FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Megan Fitzgerald
September 25, 2003 (703) 683-9312; mfitzgerald@acteonline.org
ALEXANDRIA, VA ? The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announces that Gloria Haiwick of Highmore, South Dakota will receive the ACTE Outstanding Teacher in Community Service Award. The award will be presented at the ACTE Annual Convention and Career Tech Expo, December 11-14, in Orlando, Florida.
The award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to serving their communities by being directly involved in local programs and/or by providing leadership and motivation that has led to their peers or their students becoming active in community service.
A family and consumer science teacher at Highmore High School for 27 years, Ms. Haiwick has continually promoted community development through her curriculum and student organization. Ms. Haiwick structures her curriculum to include acts of community service to enhance and reinforce what is being taught. For example, her seventh grade class assembled grooming kits and delivered them to a nearby woman?s shelter after completing a unit on personal grooming. Each year her Child Development class also makes quilts to donate to new babies in shelters. Throughout the year her students can be found at the local nursing home, providing assistance and companionship to those who need it.
In addition to the work done with her students at Highmore High School, Ms. Haiwick has served as the adviser for Highmore chapter of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) for over 20 years. Her projects with this group stress the importance of service, not only in once a year projects, but in the projects they do each day and in the many activities her chapter sponsors. Her FCCLA chapter has won eight STAR events since 1997 and in 2001 was presented the First Runner up Award for the national program STOP the Violence.
An active member of ACTE for 22 years, Ms. Haiwick has served on numerous committees for the South Dakota Association for Career and Technical Education. She is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Family and Consumer Sciences and volunteers in other organizations in her community such as the 4-H Club.
Her students? admiration towards her is evident in one former student?s comment, ?Ms. Haiwick instills an unspoken philosophy in all her students, making serving others seem second nature.?
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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September 25, 2003 NR#03-028
