FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 8, 2006

CONTACT: Sabrina Kidwai (703) 683-9312; skidwai@acteonline.org

 

ALEXANDRIA, VA- The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announces that Mike Gillispie of Glendale, Arizona has been named the ACTE Outstanding Educator of the Year. Gillispie received the award at the ACTE Annual Convention and Career Tech Expo on December 1 in Atlanta, Georgia.

The ACTE Outstanding Career and Technical Educator award is given in recognition of a career and technical educator who has provided significant contributions to professional associations and career and technical education programs in their respective communities or state.

Gillispie is the director of the Agribusiness and Urban Horticulture program at Glendale Community College (GCC) in Glendale, Arizona. For over 20 years, Gillispie has been active in the career and technical education community. Each year he aggressively tries to find ways to increase opportunities for his students.

When Gillispie started his CTE career as an agriculture instructor, he introduced the first high school turf management program in the nation. He also developed the first dual enrollment articulation agreement in the state with community colleges for golf and turf management. When Gillispie took over the agricultural program at GCC, he introduced many new courses, certifications, and ASS degree programs.

Gillispie has been a member of ACTE and ACTE Arizona for over 19 years. He is a former ACTE Regional Vice President, Region V Conference Director, and state association president. Gillispie is also an ACTE Ambassador and is the GCC representative for ACTE Arizona.                               

Gillispie constantly strives to improve the quality of career and technical education.  One colleague observes, “Mike is a great mentor for students…He has the unique ability to make a positive and significant difference in his student’s quality of education.”

The Association for Career and Technical Education is the national professional association for the field of career and technical education. Now in its 80th 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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ACTE’s World Wide Web Site: www.acteonline.org

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