FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Updated October 5, 2020
Contact: Hannah Neeper
hneeper@acteonline.org
ACTE Announces 2021 National Award Finalists
ALEXANDRIA, VA—Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced its 2021 national finalists in eight different award categories. Finalists were announced for Teacher of the Year, Postsecondary Teacher of the Year, Administrator of the Year, New Teacher of the Year, Teacher Educator of the Year, Counseling and Career Development Professional Award, Lifetime Achievement and Carl Perkins Community Service Awards.
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 Thursday, December 3 at noon, during ACTE’s Virtual CareerTech VISION. The Awards Gala is sponsored by Express Employment Professionals, Goodheart-Willcox, CareerSafe, eDynamic and Stratasys. For more information about the ACTE Excellence Awards, visit our webpage.
Teacher of the Year Award
Kristina Guttadora–Freehold, NJ–Region I
Luke Riddle–Williamston, SC–Region II
Kandy Smitha–Indianapolis, IN–Region III
Amanda Eastridge-English–Oklahoma City, OK–Region IV
Kitti Wheeler–Lakewood, WA–Region V
Postsecondary Teacher of the Year Award
Terry Morse–University Center, MI–Region I
Krystle Gremaud–Warrensburg, MO–Region III
Cecil Wainscott–Stillwater, OK–Region IV
Nicole Hampton–Flagstaff, AZ–Region V
Administrator of the Year Award
Nicole Zergebel–Bellport, NY–Region I
Christopher Bailey–Jacksonville, NC–Region II
Jean Rakun–Plymouth, MN–Region III
Teresa Pinkston–Tulsa, OK–Region IV
Aron Schmidt–Vail, AZ–Region V
New Teacher of the Year Award
Jennifer Probst–Spencerport, NY–Region I
Kaitlin Van Heusen–Starke, FL–Region II
Lisa Orren–Redwood Falls, MN–Region III
Jennifer Snyder–Jonesboro, AR–Region IV
Lori Merrill–Wilcox, AZ–Region V
Teacher Educator of the Year Award
Sally Arnett-Hartwick–Normal, IL–Region III
Cynthia Miller–Portales, NM–Region IV
Carol Erwin–Wayne, NE–Region V
Counseling and Career Development Professional Award
Rosalie Sauter–West Nyack, NY–Region I
Laura Cook–Park Ridge, IL–Region III
Tracy Hardy–Kosciusko, MS–Region IV
Nora Zollweg–Bremerton, WA–Region V
Lifetime Achievement Award
Constance Spohn–Rexford, NY–Region I
Judith Sams–Richmond, VA–Region II
Marth Eldredge Stark–Park Ridge, IL–Region III
Brenda Drawdy–Killeen, TX–Region IV
Lisa Doll–Chandler, AZ–Region V
Carl Perkins Community Service Award
Lorin Curtis–Joplin, MO–Region III
Kristal McCathern–Ardmore, OK–Region IV
Rachel Aszklar–Summer, WA–Region V
Note: National finalists from Region II will be announced after the Region II conference on October 1-3.
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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.
