ACTE Announces Indiana Director as National Award Finalist

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 28, 2018

Contact: Jarrod Nagurka
jnagurka@acteonline.org, 703-683-9312

ACTE Announces Indiana Director as National Award Finalist

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Patrick Biggerstaff, director of career, technical and adult education in a large district in Indianapolis, Indiana, as the 2018 ACTE Region III Administrator of the Year. This award recognizes administrative CTE professionals at the school, district, county, state, or federal level who have demonstrated leadership in ensuring teacher and student success and have made significant contributions toward innovative, unique and effective career and technical education programs.

Patrick Biggerstaff serves as director of career, technical and adult education in a large district in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is also a student, pursuing a doctorate in education. He contributes to several state-level boards and committees, and teaches graduate-level courses in teacher education. Biggerstaff is wholly committed to supporting the development of students, teachers, partnerships and high-quality CTE programming.

ACTE’s High-quality CTE Framework defines standards for “evaluating programs, determining areas for targeted improvements, and recognizing successful elements that should be scaled.” This is work in which Biggerstaff is highly involved. He exhibits leadership in local program development, resource acquisition, teacher retention, and many other areas of CTE program management. He serves as an instructional champion and district leader in the areas of equity and access. In an effort to support continued learning among area district staff, he worked with teachers to design a professional development structure where, in addition to prep time, educators participate in daily activities that balance structure and self-direction.

Biggerstaff provides support for a National Technical Honor Society chapter and he implemented a student ambassador program that encourages students to participate in leadership activities as well as recruitment and awareness events throughout the local community.

Biggerstaff is one of 5 finalists for the 2018 national title. The national winner will be announced at the ACTE Awards Banquet, a dinner and award presentation recognizing the best CTE educators in the country. The event will take place on Wednesday evening, November 28, during ACTE’s CareerTech VISION 2018 in San Antonio, TX. The Awards Banquet is sponsored by Express Employment Professionals, the US Army, CareerSafe, Stratasys, and International Baccalaureate. For more information about the ACTE Excellence Awards, visit our webpage.

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About ACTE
The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation’s largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. ACTE represents the community of CTE professionals, including educators, administrators, researchers, school counselors, guidance and career development professionals and others at all levels of education. ACTE is committed to excellence in providing advocacy, public awareness and access to resources, professional development and leadership opportunities.