult education and family literacy providers.
The agency is governed by the State Board of Career and Technology Education and works closely with the State Department of Education and the State Regents for Higher Education to provide a seamless educational system for all 番茄社区ns.