ACTE

An innovative and creative teacher, Leslie Watkins makes her lessons applicable to the real world. She is a Family and Consumer Science teacher at Reidland High School in Paducah, Kentucky. In and out of the classroom, Watkins addresses the needs of her students.

Before she came to Reidland, Watkins worked in a school with a ten percent teen pregnancy rate. Looking at this problem, she wrote a proposal and received a grant to operate a school day care. Watkins also started “Project Graduation,” a program designed to prevent alcohol related car accidents by organizing safe after prom and graduation activities. She continued improving the lives of students at Reidland by developing the Culinary and Early Childhood programs. She received her National Board Certification and took classes at the Culinary Institute of America to prepare herself for the new programs.

Watkins has been a member of ACTE for many years. She has been a presenter at several ACTE conferences including the 2002 National Policy Seminar. Watkins was a representative to the Kentucky ACTE board. She is also the president of the National Association Teacher of Family and Consumer Sciences.

A very observant educator, Watkins uses career and technical education to improve the lives of her students. One colleague states that Watkins “lives what she teaches in her classroom…She is such a positive role model for everyone in the community.”

An innovative and creative teacher, Leslie Watkins makes her lessons applicable to the real world. She is a Family and Consumer Science teacher at Reidland High School in Paducah, Kentucky. In and out of the classroom, Watkins addresses the needs of her students.

Before she came to Reidland, Watkins worked in a school with a ten percent teen pregnancy rate. Looking at this problem, she wrote a proposal and received a grant to operate a school day care. Watkins also started “Project Graduation,” a program designed to prevent alcohol related car accidents by organizing safe after prom and graduation activities. She continued improving the lives of students at Reidland by developing the Culinary and Early Childhood programs. She received her National Board Certification and took classes at the Culinary Institute of America to prepare herself for the new programs.

Watkins has been a member of ACTE for many years. She has been a presenter at several ACTE conferences including the 2002 National Policy Seminar. Watkins was a representative to the Kentucky ACTE board. She is also the president of the National Association Teacher of Family and Consumer Sciences.

A very observant educator, Watkins uses career and technical education to improve the lives of her students. One colleague states that Watkins “lives what she teaches in her classroom…She is such a positive role model for everyone in the community.”

Sandy Hume is a gifted teacher with the ability to simplify any subject. As a Business Technology instructor at Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC), Hume teaches students from various walks of life. Through her relationships with the business community of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, she is able to give her students a well-rounded education.

In her quest to stress the importance of building strong relationships between students and instructors, Hume created an “Advisee Program.” This mentoring program was developed to assist students with scheduling and any other college related concern. Hume keeps herself prepared by educating herself on the latest computer software and holds certifications in Microsoft Office applications. Using her Wisconsin Instructional Design System certification, Hume developed a curriculum for five classes.

Hume is very passionate about career and technical education. She has been a member of ACTE and the Wisconsin ACTE for over four years. Hume represents her state association at CVTC events and recruits members. She is also the chair of the WACTE Bylaws and Resolution committee.

Through her actions, Hume encourages her peers to invest in their students. One colleague states: “Sandy is tireless in her efforts to provide her students with the best learning opportunities. She is determined to reach each student so they can achieve their goals.”

Joline Dunbar has been a highly active member of her community for over 24 years. She is a Family and Consumer Science teacher at Brookings High School in Brookings, South Dakota. Dunbar believes that “it is her role to help students become better citizens and volunteers.”

Dunbar has been an advisor for the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) for many years. In her advisory role, she has helped students focus on finding ways to improve their community. With Dunbar’s assistance, the Brookings FCCLA members have done an average of 40-50 community service projects over the past five years. Some of the projects include: the Katrina Donation Drive, “Support Our Troops!” activities, Eating Disorders Awareness, and the Senior Citizen’s Carnival.

An award winner on the regional and state levels, Dunbar is often recognized for her work. She is the 2005 South Dakota ACTE Outstanding Teacher in Community Service. In her FCCLA chapter, they have won several awards including the National Join Hands Award (2003-2006), the National Stop the Violence Award (2005), and the National Career Connections Award (2004).

Dunbar has a positive impact on her students. Though her community service work, she is able to encourage them to do their best work. One colleague states that “Mrs. Dunbar instills a desire in her students to always do their best…She sets high expectations for each student while doing this in a kind, caring, and nurturing manner.”

A highly creative and energetic person, Richard Prows lends his expertise to many organizations. Now retired, Prows was the CEO of Prowswood-Real Estate Design, Construction, Development, and Realtor Firm in Bountiful, Utah. In his spare time he “works tirelessly, behind the scenes, to improve the lives of young people and to help them discover their own possibilities.”

Prows has worked in the home construction business for over 45 years. He authored a work entitled the “Home Builders Institute/Quick Management System”. Despite his busy work schedule, Prows found time to volunteer on various committees dealing with career and technical education and served as a presenter at many CTE conferences.

Prows has been on the board of many organizations including the Children’s Museum of Utah, the Utah State Advisory committee, and the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce. Currently Prows is on board of the Junior Achievement of Utah where he helped to implement the Enterprise Village and Financial Park. This program educates students in grades K-12 on financial topics such as free enterprise, business, and economics.

Prows stresses the importance of having a career and technical education throughout the state of Utah. Besides running a multi-million dollar company, he has donated his time to organizations interested in the advancement of career and technical education. One colleague notes: “I know of no single individual in this state or the nation who has championed the concept of career and technical education with more tenacity…He loves young people and desires to help them achieve their occupational dreams…”

Verlyn Velle has dedicated over 35 years of her time to career and technical education. As the CTE Director and Tech Prep Coordinator for the Campbell County School District of Gillette, Wyoming, Velle makes a significant impact on the lives of students of various age groups. She also uses her influence to obtain funding for a variety of CTE programs.

Through the use of grants, Velle gave her students the opportunity to explore their career options. She wrote the proposal and received a $500,000 School-to-Career Local Partnership Grant that allowed the Campbell County School District to run Career Fairs and other career guidance programs. Velle used Perkins funds to begin Career Centers at all of the county’s high schools.

A highly active member of ACTE, Velle has devoted much of her time and energy to this organization. She is the past chair of the CTE Support Fund committee and was a part of the Task Force to rewrite legislative language for the reauthorization of the Perkins Act. Velle is a former ACTE board member and executive committee member. Currently, she is representing Region V on the ACTE Reorganization committee.

Velle truly cares about the students of Campbell County and the advancement of career and technical education on the state and national level. One colleague notes: “…Dr, Velle is truly dedicated to Career and Technical teachers, students, organizations, and issues. She cares very much about all students and their future.”

Walter “Woody” Woodhull has advanced career and technical education on the state and national level. As the Director of the Illinois Employer Advocacy Initiative (IEAI), he is able to combine his experiences to create productive members of society. In his mission to improve career and technical education, Woodhull has worked with people of all ranks.

Woodhull began his CTE career as a teacher and career counselor. He then began working on the state level with the New Jersey State Department of Education. In this position, he was able to use well known local sports figures to promote the value of a career and technical education. Woodhull went on to work for the Assistant Secretary of the Office of Vocational and Adult Education and later as the Public Information Director for the National Advisory Council for Vocational Education. Using these experiences, Woodhull helped to create the Illinois Employer Advocacy Initiative.

The IEAI was formed through a partnership between The Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois ACTE, and the Illinois Political Action Committee. The Initiative seeks to encourage various employers from different industries to advocate for state and federal CTE funding. Woodhull has helped the IEAI get over 1500 people involved.

Woodhull has made CTE funding at the state and federal levels a priority. A colleague states: “It takes people with the drive and initiative of Woody Woodhull to promote and develop new and innovative ideas which will support career and technical education today and the future.”

Katherine Cliatt has been an influential figure of career and technical education for over 25 years. This South Carolinian is an Education Associate for Business, Marketing, and Information Technology at the South Carolina Department of Education. Known as a very dedicated person, Cliatt “demands a lot of herself and expects the same of others.”

Cliatt enthusiastically started working for the South Carolina Department of Education in 1993. During her time there, she has encouraged the passage of the 1994 School-to-Work Act, supervised 32 CISCO Academies, and created a certification program for business and marketing education. Cliatt also formed a partnership with the Oracle Corporation, which generated 40 Oracle Academies through the use of grants.

Cliatt has been an asset to ACTE and SCACTE for many years. She is in the Business and Marketing Education Divisions. Cliatt is also an active member of the National Association of Supervisors of Business Education, an affiliate of ACTE.

Cliatt has set an example for her peers through her work with various student and CTE organizations. A colleague notes: “Katherine believes in our students…She is held in high esteem by her colleagues and is often consulted for her expertise in business, marketing, and information technology…”

Secondary Programs
Eastside Technology Center, Lexington, KY

Post Secondary Programs - Generic
Automotive Training Center, Exton, PA

Post Secondary Programs - Manufacturer Affiliated
Seminole Community College, Sanford, FL