OBTA Historical Links
In 2007 OBTA—An Association for Business Technology Educators celebrated its 80th year of Business education for effective living. Irving R. Garbutt served as the first president of OBTA and a number of changes have occurred since 1927 under the leadership of over 77 presidents, officer teams, and executive boards. OBTA has evolved as business education has demanded. From sectional meetings and drive-in conferences to the annual fall conference, members have been able to experience the latest trends in technology from manual to electric typewriters to PDAs and blue tooth technology. From Gregg Shorthand to texting and Instant Messaging, business tools are continuously shifting and OBTA focuses on keeping its members on the mark. However, one a common thread of sharing teaching techniques, effective classroom activities, and the future of business technology education has been constant OBTA objective for the past 80 years.
OBTA members have been recognized in various categories of awards since 1969 including Secondary Teacher Award of Distinction, Teacher Educators, Post-Secondary Business Teacher Award of Distinction, Business Education Accomplishment, and Business Administrator Supervisor. Also business educators in training have received assistance from OBTA with scholarships. The 1990s brought two additions to OBTA: BIAC and OBTA online. The establishment of the Business and Industry Advisory Council (BIAC) promotes activities that facilitate interaction between business educators and business and industry. The BIAC partnership is designed to improve the perception and the role of business technology education in the state of Ohio through contact with community leaders and educational leaders and to further the goals of education in Ohio. And www.obta-ohio.org keeps its members and business educators across the U.S. informed.
At the turn of the century a name change from Ohio Business Teachers Association to OBTA—An Association for Business Technology Educators transpired to reflect the changes in the classroom. The 21st century business technology educators face a wide array of possibilities regarding the students, subject areas, school levels, and sites at which business subjects are taught. The OBTA membership has reflected the change from secondary to post-secondary educators to including elementary and middle school business educators. OBTA’s mission To make a positive impact in business education by providing professional development activities, research, publications, and networking opportunities was adopted in 2005. OBTA Moving Ahead, Striving Higher in Business Education.