#64 CTE 2.0: Preparing Students for High-Wage, High-Demand Futures with Chris Brida

In this episode of Make It Mindful, Seth Fleischauer welcomes Chris Brida, district administrator at Portland Public Schools, to explore how career and technical education (CTE) can transform K-12 learning. They discuss the urgent need for public-private partnerships and the role of cross-functional teams in driving educational systems change. The episode highlights how aligning education with workforce needs can empower students with durable, transferable skills—without sacrificing choice or creativity.Key Topics Discussed:The evolution of CTE: from vocational stigma to future-ready pathwaysWhy CTE must start before high school: awareness, exploration, and preparationBuilding public-private partnerships to align K-12 with workforce needsHow to design systems that are nimble, sustainable, and equitableThe power of cross-functional teams to solve educational problemsWhy K-12 must stop working in isolation—and what happens when it doesn'tHow bringing in outside expertise can solve internal challenges (like teacher burnout)Guest Bio: Chris Brida is a district administrator for Portland Public Schools, overseeing Career and Technical Education (CTE), Advanced Placement (AP), and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs. He is also a doctoral candidate at the University of Kentucky, where his research focuses on the role of public-private partnerships in education systems change.Host Bio: Seth Fleischauer is the founder of Banyan Global Learning and an advocate for global education. He leads conversations with forward-thinking educators who are shaping the future of learning by connecting people, cultures, and systems.Episode Links:Connect with Chris Brida on LinkedInLearn more about Portland Public Schools’ Career and Technical Education programsHost Links:Seth Fleischauer’s Banyan Global Learning provides meaningful global learning experiences that prepare students across the globe for success in an interconnected world.