Award History
Postsecondary Professional of the Year: Brandie Disberger
Dr. Brandie Disberger is a teaching assistant professor in agricultural education atKansas State University. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses including program planning, early field experience in agricultural education, Inquiry-Based Curriculum in Agricultural STEM Biotechnology Education, and Beginning Teachers in Agricultural Education. In addition, she assists with student intern placement and supervision during the spring semester. She is the academic advisor for over 40 students. She is passionate about recruiting and retaining agriculture teachers. She is the primary advisor for the agricultural education club and the Teach Ag Students of Kansas (TASK) Force) a recruitment team for agricultural education and she helps coordinate the Beginning Educator Support Team (BEST) program for early career agriculture teachers in Kansas. Brandie was formerly an agricultural education instructor and FFA adviser at Southeast of Saline High School for 10 years.
Lifetime Achievement and Hall of Fame Award: Laurali Masterson
Laurali Masterson is the Family and Consumer Science instructor at Hill City Junior Senior High School in Hill City, KS where she will be entering her 32nd year of teaching. She previously taught at Wichita County Junior Senior High School for 30 years. She is passionate about the FCS courses and pathways. She enjoys helping students make plans for their future and teaching life skills they will use every day. Laurali is a member of ACTE since 2001 and has been an active member of Kansas Association of Teachers of Family and Consumer Sciences (KATFACS) organization for 21 years.
Administrator of the Year: Lucas Matile
My name is Lucas Matile and I am the principal of Central Heights Middle and High School. I am a Central Heights High School graduate with a bachelors of Science in Agricultural Education from Kansas State University and a Master’s Of Science in School Leadership from Baker University. I believe every individual has genius and leadership within themselves and our challenge is to help them realize and refine those skills. The opportunities within Career and Technical Education Courses are the key method for students to develop those skills and reach their full potential.
Teacher of the Year: Gavin Couvelha
Teacher of the Year: Gavin Couvelha Mr. Couvelha is the audio/video instructor at Valley Center HS and inspires his students to be leaders in industry and not just followers. His student-focused courses and instructional pedagogy emphasize real-world hands-on practical experiences from day one. Each course instills student leadership and mentorship as students progress through the interworking of the video production school business known as “Hornet Studios”. Each student leaves with confidence, firsthand practical experience, and expertise in video productions, rising to the top in their posthigh school pursuits. Mr. Couvelha and his students have shared “Hornet Studios” interworking and philosophy at many conferences and are looking forward to presenting on the national stage this winter at ACTE’s CareerTech VISION 2022 conference.
Laurali Masterson – Lifetime Hall of Fame
Beth Schartz – New Teacher of the Year
Julie Dainty – Postsecondary Teacher of the Year
Kasie Bogart – 2 awards: Teacher of the Year & Carl Perkins Community Service
Teacher of the Year: Marla Sterling
New Teacher of the Year: Aubry Weigel
Lifetime Achievement Award: Jennifer Whitley
Carl Perkins Community Service Award: Sonya J Roberts
Teacher of the Year: Mike McConnell
New Teacher of the Year: Lauren Van Allen
Administrator of the Year: Cathy Mong
Lifetime Achievement Award: Marian M. Cordill
Carl Perkins Community Service Award: Jed Strnad
Post Secondary Professional of the Year: David Thompson
Marla Sterling, Teacher of the Year – State
Aubry Weigel, New Teacher of the Year – State
Laura Klenda, Young Teacher of the Year – State
Sonya Roberts, Carl Perkins Community Service Award – State
Pam Busch, Carl Perkins Community Service Award – Affiliate
Jennifer Whitley, Lifetime Achievement Award – State
Young Teacher of the Year (State): John Bergin
Young Teacher of the Year (Affiliate): Linda Swan
New Teacher of the Year (State): Lauren Van Allen
New Teacher of the Year (Affiliate): Caitlin Callaway
Teacher of the Year (State): Mike McConnell
Teacher of the Year (Affiliate): Jed Strnad
Post-Secondary Teacher of the Year: Dr. David Thompson
Administrator of the Year: Cathy Mong
Carl Perkins Community Service Award: Jed Strnad
Lifetime Achievement Award: Marian Cordill
Teacher of the Year (State): Kacey Preston
Teacher of the Year (Affiliate): Jason Larison
New Teacher of the Year (State): Zana Manche
New Teacher of the Year (Affiliate): Jillian Goodwin
Young Teacher of the Year (State): Ashley Weber
Young Teacher of the Year (Affiliate): KaCee Thompson
Postsecondary Teacher of the Year (State): Jennifer Snell
Carl Perkins Outstanding Service Award (State): Kelly Hoelting
Carl Perkins Outstanding Service Award (Affiliate): Bobbi Qualls
Lifetime Achievement Award (State): Dr. Steve Harbstreit
Lifetime Achievement Award (Affiliate): Dr. Sally J. Yahnke
Teacher of the Year – Stella Tharp
New Teacher of the Year – Janet Holden
Young Teacher of the Year – Kayla Taylor
Post-Secondary Teacher of the Year – Dr. Carol Werhan
Administrator of the Year – Eileen Caspers
Carl Perkins Community Service Award – Cherry Coen
Award of Merit – Realityworks, Inc.
Lifetime Achievement – Lynette Yevak
Teacher of the Year (State): Kelly Hoelting
Teacher of the Year (Affiliate): Merritta Combs
New Teacher of the Year (State): Jacqueline Gabbert
New Teacher of the Year (Affiliate): Kjerstine Vaughn
Young Teacher of the Year (State): Marla Sterling
Young Teacher of the Year (Affiliate): Laura Priest
Postsecondary Teacher of the Year (State): Julie Dainty
Carl Perkins Community Service Award (State): Larry Lyder
Carl Perkins Community Service Award (Affiliate): Ashley Weber
Lifetime Achievement Award (State): Joanelle Lucas
Award of Merit (State): Kansas Council for Economic Education (KCEE)
Teacher of the Year (State): Bobbie Qualls
Teacher of the Year (Affiliate): Angelle Higbie
Young Teacher of the Year (State): Carmelita Goossen
Outstanding Career and Technical Educator (State): Debra Andres
Outstanding New Career and Technical Educator (State): John Bergin
Outstanding New Career and Technical Educator (Affiliate): Magan Bearman
Outstanding New Career and Technical Educator (Affiliate): Katy Ulepich
Outstanding Teacher in Community Service (State): Diane Breiner
Carl Perkins Outstanding Service Award (State): Jim Means
Policymaker of the Year (State): Senator Steve Abrams
Award of Merit (State): Kansas Pork Association
Teacher of the Year (State): Lynette Yevak
Young Teacher of the Year (State): KC Youngblood
Outstanding Career and Technical Educator (State): Gayla Randel
Outstanding Career and Technical Educator (State): Kacey Preston
Outstanding New Career and Technical Educator (State): Laura Priest
Outstanding New Career and Technical Educator (Affiliate): Marla Sterling
Outstanding Teacher in Community Service (Affiliate): Joe Curran
Award of Merit (State): Kansas Beef Council
