FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 15, 2021
Contact: Megan Kmiotek
ACTE Announces Utah Assistant Teaching Professor as National Award Finalist
ALEXANDRIA, VA — Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Natalie Hancock, Assistant Teaching Professor at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, as the 2021 ACTE Region V 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.
Natalie Hancock is an Assistant Teaching Professor and the Director of Family and Consumer Sciences Education (FCSE) in the School of Family Life at Brigham Young University. Hancock graduated from BYU with her bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Sciences Education in 2008. She received her master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Utah in 2014. Hancock taught Family and Consumer Sciences for 3 years at Eastmont Middle. She followed her middle school students to Jordan High School where she taught for 4 years. She was an FCCLA Advisor and loved seeing the passion students developed, how they grew and all they learn through FCCLA. She has served on the Utah FCCLA state board as the university representative and encourages her BYU pre-service to teachers to become involved with FCCLA. Serving on the Utah ACTE, UATFACS, NATFACS, NATEFACS board, the policy committee for the FCS Division of ACTE board in a variety of positions and presenting at the national Vision conference have given Hancock a great appreciation for professional organizations and FCS educators at all levels. Currently, Hancock teaches the methods and practicum courses at BYU and supervises student teachers. Being able to work with pre-service teachers and get them excited to teach has been a rewarding experience. Hancock works to ensure the pre-service teachers understand the connection between Career and Technical Education and Family and Consumer Sciences Education. She has brought innovation to the FCSE courses at BYU in a variety of ways.
Hancock 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 virtual 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.