ACTE Announces Kentucky Associate Professor as National Award Finalist
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 30, 2021
Contact: Megan Kmiotek
ACTE Announces Kentucky Associate Professor as National Award Finalist
ALEXANDRIA, VA — Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Kimberly Bellah, associate professor at Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky, as the 2021 ACTE Region II Teacher Educator of the Year. This award recognizes teacher educators who have demonstrated innovation in teacher education, leadership in improving career and technical education (CTE), and commitment to preparing teachers to deliver high-quality CTE programs.
Kimberly Bellah is an associate professor of agricultural education for the Hutson School of Agriculture at Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky. She has served on the faculty as the lead agricultural teacher educator since 2011. During this time, she also advises the Collegiate FFA Chapter and serves as the contact for myriad service events for advisors and members in FFA in Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, and Tennessee.
Before moving to Kentucky, Bellah was an associate professor of agricultural education at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas, where she was also an interim department chair for Human Sciences. She also served as a lecturer in the Agricultural Education and Communication Department at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and as the California Department of Education’s Professional and Curriculum Development Coordinator for Agricultural Education. She earned her doctoral degree at the University of Florida in agricultural education and communication, and her bachelor and master’s degrees from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.
Bellah is one of five finalists for the 2022 national title. The national winner will be announced at the virtual ACTE Awards Gala, an award presentation recognizing the best CTE educators in the country. The event will take place on November 30 at 5:00 p.m. ET. The virtual Awards Gala is sponsored by Express Employment Professionals, Goodheart-Willcox and Stratasys. 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.