Michael K. Woods, an influencer in Career Technical Education (CTE), has dedicated his career to enhancing educational opportunities for all students, including those with disabilities and non-traditional backgrounds. After teaching agricultural science and advising FFA programs in Pennsylvania, he joined the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) as the state association liaison for region one. This role helped him build a vast network of CTE partners in the Northeast and connect with the CTE Technical Assistance Center (CTE TAC) of New York and Successful Practices Network. Currently, as the director of the CTE TAC of New York, Mike and his team focus on providing high-quality professional learning opportunities for CTE administrators, faculty, and staff across New York State. Mike aims to empower educators and improve CTE for all students in secondary and postsecondary career pathways.
Mike Woods is a proud product of Career and Technical Education. From growing up on a small dairy farm to teaching agricultural science and advising FFA members, his journey has shaped the way he leads today as Director of the CTE Technical Assistance Center of New York, part of the Successful Practices Network (SPN) in support of the New York State Education Department’s Office of CTE.
At the CTE TAC, Mike works statewide to support CTE programs with practical tools, coaching, and resources that make complex work more manageable. His team focuses on strengthening teacher recruitment and retention, improving curriculum quality, and building stronger connections among education, workforce, and postsecondary systems. He also brings a broader national perspective to this work, having been a member of Cohort 3 of the Postsecondary State Career Technical Education Leaders Fellowship at Advance CTE.
Mike believes systems should serve people, not the other way around. Across his work, he is focused on making the work easier for CTE teachers and leaders while making career-connected learning stronger for all learners.
He and his husband, Tanner, reside in Fayetteville, New York. Outside of work, they enjoy traveling, exploring new places, and spending time with family and friends.
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