189. Kelly Dooley, ED/CEO of ITEEA, on STEM Literacy, STEM Teaching Standards, and Non-Dues Revenue

What does it take to prepare every student, not just future engineers, for a world shaped by technology, AI, and constant innovation? And what role should associations play in equipping educators to meet that challenge?In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Kelly Dooley, Executive Director & CEO of the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA). Kelly discusses:Kelly's own journey from structural engineer to association CEO, and how association management became the career she never knew existed.How ITEEA has evolved from the American Industrial Arts Association into the leading professional association for technology and engineering educators, reflecting the changing nature of STEM education.Why every student, not just those pursuing STEM careers, needs technological and engineering literacy to thrive in today's world.ITEEA's Standards for Technological and Engineering Literacy (STEL) and how they define what students should know and be able to do.The association's Engineering byDesign™ curriculum, a PreK–12 STEM program that is now used by states, school districts, and individual educators across the country, and which generates significant non-dues revenue for the association.What it takes to convince an entire state to adopt an association-developed curriculum.The nationwide shortage of technology and engineering teachers, and how ITEEA is addressing recruitment, retention, mentorship, and career pathways through its new strategic plan.How AI is transforming education by helping teachers automate routine work while creating new challenges around student use, classroom policies, and AI literacy.References:ITEEA WebsiteStandards for Technological and Engineering Literacy (STEL)Engineering byDesign™