FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Megan Fitzgerald
January 6, 2003 (703) 683-9312; mfitzgerald@acteonline.org
?The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announces that , of El Reno, Oklahoma was selected as the 2002 ACTE-McDonald?s Teacher of the Year award on December 12th at the ACTE Annual Convention and Career Tech Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Recipients are recognized for providing their communities with outstanding career and technical education programs. The award winner, selected by the ACTE Awards Committee, must have made significant contributions toward innovative, unique and novel programs that are serving to improve and promote career and technical education.
Mr. Clemons helped create and shape the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Program at the Canadian Valley Technology Center in El Reno, Oklahoma. During his tenure Mr. Clemons developed a program that can easily be adapted to meet the needs of all students, regardless of age, race, backgrounds, disabilities and abilities. His curriculum is up to date and on the cutting edge of technology. Mr. Clemons worked with the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education to develop an online teacher technical assistance tool, CareerTech Connect.
Outside the classroom, Mr. Clemons keeps his students busy with community service projects. Each year he organizes his students along with students from other departments to build a house in the community. He encourages students to stay involved with activities in the community, and even supervises some of his students while they make repairs to Canadian Valley buildings.
A former student and now father of a son enrolled in Clemons? Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Program states, ?You will find former students of Mr. Clemons working at, or running nearly every heating and air conditioning business within 50 miles of Stillewater and even beyond.?
In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Mr. Clemons is active in the American Legion, the Elks, as well as church work. He served as pastor for 11 years at Morrison Christian Church in Morrison, Oklahoma.
The Association for Career and Technical Education is the national professional association for the field of career and technical education. Now in its 77th year, ACTE?s membership numbers more than 30,000 teachers, counselors and administrators at the middle school, high school and postsecondary levels.
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January 6, 2003 NR#03-002
