FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 20, 2022
Contact: Dominique Frascoia
ACTE Announces Illinois Agriculture Educator FFA Advisor as National Award Finalist
ALEXANDRIA, VA—Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Jody Heavner, Agriculture Educator FFA Advisor at Pittsfield High School in Pittsfield, Illinois, as the 2022 ACTE Region III Carl Perkins Community Service Award. This award recognizes the finest career and technical education (CTE) educators at the middle/secondary school level who have demonstrated innovation in the classroom, commitment to their students and dedication to the improvement of CTE in their institutions and communities.
Jody Heavner attended the University of Illinois, graduating in 1995 with a MS in Animal Science. After time spent as a Clinical Trial Administrator, she began her high school teaching career at Union High School in Biggsville, IL. After a move to Pike County to return to the family farm, she left teaching to work in industry and serve as an adjunct professor at John Wood Community College. In the fall of 2008, she started in her current role serving as the Agriculture Education Instructor and FFA Advisor for the Pittsfield FFA Chapter in Pittsfield, IL. In that time, Pittsfield FFA Chapter has been recognized on the State and National level including winning the National Chapter Award for Building Communities. In addition to her teaching duties, Heavner has represented agriculture education in various leadership roles. She has served on the Board of Directors for the Illinois Association of Vocational Agriculture Teachers as well as being a member of the Illinois Committee for Agriculture Education that advises the Illinois State Board of Education. She lives on the family farm with her husband where they raise crops and simmental cattle with their three sons.
Heavner is one of five finalists for the 2023 national title. The national winner will be announced at the ACTE Awards Gala, an award presentation recognizing the best CTE educators in the country. The event will take place on November 30, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. The 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.
